A xeriscape is a landscape which uses plants that have low water requirements, making them able to withstand extended periods of drought and to survive and actually thrive in areas of low rainfall. Xeric landscapes are a conscious attempt to develop plantings which are compatible with the natural environment and not dependent on irrigation or sprinkler systems. We know that different areas of the country have their own unique climates, so we have decided to simply offer a list of seeds that fall into the low water requirement/drought resistant class. It is up to the individual reading this list to determine if these plants are suitable for their specific area.

Important Note: Most of the seeds on this page will benefit greatly from using the CAPE Smoke Seed Germination Primer that we use in our own greenhouses. We find we receive significantly better germination results when we use this primer on these types of seeds.

Trees and Shrubs best suited for Xeriscaping

E3102 JUNEBERRY, SASKATOON SERVICEBERRY ( AMELANCHIER ALNIFOLIA )
Low water requirements, grows as high as 10,000 feet. A deciduous shrub that seldom exceeds 15 feet in height and occasionally suckering to form a slowly spreading clump. An easily grown plant, it prefers a rich loamy soil and thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged. The largest yields, and best quality fruits, are produced when the plant is grown in a sunny position, though it should also do reasonably well in semi-shade. The plants are fairly lime tolerant and they will also grow well in heavy clay soils. They are very cold-hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°c and probably much lower. Flowers in Early Spring, these white flowers are produced before the plants come into leaf, and are usually produced so abundantly that the whole plant turns white. They look particularly beautiful at this time. By late June, or more commonly early to mid July, the plants will usually be carrying large crops of fruits. These fruits are about 15mm in diameter, they are soft, sweet and juicy with a taste that reminds us of apples. Small enough to be eaten without problems, though they can add a slightly bitter almond-like flavor to the fruit if they are crushed whilst eating. The fruit can also be cooked in pies etc., when dried it is quite sweet and can be used in the same ways as raisins.
  Package of 10 seeds $1.95

E3104 HARDY GREEN ASH ( FRAXINUS PENNSYLVANICA )
Can be grown as high as 7,500 feet. Very attractive shade tree. Hardy and fast-growing, prospers under most conditions. Lance-shaped leaflets are a lustrous medium to dark green, turning yellow in fall. Crown is densely rounded or irregular, leaf stems are velvety. Grows to 50' to 60', 25' spread. (zones 2-9)
  Package of 10 seeds $1.95

E3106 SPREADING COTONEASTER ( COTONEASTER DIVARICATA )
Hardy Zone 5. Grows into a spreading, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub, with long, slender outer branches that droop. The shrub has a rather delicate, fine appearance. The small leaves are dark green and lustrous above, and lighter green below. Outstanding rather fluorescent red/yellow/purple fall color. Use as a border, hedge, foundation planting, or specimen. Highly recommended
  Package of 20 seeds $1.95

E3108 LEMONADE TREE ( RHUS TYPINA )
The staghorn sumac is commonly shrubby, occurring in small groups from root suckers. It is also encountered as a tree 25'-35' in height and 6"-12" in diameter. Can be grown up to 7,500 feet elevation. The leaves are alternate and pinate and the fruit is borne as a dense cluster of deep crimson dry berries at the top of the tree. The fruits ripen in the fall and persist throughout the winter. It has an irregular open and flat crown.
This shrub is a native of the Eastern United States, from Indiana, north into Canada, and south to Alabama and Georgia. It grows naturally on rocky hillsides and dry banks, mostly on limestone derived soils.
Sumac has been cultivated in Europe for centuries as an ornamental prized for its vivid fall foliage and distinctive fruit. Indians in this country made a drink from the fruit which tastes like lemonade and has a high vitamin C content, thus the name Lemonade Tree. Sumac bark and fruit are high in tannin, and were once used to tan leather. In winter the bare forked branches with their short heavy twigs resemble the antlers of a deer in velvet giving rise to the common name. The dark red fall foliage and fruit make this fast growing tree a valued ornamental.
  Package of 20 seeds $1.95

