Common name: Concha California Lilac
Botanical name: Ceanothus 'Concha'

Concha is a lilac that grows 6'-8' in height and width. It has small narrow, glossy, dark green leaves with intense dark blue flower clusters in spring. It is tolerant of coastal and inland conditions. Most ceanothus varieties do not tolerate a lot of summer irrigation but this cultivar does. It also tolerates clay and alkali soil better than other varieties. It is hard frost tolerant.

Common name: Deer Grass
Botanical name: Muhlenbergia rigens

Deer Grass is a warm season perennial grass that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like flower stalks grow 2'-3' tall in summer. This grass has dramatic and handsome form. Deer Grass needs watering once or twice a month after it has been established. It is very water efficient but looks better with regular waterings.

Common name: Toyon
Botanical name: Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon is a California native evergreen shrub that grows 8'-15'. high and spreading 8'. It has leathery, toothed, green leaves. Small, white, fragrant flowers appear in late spring or early summer, followed by clusters of red winter berries. It tolerates full sun or partial shade, heat, smog, wind and heavy or light soils. Established plants are drought tolerant. It may take several years for plant to be established; at that point, it's great for erosion control.

Common name: Pigeon Point Coyote Bush
Botanical name: Baccharis pilularis 'Pigeon Point'

'Pigeon Point' Coyote Bush is a compact, evergreen ground cover that grows 1-2 ft. tall and 8-10 ft. wide. Its leaves are green; it has white flowers that bloom in the fall but they are not overly dramatic. It is important to plant this ground cover at least 6'-8' apart. Otherwise they will overgrow each other and begin to pile upwards. 'Pigeon Point' is tolerant of ocean spray and is deer resistant.

Common name: Yankee Point Ceanothus
Botanical name: Ceanothus griseus hor. 'Yankee Point'

Yankee Point is one of the most popular forms of spreading shrubs. Its glossy oval leaves of 2" in diameter are bright green and tasty for deer. The tiny, light blue flowers are abundant and form 1" clusters in spring. This shrub benefits from pruning when the plant is not blooming. It does best in well-drained, sandy or rocky soil with little to no summer water. This shrub is used as a ground cover since it reaches 2.5' tall and may slowly spread to 15'.

Common name: Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat
Botanical name: Eriogonum arborescens

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat is a loosely branched shrub quickly growing 2'-5' high and wide. It has evergreen, thin, gray green foliage. Creamy pink flowers appear in summer and fade to reddish brown by fall. It is a CA native, drought tolerant, attracts butterflies and beneficial insects. This plant does well in coastal areas, needing almost no summer water when established. In warm, inland valleys, it will appreciate afternoon shade and occasional watering when established. Deer resistant. Tolerates clay soil but does better with well draining soil. Great for erosion control.

Common name: California Poppy
Botanical name: Eschscholzia californica

The California State Flower. This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It is an aggressive grower and can get away from you in a residential garden space. Plant it in spaces where it is alright for it to roam.