Common name:Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Botanical name:Centranthus ruber

This perennial ground cover will grow 1'-3' high and has medium-size blue/green leaves with red, pink, or white flowers that bloom in the summer.

Common name:Manzanita Emerald Carpet
Botanical name:Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet'

The 'Emerald Carpet' is an evergreen groundcover that grows to 1' tall by 3'-6' wide. It is favored by many landscapers as the manzanita of choice for inland situations. It has dark green leaves and exhibits compact growth. This variety is relatively tolerant of adverse soil conditions.

Maintenance Tips

Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet' is a low-sprawling, California native hybrid shrub. It is under a foot tall and spreads between 3’ and 6’ wide. It has small, glossy, deep green leaves that are attached to gorgeous red flaky stems, making it lush in appearance with multiple attractive features. It will send out small urn-shaped white flowers that will turn into small, red, apple-shaped berries. It is slow-growing and very low maintenance. It will only need occasional thinning to remove any branches that might have died or any branches that are too long. They can be susceptible to over watering, so watering deep and infrequently is essential to the health of this plant.

Common name:Mealy Cup Blue Sage
Botanical name:Salvia farinacea

This low growing perennial reach 1-1/2' x 1-1/2'. Bright green leaves are lighter underneath. Spiked blue-purple flowers bloom from late spring to fall. Attracts hummingbirds.

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 3' tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The Deer Grass is native to California and needs watering once or twice a month after it has been established. The more water it has, the greener it is.

Maintenance Tips

Muhlenbergia rigens is a dense grass with a dome-shaped structure arching in all directions. It is commonly referred to as Deergrass. The foliage can reach 3' tall and 5' wide with flower blooms that emerge in the spring and summer 18" above the foliage. This grass requires almost no maintenance if it is planted in its ideal conditions. A sunny location, well-drained soil, and the space to reach its mature size will ensure that it thrives without having to prune for size or shape. It is common to cut back perennial grasses very hard in the winter to prune off the old spent flowers. If you are planning on winter pruning, it is best to wait until you see some new foliage emerge so the newly emerging leaves can cover the cuts quickly.