Common name:Japanese Maple
Botanical name:Acer palmatum

This magnificent plant can used as a small tree or shrub. It is deciduous with graceful leaves which have a scarlet color in spring as it leafs out. They turn orange or yellow in fall. It is slow growing to 20', and requires shelter from hot winds. The leaves of this tree are small, light green in color, and deply lobed. It should also be noted that the tree remains spectacular throughout all seasons. Second picture by Steve Mullany.

Common name:Australian Rosemary
Botanical name:Westringia fruticosa

The Australian-rosemary is an evergreen shrub that grows 3-6 ft. tall. It has soft gray-green leaves and white flowers throughout the year and prefers sun and little to average amounts of water . This shrub is also drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Common Morning Glory
Botanical name:Ipomoea purpurea

This vine will reach about 12' in length and has medium-sized green leaves with blue, violet, and purple flowers that bloom in summer.

Common name:Shamel Ash
Botanical name:Fraxinus uhdei

This evergreen to semi-evergreen tree is both upright and narrow when young, but assumes a spreading form when older. Since it is shallow rooted, deep waterings are essential for deeper rootings. When the tree is young, any long, unsightly branches should be cut back.

Common name:Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea

This clumping perennial will grow less than 1' tall and has narrow, blue green leaves. Clusters of lavender flowers bloom in spring and summer. Leaves and flowers have a distinct onion or garlic smell if crushed.

Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum

Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season.

Common name:Dr. Hurd Manzanita
Botanical name:Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Dr. Hurd'

This is a large shrub with showy bark that reaches 8'-20' tall and wide. It has dark red bark, large pale green leaves and white to pink flower clusters that bloom from February to March.

Common name:Compact Karo
Botanical name:Pittosporum crassifolium 'Compactum'

Pittosporum crassifolium 'Compactum' is an evergreen shrub or tree. Can reach 25 ft. tall and 20 ft. wide in 8-10 years. Branches are densely clothed in gray-green, 1-2 in. long leaves with rounded ends. Produces maroon flowers in late spring.

Common name:Lamb's Ear
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina

This tiny, herbaceous shrub will grow less than 1' tall and has medium-size, grayish/green leaves with blue and lavender flowers that bloom in the spring.

Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion'

This herbacious perennial quickly grows to 1' tall and 3' wide. White daisy-like flowers with gold centers bloom heavily in spring and fall in the low desert but in higher elevations, bloomtime is only during the summer. The foliage is hairy and gray green. It does better in light shade if planted in the low desert. This plant attracts butterflies. It looks great in rock gardens, crevices, on walls, borders, containers, hanging baskets. It tolerates sand and wind; it does best with well draining, moist soil.

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.

Click in the green box for more information