The key to a successful water-wise landscape is knowing how to water. Many plants can be trained to utilize water better by how they are established when first planted. Long, deep soakings that saturate the entire root ball done only as needed will help the roots seek water by growing deeper into the soil. Check out our blog Watering 101 for more detailed information on establishment watering protocols.
That being said, the below list of plants are great options that naturally are more adaptable for Utah’s climate.
Be sure to check out Utah’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping. This USU Extension department has many great resources for more specific plant information as well as ideas on how to get started with adjusting your existing landscape.
Coniferous Trees
- White Fir – Abies concolor
- Incense Cedar – Calocedrus decurrens
- Blue Atlas Cedar – Cedrus atlantica glauca
- Cedar of Lebanon – Cedrus libani
- Arizona Cypress – Cupressus arizonica
- Utah Juniper – Juniperus osteosperma
- Rocky Mountain Juniper – Juniperus scopulorum
- Bristlecone Pine – Pinus aristata
- Pinyon Pine – Pinus edulis
- Limber Pine – Pinus flexilis
- Single-Needled Pinyon – Pinus monophylla
- Austrian Pine – Pinus nigra
- Ponderosa Pine – Pinus ponderosa
- Scotch Pine – Pinus sylvestris
Deciduous Trees
- Hedge Maple – Acer campestre
- Amur Maple – Acer ginnala
- Bigtooth Maple – Acer grandidentatum
- Tatarian Maple – Acer tataricum
- Shantung Maple – Acer truncatum
- Serviceberry – Amelanchier sp.
- Western Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa
- Common Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis
- Desert Willow – Chilopsis linearis
- Turkish Filbert – Corylus columa
- American Smoke Tree – Cotinus obovatus
- Douglas Hawthorne – Crataegus douglasii
- Single-Leaf Ash – Fraxinus anomala
- Ginkgo
- Kentucky Coffee Tree – Gymnocladus dioicus
- Goldenrain Tree – Koelreuteria paniculata
- Osange Orange – Maclura pomifera
- Persian Ironwood – Parrotia persica
- Hop Tree – Ptelea trifoliata
- Gambel Oak – Quercus gambelii
- Bur Oak – Quercus macrocarpa
- Chinkapin Oak – Quercus muehlenbergii
- New Mexico Locust – Robinia neomexicana
- Japanese Pagoda Tree – Sophora japonica
- Japanese Lilac Tree – Syringa reticulata
- Lacebark / Chinese Elm – Ulmus parvifolia
- Zelkova
Shrub
- Utah Agave – Agave utahensis
- Leadplant – Amorpha canescens
- Silver Sage – Artemisia cana
- Sand Sage – Artemisia filifolia
- Fringed Sage – Artemisia frigida
- Black Sage – Artemisia nova
- Big Sage – Artemisia tridentata
- Fourwing Saltbrush – Atriplex canescens
- Shadescale – Atriplex confertifolia
- Butterfly Bush – Buddleia davidii
- Siberian Peashrub – Caragana arborescens
- Blue Mist Spiraea – Caryopteris x clandonensis
- Utah Mountain Lilac – Ceanothus martinii
- Little-Leaf Mtn. Mahogany – Cercocarpus intricatus
- Curl-Leaf Mtn. Mahogany – Cercocarpus ledifolius
- Alder-Leaf Mtn. Mahogany – Cercocarpus montanus
- Fernbush – Chamaebatiaria millefolium
- Smoke Bush – Cotinus coggygria
- Cranberry Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster apiculatus
- Bearberry Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster dammeri
- Spreading Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster divaricatus
- Rock Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster horizontalis
- Scotch Broom – Cytisus scoparius
- Green Mormon Tea – Ephedra viridis
- Rubber Rabbitbrush – Ericameria nauseosus
- Apache Plume – Fallugia paradoxa
- New Mexican Privet – Forestiera neomexicana
- Spanish Broom – Genista hispanica
- Silky-Leaf Broom – Genista pilosa
- Common Woadwaxen – Genista tinctoria
- Mountain Spray – Holodiscus dumosus
- Maple Mallow – Iliamna rivularis
- Juniper – Juniperus sp.
