Common name: Ray Hartman California Lilac
Botanical name: Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman'

Growing vigorously as either a large shrub or small tree, the Ray Hartman has big, round, dark green leaves and medium blue, delicate flowers in 3"-5" clusters that bloom in winter and spring. It grows to 12' high and 8'-10' wide. This cultivar has good tolerance for heat; it needs occasional deep watering with good drainage. It does well in coastal as well as inland valley gardens. Deer love new foliage. Plant in full to part sun; it is not fussy about soil, growing in clay as well as sandy soil.

Common name: White Sage
Botanical name: Salvia apiana

This woody shrub has long stiff stems with gray green, wrinkled evergreen leaves when juvenile, changing to smooth and white with time. Fragrant white flowers bloom in the spring, attracting bees. Prune after bloom time to shape shrub. It provides a strong structural form as a garden focal point. It can reach 6' tall and wide; and is considered slow growing. Plant in full sun with well draining soil. Established plants need very little summer water. Leaves have been used for herbal teas and for medicinal purposes.

Common name: Terra Seca Black Sage
Botanical name: Salvia mellifera 'Terra Seca'

This evergreen perennial has shiny, dark green leaves with white with pale blue flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. This plant is used as a ground cover since it 2' tall and spreads 6' wide. This plant prefers full sun and well draining, dry soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Great for erosion control and coastal areas. Butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant but deer typically stay away from it.

Common name: Winnifred Gilman Dark Blue Sage
Botanical name: Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman'

The 'Winifred Gillman' Sage is a dense, compact shrub that grows to 4'-5' tall and wide, and has a round form. It has blue purple flowers in spikes above the foliage in summer. This sage has gray aromatic foliage. Plant in full sun with well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established but will look better with occasional deep watering.

Common name: Louis Edmunds Manzanita
Botanical name: Arctostaphylos bakeri 'Louis Edmunds'

This is an upright shrub that slowly grows 6'-8' tall and 6' wide. Bark is a beautiful purple color with gray green foliage and pink flowers during late winter and early spring. Hummingbirds are wild about the flowers. This shrub tolerates clay or loamy soil. It also tolerates heat but does not do well with fertilizer. Plant in full or part sun. This evergreen plant also attracts bees and butterflies and other birds.

Common name: Red Hot Poker
Botanical name: Kniphofia uvaria

This perennial will reach about 3' tall and has large green leaves with orange flowers that bloom in summer and fall.