Common name: Crown Of Thorns
Botanical name: Euphorbia milii

This woody shrub will grow 1'-4' tall and has brown gray stems with bright green leaves and bright red flowers on top. It is covered with long sharp thorns. It will do well in partial shade to full sun and dry soil. Crown of Thorns can be espaliered or grown in containers. It can be grown indoors if given bright light. It tolerates coastal conditions well.

Common name: Fox Tail Agave
Botanical name: Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico. Also called: Velvet Agave

Common name: Medio-Picta Century Plant
Botanical name: Agave medio-picta

This form has arching leaves with a creamy white stripe down the center of the blue-green leaf. The leaves are outstanding with their arching form and are well armed with a stout, terminal spine as well as marginal teeth. It is somewhat smaller than the americana variety, growing to around 4' tall. It prefers full sun, well drained soil and will perform well in containers. This form also will die after bloom but will survive in the form of new pups around the old plant.

Common name: Mission or Tree Cactus, Indian Fig
Botanical name: Opuntia ficus-indica

This unusual looking cactus forms a trunk topped with pads (actually the leaves) that have few spines. Flowers are yellow to orange in late spring and early summer, found at the edges of the pads. Green edible fruit follows the bloom period. Fruit turns purple when ripe. This cactus need full sun and well draining soil. It is frost sensitive. The newly formed pads, or nopales of this cactus are used to make a delicious salsa,. The major pest comes from a scale.

Common name: Aloe Vera or Medicinal Aloe
Botanical name: Aloe vera

The rosette of this plant consists of fleshy gray green leaves, which are narrow, succulent and erect with soft spines on margins. This Aloe is a slow to moderate grower. Flowers are spikes of yellow, 2'-3' tall and bloom late winter to summer. This aloe can form large clumps. It will tolerate full to partial sun, needs some supplemental water in heat and good drainage. It attracts hummingbirds. This aloe is a Mediterranean native. The sap is used for burns and abrasions.

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.