Common name:Desert or Colorado Four O' Clock
Botanical name:Mirabilis multiflora

Desert Four O'Clock has a clumping to spreading habit. Leaves are fleshy and soft green. Flowers are funnel-shaped, hot pink to magenta, and appear in abundance June through October. Will burn to ground with frost but recovers quickly if the weather warms. Looks stunning cascading over low walls or tucked between boulders. Attracts humming birds, native birds, and hawk moths. Accepts full sun or partial shade. Needs a well drained soil. Native to Utah, there is one planted at the Greater Avenues Demonstration Garden.

Common name:Purple Coneflower
Botanical name:Echinacea purpurea

The Purple Coneflower is a long-lived, reliable standby for the perennial garden. And while not xeric, it manages quite well with just weekly watering. Rosy purple petals fall below the prominent orange-tinged cone and blooms in late June to September. Foliage is large, with a rounded lance shape. An excellent cut flower, they provide nectar for bumblebees and butterflies, and the seeds provide forage for migrating song birds, so don't cut them all!

Common name:Blue Oat Grass
Botanical name:Helictotrichon sempervirens

Blue oat grass is a striking ornamental grass with blue foliage and a clumping habit. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Its showy flowers are 1 to 2 feet above the foliage. Is evergreen in mild winters. This plant looks good alone as well as in mass plantings. The blue oat grass likes dry hill sides and is drought tolerant.

Common name:European Grapevine
Botanical name:Vitis vinifera

Grapes are a wonderful addition to a garden, even without the fabulous fruit. Grapes are fast growing, and given a proper structure to scramble on, will provide screening and shade. Many species are available that grow along the Wasatch Front, even wine varieties. A very woody, twining, tendrilling vine, they need substantial support. Fruit generally begins to ripen late summer to early fall, depending on the variety. Young leaves can be pickled. Some have lovely fall color. Grows 15 to 25 feet tall and wide.

Common name:Blue Sea Holly
Botanical name:Eryngium planum

One of the Eryngium speicies, with violet blue thistle-like flowers and grey-green leaves with a tinge of purple. A striking addition to a perennial border. Grows about 24 to 36 inches tall and half as wide. Tolerates drier soils than other sea holly.