Evergreen Perennials for the Southwest

Purple poppy mallow

Callirhoe involucrata

Zones: 4–9

Size: 8 to 12 inches tall and 2 to 3 feet wide 

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

Native range: United States, south-central Canada, northern Mexico 

Purple poppy mallow, also called wine cup, forms low mounds of dense, deeply green foliage that is nicely complemented by its striking magenta blossoms, which provide nectar for butterflies and bees alike. The largest show of blooms is in spring, but this plant will continue to flower intermittently throughout the year. Purple poppy
mallow is evergreen in warmer areas and semi-evergreen in colder zones. In locations where it is semi-evergreen, simply trim back dead stems and leaves, and a flush of new basal foliage will soon follow. This plant has a trailing habit that can be accentuated by allowing it to ­cascade over a wall. Once established, purple poppy mallow is drought tolerant. It’s also an important host plant for the gray hairstreak and painted lady butterflies. 

Texas sotol

Dasylirion texanum

Zones: 7–11

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide 

Conditions: Full sun; dry, well-drained soil 

Native range: Texas, northeastern Mexico 

Texas sotol has an elegant, organized growth shape that can add evergreen structure to any Southwest garden. The long, strap-shaped leaves radiate out from the base, creating a rounded shape. This foliage is lined with hooked, sharp spines and has historically been used to create baskets, roofs, and ropes. Texas sotol thrives in scorching full sun with very well-draining soil. Once it is mature, it will bloom every year to every other year in early summer. The flower spike grows to a stately 8 to 15 feet tall with densely packed creamy yellow flowers that