Common name: Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Botanical name: Erigeron karvinskianus

This low mounding perennial is used as a ground cover since it reaches 2' tall and spreads 5'. It has fine textured, green leaves and white to pinkish, daisy-like flowers with gold centers that bloom spring through fall in coastal areas. In warmer, inland areas, the plant appears to be semi-dormant but will perk up as soon as the weather starts to cool. Control its growth with watering as it can be invasive in some areas. It looks best in full sun in coastal areas but prefers afternoon shade in warm, inland areas. It attracts bees. This is a great plant for rock gardens, planters, containers, or spilling over walls.

Common name: Blue Oat Grass
Botanical name: Helictotrichon sempervirens

The Blue Oat Grass is an evergreen, blue clumping grass that grows 2' tall and 3' wide. Foliage is thin blue gray, wiry leaves that radiate from center of plant. Its showy tan flowers are on spikes 1'-2' above the foliage (flowers more common in cooler winter areas). This plant looks good alone as well as in mass plantings. It does well in full sun or light shade. Established plants need only occasional watering. It does best with well draining soil. The blue oat grass likes dry hill sides.

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