Planting in areas with climactic differences.

Coastal CA:
Native plants from NM, TX and Mexico like summer moisture (wettest months are in July and August) and bloom well when many CA natives are summer dormant. The lack of winter cold needed for winter dormancy (rest) doesn’t seem to be a problem for most plants.

The Desert Southwest:
(mild winters and very hot, low humidity summers such as inland southern CA, southern NV, southern UT and most of AZ,southern NM, and south and west TX.) Even sun loving plants benefit greatly from some afternoon shade. Plant them in the shadow of a building or under a shrub or tree. Regular watering during the heat is essential, even for xeric species. Planting must be done in the fall, winter or early spring months (mid Oct.- early March). Plants need 6-8 weeks to re-establish their root systems before the summer heat!

Regions with Very Hot, Humid Climates:
The same suggestions apply as above with the Desert Southwest. Note that xeric plants with very woolly foliage like Tanacetum (Partridge Feather), Wooly Thyme and Marrubium (Horehound) may rot from excessive rain and humidity. Plants need 6-8 weeks to reestablish their root systems before the summer heat!

Non-Western States (east of the Mississippi):
Realize that as precipitation levels move above 20 inches a year range, most very xeric plants will not survive all the extra water. These plants are best kept growing in their arid western habitats. However, many xeric plants adapt well.

Excellent soil drainage is key! Planted in a sunny site with fast-draining sandy or loam-type soils of low fertility, these plants will be happy.

Raised beds and south or west-facing slopes provide even faster drainage and are ideal planting sites. Leave those low care plants either unmulched (bare soil) or mulched with gravel.