Common name: Upright Maiden Grass
Botanical name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'

The 'Gracillimus' is a clumping beautiful grass, growing to 6'-8' tall and up to 5' wide. It has thin, silver-green long leaves that turn bronze with colder weather. It does best in full sun and well draining soil but is tolerant of sandy to clay soils as well. Does not need much fertilizer. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Flower tassels, reddish color, appear in late summer, gradually turning to silver. The grass can be pruned in late winter if needed. It tolerates coastal areas. Looks wonderful when mass planted or for borders.

Common name: Scabiosa
Botanical name: Scabiosa caucasica

A perennial that grows to 1' to 2' tall, 2'-3' wide, therefore used as edgings or borders. Lavender or blue or white flowers appear on stiff, thin stalks among the foliage during the summer. Flowers look like pincushions, thus the common name. Foliage is gray green, narrow and lance-shaped. This plant does best in full sun with well draining soil. Does not tolerate high heat and humidity. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Common name: Golden Breath Of Heaven
Botanical name: Coleonema pulchellum 'Sunset Gold'

'Sunset Gold' is a reliable hardy shrub reaching 2' tall and 3-4' wide. Leaves are needle-like, evergreen, yellow green, aromatic and finely textured. Small, pale pink flowers appear on the plant from winter through spring. This plant does best in full to part sun with well draining soil. It needs regular watering. It tolerates coastal areas. Grown more for foliage than flowers.

Common name: Rock Purslane
Botanical name: Calandrinia grandiflora

This perennial will grow a little over 1' tall and spread 4'. Succulent looking, gray green foliage creates a 1' tall mound of dense foliage. From spring through fall, thin wiry stalks appear with small, rose-like, purplish pink, single flowers on the top. No need to deadhead. This plant does well in full sun in coastal areas but appreciates afternoon shade in warm, inland areas. It does best in well draining soil. Established plants are drought tolerant, needing additional water during hot summer spells. Cut plant to 6" during winter and apply compost in spring. A glorious plant for difficult hillsides, parking strips or a place where you need some hot pink color!

Common name: Coast Live Oak
Botanical name: Quercus agrifolia

The Coast Live Oak is an evergreen, round-headed tree with regal bearing. It can reach 25'-80' high and 25-40' wide and grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. Strong herculean branches adorn mature trees casting much appreciated summer shade. It attracts wildlife in droves.

Common name: Chinese Wisteria
Botanical name: Wisteria sinensis

This deciduous vine can quickly and aggressively reach 30' and wide, depending on conditions. It bears rounded clusters of strongly fragrant flowers which open more or less all at once. Cultivars have blue, pink, white, purple or lavender colors, attracting hummingbirds in spring, followed by leafing out of foliage which are usually leaflets, followed by velvety, long, drooping pods. This vine can tolerate full sun to part shade, preferring well draining, rich, moist soil. But it is very reliable and can take drought conditions if established. It looks great in containers and even as a bonsai specimen.

Common name: Shrub Rose selections
Botanical name: Rosa Shrub varieties

Most shrub roses range from 3-6 feet in size. They are usually as wide as they are tall. They come in many colors and an incredible number of culitvars. Watch out for thorns. Plant in full sun with well drained, fertile soil. This plant needs ample water and more during hot summer months. Blooms in spring and summer.