Common name:Mexican Bush Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' 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:Red Hot Poker
Botanical name:Kniphofia uvaria

This perennial will reach about 3' tall and has large green leaves with orange flowers that bloom in summer and fall.

Common name:Silver Mound Artemisia
Botanical name:Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'

This mounding perennial will grow 1'-3' high and has medium-sized silvery white leaves with yellow and white flowers.

Common name:Lion's Tail
Botanical name:Leonotis leonorus

This is an upright shrub to about 6' tall and wide. Lion's Tail provides both lush greenery and a durable, drought-tolerant shrub. Tubular, bright orange flowers are produced from summer through fall. Plants thrive in desert heat, and can be grown in containers, so plants can be moved to sheltered locations for frost protection.

Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Common name:Bougainvillea, La Jolla
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'La Jolla'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. 'La Jolla' blooms in bright red; it is a compact shrub and good for containers.

The Magic of Mulch

In the natural world the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, death and rebirth flows throughout the seasons. Plants die, leaves fall and new growth springs up in its place. Nothing is lost and the fallen leaves and dead plants decay into the soil, enriching it for the next generation of growth.

Click in the green box for more information