Common name: Germander Sage
Botanical name: Salvia chamaedryoides

This low mounding perennial with a long bloom period, spreads by underground runners. It produces a small, silvery foliage which serves as a background for bright blue flowers. Bruised leaves have a spicy fragrance. Germander Sage reaches 2' tall and wide. Heaviest blooms are in spring and early fall, but intermittent throughout the year. It requires full sun, well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. Do not fertilize.

Common name: Western Redbud
Botanical name: Cercis occidentalis

This deciduous shrub or small tree reaches 15' tall and 10' wide. Beautiful magenta flowers appear in spring, before the leaves appear. Foliage is apple green, turning yellow to red in the fall. Seed pods dangle on this tree in winter. Western Redbud prefers full sun but will appreciate afternoon shade in desert areas. It needs well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. A tree of varying interest all year round!

Common name: Chinese Pistache
Botanical name: Pistacia chinensis

The Pistacia chinensis is a deciduous tree with broad, spreading growth to 50' in height. Its leaves have 10-16 leaflets, and the fall coloring arrives in beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. Prune young trees to shape. This tree does not have edible nuts. Female trees have tiny red fruit, turning dark blue. It prefers full sun and deep, infrequent waterings. This is a great street or park tree.

Common name: Mexican Sage
Botanical name: Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, grey-green leaves and velvet-like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage attracts hummingbirds. Be careful not to overwater. -Cornflower Farms

Common name: White Gaura
Botanical name: Gaura lindheimeri

White Gaura is a profusely flowering perennial for all zones; it grows 2'-4' high and 2' wide. It has pink buds that open to showy white flowers in spring through fall. It needs full sun and does best in sandy or loamy soil that is well draining. Established plants are drought tolerant. Leaves are narrow, tiny and lance-shaped. Breezes cause flowers to move on stems, resembling butterflies flickering. Prune in spring to control height, if desired. Does best in hot and dry areas.

Common name: Mexican Marigold
Botanical name: Tagetes lemmonii

This larger perennial will grow to 6' tall and has small, light green leaves with yellow mustard colored flowers that bloom in winter and spring. Cut back to within 6" of the ground to refresh and reduce the size of the plant.