Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Some cultivars have spectacular fall color. When it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The flower colors could be shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white, blooming in summer. It thrives on heat, and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew. This tree prefers full sun and has low watering needs once it's established.

Common name:Snow White Spreading Manuka
Botanical name:Leptospermum scoparium 'Snow White'

New Zealand Tea Tree has small, needle-like green leaves with showy, .5" wide rose-like flowers in fall and spring. These shrubs can be thinned to enhance their attractive branch structure and flaking bark. They need very little water once established. 'Snow White' is spreading and compact, reaching 2'-4' tall by 4-5' wide. It has white blooms with green centers. It can tolerate coastal conditions and warm inland valleys.

Common name:Yankee Point Ground Cover Ceanothus
Botanical name:Ceanothus griseus horizontalis 'Yankee P

Yankee Point is a fast growing shrub that stays near 3' in height with a spread of 8'-10'. It has glossy, dark green leaves and light blue flowers that bloom in winter and spring. It is great for hillsides and mass plantings. It tolerates coastal conditions and hot inland areas. Hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects love this shrub. It can become drought tolerant if it receives afternoon shade in warm valley areas.

Common name:Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo Tree
Botanical name:Ginkgo biloba

The Ginkgo biloba, with its distinct fan-shaped leaves, initially grows with a pyramidal habit, but later becomes wide-spreading. It is generally not bothered by insects or disease. It slowly reaches 35'-50' tall and wide. It needs regular watering and more during hot summer months. Flowers are inconspicuous. Fall color is spectacular with changing color of leaves from light green with a yellow tinge to yellow.

Common name:Lochinch Summer Lilac
Botanical name:Buddleja 'Lochinch'

Buddleia davidii 'Lochnich' is a deciduous shrub that grows 5-8 ft.tall and wide, with gray foliage and light lavender-blue flowers over a long season in late summer and fall. The blossoms attract butterflies.

Common name:Japanese Garden Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus procumbens

This groundcover-small shrub will reach 1'-2.5' tall with a 4'-5' spread. It has small, blue-green, evergreen leaves. This dependable conifer is used for bonsai. It prefers full to part sun with occasional watering once it's established. It can also be used for topiaries.

Common name:Matilija Poppy
Botanical name:Romneya coulteri

Crowned by white poppies, this high-impact, spreading grey-green perennial stands statuesque at 6'-8' tall. It is best used where its scale and habit will not overpower, and it requires no summer water.