Common name: Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name: Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Common name: Big Bend Yucca
Botanical name: Yucca rostrata

This Yucca has blue leaves, a tall narrow trunk, and a spectacular summer display of cream white flowers. It is one of the most attractive tree Yuccas. It slowly forms a trunk to 10' tall. The young are usually unbranched; the older have a few branches. Narrow blue leaves can grow up to 2' long and .5" wide with a sharp term spine. This Yucca prefers full sun or very light shade and rocky, well drained soil. It is susceptible to grubs.Old leaves persist.

Common name: Red Yucca
Botanical name: Hesperaloe parviflora

This spectacular succulent grows to 3'-4' tall and wide. Blue green leaves are strap-like, leathery, long, with white fraying fibers on the edges. During the summer, dark pink flowers are seen on red flower arching stalks. Hummingbirds love these flowers. This evergreen plant is drought tolerant once it's established but will appreciate extra water during the summer to promote blooms. Plant in full sun or light shade, with well draining soil. Deer like the foliage. This plant looks great in pots.

Common name: Compass Barrel Cactus
Botanical name: Ferocactus cylindraceus

Globe-shaped cactus grows slowly to 2' x 1-1/2'. Stem is medium green and spines are red/yellow. Flowers are yellow to orange and appear late spring to early summer. Good for naturalistic landscapes. Accepts reflected sun. Native to Sonoran and Mojave deserts.

Common name: Black-Spine Prickly Pear
Botanical name: Opuntia macrocentra

Black-Spine Prickly Pear is a cactus that has thick, fleshy, lavender violet colored pads instead of leaves. Watch out for spines. Red and yellow flowers bloom in spring and summer, followed by reddish purple fruit. This plant reaches 3' tall and wide. This plant is very heat tolerant and becomes drought tolerant once it's established.

Common name: Island Bush Snapdragon
Botanical name: Gambelia speciosa

Island Snapdragon is an evergreen perennial that grows from 2'-3' high and 3'-5' across with red spring and summer flowers. In coastal areas, this plant acts as a ground cover. It can spill over a retaining wall or a hillside. Looks great in containers. This plant needs partial shade in hot inland areas. It tolerates clay, loam, rocky or sandy soil, thus making it a versatile plant in many areas. It is a California native that is drought tolerant but will look better with additional summer water. It attracts hummingbirds in a big way.. Prune in winter so it is not so woody. Fast growing.