Common name: Blue Fescue, Blue Fescue Grass
Botanical name: Festuca glauca

This ground cover/grass will grow less than 1' tall and has small, blue-green, evergreen leaves that are very thin and hair-like. Flowers appear in the summer but are insignificant. This dependable but short-lived ground cover prefers full sun in coastal areas and afternoon shade in warm inland areas. It needs well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. Leaves may burn during the summer but trim in winter to keep it looking refreshed. Does not tolerate wet soil.

Common name: Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum
Botanical name: Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius'

The 'Krauter Vesuvius' is a smaller growing, flowering plum that grows to 18' high by 12' wide. Its leaves are purplish black throughout the growing season, and the flowers have a light pink color.

Common name: Yellow Moraea, Fortnight Lily
Botanical name: Dietes bicolor

This clumping perennial Iris relative stands 3'-4' high and 3' wide. It has light yellow, iris-like flowers with maroon blotches that are about 2" wide. It performs best in full sun in coastal areas and appreciates afternoon shade or complete light shade in warm, inland areas. It does best with regular watering and well draining soil. Flowers only bloom one day but another one will bloom the following day, blooming from spring through fall. Foliage is evergreen, long, thin and sword-like.

Common name: Manzanita Emerald Carpet
Botanical name: Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet'

The 'Emerald Carpet' is an evergreen groundcover that grows to 1' tall by 6'-8' wide. It is favored by many landscapers as the manzanita of choice for inland situations. It has dark green leaves and exhibits compact growth. This variety is relatively tolerant of adverse soil conditions.

Common name: Red-Leaf Japanese Barberry
Botanical name: Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

A thorny, deciduous shrub growing 4-6' high and as wide, Red Japanese Barberry can be contained with some light pruning in winter. Its purplish-red leaves contrast beautifully against a dark green background. It prefers full sun and regular watering, more in hot summer months. This is a great barrier plant.