Colorful drought-tolerant plants to grow for summer interest

By Eva Ditler, Managing Editor, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles

Blue hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii): Grown in full sun, this hardy, beautiful plant can produce hundreds of lilac-blue to deep-purple blooms sporadically all year long.
Lavender (Lavendula spp.) You don't have to guess what color this plant is. It's very aromatic and can be used in sachets, perfumes and soaps.
California fuchsia (Zauschneria): Attract hummingbirds to your garden with this bright orange or hot red flowering California native that works well as ground cover.
Red hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria): The multi-colored flower spikes (coral red, orange and yellow) are dramatic when planted in front of an evergreen background. This one also is loved by hummingbirds.
Texas ranger (Leucophyllum): Great for desert gardens, the bell-shaped purple, red, pink or lavender flowers appear almost year round.
Pink trumpet vine (Podranea ricasoliana): Loves the sun, loves the heat — fasten this twining vine to an arbor or trellis and you'll enjoy an abundance of attractive pink flowers all summer long.
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): From the showy pink, red, purple or white flowers with their delicate crepe paper petals to the handsome bark this small tree offers a grand display of color throughout the summer.
Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis): The fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers of this 15- to 25-foot  tree come in white to burgundy and all shades in between. The nectar attracts hummingbirds, bees and other insects.