E3109 TRUMPET CREEPER VINE, COW-ITCH VINE ( CAMPSIS RADICANS )
Campsis radicans grows vigorously up to 20 to 40 feet. Can be grown elevations as high as 5,500 feet. Its leaves are compound and dense and its stems have aerial roots that can cling to walls, trees and fence posts. Clusters of yellow orange to red trumpet-like flower that are three to four inches long appear in summer and continue blooming until early autumn. Hardiness: USDA Zone 6-10.
This easily grown vine has been cultivated in North America since Colonial times. Use it in woodland gardens and natural areas. It will quickly cover fences and other structures. The trumpet shaped flowers are beautiful and will attract hordes of hummingbirds from miles around.
WARNING: The common name cow-itch vine refers to the fact that the plant produces a skin irritant. Contact may result in redness, burning and itching in susceptible individuals. This plant may also become invasive when grown under optimal conditions -- cut back in winter if necessary to keep in bounds.
  Package of 10 seeds $1.95

E3110 BROOM TOPS ( CYTISUS SCOPARIUS )
A large bushy shrub, deciduous, leaves silky when young. Flowers are longer than the leaves, large, brilliant yellow or bright lemon color. Hardy for zones 5-10. Makes beanlike pods that when mature, can split noisily, sending seed several feet from the plant. Can be grown to 7,000 feet elevation. A maintenance free garden and lawn plant. Makes a nice screen or hedge. Cannot ship to HI, CA, ID, OR, WA
  Package of 20 seeds $2.50

E3112 BEAUTYBUSH ( KOLKWITZIA AMABILIS )
10', Zone 4-9. One of the most popular shrubs. Graceful arching branches with clusters of pale pink flowers in June, red autumn color. Likes sun but will stand shade. Although eye-catching from a distance en masse, individual flowers also demand close inspection as they nestle in clusters among the soft grey-green leaves. In autumn, the leaves provide a useful coloring when they take on shades of burnished yellow.
The beauty bush is ideal for filling that color lull between the flashy brilliance of the spring flowers and the more demure tones of the early summer shrubs and climbers. It's quick growing too, reaching 10 feet in just a few years, so is ideal for filling a gap at the back of a border.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.50

E3114 COMMON LILAC ( SYRINGA VULGARIS )
The classic lilac, with large dense panicles of highly fragrant flowers borne in mid-May. There are hundreds of cultivars of this species varying mainly in flower: single or double, and almost countless shades of pink, violet, purple, blue and white. Plants grown from these seeds will produce a combination of colors. They are best used in the shrub border where the flowers can be collected and enjoyed, then will fade into the background the rest of the year. Very adaptable. Full sun.
Hardy for zones 3-7. Grows to about 8 feet tall.
  Package of 20 seeds $2.50

B1717 AMUR MAPLE ( ACER GINNALA )
A fast growing small and dainty gray-barked tree with white flowers and brilliant fall colors. Excellent specimen for small yards or patios.
Good to 8,500 feet elevation in Colorado. Hardy for zones 2-8. Requires a pH of 7.5 or less.
  Package of 20 seeds $1.95

D1708 KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE. GYMNOCLADUS DIOICA.
A large shade tree with long leaves that are pinkish in spring, green in summer and yellow in fall. The seeds can be roasted and eaten like nuts or made into a coffee substitute. The bruised foliage when sprinkled with sweetened water will attract and kill flies. Can be raised in containers.
A very picturesque plant in winter, it is hardy for zones 4-9. Good to 8,000 feet elevation. Tolerates alkalinity, salt and drought.
  Package of 3 seeds $2.00

D7880 ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIFER. JUNIPERUS SCOPULORUN.
Rocky Mountain juniper is an evergreen large shrub or small tree to 50' tall, but usually much smaller. Specimens are variable in habit, sometimes squat and shrubby, but usually narrowly cone shaped. The trunk is short and stout, often dividing near the ground. The branches are rather thick and spreading to partly erect. Rocky Mountain juniper has reddish bark that is stringy in narrow strips but does not exfoliate. Most of the leaves are like overlapping scales, closely pressed to the twigs. Juvenile leaves, usually only found on young seedlings, are more like needles, and they spread away from the twigs. The foliage is dense and pleasantly aromatic.

