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Drought-Tolerant
Bee-Friendly Perennials
Note:
Much of the
information below is excerpted from
an article in the San Francisco
Chronicle
(March 15, 2009) by Regan
McMahon.
"California has two big
problems at the moment: not enough water and not enough
bees. The state's environment and agricultural industry
need both of these to thrive. Home gardeners can help by
planting California natives and
other drought-tolerant plants and plants that attract
bees."
Below are some perennials that
may provide an opportunity for you to do your part
to solve this "problem" in your
garden. |
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Seaside
daisies
(Erigeron
glaucus)
 This
California native
produces large numbers of small flowers and is good for
native bees. Flowers all year, but mainly in
summer.
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Lavender
(Lavandula).
 This
hardy Mediterranean shrub or annual (Provence, Spanish,
'Munstead' and more) has spikes of fragrant purple
flowers or flower buds and requires little water once
established. Butterflies and native and honey bees love
it.
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daisies
(Erigeron
glaucus)
 There are many California natives and
cultivars in blue, pink and lavender, and they attract
butterflies and native and honey
bees." |
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Penstemon
 There are many California natives,
cultivars, and colors to choose from in the Penstemon
genus. This bushy, flowery plant is excellent for native
and honey bees. The native Penstemons are extremely
drought tolerant.
Note:
we have a large sele v:shapes="_x0000_s1030">There are many California natives and
cultivars in blue, pink and lavender, and they attract
butterflies and native and honey
bees."
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Penstemon
 A
fragrant, drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb. It grows
easily and smells great.
Note:
We also have a large selection of
Rosemarys.
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Salvia 'Mystic Spires'
(or
the larger Salvia 'Indigo Spires')
 A
magnet for butterflies, honey and native bees and
hummingbirds. It is among the easiest and showiest
Salvias for the garden. This is a very beautiful
Salvia.
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Hummingbird
Sage
(Salvia spathacea)
 Native to California, it is in
the Salvia family and has an excellent ground-covering
growth habit. It blooms with long-stemmed flower
clusters from late Winter through Summer, and attracts
hummingbirds, butterflies, and native
bees.
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="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica">Salvia 'Indigo Spires')
![]()
Gaillardia
grandiflora
Native to California, it is in
the Salvia family and has an excellent ground-covering
growth habit. It blooms with long-stemmed flower
clusters from late Winter through Summer, and attracts
hummingbirds, butterflies, and native
bees. |
="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica">Salvia 'Indigo Spires')
![]() It
is known as "Blanket Flower".for it resemblance to
bright patterned blankets made by American Indians.
There are many cultivars available. They can grow in
very harsh, dry
conditions. |
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California
Fuchsia
(Epilobium --
formerly Zauschneria)
 Bursting with vibrant
red/orange (sometimes salmon or pink) tubular flowers in
late Summer and Fall, it thrives even when you forget,
or choose not to water. Also called Hummingbird Trumpet,
this
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="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica">Salvia 'Indigo Spires')
![]() California native
evergreen perennial attracts butterflies, hummingbirds,
and native
bees.
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Sunflower
rmerly Zauschneria)
Bursting with vibrant
red/orange (sometimes salmon or pink) tubular flowers in
late Summer and Fall, it thrives even when you forget,
or choose not to water. Also called Hummingbird Trumpet,
this |
="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica">Salvia 'Indigo Spires')
![]()
by
Nancy Carl Carlstrom
Lift your
Yellow
head
High
In the blue
Sky
So big
So
bright
So beautiful
Sunflower
Smiling
On
this hot
Summer day
-from "Highlights High
Five Children's
Magazine"
Note:
We also have a good selection of perennial
sunflowers.
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All of
the above mentioned plants are available at the
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o:allowoverlap="f">
![]() Markham
Nursery.
Lift your
Yellow
head
High
In the blue
Sky
So big
So
bright
So beautiful
Sunflower
Smiling
On
this hot
Summer day
-from "Highlights High
Five Children's
Magazine"
Note:
We also have a good selection of perennial
sunflowers.
|
|
All of
the above mentioned plants are available at the
<:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
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o:allowoverlap="f">
![]() Note to
Enrique--I found your Passion Vines, all 4 of them.
They are in the right greenhouse on the right side near
the front. You will see them right away. Help yourself.
Norma
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Lift your
Yellow
head
High
In the blue
Sky
So big
So
bright
So beautiful
Sunflower
Smiling
On
this hot
Summer day
-from "Highlights High
Five Children's
Magazine"
Note:
We also have a good selection of perennial
sunflowers.
|
|
All of
the above mentioned plants are available at the
<:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:top;mso-position-vertical-relative:line'
o:allowoverlap="f">
![]() The
Plant Lady, Barb, and
Steve
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