Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'
Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves (9 ft. long, to 5 in. wide) in a fan pattern. Leaves are purple red. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of 1-2 in. blossoms in dark red to yellow.
Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum
Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season.
Common name:Lamb's Ears
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:Sonoma Sage, Creeping Sage
Botanical name:Salvia sonomensis
This low growing, native groundcover has glaucous green leaves with blue-violet flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.
Designer: Sherri Osaka
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.