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 – January

Lace Aloe Torch Plant Aloe aristata Plant Form: Succulent Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 0.8-1 ft. tall x 1-2 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun, light shade Bloom Time: Spring (May), Summer (June – Aug) Native to: South Africa Hardiness: Cold hardy to 15°F Lace Aloe is a dwarf succulent species perfect for edging, ground covers, or in pots. It only asks for well-draining soil and not too much water, especially in hot summers, needing watering only 2 to 4 times […]

Plant of the Month – December

Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens   Plant Form: Deciduous succulent shrub Water Use: Very low, low Mature Size: 8-20 ft. tall x 5-10 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun, reflected sun Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – Aug) Native to: Southern California, southwest US, Mexico Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0-10°F Ocotillo is an iconic symbol of the southwest that forms a vase-shaped shrub with up to 100 wand-like, thorny stems that radiate from the crown. Small, oval, fleshy leaves appear […]

Plant of the Month – September

Deer Grass Muhlenbergia rigens Plant Form: Ornamental Grass Water Use: Low Mature Size: 2-6 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun, part sun Bloom Time: Fall (September – November) Native to: California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, northern Mexico Hardiness: Cold hardy to -10°F Deer Grass is an adaptable, large bunch grass with blue-green foliage that softens desert landscapes wherever it is planted. Fast-growing, it typically reaches mature size in one or two years, with leaves reaching lengths of three […]

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 – May

Mojave Aster Xylorhiza tortifolia  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), Fall (October) Native to: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah Hardiness: Cold hardy to 10°F   Mojave Aster adds unexpected color to the normally harsh habitat where it grows naturally. In your garden, the long-stalked flower heads on this perennial sub-shrub hold two-inch-wide, yellow-centered, lavender-petalled flowers that are beautifully iridescent. After plants are established with regular […]