Common name:Rock Purslane
Botanical name:Cistanthe grandiflora 'Jazz Time'
This perennial will grow 12"-36" and produces large blue-green rosettes that last for a long season. It produces large, silky, lavender pink flowers that have lime-green, purple spotted calyces.
Common name:Parasol Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum
Parasol Aeonium is an upright succulent with rosette leaf clusters. It forms a mound and can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Common name:Hen and Chicks
Botanical name:Echeveria 'Imbricata'
This succulent perennial is very small, growing only 2"-3" high. It produces orange, pink, and red blooms and does best in full sun and moist soil.
Common name:Sticks on Fire Pencil Tree
Botanical name:Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'
In frost free areas, Euphorbia can become a 30' tree but in colder areas, it is often knocked back by frost. It can be single or multiple trunked. It has green cylindrical branches that are about the diameter of a pencil. Leaves are not usually present. Some people are allergic to the sap. It is tolerant of salt, full sun, part shade and quite drought resistant. It is a great accent plant for a container. This form has yellow or orange branches if in full sun.
Common name:Amazing Red Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Amazing Red'
Phormium 'Amazing Red' is an evergreen perennial. It is a 2' tall, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves in a fan pattern. Leaves are dark reddish brown in color.
Common name:Jack Spratt New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Jack Spratt'
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is an evergreen perennial. This variety is a dwarf, reaching 18" tall and wide. It is fan-shaped and clumping. The leaves are burgundy bronze in color and make a great border plant.
Maintenance Tips
Phormium tenax 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest hybrids of Flax. This variety matures at 18" tall and wide. The leaves are narrow, strap-shaped, and brownish-purple. This is one of the lowest maintenance plants in any garden. It is not particular about its soil conditions and is very tolerant to excessive heat and drought conditions. The plant is very clean; however, old leaves can collect under the plant, so removing them once a year will help keep the plant looking and performing its best.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.
Designer: Laura Dalton
Photographer: GardenSoft