Common name:Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma
Botanical name:Pratia pedunculata
Pratia pedunculata has bright green, nearly stemless, 1/4" leaves. In late spring and summer, these form a backdrop for equally tiny, star-shaped pale blue flowers.
Common name:New Zealand Flax, Purple
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'
Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves can reach 5' tall. Leaves are purple red. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of 1"-2" blossoms in dark red.
Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii
Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray green, undulating mounds that are 1.5' high when blooming. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring and early summer.
Common name:Sea Pink, Common Thrift
Botanical name:Armeria maritima
This clumping, grass-like perennial is native to many areas, including coastal CA. Its flowers range from deep rose pink through white.
Common name:Sage
Botanical name:Salvia uliginosa
This clumping plant with straight stems of 6'-7' and narrow, bright green leaves is a favorite of hummingbirds. These highly aromatic leaves are accented by pale blue and white flowers. The flowers are arranged in 7" long, branched clusters. This plant blooms throughout the entire summer.
Common name:Freeway Daisy
Botanical name:Osteospermum fruticosum
This ground cover will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium-sized, green leaves with purple or blue flowers that can bloom all year.
Designer: Marilee Kuhlmann | Skip Through the Garden |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Irrigate in the early morning to minimize evaporation.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.