Grow flowers for cutting in this drought year? Here are some possibilities … 14 colorful, long-stemmed perennials that don't need much water - includes related article

The big reward for growing flowering plants comes when blooms unfurl, and you can stroll through the garden snipping and gathering them into fat bunches to fill vases indoors. Cut flowers, however, have a reputation for high water consumption. And with water supplies so limited in many parts of the West, growing these plants now may seem a luxury. Fortunately for gardeners, many colorful, long-stemmed blooms prized for flower arrangements are also tough and drought tolerant. The chart at left lists 14 choices, nominated by horticulturists for showy blooms, lasting quality (a week or longer) when placed in water, and low water requirements in the garden. If you can spare enough water to get them established, they'll bloom happily with little water. All are perennials. With proper care, each (except winter-blooming Geraldton waxflower) will deliver plenty of blooms for cutting late this spring or during summer, and for many warm seasons thereafter. Look for them at nurseries starting this month.

In addition to the ones listed, two drought-tolerant plants yield showy blooms that are somewhat shorter-lived when cut but make delicate, lacy fillers: Mexican evening primrose (in bottom bouquet at far right) bears pink, poppylike blooms from late spring through summer. Gaura lindheimeri, native to the Southwest, unfurls a few white, starshaped blossoms at a time in late spring from pink buds on long, branching flower spikes.

Give them good drainage and sun Except where noted, these plants grow in all of Sunset's climate zones. They require well-drained soil and warm, sunny locations (except penstemon, which needs part shade in hot-summer areas). Woolly blue curls, Matilija poppy, and buckwheat are native to California's dry slopes and prefer dry conditions once established. But the rest of these plants will bloom better with occasional deep irrigation in summer. To prolong bloom, remove spent flower heads. 11

Choices to grow for cutting

For most of these, bloom period is in summer. Yarrow Achilleafilipendulina, A. millefolium). Flower heads in large, flat-topped clusters are mostly yellow, but newly available colors include rose, red, and salmon. Blooms from late spring into fall.

Kangaroo paw Anigozanthos flavida). Striking tubular flowers, curved at the tips like kangaroo paws, are rose, red, orange, or yellow. Sword-like leaves. Blooms late spring to fall. Zones 12, 13, and 15 through 24.

Geraidton waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum). In winter, showy sprays of pale pink to rose flowers cover bright green, needle-like foliage of this heather-like Australian native. Zones 8, 9, and 12 through 24.

Coreopsis grandiflora. Bright, golden yellow blooms appear all summer on long, graceful stems above 1- to 2-foot plants. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Daisy-like blooms with drooping purple rays (also coral, crimson, white varieties) appear late spring. Bravado' holds its petals flat. Globe thistle Echinops). Small steel blue flowers with rounded heads grow midsummer to late fall on prickly-leafed, 4-foot plants.

Buckwheat (Eriogonum). On sulfur flower (E. umbellatum), clusters of tiny yellow flowers age to rust above low mats of green leaves. E. grande rubeseens, zones 14 through 24, bears dark rose blooms above gray-green leaves. Both bloom in summer.

Sea holly (Eryngium amethystinum). Spiny bracts surround blue flowers on well-branched plants; blooms in summer. Good for drying.

Blanketflower (Gaillardia grandiflora). Single or double blooms on long fuzzy stems are golden yellow, bronze, or yellow with orange or maroon bands. June to frost. Sea lavender (Limonium perezii). Clusters of tiny papery flowers, lavender-blue with white centers, bloom over a long period in summer and make good dried flowers. Basal leaves are large, leathery. Zones 13, 15, 16, 17, and 20 through 24. Penstemon. Many species; most bloom in summer. Showiest include P. gloxinioides, with tubular flowers in shades of pink to purple, and P. heterophyllus purdyi 'Blue Bedder'. Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri). Big white blooms with tufted yellow centers appear in June. Give it room; it spreads. Pincushionflower (Scabiosa caucasica). Flowers with tufted centers like pincushions are blue to bluish lavender, or white, on long stems June to frost. Annual S atropurpurea persists as a perennial in mild climates; flowers are blue, white, rose. Woolly blue caris (Trichostema lanatum). Flowers with prominent, arching stamens grow in clusters on long stalks; they're purplish blue and covered with wool that feels velvety to touch. Evergreen shrub native to California's dry, sunny slopes. Zones 14 through 24.