Common name:Dymondia, Rock Ditty
Botanical name:Dymondia margaretae
This foliage is gray/green/silvery and the margaretae is a very dense, mat forming groundcover. It tolerates drought, cold, salt spray and poor soils. It's deep rooted and produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers. Great for use in between stepping stones or pavers.
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:Moonshine Yarrow, Milfoil, Sneezewo
Botanical name:Achillea 'Moonshine'
Long, straight stems with pale yellow flowers are striking on the mats of green to grey-green leaves of this plant, which are flatter and less divided than those of the Achillea millefolium. This Yarrow propagates easily from rooted cuttings or divisions which should be performed in the early spring or fall. Following bloom, one should dead head the plant and divide the clumps when it appears crowded. Introduced by Alan Bloom in the 1950's.
Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica
This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue/green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
Common name:Germander Sage
Botanical name:Salvia chamaedryoides
This low mounding perennial with a long bloom period, spreads by underground runners. It produces a small, silvery foliage which serves as a background for bright blue flowers. Bruised leaves have a spicy fragrance. Germander Sage reaches 2' tall and wide. Heaviest blooms are in spring and early fall, but intermittent throughout the year. It requires full sun, well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. Do not fertilize.
Common name:Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry
Botanical name:Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'
Pygmy purple leaf barberry is a deciduous shrub with arching branches which reaches 2 ft high and 3 ft wide. The foliage becomes bronzy red in summer and fall. 'Crimson Pygmy' prefers full sun and regular watering, more in hot summer months. This plant has thorns. It makes a great hedge. Prune in winter to re-shape.
Common name:Purple Hopseed Bush or Hop Bush
Botanical name:Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'
This fast-growing shrub has an upright, branching habit that reaches a height of 12'-15', with willow-like leaves that are 4" in length. Its foliage is bronzy-green in color, which turns a reddish-purple shade in the fall and winter. It has compact growth and requires full sun for the best results.
Designer:
Photographer: Vicki Anderson
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.