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:Lamb's Ears
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina
This tiny, herbaceous shrub will grow less than 1' tall and has medium sized, grayish green leaves with blue and lavender flowers that bloom in the spring.
Common name:Otto Quast Spanish Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula stoechas 'Otto Quast'
This round shrub will grow to about 3' high and has small, gray green leaves with purple flowers that bloom in summer. It is more prostrate than its parent Lavandula stoechas. The flowers resemble a purple pineapple! 'Otto Quast' is drought tolerant once it is established and cold tolerant to 5 degrees F.
Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana
This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.
Common name:Peruvian Lily, Alstroemeria
Botanical name:Alstroemeria hybrids
The deciduous rhizomes of this Peruvian Lily will often run aggressively if not controlled. They grow best in full to partial sun with some summer watering in dry climates. The florist strains can reach 6' tall, while the compact strains range from 12" 36" tall. For extra long, florist quality stems, stake or grow through netting for support. -Moterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Blue Fescue, Blue Fescuegrass
Botanical name:Festuca glauca
This groundcover/grass will grow less than 1' tall and has small, blue green leaves.
Designer:
Photographer: Vicki Anderson
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.
