Well Josh, I've been thinking on it...
if you'd asked me a few months ago I'd have had a better attitude about what 'grows and thrives' in the sun here...but I just recently wrecked a bunch of stuff with epic irrigation fail, accidentally of course
short list of what grows and thrives without water
Convolvulus arvensis
anyway
the one advantage I have here is winter; the true alpines appreciate that it seems
Like Rick said, Phemeranthus, penstemon, and salvia all do very well for me in full sun, and there are some really cute small penstemon and salvia
for example
Eriogonum should do well for you, and there are several little ones suitable for toughs
Dianthus rocks in the sun!
some of them can grow into fairly large hummocks over time, but I really like the tight little cushions even when they're not in bloom
Dianthus subacaulis ssp. brachyanthus
many to choose from
hmmmm,
Armeria
Erodium
Erigeron
Hymenoxys
Oh, and Daphne! There are lots of super-cute little rock daphnes to try
4th of July, sunset pic of one of my favorite littlest --about 4 yrs growth
sleeping cat for size
