Common name: Silver Carpet Lamb's Ear
Botanical name: Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'

Silver Carpet Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina Silver Carpet) is a handsome, fuzzy, grey-leaved groundcover that thrives in problem areas such as dry shade and poor soils. Silver Carpet Lamb's Ear is a drought resistant (xeric), non-flowering perennial plant. 4-6" tall x 18-30" wide. Silver Carpet Lamb's Ear is a handsome, fuzzy, grey-leaved groundcover that thrives in problem areas such as dry shade and poor soils. Non-flowering, use the foliage to contrast nicely with green and blue leaved plants. A great medium spreading groundcover that thrives in the xeric garden. Best in regions with dry summer heat; avoid planting in areas with high humidity, as these conditions can cause foliar rot. Good for firescaping.

Common name: Wilhelm's Lance Torch Lily
Botanical name: Kniphofia 'Wilhelm's Lance'

This perennial will grow to about 6' tall and has large green, grass-like leaves with red, orange, and yellow tubular flowers that bloom in summer. Flowers resemble tiki torches. Hummingbirds love the flowers.

Common name: Homestead Purple Verbena
Botanical name: Verbena 'Homestead Purple'

This perennial will reach about 3' tall and has small green leaves with purple flowers that bloom during warm weather. It is frost tender but will come back when the ground warms up. Feed with an all-purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season. This shrub works as a great groundcover. Pinch ends to promote dense growth.

Common name: Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name: Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Common name: Bearded Iris
Botanical name: Iris x germanica Hybrids

This perennial will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium sized, blue green leaves with flowers of very diverse colors that bloom in spring. It needs well draining soil and full sun. Many are fragrant and rebloom several times a year. Plant rhizomes in Sept or Oct. They need water once a week during the hot spells. Top dress with compost and gypsum in January and August.

Common name: Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass
Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

More compact and shorter than the species, 'Hameln' has finely textured leaves that are especially lovely when backlit by the early morning or late afternoon sun. Soft, greenish-cream colored panicles begin to appear in midsummer, a few weeks earlier than the species. This grass works most effectively in mass plantings, but also can be used as an accent plant in gardens and in containers.