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:Fireworks Dwarf Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum 'Fireworks'
Showy upright growing grass to 4 feet tall with leaf blades that are variegated with longitudinal stripes of white, green and burgundy, imparting a candy-cane-like appearance to the new foliage. As with the typical Fountain Grass (Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum') it has purple tassels in late summer that rise above the foliage. The variegation fades in bright light and through the season. -San Marcos Growers
Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica
This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue/green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
Common name:Sago-Palm
Botanical name:Cycas revoluta
Sago Palm resembles small palms; it is evergreen. It can slowly grow to 10'. It is used for a tropical effect and also looks great in planters. In the low desert, light shade and additional moisture are best. Side sprouts can form multi-trunked individuals. Apply fertilizer at leaf expansion. This plant has few pests.
Common name:Mexican Feather Grass
Botanical name:Nassella tenuissima
The Mexican Fan Grass is a beautiful, fine, airy grass that is emerald green in color. It has many soft yellow-beige flower stalks in the spring. This grass grows 10"-12" tall , 1'-2' wide, and is drought tolerant. It is a very aggressive reseeder and once it takes off in the garden it is hard to stop. Invasive.
Designer:
Photographer: Vicki Anderson
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.