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Rosemary and Friends
Rosemary
Japanese Fatsia
Blue Lavandin, Provence Lavender
Siskiyou Mexican Evening Primrose
Mexican Bush Sage, Mexican Sage
Powis Castle Artemisia
Columnar Italian Cypress
California or Golden Poppy
Rosemary

Common name:Rosemary
Botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary is hardy in full sun areas where winter temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees F. Rosemary is evergreen and makes a great aromatic hedge, 4'-6' tall and 2' wide. Foliage is used in cooking. Blue flowers appear in summer. This plant is drought tolerant once it's established. Bees love Rosemary!

Japanese Fatsia

Common name:Japanese Fatsia
Botanical name:Fatsia japonica

This evergreen shrub has large, glossy, fan-like leaves that grow to 16" wide. It has a moderate growth rate to a size of 5'-8' that can be kept lower with occasional pruning. It has a very lush, tropical appearance, and grows well in partial shade.

Blue Lavandin, Provence Lavender

Common name:Blue Lavandin, Provence Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula X intermedia 'Provence'

'Provence' has true lavender-colored flowers that are fragrant and excellent for cutting. It flowers in early June and has large, grey-green leaves. It reaches 2' tall.

Siskiyou Mexican Evening Primrose

Common name:Siskiyou Mexican Evening Primrose
Botanical name:Oenothera speciosa 'Siskiyou'

The Mexican primrose is a perennial groundcover that remains under 1' tall with profuse pink flowers in the summer. It spreads quickly by underground rhizomes, is drought tolerant, and hardy to 10 degrees F. It attracts birds. It may be considered invasive in some areas. This is a great plant for difficult, dry hillsides.

Mexican Bush Sage, Mexican Sage

Common name:Mexican Bush Sage, Mexican Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, grey-green leaves and velvet-like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, low to moderate water, and is cold hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage attracts hummingbirds. Be careful not to overwater.

Powis Castle Artemisia

Common name:Powis Castle Artemisia
Botanical name:Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

This mounding shrub reaches 3 ft. high and up to 5ft. wide with fine silver foliage. It does well in coastal areas as well as inland warm areas. It rarely blooms but is used for its beautiful foliage. It is striking next to perennials with bright colors. This shrub prefers full sun and well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established.

Columnar Italian Cypress

Common name:Columnar Italian Cypress
Botanical name:Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'

Italian Cypress is often associated with Italian and Spanish architecture, providing columns in the landscape. They often reach 40'- 60' tall. 'Stricta' is compact, columnar and produces long, straight branches with deep green foliage. Once it's established, it is drought tolerant. Provide well draining soil. Do not plant near ocean.

California or Golden Poppy

Common name:California or Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue-green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Designer:

Rosemary and Friends

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.