Common name:Boxwood, Dwarf Compact
Botanical name:Buxus microphylla japonica 'Compacta'

This boxwood will typically grow 12-14" annually and the small leaves are 12" long and 14" wide. It is the slowest growing boxwood and does best in full shade.

Common name:Smoke Tree, Purple
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'

A deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 10' tall, the "Purpureus" is grown for its wispy, thread-like flower clusters in summer. Its green foliage turns a brilliant purple and then yellow to red in the fall. This shrub is a show stopper! It prefers full sun but will do better with afternoon shade in hot inland areas. This attractive shrub is drought tolerant once it's established.

Common name:Spirea, Gold Flame
Botanical name:Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame'

The 'Gold Flame' is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of 3'-4'. New leaves emerge with a bronze color, and turn yellow as they expand. The flowers are rosy red from June through the fall season. It should be grown with full sun.

Common name:Barberry, Royal Burgundy
Botanical name:Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Burgundy'

A deciduous deep burgundy leaved shrub with upright/mounding branches which reaches 2 ft high and 2-3 ft wide. The foliage becomes reddish burgundy in summer and fall. Similar to 'Crimson Pygmy' but a deeper, richer color.

Common name:Sage, Mexican Bush
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3-4 ft. tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, gray-green leaves and velvet like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Yarrow, Cloth of Gold
Botanical name:Achillea 'Moonshine'

Long, straight stems with pale yellow flowers are apparent on the mats of green to grey-green leaves of this plant, which are flatter and less divided than those of the Achillea millefolium. The yarrow propagate easily from rooted cuttings or division, which should be performed in the early spring or fall. Following bloom, one should dead head the plant and divide the clumps when it appears crowded.

Mulch open spaces to keep down weeds and to minimize evoporation.

Common name:Thyme, Woolly
Botanical name:Thymus pseudolanuginosus

Woolly Thyme is an herbaceous perennial used as a groundcover, as it creeps and hugs the ground to 12' wide. Tiny, pale pink flowers bloom during the summer. It likes well-drained soil and can tolerate desert heat if given afternoon shade. It looks great between pavers as it tolerates foot traffic. It makes a nice lawn substitute also. Foliage is fuzzy and gray-green.

Common name:Silver Grass, Morning Light
Botanical name:Miscanthus sincensis 'Morning Light'

The 'Morning Light' is also a taller variety, growing to 6'-8' tall with delicate feathery plumes and very thin graceful leaves. This is a variegated form. It should receive sun to part shade, and average to little summer watering. Tall grasses are highl

Sustainable Landscaping Fundamentals

Sustainable landscaping is a term coined to mean sensible landscape practices that work within the limits of the Eco-system. This means within the limits of your local rainfall, soil conditions and sun patterns.

Click in the green box for more information