Common name:Hybrid White Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus hybridus

This is a small evergreen shrub with 2 in. long gray-green crinkly leaves. It has pure white flowers with prominant yellow stamens . It is produced throughout the spring to early summer. Avoid heavy mulches. Also sold as Cistus corbariensis.

Common name:Japanese Green Lace
Botanical name:Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Viridis'

This small maple has bright green lacy leaves. It grows to 10 ft. and spreads 8 ft. This plant gives a weeping, delicate appearance. Flowers are purple and inconspicuous. The fruit is a winged samara.

Common name:Cedros Island Verbena
Botanical name:Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' is a selection introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden. It follows the same wonderful characteristics described under the general species V. lilacina.

Common name:Hidcote Goldencup St. Johnswort
Botanical name:Hypericum patulum 'Hidcote'

The 'Hidcote' bears large yellow flowers to a size of 3" across, and blooms from spring through summer. Its overall groth is not as cpompact as that of the moseranum variety, instead reaching up to 4' tall. It should receive sun to part shade, and looks best with at least occasional summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Cushion Bush
Botanical name:Calocephalus brownii

Cushion Bush is a low mounding shrub that grows to around 2' in height. It has startling gray green or silver green foliage that makes it an outstanding accent plant.

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

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