Common name:Coral Bells
Botanical name:Heuchera cultivars

These perennials have wonderful flowers in colors ranging from white to deep crimson. The flowers bloom in spring and these plants are popular in masses or borders.

Common name:Beach Strawberry, Coastal Strawberr
Botanical name:Fragaria chiloensis

This perennial grows 4"-8" high with tooth-edged leaves and ornamental strawberries during the fall. Cut back or mow in early spring to encourage new growth.

Maintenance Tips

Fragaria chiloensis is a lovely ground cover that is also known as Coastal Strawberry. It is a very well-behaved ground cover, requiring very little maintenance to keep it looking and performing its best. It is best known for its berries which are very attractive to birds and other wildlife. The plant rarely grows taller than 4-6" and spreads out through its root system, creating a dense mat. The plant is susceptible to many types of fungi because of the moisture and the lack of airflow in its dense environment. Treating the plant with a systemic or topical fungicide may be necessary if the infection is killing the plant. Thatching the ground cover and drying the area out can help control fungal issues as well.

Common name:Dusty Miller, Silver Groundsel
Botanical name:Senecio cineraria

The Dusty Miller exhibits growth to 1' or more, with velvet gray leaves that have broad, roundish lobes. Yellow flower heads appear through the middle of the plant during most months of the year. Cut heads back occasionally to encourage bushiness.

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:Pink Mexican Evening Primrose
Botanical name:Oenothera speciosa 'Roseum'

Oenothera speciosa 'Rosea' is a perennial ground cover. It grows 10"-12" high, with profuse showing of 1.5" wide rose pink blooms in summer. Flowers open in daytime and stems die back after bloom. It can be highly invasive.

Common name:California Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca californica

The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue green blades that reach 2'-5' high and 3' wide. Foliage arches gracefully upwards and outwards. Flower spikes reach 3' above the leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It makes a great companion plant to oak trees and is handsome as a backdrop behind lower growing grasses for a meadow look. The California fescue is native to California and is a beneficial insect plant.

Common name:California Coffeeberry
Botanical name:Frangula 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.