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: Marina Strawberry Tree
Botanical name: Arbutus 'Marina'

The 'Marina' has gorgeous bark, with leaves that are smaller and not as glossy as Pacific Madrone. Its flowers are pink, borne in pendant clusters in the summer. The fruit is large, red and quite ornamental. The plant should be grown in sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. The 'Marina' prefers good drainage. Other Common Names: Marina Madrone

Common name: American Sweet Gum
Botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua

A tall, deciduous tree of upright, pyramidal habit, the liquidamber has dark green, maple-like leaves that turn beautiful shades of red and yellow in the fall season. It can be used as a single specimen, hedge, or grouped plant.

Common name: Coastal Strawberry
Botanical name: Fragaria chiloensis

This perennial, used as a ground cover, grows 1' high and 3' wide. It has tooth-edged, reddish green, evergreen leaves. Tiny white flowers with yellow centers appear in spring through early fall, followed by edible red fruit. This perennial can be used as a lawn replacement, in coastal areas as it tolerates sand and hot inland areas as long as it has afternoon shade. It needs regular watering. Birds love this plant.

Common name: Jade Plant
Botanical name: Crassula ovata

Crassula ovata is an evergreen shrub that grows to 6' with time and with gray green, oval, glossy, leathery leaves with red margins (more red appears with more sun). During the winter and spring, small pale pink, fragrant flowers cover the plant. It likes afternoon shade, low watering, and will live in any type of well drained soil. It can be grown as a houseplant but will not bloom. Trunk and branches are thick and gnarled. Flowers attract bees, wasps, butterflies, flies and beetles. Looks great in containers.

Common name: California Meadow Sedge
Botanical name: Carex pansa

This native Carex can be successfully used as a lawn substitute but requires significant water to obtain good coverage. Once coverage is reached, water can be reduced and maintenance is close to zero. Unmowed, the plant can be used effectively in a variety of conditions and will reach a height of 6" or under and spreads up to 2' by rhizomes.