8 Easy Care Colorful Plants For Your SF Bay Area Climate

Above: Coreopsis – a perennial and native to North America

8 Easy Drought Tolerant Plants for Your SF Bay Area Climate. And, how to care for them.

These plants are beautiful and tough. They will save water and add color to your garden.

One of these 8 plants will work for your SF Bay Area climate.  Whether you live in the hottest inland part of the San Francisco Bay Area or on the coast.

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Attributes Non-native They come back, year after year. In an array of colors. Colors Pink, purple, yellow, red and orange Bloom times  Spring, summer and fall Light Requirements  Full sun Water Drought tolerant Maintenance Easy; deer resistant Notes Bees and butterflies love them They like well-draining soil

Salvia Leucantha (Common Name Mexican Sage)

Attributes Native. Showy flowers that can be dried; fragrant Colors This yarrow flowers are yellow. Bloom times  Early to late summer Light Requirements  Full sun Water Drought tolerant Maintenance Easy; deer resistant Notes Attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects Hardiness Heat tolerant

Dietes (Common Name Fortnight Lily)

Attributes From Africa, from the Iris family Colors White, yellow or pink flowers Bloom times  Spring to fall Light Requirements  Full sun to partial shade Water Drought tolerant Maintenance Needs regular pruning and deadheading Hardiness Adapts to wind and fog

Ceanothus Diamond Heights

Attributes Native ground cover or shrub Colors Yellow chartreuse and variegated foliage Bloom times  Spring has pale blue flowers Light Requirements  Shade to part sun Water Drought tolerant Maintenance Easy; deer resistant, pruning not necessary. Hardiness Likes coastal temperatures.  Hardy to 20 degrees

Cistus x purpureus (Common Name Rock Rose)

Attributes Non-native, fire-resistant, tolerates neglect Colors Bright pink almost purple showy flowers Bloom times  Spring, and summer Light Requirements  Full sun Water Drought tolerant Maintenance Easy; deer resistant Notes White (salvifolius) or light pink (xskanbergii) are adaptable to fog and wind Hardiness Tolerates heat

Arctostaphylos Emerald Carpet (Carpet Manzanita)

Attributes Native ground cover or shrub; evergreen Colors Deep green foliage, white flowers Bloom times  Winter to spring Light Requirements  Full sun, partial shade Water Drought tolerant Maintenance Easy; deer resistant Notes Bees and butterflies love them Hardiness to 15-20 degrees

Penstemon Carillo Red