Further information on the plants pictured in the Gallery

• Berberis thunbergii- Japanese Barberry is a widely adapted shrub in both dwarf and medium shrub sizes. Many hybrids of this plant have colorful foliage. It is a deciduous shrub in cold winter areas. It does have small interior thorns. It has some shade tolerance and usually does well in sun too with some water. Its a tough plant and a good mix with shrub areas of many green shades adding some red or gold to the areas
• Camellia sasanqua   Most people are familiar with Camellia japonicas. A tough foundation plant often found in front of peoples homes. Camellia sasanqua is a smaller fall blooming species of Camellias and very useful in many designs for its dark green foliage a soft pink, red or white flowers. There are even some low hybrids that are good as ground covers for light shade.
• Campanula murialis- serbian bellflower  A small plant suitable for use as a ground cover in shade or half light. Lovely blue-lavender flowers in spring. Trim back if the foliage is getting leggy and after the bloom cycle.
• Certostigma plumbaginoides- Burmese plumbago  Not to be confused with the giant Plumbago auriculata. This plant is used as a ground cover for half light or light shade. It turns red in fall then dies back. The contrast of the red foliage with the blue flowers is lovely.
• Coleonema pulchrum- Breath of Heaven  A large shrub or dwarf hybrid with very fine textured leaves that smell good when broken. Deer don’t eat this plant. The tiny white or pink flowers cover the plant in winter. Do not shear but can be pruned back wit pruning clippers.
• Coleus-  An annual foliage plant for summer color. I really miis these if we don’t plant them for summer and fall. They like morning sun afternoon shade and come in many unique color blends. They do flower but the flower isn’t showy. In winter I grow cuttings in glasses of water and plant them out in pots after freeze danger has passed.
• Correa pulchella- Australian fuchsia  Very hardy and tolerant to dry shade. These plant should have good drainage and not be over watered. The Deer don’t eat them. Lovely hybrids with white or pink flowers. Excellent for filtered sun under tree canopies.
• Cuphea hyssopifolia- False Heather  What a pretty small shrub this is! Soft foliage and tiny dark pink or white flowers. They like morning sun and afternoon shade. Great as a low border by a proch or patio.
• Dicksonia antarctica- Tasmanian Tree Fern  A big fern often placed in the wrong location. They need space and shade but not dark shade. Water 3 times per week. I suggest this plant because of its gorgeous leaves, tree like shape and bright green foliage.
• Dymondia- A great small scale ground cover that is drought tolerant and stays almost flat. It does flower with yellow daisies but they are not as interesting as the leaves that outlined in silver. Use pre-emergent  in your ground cover areas to control weeds.
• Geranium sanguineum- Cranesbill  Soft perennials with pastel colored flowers and lacey leaves. Nice as a flowering border. Trim back and dead growth and leaves in fall.
• Grevillea ‘Noellii’- Hummingbird Bush  These plants are tough as nails and the Deer don’t eat them! Grevilleas come in lots of sizes and shapes but the ‘Noellii’ is a nice size medium shrub for home gardens. Absolutely drough tolerant but should have good drainage. Great as a bank cover with rosemary and lantana.
• Helleborus orientalis- Lenten Rose  Blooming at the end of winter in a wide range of pinks and whites. Hellebore is shade tolerant and takes little water. They grow from tubers so may go dormant part of the year. Deer don’t eat them either.
• Hydrangea-  A large group of plants that are common as a foundation plant. They need some sun to bloom well but don’t like hot afternoon sun. Their big bold flowers and foliage is what makes these plants a standout. I have been impressed with how well they do once established even with drought and severe conditions. Still good to water twice a week and fertilize for best bloom.
• Iberis sempervirens- Candytuft  They look a little like Allysum but are a tough, low perennial border plant that tolerates poor soil and sun to part shade. They look like they are covered with snow with their heavy bloom in spring. Clip back to keep full.
• Lagerstroemia indica- Crape Myrtle  Use the hybrids named for Indian Tribes to avoid powdery Mildew on the foliage. The range of flower colors is outstanding. The fall color is good and the trees stay fairly small usually ranging from 8′-25′ depending on the hybrid. They have pretty bark too!  Low water requiring once established.
• Lantana- Available as a shrub or ground cover. Pretty color range from yellow, orange, pink, lavender and white. Great plant for hot area and low water. Blooms for an extended period from Spring through Fall. Butterflies love them! Trim back in winter to keep full.
• Lavandula- lavender  Tough and low water requiring with a wide range of hybrids. Bees love them and the foliage can be used as an herb. They can be short lived so replace when they get old and woody.
