Common name:Azure or Russian Sage
Botanical name:Perovskia X atriplicifolia
This broad perennial will grow 3'-6' tall and has small, gray green leaves with blue violet flowers that bloom in the summer.
Common name:Azure or Russian Sage
Botanical name:Perovskia X atriplicifolia
This broad perennial will grow 3'-6' tall and has small, gray green leaves with blue violet flowers that bloom in the summer.
Common name:Flannel Bush
Botanical name:Fremontodendron californicum
Flannel Bush is a fast growing, evergreen shrub that easily reaches 20' tall and wide. It has triangular-shaped lobed, dull, gray green, hairy leaves (fine hairs may irritate skin). 3" in diameter, saucer-shaped, yellow flowers bloom in spring. It needs good drainage and full sun. It is a California native plant that is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies. This shrub looks great if espaliered. Not as long lived as cultivars. Looks great when paired with ceanothus. No summer watering required after plant is established.
Common name:California Gray Rush
Botanical name:Juncus patens
Although a wetland plant, Juncus patens can tolerate fairly dry conditions. It will slowly clump to 2'-3' wide and a height of 2'-2.5'. There are many selections of this species available with different heights and widths. It is carefree, with little to no maintenance. It provides great upright structure to many styles of landscapes.
Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus
This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish, daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.
Common name:Sandhill Sage, Coast Sagebrush
Botanical name:Artemisia pycnocephala
This shrub will grow anywhere from 1'-3' tall and has small gray leaves accented by yellow flowers that bloom in spring. This mounding shrub tolerates salt spray and prefers full sun. Foliage is very fine textured so plant near entryway to appreciate it. Yellow flowers bloom in spring but the focal feature of this plant is the foliage.
Common name:California Meadow Sedge
Botanical name:Carex pansa
This native Carex can be successfully used as a lawn substitute but requires significant water to obtain good coverage. Once coverage is reached, water can be reduced and maintenance is close to zero. Unmowed, the plant can be used effectively in a variety of conditions and will reach a height of 6" or under and spreads up to 2' by rhizomes.
Common name:Coast Live Oak
Botanical name:Quercus agrifolia
The Coast Live Oak is an evergreen round headed tree. It can reach 40' high and 20' wide; it grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. It is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
Designer: Geoff Sarkissian
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.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.