Water restrictions do not mean Color restrictions! Hardy Boy has the plants that will thrive in all conditions including low water. The X-rated system was developed to help identify plants that take 1" of water a week, 1/2" of water a week, or 1/2" of water every other week. By following the X-rated system it's easy to Put the Right Plant in the Right Place for a more efficient garden and better plant health. A successful garden is more than just a good color combination. It is one that contains healthy plants, good textures and foliage and is environmentally healthy. Good management of all resources, including water is important.

The X-rated system will guide you to the best plant choices and still conserve water! X-rated plants come in an eXtensive range of charming choices, eXhilarating shapes, shades and textures. These plants will eXceed your eXpectations if you use our X-rated System. Single X-rated plants thrive in slightly dry conditions using 1" or less of water per week. Double XX-rated plants thrive in dry conditions using 1/2" or less of water per week. Triple XXX-rated plants thrive in very dry conditions using 1/2" or less of water every other week. Choose the appropriate plants for your conditions from the list below.

Proper soil preparation and a 10 day to 2 week establishment period (water will have to be applied more often) is needed to condition the plants before following the water guidelines.

"X-Rated" Annuals

All recommendations refer to water after the 2-3 week establishment period in which plants need more water. Proper soil preparation and use of mulch will also help decrease water needs.


X= Thrives in slightly dry conditions (1" of water/week)
XX=Thrives in dry conditions (1/2" of water/week)
XXX= Thrives in very dry conditions (very little extra watering)

X-Rated XX-Rated XXX-Rated
Begonia Richmondensis
(in shade)
Begonia semperflorens (in shade)
Brachycome - Swan River Daisy
Celosia plumosa - Cockscomb
Cherianthus (in cool weather)
Cosmos sulphureus
Cuphea - False Heather
Dianthus sp. - Pinks
Evolvulus
Glechoma - Ground Ivy
Heliotrope
Lobularia maritime -
Sweet Alyssum
Plectranthus argentatus -
Silver Dollar Plant
Tropaeolum majus - Nasturtium
Society Garlic
Verbena hybrids (trailing) -
Temari, Babylon. Tapien, Tukana series etc
Zinnia hybrids




Calibrachoa - Trailing Petunia
Catharanthus roseus - Vinca
Cleome hassleriana - Spiderflower
Coreopsis tinctoria - Coreopsis
Cosmos bipinnatus - Cosmos
Diascia barberae -
Annual Twinspur
Dyssodia tenuiloba -
Dahlberg Daisy
Eustoma grandiflorum - Lisianthus
Gazania rigens
Gomphrena globosa -
Globe Flower
Helichrysum bractaetum - Strawflower
Ipomea tricolor & nil -
Morning Glory
Lantana verbenaceae - Lantana
Lathyrus odoratus -
Sweet Pea
Lavendula - Lavender
Limonium sinuatum - Statice
Melampodium -
Blackfoot Daisy
Mirabilis jalapa-
Four O'Clocks
Nicotiana hybrids -
Flowering tobacco
Nierembergia hippomanica -
Cup flower
Pennisetum setaceum -
Fountain Grass
Petunia hybrids
Rosemary officinalis - Rosemary
Rudbeckia hirta - Gloriosa Daisy
Salvia coccinea -
"Lady in Red" type
Salvia farinacea -
Mealy cup sage "Victoria type"
Salvia officinalis -
Garden Sage
Sanvitalia procumbens - Creeping Zinnia
Scaevola - Fan flower
Senecio cineraria -
Dusty Miller
Tagetes lucida/sp -
species type Marigolds
Tithonia rotundifolia - Mexican Sunflower
Zinnia angustifolia -
Star or Crystal Zinnia
Verbena Peruvian/tenusica - Imagination type
Verbena rigida
Arctotis - African Daisy
Centaurea cyannus -
Bachelor Button
Convolvulus - Morning Glory
Eschscholzia californica -
California Poppy
Nicotiana sylvestris -
Flowering Tobacco
Portulaca grandiflora -
Moss Rose
Salvia greggii - Autumn Sage
Verbena bonariensis







Xratedgardening.com has a full list of trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses.
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