- Beauty Bush – Kolkwitzia amabilis
- Winterfat – Krascheninnikovia lanata
- Oregon Grape – Mahonia aquifolium
- Fremont Holly – Mahonia fremontii
- Sqaw Apple – Peraphyllum ramosissimum
- Littleleaf Mockorange – Philadelphus microphyllus
- Mallow-leaved Ninebark – Physocarpus malvaceus
- Ninebark – Physocarpus opulifolius
- Mugo Pine – Pinus mugo
- Shrubby Cinquefoil – Potentilla fruticosa
- Sand Cherry – Prunus pumila v. besseyi
- Cliffrose – Purshia mexicana
- Shrub Live Oak – Quercus turbinella
- Fragrant Sumac – Rhus aromatica
- Smooth Sumac – Rhus glabra
- Squawbush – Rhus trilobata
- Staghorn Sumac – Rhus typhina
- Golden Currant – Ribes aureum
- Shrub Rose – Rosa glauca (rubrifolia)
- Rugosa Rose – Rosa rugosa
- Woods Rose – Rosa woodsii
- Rocky Mtn. Thimbleberry – Rubus deliciosus
- Dorr Sage – Salvia dorrii
- Silver Buffaloberry – Shepherdia argentea
- False Spiraea – Sorbaria sorbifolia
- Coralberry – Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
- Mountain Snowberry – Symphoricarpos oreophilus
- Snowberry – Symphoricarpos x chenaultii
- Lilac – Syringa vulgaris
- Wayfaring Tree – Viburnum lantana
- Blackhaw – Viburnum rhytidophylloides
- Leather-Leaf Viburnum – Viburnum rhytidophyllum
- Yucca
- Blue Mint Bush – Zizophora cllinopodioides
Perennials
- ‘Gold Plate’ Yarrow – Achillea filipendula
- Common Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
- Wooly Yarrow – Achillea tomentosa
- ‘Coronation Gold’ Yarrow – Achillea x ‘Coronation Gold’
- ‘Moonshine’ Yarrow – Achillea x ‘Moonshine’
- Stonecress – Aethionema schistosum
- Sunset Hyssop – Agastache rupestris
- Lady’s Mantle – Alchemilla sp.
- Allium / Ornamental Onion – Allium sp.
- Willow Blue Star – Amsonia tabemaemontana
- Mount Atlas Daisy – Anacyclus depressus
- Pearly Everlasting – Anaphalis margaritacea
- Columbine – Aquilegia sp.
- Rock Cress – Arabis caucasica
- Showy Sandwort – Arenaria macradenia
- Sea Pinks / Thrift – Armeria maritima
- Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa
- ‘Monch’ Aster – Aster x frikartii
- ‘Wonder of Staffa’ Aster – Aster x frikartii
- Utah Ladyfinger – Astragalus sp.
- Purple Rock Cress – Aubrieta hybrids
- Basket-of-Gold – Aurinia saxatilis
- Desert Marigold – Baileya multiradiata
- Horehound – Ballota pseudodictamnus
- Bergenia – Bergenia cordifolia
- Chocolate Flower – Berlandiera lyrata
- Brodiaea
- Poppy Mallow / Wine Cups – Callirhoe involucrata
- Sundrops – Calylophus sp.
- Indian Paint Brush – Castilleja sp.
- Cupid’s Dart – Catananche caerulea
- Jupiter’s Beard – Centranthus ruber
- Autumn Crocus – Colchicum autumnale
- Large-flowered Coreopsis – Coreopsis grandiflora
- Thread-Leaf Coreopsis – Coreopsis verticillata
- Yellow Corydalis – Corydalis lutea
- Crocus – Crocus sp.
- Ice Plant – Delosperma sp.
- Maiden Pinks – Dianthus deltoides
- Cheddar Pinks – Dianthus gratianopolitanus
- Cottage Pinks – Dianthus plumarius
- Border Pinks – Dianthus x allwoodii
- ‘Coral Canyon’ Twinspur – Diascia integerrima
- Gas Plant – Dictamnus albus
- Globe Thistle – Echinops ritro
- Barrenwort – Epimedium sp.
- Fernleaf Fleabane – Erigeron compositus
- Showy Fleabane – Erigeron speciosus
- Hercules Buckwheat – Eriogonum heracleoides
- James Buckwheat – Eriogonum jamesii
- Silver Buckwheat – Eriogonum ovalifolium
- Sulfur Buckwheat – Eriogonum umbellatum
- Amethyst Sea Holly – Erygium amethystinum
- Blanket Flower – Gaillardia x grandiflora
- Gaura – Gaura lindheimeri
- Endress Cranesbill – Geranium endressii
- Bigroot Cranesbill – Geranium macrorrhizum
- Bloody Cranesbill – Geranium Sanguineum
- Sticky Geranium – Geranium viscosissimum
- Baby’s Breath – Gypsophila paniculata
- Utah Sweetvetch – Hedysarum boreale
- Orange Sneezeweed – Helenium hoopesii
- Sun Rose – Helianthemum nummularium
- Daylily – Hemerocallis hybrid
- Red Yucca – Hesperaloe parvifolia
- Coral Bells – Heuchera sp.
- Sundancer Daisy – Hymenoxis acaulis
- Candytuft – Iberis sempervirens
- Iris
- Red-Hot Poker/Torch Lily – Kniphofia uvaria
- English Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia
- Summer Snowflake – Leucojum aestivum
- Dotted Blazing-Star – Liatris punctata
- Tall Gayfeather – Liatris scariosa
- Spike Gayfeather – Liatris spicata
- Sea Lavender – Limonium latifolium
- Lewis Flax – Linum lewisii
- Blue Flax – Linum perenne
- Blackfoot Daisy – Melampodium leucanthum
- Desert Four O’Clock – Mirabilis multiflora
- Little Bee Balm – Monardella odoratissima
- Daffodils/Narcissus – Narcissus sp.
