Common name:Ray Hartman California Lilac
Botanical name:Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman'

Growing vigorously as either a large shrub or small tree, the Ray Hartman has big leaves and medium blue, delicate flowers in 3"-5" clusters. It grows to 12' high and 8'-10' wide. This cultivar has good tolerance for heat; it needs occasional deep waterings with good drainage. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects.

Common name:Prostrate Rosemary
Botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'

The 'Prostratus' grows to a height of 2'-3' with a spread to 8'. Its flowers are pale, lavender blue in color; the leaves are needle-like with a dark, blue-green color. This plant makes a good ground cover, and its leaves can be used as seasoning in cooking.

Common name:Dymondia, Rock Ditty
Botanical name:Dymondia margaretae

This foliage is gray/green/silvery; it is a very dense, mat forming ground cover. It tolerates drought, cold, salt spray and poor soils. It's deep rooted and produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers. Rock Ditty is great for use in between stepping stones or pavers.

Maintenance Tips

Dymondia margaretae is a low, perennial ground cover that forms a very dense mat of silver-green foliage capable of choking out other plants. It stays lower than 2" tall and can spread out to 15". This is a very drought tolerant plant, but it grows much faster and thrives with regular irrigation. The most common maintenance issue with this plant is weeding. It is naturally slow-growing when it is getting established, which allows seeds and other creeping plants to emerge between the plants. Using a pre-emergent can be very effective in keeping weed seeds from germinating, but creeping plants will have to be removed by hand. Regular weeding can keep your Dymondia looking and performing its best. Once the plant has filled in, there is less space for weeds to grow, so the maintenance will decrease over time. Once established, it can creep and grow around the base of other plants. Prune it away from other plants to prevent them from being choked out.

Common name:Powis Castle Artemisia
Botanical name:Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

This mounding shrub reaches 3' high and up to 5' wide with fine silver foliage.

Common name:Sageleaf Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus salviifolius

This low-spreading shrub reaches a size of 2' tall by 6'-8' wide. It bears white flowers that are 1" wide with yellow centers. This variety makes a good groundcover. The plant requires average to good drainage, and little or no summer watering when established. It should be grown in sun or part shade.