Common name:Pygmy Date Palm, Roebelin Palm
Botanical name:Phoenix roebelenii

This tree will grow to about 10' tall and has dark green, spiny petiole foliage. It does well in full sun to heavy shade; it likes moderate to heavy irrigation, but can take periods of dryness.

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Common name:Mother of Thyme, creeping thyme
Botanical name:Thymus serpyllum

This attractive and reliable groundcover is so dense that it can smother out weeds. It reaches 3" tall and spreads 30". Leaves are tiny and dark green. Can tolerate some foot traffic. Tiny pink flowers appear in summer. This plant is great for a rock or Mediterranean style garden. It prefers full to part sun and has low water requirements once it's established. It will cover adjacent sidewalks and rocks. Bees love this plant too.

Maintenance Tips

Thymus serpyllum is a very low-growing, creeping plant. It is not used for culinary purposes but it makes an excellent ornamental ground cover. This is a very low-maintenance plant if it is planted in ideal conditions. It is drought tolerant and prefers full sun but can thrive in any soil condition. During the cooler, wetter months, the excess moisture can cause the plant to lose leaves and thin out. It is susceptible to root rot, mostly in the warmer months when people tend to overwater. If symptoms of root rot are present, stop watering and allow the soil to dry out. If the problem is killing off the plant, a systemic fungicide can be applied to treat the disease.

Common name:White Baccopa
Botanical name:Sutera cordata

White Baccopa is a prostrate ground cover with white flowers. It stays under 12" in height.

Common name:Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia reginae

This shrub will grow to 6' tall and has large, gray green fronds with orange, blue, white, or multi-colored flowers that bloom throughout the year.

Common name:Jade Plant
Botanical name:Crassula ovata

Crassula ovata is an evergreen shrub that grows to 2' to10' tall and 3' to 6' wide with light green leaves. It like full sun, low watering, and will live in any type of well drained soil.

Common name:Chamomile, Roman Chamomile
Botanical name:Chamaemelum nobile

This evergreen perennial will grow 3"-12" tall and works well as a ground cover. It produces flowers from midsummer to fall and does best in light shade to full sun. It can be mowed occasionally to control height and makes a good lawn substitute.

Common name:Queen Palm
Botanical name:Syagrus romanzoffianum

This palm has a very straight trunk to about 50' in height. It has arching, feathery, bright green, glossy leaves that can be 10'-15' long. It is fragile in heavy winds and a fast grower. It will become damaged in temperature below 24 degrees F.