Epilobium canum ‘Catalina’  or ‘California fuchsia’ offers the drought tolerance and toughness of a sage with the dainty flowers of a water thirsty South American fuchsia (no relation what-so-ever!).   Expect 3-4 ft. height and 4-5 feet width on reddish woody stems covered in soft gray leaves.  Never give summer water where soil drains slowly and for assured success, plant on a mound or slope.  Yerba buena mint and California poppies make good companion plants.  Once planted, prefers to be left alone to do its own thing.

4″ Pot of Epilobium canum ‘Catalina’ $4.99 at Ploughshares