Common name: Flowering Dogwood
Botanical name: Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood typically reaches 20'-30' tall and wide, found with low branches that stack up attractively in a horizontal pattern. Mature trees are usually wider than taller, with a rounded or flat crown. This deciduous tree flowers in spring. Flowers are surrounded by bracts that come in different colors depending on cultivar. Foliage is oval and dark green, turning red in fall. Red fruit appear on the tree in late summer and fall, attracting birds. Bark is gray and smooth when young, turning scaly when mature. This tree is susceptible to disease and insects. It does best in full to part sun with moist, fertile, well draining, acidic soil. It prefers mulch around the roots to keep it cool. A beautiful tree for all seasons.

Common name: Star Jasmine
Botanical name: Trachelospermum jasminoides

Star Jasmine is an evergreen vine that grows 20' tall or a ground cover that reaches 1'-2' tall and 4'-5' wide. It has white fragrant flowers in the summer and can tolerate sun or partial shade. The star jasmine needs regular watering. Leaves are dark green, oval, thick, about 2" long. This is a great plant on a trellis, in containers or in a parking strip. Another name: Maile Haole

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: New Zealand Flax
Botanical name: Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.

Common name: Mealycup Sage
Botanical name: Salvia farinacea

This shrub will grow 3' tall and 2' wide. Foliage is droopy, somewhat oval, and gray green that are light underneath. Spiked violet, deep blue, or white flowers, depending on cultivar, bloom from late spring to winter. Often treated as an annual. This plant does best in full sun with well draining, dry soil.