Common name:Sea Lavender, Statice
Botanical name:Limonium perezii

This mounding shrub will reach about 3' high and has large, dark green leaves with small blue and purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Common name:Variegated Tobira
Botanical name:Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata'

This variegated evergreen shrub or small tree has creamy margins on its gray green leaves. In spring, clusters of small, cream-colored flowers appear with the fragrance of orange blossoms. Variegated Tobira is often used to brighten shaded areas.

Common name:Goodwin Creek Gray Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Gray'

Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Gray' is an evergreen shrub. This dense foliaged plant grows to 2.5'-3' high and 3'-4' wide, with silvery leaves that are toothed at the tips. Deep violet-blue flowers bloom from spring to late fall.

Common name:Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

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. The 'Barbara Karst' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms early and long.

Common name:Ivy Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium peltatum

Clouds of single flowers are produced from spring through fall on this plant, which should be planted in areas that receive part sun. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Krauter Vasuvius Flowering Plum
Botanical name:Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius'

The 'Krauter Vesuvius' is a smaller growing, flowering plum that grows to 18' high by 12' wide. Its leaves are purplish black throughout the growing season, and the flowers have a light pink color.

Common name:Arctotis Daisy, African Daisy
Botanical name:Arctotis hybrids

African Daisy hybrids grow 12"-18" high and 12" wide; they produce daisy-like flowers from spring through summer. These hybrids have lobed leaves and bloom in white, pink, red, purple, cream and orange.

Common name:Blue Marguerite, Blue Felicia Daisy
Botanical name:Felicia amelloides

This shrubby perennial has oval leaves that are 1" in length and dark green in color. It produces a variety of bright blue, 1 1/4" wide flowers almost continuously, which resemble daisies.

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

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