Common name:Ascot Rainbow Spurge
Botanical name:Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'

Ascot Rainbow Spourge has narrow, grey-green leaves have a striking yellow edge. The foliage is topped by clusters of variegated cream, lime, and green flowers (bracts) in spring. In the cooler months, the foliage at the ends of the stems becomes flushed with shades of red, pink, and orange. In our location near Lake Michigan where summer temperatures are a bit cooler, a bit of the pink coloring remained all summer long. We did not observe any reversion in our trials. This plant would make a fabulous specimen in a brightly colored patio container and will undoubtedly add flair to the garden. As an added bonus, it is highly heat and drought tolerant.

Common name:Smooth Agave
Botanical name:Agave desmetiana 'Variegata'

Agave with an open rosette form grows quickly to 3' x 3'. Very attractive plant resembles Octopus Agave but smaller. Fleshy leaves are light green with smooth edges and a sharp tip. Will grow best in filtered sun or full shade. After several years, flowe

Common name:Holly Oak
Botanical name:Quercus ilex

This evergreen oak has a moderate growth rate to 30-60' tall and as wide. The leaves are 1 1/2-3" long, 1/2-1" wide, and either toothed or smooth-edged. It has a rich, dark green leaf color.

Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

The deer grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike like flower stalks grow 2-3 ft. tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The deer grass is native to California, is drought tolerant, and is a beneficial insect plant. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Mescal Agave
Botanical name:Agave parryi

A tight medium sized rosette sometimes solitary, sometimes with offsets. The leaves can vary much in size and color. The flower spike is up to 20' in height with bright yellow and red buds in mid summer. Native in central and southern Arizona into New Mexico at 1000-8000'. One of the most cold hardy. Full sun or part shade but needs good drainage. Heavily toothed rosettes.

Common name:Willow Wattle
Botanical name:Acacia iteaphylla

Willow Wattle has narrow, blue-green leaves clothed in somewhat drooping stems and forming a delicate yet bushy shrub. It can reach 8-10' tall and 10-15' wide. It has a dense habit which makes it a fine screen or specimen plant. New leaves and stems have attractive red tinge. Pale yellow fragrant flowers cover this shrub from late fall through early spring. It is very adaptable to most soils and tolerant of drought, lime and seacoast exposure. Evergreen.

Common name:Guadalupe Palm
Botanical name:Brahea edulis

This palm grows slowly to 35' tall and 15' wide. It has long, light green, evergreen leaves shaped like a fan. Fragrant white flowers appear in summer, drooping down like pendants. Following bloom period, the tree produces a black fruit that has an edible pulp and tastes similar to dates. Trunk is light gray with lots of vertical lines. This palm does best in full sun and is drought tolerant once it's established although occasional summer watering is helpful. It tolerates coastal as well as warm inland valley areas. Or Fan Palm.

Common name:Chocolate Mint Scented Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium 'Chocolate Mint'

An attractive perennial from So. Africa that cascades and spreads up to 4' and growing 2' tall. Winter foliage is soft, pale green with maroon splotches around the veins, then changing to dark green leaves by summer. Smells of mint, not chocolate. It does best in full sun with regular watering in warm inland valleys. In coastal areas, minimum irrigation is needed. In spring and early summer, pale lavender flowers with reddish centers appear. Use in containers or edging along pathways. Use leaves for cooking or create a fragrant bouquet.