Perennials & Pollinators for 2026
Annuals
Cosmos Dazzler
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 3–4 ft
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained, average to poor soil
Watering: Low–Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Bloom Time: Summer–Frost
Grass
Grass Juncus inflexus ‘Blue Arrows’
Sun Exposure: Full Sun–Part Sun
Height: 2–3 ft
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Moist soil preferred
Watering: High — requires regular irrigation
Bloom Time: Summer
Ground Cover
Vinca minor ‘Bowles’
Sun Exposure: Part Shade–Shade
Height: 4–6 in
Spacing: 18 in (spreading)
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low once established
Bloom Time: Spring
Native
Achillea hybrida ‘Sassy Summer Taffy’
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 24–30 in
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate
Bloom Time: Summer
Native
Asclepias Speciosa ‘Showy Milkweed’
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 3–4 ft
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate once established
Bloom Time: Summer
Native
Echinacea hybrid Panama Red
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 24–30 in
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate
Bloom Time: Summer–Early Fall
Native
Eschscholzia Californica 'California Poppy'
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Height: 8–12 in
Spacing: 8–12 in
Soil: Poor to average, very well-drained
Watering: Very low
Bloom Time: Spring–Early Summer
Native
Lupinus perennis Wild Perennial Lupine
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 18–24 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Sandy, well-drained
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Native
Rudbeckia Hirta Marmalade
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 18–24 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate
Bloom Time: Summer–Fall
Perennials
Agastache rugosa Little Adder
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 15–18 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Sandy, sharply drained
Watering: Low
Bloom Time: Summer–Fall
Annuals
Cosmos Tetra Red
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 2–3 ft
Spacing: 12 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate
Bloom Time: Summer–Frost
Grass
Grass Calamagrostis X acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 4–5 ft
Spacing: 18–24 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Bloom Time: Early Summer (seed heads persist)
Ground Cover Shade
Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’
Sun Exposure: Part Shade
Height: 4–6 in
Spacing: 12 in
Soil: Moist but well-drained
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Spring
Native
Artemisia arborescens x absinthium Powis Castle
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 2–3 ft
Spacing: 3 ft
Soil: Sandy, sharply drained
Watering: Very Low
Bloom Time: Grown for silver foliage
Native
Coreopsis verticillata Sizzle & Spice Curry Up
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 12–18 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained, sandy or average soil
Watering: Low once established
Bloom Time: Early Summer–Fall
Native
Echinacea purpurea PowWow White
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 18–24 in
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate
Bloom Time: Summer
Native
Leucanthemum Superbum Alaska
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 24–36 in
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Early–Mid Summer
Native
Lupine Yellow
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 18–36 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late Spring–Summer
Native
Rudbeckia triloba (Brown-Eyed Susan)
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 3–5 ft
Spacing: 18–24 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late Summer–Fall
Perennials
Centranthus Ruber Valerian
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 24–36 in
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Poor to average, well-drained
Watering: Low
Bloom Time: Late Spring–Summer
Annuals
Helianthus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 4–8 ft (variety dependent)
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Fertile, well-drained
Watering: Moderate during growth
Bloom Time: Mid–Late Summer
Ground Cover
Campanula portenschlagiana ‘Clockwise Deep Blue’
Sun Exposure: Full Sun–Part Shade (afternoon shade ideal in Reno heat)
Height: 6–8 in
Spacing: 12 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late Spring–Summer
Native
Achillea filipendulina ‘Gold Coin Dwarf’
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 18–24 in
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Sandy, well-drained
Watering: Low
Bloom Time: Summer
Native
Asclepias incarnata Soulmate
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 3–4 ft
Spacing: 18 in
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Watering: Moderate–High
Bloom Time: Summer
Native
Coreopsis grandiflora Early Sunrise
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 18–24 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low–Moderate
Bloom Time: Summer
Native
Gaillardia aristata Arizona Red Shades
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Height: 12–18 in
Spacing: 12 in
Soil: Sandy, well-drained
Watering: Low
Bloom Time: Late Spring–Fall
Native
Lupinus polyphyllus Gallery Blue
Sun Exposure: Full Sun–Light Afternoon Shade
Height: 18–24 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late Spring–Early Summer
Native
Lupine Mix
Sun Exposure: Full Sun (light afternoon shade helpful)
Height: 18–36 in
Spacing: 12–18 in
Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic
Watering: Moderate; avoid soggy soil
Bloom Time: Late Spring–Early Summer
Native
Solidago hybrid Little Lemon
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 12–18 in
Spacing: 12-18 in
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Low
Bloom Time: Late Summer–Fall
Perennials
Ceratostigma Plumbaginoides Leadwort
Sun Exposure: Full Sun–Part Shade
Height: 6–10 in
Spacing: 12–18 in (spreading)
Soil: Well-drained
Watering: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late Summer–Fall