Xeriscape Zone 10A Plants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s hardiness zone map shows zone 10a has an average annual minimum temperature of 30 to 35 degrees F. Naples, Florida, and Victorville, California, are examples of cities in that zone. When it comes to xeriscape gardening, choices of plants in zone 10a are plentiful. Ideally, xeriscape plants should be drought-tolerant, low-maintenance and sustainable, in keeping with the xeriscape goal of conserving water.

Nodding Pink Onion

Allium cernuum, also known as Nodding Pink Onion or Lady's Leek, is a perennial plant that can reach 12 to 18 inches high. It is a hardy plant in zones 3a to 10a. Allium cernuum does well in partial to full sun. This plant’s white, pink and rose blooms appear from the middle of summer to early fall. The plant attracts bees, butterflies and birds into the garden with its tiny, bell-shaped nodding blossoms. The leaves and flowers both have onion scents.

Allium cernuum can propagate through division of bulbs. In the fall, sowing seeds just below the surface of the soil outdoors at 60 degrees F is one of the best ways to plant Allium cernuum. Most alliums are drought-tolerant and naturalize by self-seeding.

Canary Island Date Palm

Canary Island Date Palm, also known as Phoenix canariensis, is a large, stately, evergreen palm that can reach as high as 60 feet. It may be massive for most residential landscapes, but because of its slow growth and outstanding ornamental features, gardeners use it to add visual impact. In a xeriscape yard, Canary Island Date Palm can stand beside big boulders to add height and anchor the landscape.

Each leaf can grow from 12 to 18 inches long and shows no fall colors. A perennial, Canary Island Date Palm does well in zones 9a to 11. Plant this palm tree under full sun in clay, loam or sand. It can survive in acidic or alkaline well-drained soil. Canary Island Date Palm has high tolerance to drought and does not have invasive roots.

Lantana New Gold

Lantana, of the vervain family Verbenaceae, is hairy and often prickly-stemmed. The flowers form in stalked clusters or spikes from the leaf axils or at the ends of branches. New varieties of lantana, such as New Gold, are dwarf bushes that spread and bloom profusely. They have showy flowers that do not drop from plants throughout the blooming seasons.

Growing Lantana New Gold in a sunny location will make it more adaptable in a xeriscape yard. Once established, lantana is drought-tolerant, producing bright-colored blooms even in the hottest weather.