Common name: Purple Rockrose
Botanical name: Cistus x purpureus

Purple or Orchid Rockrose is an evergreen shrub growing to 4' tall and wide, often shorter in stressful situations. The rosy-crimson flowers to 3" wide exhibit a dark purple blotch at the base of each petal, and bloom early to mid-summer. The flowers also feature a contrasting yellow cluster of stamens in the center. It does well in salt spray and cool winds. It is relatively long-lived, tolerant of heat and aridity as well as accepting many soil conditions. -Native Sons Nursery

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: Pork And Beans
Botanical name: Sedum x rubrotinctum

This groundcover will grow less than 1' tall and spread about 1'. This succulent has small, thick, green leaves with tips that turn red in full sun. Yellow flowers bloom in winter on top of stems, making a bold contrast to red tipped leaves. This reliable succulent looks great in containers, in crevices, with rocks, small spaces. It does best with well draining soil. It becomes drought tolerant, needing little water once it's established. Additional images courtesy of Billy Goodnick.