Common name:Elfin Creeping Thyme
Botanical name:Thymus praecox arcticus 'Elfin'

This 2" perennial groundcover is a great addition among other sun-loving perennials. Its creeping stems bear small purple flowers all summer. The plant spreads quickly, and should be placed in average to moist garden soil. The thyme-scented foliage can be used to flavor food.

Common name:Common Yarrow, Milfoil
Botanical name:Achillea millefolium

Highlighting this perennial are spreading mats of fern-like rosettes, along with deeply divided leaves of a green or grey green color. In this form, the flowers are usually a white tone. Stems can reach 2-3ft above foliage. The yarrow propagates easily from rooted cuttings or division, 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.

Common name:Magenta Magic Spanish Bayonet
Botanical name:Yucca aloifolia 'Magenta Magic'

Spiky upright lustrous mauve leaves make a dramatic garden statement! Reaching only 2-3’ tall and wide, this accidental sport of Yucca ‘Blue Boy’ is a natural dwarf variety with dark evergreen foliage that deepen to purplish mauve in cooler temperatures. 2-3’ tall spikes of white nodding flowers shoot above the foliage in late Winter on mature plants. Berries follow, much loved by birds, but ignored by deer. Tough and durable, it can take heat, dry conditions and a fair amount of neglect. Makes a dramatic statement when planted en masse and combines well with other dry garden denizens. An excellent container plant. Plant in well-drained soil.

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: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:Big Bend Yucca
Botanical name:Yucca rostrata

This Yucca has blue leaves, a tall narrow trunk, and a spectacular summer display of cream white flowers. It is one of the most attractive tree Yuccas. It slowly forms a trunk to 10' tall. The young are usually unbranched; the older have a few branches. Narrow blue leaves can grow up to 2' long but very narrow with a sharp term spine. This Yucca prefers full sun or very light shade and rocky, well drained soil. It is susceptible to grubs. Old leaves persist.

Common name:Skyscraper Senecio
Botanical name:Senecio 'Skyscraper'

Like Blue Chalksticks, on steroids. Senecio Skyscraper is a strong, upright grower, reaching 2-3' in one growing season. No staking or support necessary. Fabulous new structural component for succulent gardens. This attractive plant grows 2-3' tall and 18" wide. It is evergreen and does best in well draining soil and full or part sun. A great plant for containers, hillsides, coastal areas, borders and rock gardens. Prune when needed.