Common name:Pride Of Madeira
Botanical name:Echium candicans
Mature specimens of this evergreen shrub can grow to a size of 6'-8' tall and 8'-10' wide. In the spring, spikes of rosy-violet to blue-purple flowers appear. It should receive sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. This plant can be severely damaged by frost below 25 degrees F. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Snapdragon
Botanical name:Antirrhinum majus
This annual will grow 1'-3' tall and has dark green leaves accented by red, orange, yellow, pink, and white flowers.
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:Coast Live Oak
Botanical name:Quercus agrifolia
The Coast Live Oak is an evergreen round headed tree. It can reach 15'-40' high and 20' wide; it grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. It is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Cape Rush
Botanical name:Chondropetalum tectorum
Chondropetalum tectorum has 3'-4' tall stems that shoot out in all directions from the roots. Each stem has papery bracts connected to the ends that turn from tan to dark drown, then fall off. Chondropetalum can grow in marshes, in the ground with regular watering, or in drought conditions.
Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii
Nepeta faassenii makes soft, grey-green, undulating mounds to 1.5' high in bloom, spreading 3'-4' wide. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in summer. Catmint can be planted in sun or shade and needs medium amount of water. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Common name:Matilija Poppy
Botanical name:Romneya coulteri
Crowned by white poppies, this high-impact, spreading, gray green perennial stands statuesque at 5"-8" tall. It is best used where its scale and habit will not overpower, and it requires no summer water and thrives on dry alluvial slopes..
Common name:Common Foxglove
Botanical name:Digitalis purpurea
This biennial foxglove will reach up to 4' when blooming in the early summer. The large spire of huge, bell-shaped flowers ranges from purple to pink to cream with purple specks. Large, textured leaves form an attractive rosette until bloom time. The plant likes a moist, filtered-sun area similar to the Lobelias and Columbines. -Holland Wildflower Farm
Common name:California Black Walnut
Botanical name:Juglans californica
The Juglans californica is a deciduous, drought tolerant tree capable of surviving aridity and poor soils. It is not very ornamental and as a result, is not frequently commercially grown. It typically looks like a shrub, growing to 25' tall. Foliage is aromatic. Leaves turn yellow in fall. This tree is important to wildlife and birds as it provides food and shelter. Nuts are edible.
Designer: Descanso Gardens | Echium and Friends |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Check the soil's moisture level before watering.
You can reduce your water use 20-50% by regularly checking the soil before watering.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.