Galphimia glauca

Native to the dry mountainside forests of southern Mexico, and south to Guatemala, Galphimia glauca is surprisingly winter hardy for us here in Zone 7b/8a. For us, it makes an amazing fall-flowering perennial, that's virtually unknown in most gardening circles. Our four-year-old specimen, which dies to the ground each winter, returns in spring to reach 6' tall x 9' wide by fall. In warmer winter climates, it remains evergreen. Starting for us in late September and continuing until frost, the drought-loving clumps are topped with hundreds of terminal spikes of brilliant yellow flowers. In addition to being beautifully ornamental, golden showers is also valued for its use to treat inflammation, diarrhea, malaria, and stomach ailments. We swear, we didn't make up the common name, which also has rather different connotations.