- Catmint – Nepeta x faassenii
- White Evening Primrose – Oenothera caespitosa
- Bronze Evening Primrose – Oenothera howardii
- Missouri Evening Primrose – Oenothera macrocarpa
- Pale Evening Primrose – Oenothera pallida
- Oregano – Origanum sp.
- Oriental Poppy – Papaver orientale
- Common Beardtongue – Penstemon barbatus
- Mat Penstemon – Penstemon caespitosus
- Foxglove Penstemon – Penstemon cobaea
- Wasatch Penstemon – Penstemon cyananthus
- Firecracker Penstemon – Penstemon eatonii
- Mexicali Penstemon – Penstemon mexicali hybrids
- Palmer Penstemon – Penstemon palmeri
- Pine-Leaf Penstemon – Penstemon pinifolius
- Canyon Penstemon – Penstemon pseudospectabilis
- Bridges Penstemon – Penstemon rostriflorus
- Littlecup Penstemon – Penstemon sepalulus
- Rocky Mtn. Penstemon – Penstemon strictus
- Utah Penstemon – Penstemon utahensis
- Whipple’s Penstemon – Penstemon whippleanus
- Russian Sage – Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Jerusalem Sage – Phlomis sp.
- Cinquefoil/Potentilla – Potentilla sp.
- Paper Flower – Psilostrophe tagetina
- Pasqueflower – Pulsatilla vulgaris
- Mexican Hat – Ratibida columnifera
- Blue Sage – Salvia aurea
- Violet Sage – Salvia nemorosa
- Garden Sage – Salvia officinalis
- Cotton Lavender – Santolina sp.
- Pincushion Flower – Scabiosa caucasia
- Gold Moss Sedum – Sedum acre
- Kamschatka Stonecrop – Sedum kamtschaticum
- Two-Row Stonecrop – Sedum spurium
- ‘Autumn Joy’ Sedum – Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’
- Hens and Chicks – Sempervivum tectorum
- False Solomon Seal – Smilacina racemosa
- Desert Globemallow – Sphaeralcea sp.
- Sundancer Daisy – Tetraneuris (Hymenoxys) acaulis
- Germander – Teucrium chamaedrys
- Mexican Sunflower – Tithonia rotundifolia
- Tulip – Tulipa
- Spike Speedwell – Veronica spicata
- Showy Goldeneye – Viguiera multiflora
- Hummingbird Flower – Zauschneria sp.
- Desert Zinnia – Zinnia grandiflora
Groundcovers
- Pussytoes – Antennaria sp.
- Bearberry – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Snow-in-Summer – Cerastium tomentosum
- Trailing Fleabane – Erigeron flagellaris
- St. Johns Wort – Hypericum calycinum
- Horizontal Juniper – Juniperus horizontalis
Grasses
- Indian Rice Grass – Achnatherum hymenoides
- Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii
- Purple Three-Awn – Aristida purpurea
- Giant Reed Grass – Arundo donax
- Sideoats Grama Grass – Bouteloua curtipendula
- Blue Grama Grass – Bouteloua gracilis
- Buffalograss – Buchloe dactyloides
- Feather Reed Grass – Calamagrostis acutiflora
- Tufted Hair Grass – Deschampsia caespitosa
- Blue Fescue – Festuca ovina glauca
- Blue Oat Grass – Helictotrichon sempervirens
- Needle-and-Thread Grass – Hesperostipa comata
- Great Basin Wildrye – Leymus cinereus
- Maiden Grass – Miscanthus sinensis
- Purple Moor Grass – Molina sp.
- Mexican Feather Grass – Nassella (Stipa) tenuissima
- Switch Grass – Panicum virgatum
- Ravenna Grass – Saccharum (Erianthus) ravennae
- Little Bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium
- Indian Grass – Sorghastrum nutans
- Alkali Sacaton Grass – Sporobolus airoides
Vines
- Trumpet Vine – Campsis radicans
- White Virgins-Bower – Clematis ligusticifolia
- Golden Clematis – Clematis tangutica
- Silverlace Vine – Polygonum aubertii
- Japanese Wisteria – Wisteria floribunda
Cactus
- Sotol / Desert Spoon – Dasylirion wheeleri
- Englemann Hedgehog – Echinocereus englmannii
- Claretcup Cactus – Echinocereus triglochidiatus
- Beavertail Cactus – Opuntia basilaris
- Hedgehog Prickly Pear – Opuntia erinacea
- Prickly Pear Cactus – Opuntia phaeacantha
- Plains Prickly Pear Cactus – Opuntia polyacantha
