Evergreen Perennials for the Mountain West

‘Marian Sampson’ hummingbird coyote mint

Monardella macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 4 to 6 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide 

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist to dry, well-drained soil

Native range: Southern California, Baja California 

This semi-evergreen, fragrant perennial is part of the Plant Select program, which highlights plants that thrive in the Rocky Mountain region. Its ground-hugging, deep green foliage forms a dense mat. But what makes this plant so spectacular are the clusters of bright red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds in late spring. ‘Marian Sampson’ hummingbird coyote mint is perfect for rock gardens, as it does well with gravel mulch. Place it next to boulders to provide a bit of shade in the heat of summer. This perennial is drought tolerant but may benefit from some additional water during the hottest months of the year.

‘Dragon’s Blood’ Caucasian sedum

Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’ syn. Sedum spurium ‘Schorbuser Blut’ 

Zones: 3–9

Size: 3 to 6 inches tall and 1 to 2 feet wide 

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; dry to medium, well-drained soil

Native range: Caucasus region of eastern Europe, Iran, Turkey 

‘Dragon’s Blood’ Caucasian sedum is a fast-growing ground cover that provides year-round interest, either as a specimen plant or when used in a mass planting. The succulent foliage is bright green with burgundy edges in spring and gradually darkens until it becomes a brilliant red in fall. It holds this reddish color through winter. Clusters of starry red flowers put on a show during summer. I deadhead it after flowering to show off the colorful fall foliage, but that’s the only maintenance I provide to this easy-care plant. Not only is ‘Dragon’s Blood’