• Liriope muscari- Lily Turf  A grassy perennial with a purple-blue flower spike. Great for half light or light shade to add a soft texture change.
• Lomandra ‘Breeze’- Dwarf Rush Mat  Soft grass that stays evergreen and isn’t overly big. Nice movement in the wind. Flowers not showy. Good to edge a walk or driveway or in groups with other low water plants or grasses.
• Loropetalum chinensis hybrids- Chinese Fringe Flower  Striking red color on many of the hybrids with magenta flowers. A medium shrub to small tree with good tolerance to half light to full sun. Moderate water requiring. There is a green leaf version with white flowers also.
• Nandina ‘Harbor Dwarf’  A long time staple in the landscape industry used in low light areas and as a screening plant in its tall form. Nandina turns red, gold, or orange in the cold weather. The dwarf is useful in mixed low borders to add color when other plants aren’t blooming. Nice texture. Deer don’t eat it.
• Olea ‘Little Ollie’- Dwarf Olive  A non-fruiting dwarf of the Olive. Greet foliage with dark green leaves and silver shine to backs of the leaves. It gets about 6-8′ tall and is low water and adapts well to low light and poor soils.
• Osteospermum hybrids- African Daisy  Fantastic bloomer for low water landscapes putting on a huge show in spring with eye popping colors. The newest hybrids grow as a 1′ tall shrub 2-3′ wide. Deer don’t bother it and it has a good tolerance to drought.
• Phormium ‘Green Wave’- New Zealand Flax  A very easily recognizable plant and big. This hybrid gets 4-5′ tall and 3′ wide. There are lots of hybrids of Phormium but this one has a great color that mixes well with low water plants like lavender, rosemary, sage and rockrose. Deer leave it alone. Fully drought tolerant and easy care.
• Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ and undulatum  Within the genus of Pittosporum are some of the best screening plants that we have used in landscaping. There are lots of species and hybrids ranging from 2′ tall up to 40′ tall. Moderate to low water and they can take a wide range of light and soil types. I wouldn’t use them in Desert heat and wind but for temperate climates they make a great screening hedge or backdrop.
• Rosa  ‘Flower Carpet’  I love Roses but landscape use I have found these flower carpet roses to be a super color spot in gardens . They bloom almost non-stop and take hot spots with no issues. Moderate water requiring. Prune back in winter to keep full and keep the flowers coming! Deer love to eat them.
• Rosmarinus ‘Prostratus’- Rosemary  Drought tolerant and you can use it as an herb plus the Bees love them. Yes, they are common and can get woody but there is not another plant that is as tough and pest free as Rosemary. With our milder winters they are even blooming better with millions of little blue flowers. Deer AND Gophers don’t eat them. Best as a bank cover or along the top of a wall.
• Sarcococca humilis  Shade is one the most difficult places to find shrubs for and Sarcococca has come to the rescue many times. It even has tiny fragrant flowers. Low water requiring and keeps a lovely dense green foliage all year. Best in light shade or morning sun afternoon shade.
• Tecoma capensis- Cape Honeysuckle  I always liked this plant with its bright red-orange or yellow flowers but how to use it was a mystery. It is kind of a floppy shrub. We finally started training it up on vine trellis’ and it makes a great not too wide fence cover. Very heat tolerant and low water plus the Hummingbirds are big fans. Nice bright green foliage.
• Teucrium chamaedrioides- Germander  An herby perennial ground cover for warm gardens and lots of light. Pretty magenta flower spikes in spring and appealing dark green foliage. Clip back dead flower heads and foliage to have a nice shape.
• Tristaniopsis laurina- Water Gum  Its actually kind of hard to find nice small evergreen trees but this on has been a good one. Ranging from 10-20′ tall and 8-12′ wide it fits in even a small garden. The tiny yellow flowers aren’t showy but it has lovely bark as it matures and casts good shade.
• Vitex agnus-castus- Chaste Tree  Actually a large shrub or small deciduous tree 6-15′ tall. These shrubs can be a nice shaped small tree and they are very striking when in full bloom. Very hardy and low water. Has a yellow fall color.
• Westringia fruticosum- Coast Rosemary  Not related to the Rosemary discussed above. A good introduction from Australia with a fine foliage and interesting shaped pale lavender flower. Low water and easy care. Do not shear into a hedge- this wrecks its shape.
• Xylosma congestum- Shiny Xylosma  Very clean shrub or small tree that has been used for many years as a heging and screening shub. Its big. 8-10’wide and 10-15′ tall or more. I think its a great shrub/tree for kids to play under since it has no sticky fruit, thorns or flower drop.