Common name:Cape Rush
Botanical name:Chondropetalum tectorum
Chondropetalum tectorum has 3-4 ft. tall stems that shoot out in all directions from the roots. Each stem has papery bracts connected to the endes that turn from tan to dark drown, then fall off. Chondropetalum can grow in marshes, in the ground with regular watering, or in drought conditions.
Common name:Blue Sage
Botanical name:Salvia 'Allen Chickering'
The Allen Chickering sage is a perennial shrub that grows 2-5 ft. high and 2-4 ft. wide . It has blue flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. This shrub is native to California and is drought tolerant.
-Cornflower Farms
Common name:Purple Smoke Tree
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'
A deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 10' tall, the purpureus is grown for its wispy, thread-like flower clusters and outstanding fall color. Its foliage has a redish purple color that turns somewhat green in summer. The plant requires sun to part shade, with little or no summer water. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Black Leaf Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'
Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' is a succulent perennial that is used for accenting effect. Aeonium arboreum grows 3 ft. tall and wide. Each branch has a 6-8 in. wide rosette of dark green, fleshy leaves.The flowers are yellow in clusters. The flowers are yellow in clusters.
Common name:Western Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis occidentalis
This deciduous shrub ranges from 6-20 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. It is desirable for its magenta spring flowers, yellow to red fall color, and dangling winter seed pods. It is tolerant of many soil types, drought and oak root fungus. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The Western Redbud can be found statewide in California in the foothills below 4500 ft. elevations in chaparral and woodland communities
- Cornflower Farms
Common name:Sundowner Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Sundowner'
The 'Sundowner', which grows to 6-7', bears light bronze leaves with rosy salmon pink margins and streaks. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Wulfen Euphorbia
Botanical name:Euphorbia characias wulfenii
This perennial will reach about 4' tall and has significant green leaves with clusters of yellow flowers.
Common name:Spanish Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula stoechas
This dense shrub grows 2-3 ft. tall with blue gray foliage and deep purple flowers that have large showy bracts near the top of the spikes. It is drought tolerant . - Cornflower Farms
Common name:Trailing Ice Plant
Botanical name:Lampranthus spectabilis
Succulent ground cover, mounding spreading habit. 6-12" by 2'. Moderately fast grower, Gray green leaves. Spring covered with flowers in shades from white to purple. Native in South Africa. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Needs good drainage. May need to be periodically cut back to rejuvenate.
Designer: | Gather Round the Fire Pit |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Eliminate runoff, especially with fixed spray sprinklers, clay soils, and slopes, by dividing the total watering time into shorter increments.
This allows water to soak in.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.