Plant of the Month – July
Carob Tree Ceratonia siliqua Plant Form: Evergreen tree, shrub Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 30-45 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Fall (Sept – Nov) Native to: Mediterranean region, Iran Hardiness: Cold hardy to 20°F Carob Tree, best known for its cultivated seed pods used as a substitute for chocolate, is also valued for its ornamental landscape qualities. Its dense canopy of glossy, evergreen foliage makes a wonderful shade tree. Allowed to grow naturally, it retains […]
Plant of the Month – May
Smokey Coast Rosemary Westringia fruticosa ‘Smokey’ Plant Form: Evergreen Shrub Water Use: Low Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall x 4-5 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun, part shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – August) Native to: Australia Hardiness: Cold hardy to 20°F Smokey Coast Rosemary is a rugged Australian native with dainty evergreen leaves covered in soft white hair that makes the whole plant appear “smokey”. Its dark green leaves are edged in creamy white margins, creating […]
Plant of the Month – April
Daylily Hemerocallis varieties Plant Form: Perennial herb Water Use: Low, moderate Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall x 1-3 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun, part shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – August) Native to: Asia Hardiness: Cold hardy to – 20°F Daylilies are one of the most adaptable flowering plants in the world, with over 80,000 varieties, and more being developed every year. Sometimes discounted because they are so common world-wide, they have good reason to be […]
Plant of the Month – March
Greek Sage Salvia fruticosa Plant Form: Perennial sub-shrub Water Use: Very low, low Mature Size: 3-3.5 ft. tall x 3-5 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun, very light shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – Aug) (Sept – Nov) Native to: Mediterranean region, North Africa, Canary Islands Hardiness: Cold hardy to 15 – 20°F Greek Sage is as beautiful as it is useful, from its aromatic leaves to its tall spikes of striking blue flowers. No pampering is […]
Plant of the Month – November
Desert Broom, Broom Baccharis Baccharis sarothroides Plant Form: Semi-deciduous shrub Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 6-12 ft. tall x 6-7 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Summer (June – August), Fall (September – October) Native to: Southern California, southwest US, Mexico Hardiness: Cold hardy to 15°F Desert Broom has branches that are so green, you won’t notice that it drops its small, narrow leaves during drought, making this rounded shrub look like a giant, green broom. This fast-growing, […]
Plant of the Month – October
Desert Wild Grape Vitis girdiana Plant Form: Deciduous vine Water Use: Low, moderate Mature Size: 10-30 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun, part shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – August) Native to: Southern California, California Channel Islands Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0°F Desert Wild Grape is a fast-growing, deciduous vine that produces small but edible black grapes for birds and people. The silvery-green foliage turns color and drops in winter, but the persistent tendrils remain […]