Trees may have male or female cones, but not both. The fruits are fleshy berrylike spherical cones, about one-third inch in diameter. They are bright blue with a whitish bloom and sweet tasting, with thin skins. Rocky Mountain juniper is closely related and quite similar to eastern redcedar, and was once believed to be the same species. But eastern redcedar has fruits that mature in a single season, whereas those of Rocky Mountain juniper take two year to ripen. Also, eastern redcedar had exfoliating bark. The two species hybridize where their ranges overlap.

Location: Rocky Mountain juniper occurs in isolated and scattered localities within a wide band from British Columbia to North Dakota, and south to Arizona and New Mexico. It grows from near sea level in the northern part of its range to more than 8000' above sea level in the south. Rocky Mountain juniper grows in alkaline soils on ridges, cliffs and rocky slopes, sometimes in pure stands, but more often in association with other mountain loving evergreens such as ponderosa pine, pinyon pine and Douglas-fir.

Culture: Rocky Mountain juniper is a slow growing tree (6-12" per year), but one that can live more than 300 years. In cultivation it tolerates acidic to alkaline soils, and does best in those that are loose and well drained. It is best adapted to culture in western and northern North America.
Light: Seedlings and saplings can tolerate rather dense shade, but Rocky Mountain junipers, even the smaller cultivars, need full sun to grow to their full potentials.
Moisture: Rocky Mountain juniper is tolerant of drought, but perhaps less so than the other junipers. It should be watered before the soil becomes completely dry. This juniper does poorly in humid climates, but does fine in hot, dry climates.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 - 7.
Usage: Use any of the cultivars of Rocky Mountain juniper for attractive foliage effects in all seasons. This evergreen is useful as a screen, hedge or foundation plant. They make great anchors or focal points for the ends of hedges or mixed borders. Rocky Mountain juniper is a tidy, formal accent shrub alone or in small groups.
Features: Although most cultivars are probably too formal for naturalistic gardens, Rocky Mountain juniper is ideal for neat, well-organized landscapes. Most cultivars require little or no pruning and are relatively free of cultural problems, insects and diseases. They tolerate heat and drought well.
  Package of 10 seeds $1.95

D2911 GOLDEN RAIN TREE. KOELREUTERIA.
A stunning tree with bright yellow flowers. Necklaces are made from the seeds and the flowers are thought to have medicinal properties in China.
A good small tree for under power lines. Tolerates alkalinity and low fertility levels, low water requirements once established. Hardy for zones 5-9. Good for elevations 6,000 feet and below.
  Package of 8 seeds $2.75

XERI02 WESTERN US XERISCAPE FLOWER MIX
A wonderful mix of flowers suitable for xeriscaping in the Western US, containing:
Arroyo Lupine, Perennial Gaillardia, Poppy-California, Gteenthread, Flax-Blue, Bluebell-California, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Bird’s Eyes, Tidy-Tips, Blazing Star,Prairie Aster, Desert Marigold, Prairie Coneflower, Gooseberryleaf Globemallow and Evening Primrose.
  1/8 cup package of seeds will plant on average a 200 square ft. area.   $3.95

XERI04 EASTERN US XERISCAPE FLOWER MIX
A wonderful mix of flowers suitable for xeriscaping in the Eastern US, containing:
Purple Conef lower, Perennial Lupine, Annual Gaillardia, Lance Leaved Coreopsis, Scarlet Sage, Pale Purple Coneflower, Partridge Pea, Purple Prairie Clover, Dwarf Evening Primrose, Clasping Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, White Upland Aster, Lavender Hyssop and Plains Coreopsis.   1/8 cup package of seeds will plant on average a 200 square ft. area.   $3.95

XERI06 EXTRA DRY XERISCAPE FLOWER MIX
A wonderful mix of flowers found to do well in extremely dry areas ( of course adequate moisture must be available for plants to become established ), containing:
Perennial Gaillardia, California Poppy, Dwarf Cornflower, Sulphur Cosmos, Blue Flax, Annual Gaillardia, Annual Baby's Breath, California Bluebell, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, African Stick Daisy, Blue Sage, Prairie Coneflower, Tidy-tips, African Daisy, Spurred Snapdragon, Corn Poppy and Sweet Alyssum
  1/8 cup package of seeds will plant on average a 200 square ft. area.   $3.95