Plant of the Month

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 – February

Red Valerian Jupiter’s Beard Centranthus ruber Plant Form: Perennial sub-shrub Water Use: Very low, low Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall x 1-2 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun, light shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – Aug), Fall (Sept – Nov) Native to: Mediterranean region, North Africa Hardiness: Cold hardy to -10°F Red Valerian, also known as Jupiter’s Beard, is a moderately fast-growing, erect sub-shrub that is not fussy about its growing conditions.  Showy, rose-red flowers appear continuously […]

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 […]

Plant of the Month – June

Golden Yarrow Eriophyllum confertiflorum Plant Form: Perennial sub-shrub Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August) Native to: California, Baja California Hardiness: Cold hardy to 5°F Welcome this easy-to-grow California native plant into your flower beds, borders, or rock gardens for months of bright color. Golden Yarrow attracts butterflies and other pollinators, but resists browsing by rabbits and deer, and thrives happily in arid soils.   Golden Yarrow […]

Plant of the Month – March

Showy Penstemon Penstemon spectabilis  Plant Form: Perennial herb Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 2-4 ft. tall x 3-4 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring (March-May), Summer (June) Native to: Southern California, Central California, Baja California Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0°F Showy Penstemon knocks you out with its spectacular blue, purple, and pink flowers, while their wide-mouthed, tubular blossoms also attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial pollinators. The upper half of their leafy stems can produce up […]