Common name:Sea Lavender, Statice
Botanical name:Limonium perezii

This mounding shrub will reach about 3' high and has large, dark green leaves with small blue and purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

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:Elija Blue Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca glauca 'Elija Blue'

The 'Elijah Blue' is a dwarf, very glaucous variety with almost white foliage. It should receive sun and little summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursrey

Common name:Geum
Botanical name:Geum sp.

The attractive perennial is grown for its brilliant red flowers found above foliage from spring through summer. Deadheading flowers encourages longer bloom period. Foliage is evergreen in mild winter climates and is lobed. This plant grows 12"-20" tall.

Common name:Flowering Maple, Chinese Lantern
Botanical name:Abutilon hybrids

These evergreen shrubs usually grow to 8-10' tall and as wide. Most will tolerate frost to 25 degrees F or lower with some damage. All are irresistible to hummingbirds with their showy flowers and heavy nectar production. They will take sun to moderately deep shade and little or no summer watering in coastal areas. They should be given more shade and water in hotter, drier climates. They make an excellent plant for containers or hanging baskets. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Purple Carpet Creeping Thyme
Botanical name:Thymus praecox 'Purple Carpet'

This perennial will grow about 3" tall and 3' wide. It has small, dark green leaves with clusters of purple/lavender flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Leaves are fragrant when crushed, can be used for seasoning.

Common name:Johnny Jump Up
Botanical name:Viola tricolor

Viola tricolor grows 6-12 in. tall and broad. The flowers are combinations of velvety purple and yellow, or the orignial blue and yellow color.

Common name:Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks
Botanical name:Dianthus caryophyllus

Dianthus caryophyllus is a perennial. Produces double flowers, bluish green leaves, and leafy stems that often become woody at the base.

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray-green, undulating mounds o 1.5 ft. high in bloom. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring, and early summer.

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:Allan Bloom Hybrd
Botanical name:Achillea X taygetaea 'Moonshine'

Long, straight stems with pale yellow flowers are apparent on the mats of green to grey-green leaves of this plant, which are flatter and less divided than those of the Achillea millefolium. The yarrow propagate 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:Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma
Botanical name:Pratia pedunculata

Laurentia fluviatilis has bright green, nearly stemless, 1/4" leaves. In late spring and summer, these form a backdrop for equally tiny, star-shaped pale blue flowers.

Using Water Wisely

An efficient watering system applies the right amount of water to the right parts of the garden at the right time. This conserves water and saves you money.

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