Common name:Pride Of Madeira
Botanical name:Echium candicans
Mature specimens of this evergreen shrub can grow to a size of 6'-8' tall and 8'-10' wide. In the spring, spikes of rosy-violet to blue-purple flowers appear. It should receive sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. This plant can be severely damaged by frost below 25 degrees F.
Common name:Mediterranean Tree Mallow
Botanical name:Lavatera maritima
This large, shrubby perennial grows up to 6' and has profuse lavender pink flowers with maroon highlights. From the Mallow family, the flowers are produced year round and are especially showy in the fall.
Common name:Morning Light Silver Grass
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'
The 'Morning Light' is also a taller variety, growing to 6-8' tall with delicate feathery plumes and very thin graceful leaves. This is a variegated form. It should receive sun to part shade, and average to little summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Blue Oat Grass
Botanical name:Helictotrichon sempervirens
The Blue Oat Grass is an evergreen, blue clumping grass that grows 2' tall and 3' wide. Foliage is thin blue gray, wiry leaves that radiate from center of plant. Its showy tan flowers are on spikes 1'-2' above the foliage (flowers more common in cooler winter areas). This plant looks good alone as well as in mass plantings. It does well in full sun or light shade. Established plants need only occasional watering. It does best with well draining soil. The blue oat grass likes dry hill sides.
Common name:Brown Sedge
Botanical name:Carex testacea
The testacea variety is an evergreen perennial that reaches 2' tall bearing very narrow, coppery brown leaves splitting to hair-like threads at their tips, and continuing to grow to 4-8' in length.
This plant should be grown in sun with little or no summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Mexican Feather Grass, Needlegrass
Botanical name:Nassella tenuissima
Soft, flexible foliage move with a breeze. Grows to 2'. Goes somewhat dormant during summer but green spring & fall. Prefers a sunny, well-drained site. This plant can be invasive in some areas, so use caution. Native to N. Mexico, Tx, Mex & Arg 5-8000'. To keep reseeding to a minimum, drip irrigation will be best. Cut back in early spring to remove dormant foliage and dried seed heads. Can also tolerate dry shade. 14" x 10" Finest textured of ornamental grasses. Very dr tolerant. Cool Grower
Designer: Terry Gardner
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.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.