Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata
This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.
Common name:Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha
The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, gray green leaves and velvet-like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Morning Light Australian Rosemary
Botanical name:Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light'
A small evergreen shrub that grows 3' tall and wide. It has white edged leaves and small white flowers that bloom in the spring. It is very drought tolerant.
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:New Gold Trailing Lantana
Botanical name:Lantana 'New Gold'
Another reliable bloomer on and off throughout the year. It provides wonderful golden flowers, and benefits from deep, infrequent watering and some pruning.
Common name:Kangaroo Paws, Red
Botanical name:Anigozanthos hybrids
This tender perennial is a clump-forming evergreen that produces fuzzy, yellow green flowers that bloom in spring and last for over 2 months. Many sizes and varieties are available including yellow and pink flowers.
Common name:Red Flower Carpet Rose
Botanical name:Rosa Flower Carpet Red
Flower Carpet RED prefers hot warm conditions and just blooms and blooms and blooms. From mid-late Spring clusters of 25-30 of deep velvety deep-red single flowers appear all over the plant, accented by brilliant golden yellow stamens, sitting over deep glossy dark green foliage with a burgundy edge. And this show continues on until late Fall. Flower Carpet® RED has superlative disease-resistance to common rose blights such as black spot and mildew.
Common name:Blue Gem Westringia
Botanical name:Westringia 'Blue Gem'
This evergreen shrub will grow 3'-6' high and 6'-8' wide and has lavender flowers that bloom from winter through spring. It is drought tolerant and does well in full sun or partial shade. A more compact and showier selection that produces masses of luminous bluish purple flowers in spring and often lightly year-round. Perfect in tough spots; performs in sun, harsh inland heat or rugged coastal exposures, with minimal watering or care. Great in natural form, or shear into a low formal hedge. Evergreen.
Common name:Euryops
Botanical name:Euryops pectinatus
As a small perennial shrub with 2" wide, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, blooms on this plant are seen seen almost year round. Its leaves are gray green in color. 'Viridis' is a variety with deep green foliage.
Designer: Diane Conejo
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.
Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.
Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.