Both plants require full sun. Sweet woodruff, which is used in making May wine, features small delicate five-fingered leaves, blooms in the spring and prospers in shaded areas. It even grows well at the base of deciduous trees. Also well adapted for shaded areas are members of the mint family, angelica, bee balm and epasote. Mint must be controlled, however, because it can spread rapidly.
Herbs are a great asset in a landscape designed for low water use.
Suggested plants include the yarrows, which can reach 3 feet tall and bloom profusely throughout the summer season with very little water. Many varieties of sage are well adapted to xeriscaping. Other herbs that are well suited to the xeriscape landscape are horehound and santolina. Photograph courtesy of Judy Sedbrook.