Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

The Deer Grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like flower stalks grow 2'-3' tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The Deer Grass is native to California, is drought tolerant, and is a beneficial insect plant.

Common name:Howard McMinn Manzanita
Botanical name:Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn

This shrub is highly appreciated for its decorative characteristics, which include a dense show of small, pale pink urn-shaped flowers. Above all, it is the mahogany-red to brown bark (which peels beautifully) that is the major attraction. Its fruit resembles the tike apple, and the flowers contrast perfectly to the light green leaf (which can get rather tough). It blooms from late winter to spring.

Common name:White Sage, Sacred White Sage
Botanical name:Salvia apiana

This woody shrub has long stems with silvery white leaves and fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring. It provides a strong structural form as a garden focal point. It can reach 6' tall and 6' wide.

Common name:California Coffeeberry
Botanical name:Rhamnus californica

The California coffeeberry is an evergreen shrub that reaches 6'-8' high. It grows inland and has large green to black berries in late summer. This shrub tolerates sun or partial shade in all soil types. The California coffeeberry is a native to California and is drought tolerant. It is a beneficial insect plant and attracts butterflies.

Common name:Garnet Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon 'Purple'

The Border Penstemon is a showy perennial that reaches 2'-4' in height. It has purple, tubular blossoms with red-striped throats on long flower spikes that bloom from spring through the fall. It is hardy to 15 degrees F. It is also drought tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Common name:London Plane Tree
Botanical name:Platanus X acerifolia

London Plane Tree is a fast growing, deciduous tree that reaches a size 40'-80' high by 30'-40' wide. Its leaves are 3-5 lobed, with a width of 4"-10". This plant is tolerant of most soils, smog, dust and reflected heat.

Common name:California Gray Rush
Botanical name:Juncus patens

Although a wetland plant, Juncus patens can tolerate fairly dry conditions. It will slowly clump to 2'-3' wide and a height of 2'-2.5'. There are many selections of this species available with different heights and widths. It is carefree, with little to no maintenance. It provides great upright structure to many styles of landscapes.

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.

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