Common name:Smooth-edged Agave
Botanical name:Agave weberi
This is a striking medium-sized agave that can grow to 5' tall by 6-10' wide. This agave has very fine marginal teeth, and is sometimes spineless. Supplemental summer watering can prevent yellowing from heat stress in the summer. These plants are also moderately cold hardy, tolerant of temperatures down to 12f. More refined looking than americana. Prone to weevils. Native in Eastern central Mexico. One of the largest of the Agaves.-Mountain States Nursery
Common name:Kangaroo Paws, Red
Botanical name:Anigozanthos hybrids
This tender perennial is a clump-forming evergreen that produces fuzzy, yellow green flowers that bloom in spring and last for over 2 months. Many sizes and varieties are available including yellow and pink flowers.
Common name:Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'
Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' is a succulent perennial that is used for accenting effect. Aeonium arboreum grows 3 ft. tall and wide. Each branch has a 6-8 in. wide rosette of dark green, fleshy leaves.The flowers are yellow in clusters. The flowers are yellow in clusters.
Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata
Makes a bold statement in the garden because of its tropical form. Even light frost can damage succulent leaves. Great for containers. In the low desert partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in ground to root. Not a fast grower. Light green foliage. This 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. Soil tolerant. Unarmed. From Mexico Central Jalisco.
Common name:Pindo or Jelly Palm, Yatay
Botanical name:Butia capitata
This slow-growing tree has leaves that vary from bluish gray to green and has round, yellow to orange fruit that is edible and delicious. Arching leaves spread 10'-15' wide; palm can reach 20' tall.
Common name:Rock Purslane
Botanical name:Cistanthe grandiflora 'Jazz Time'
This perennial will grow 12"-36" and produces large blue-green rosettes that last for a long season. It produces large, silky, lavender pink flowers that have lime-green, purple spotted calyces.
Common name:Afterglow Echeveria
Botanical name:Echeveria 'Afterglow'
This succulent perennial is very small, growing only 2"-3" high. It does best in full or partial sun and well draining soil. Established plants need little water but will do better with additional water during hot spells. Attracts hummingbirds. Tolerates coastal conditions. Orange flowers bloom in summer. Foliage is outstanding with lavender pink-tinged leaves.
Common name:Garden Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium X hortorum
Pelargonium X hortorum is a shrubby, succulent perennial stemmed to 3' or more. Round or kidney-shaped leaves are velvety and hairy, soft to the touch, aromatic, with edges distinctly lobed and scalloped toothed. Single and double flowers are flatter and smaller than those of Pelargonium domesticum variety, but clusters bear more blossoms.
Common name:Kangeroo Paws Big Red
Botanical name:Anigozanthos 'Big Red'
Anigozanthos flavidus 'Tall Red' is a perennial with dark green, smooth, swordlike evergreen leaves. It produces spikes of striking, fuzzy, tubular flowers in yellow-green, tinged with red that are curved at the tips. The flowers attract hummingbirds. Flowers bloom from late spring to fall if spent flowering spikes are cut to the ground. It makes for a good cut flower.
Designer: Laura Dalton
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.