Common name:Rosemary
Botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary is hardy in full sun areas where winter temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees F. They can be grown in a clay pot with well-drained, porous soil in bright indoor light, and will also flourish on the backporch in spring, summer and fall. Its beautiful, slowly trailing stems and shiny slender leaves are perfect for showing off the small, light blue flowers that blossom in the summer. -Holland WIldflower Farm
Common name:Cleveland Blue Sage
Botanical name:Salvia clevelandii
The Cleveland Sage is a perennial shrub that grows 4' tall and wide. It has fragrant gray foliage and blue flowers that bloom between May and August. This shrub needs full sun and prefers well drained soil. The Cleveland Sage is native to California and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:California Sycamore
Botanical name:Platanus racemosa
The California Sycamore is a fast growing deciduous tree that reaches up to 40'-50' high. It tolerates heat, smog, and drought conditions as well as moist conditions; it is native to riparian areas. It has interesting mottled bark when the tree is bare in winter.
Common name:Yellow Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Caesalpinia gilliesii
This Bird of Paradise is an upright, fast growing small tree or large shrub, 10' tall by 8' wide. Clusters of yellow flowers have long red stamens. Natural growth habit is irregular and open, but can be pruned to encourage dense growth. It is quite hardy and can be frost tolerant. As pods mature, they split spewing seeds. Ripe seeds are poisonous. It may be somewhat invasive but it is easy to control. This plant is drought tolerant.
Common name:Copper Canyon Dasiy, Perennial Mari
Botanical name:Tagetes lemmonii
This larger perennial will grow to 6' tall and has small, light green leaves with yellow mustard colored flowers that bloom in winter and spring. Cut back to within 6" of the ground to refresh and reduce the size of the plant. This plant is a riot of color!
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.
Water-wise plants can be beautiful as well as practical.
Take your 'My List' Hydrozone Report to a landscape designer, or local nursery, when selecting and purchasing plants.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.