Common name:Sea Pink, Common Thrift
Botanical name:Armeria maritima

This clumping, grass-like perennial is native to many areas, including coastal California. Its flowers range from deep rose pink through white. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Carnation, Clove Pink
Botanical name:Dianthus caryophyllus

Dianthus caryophyllus is a perennial. It produces double flowers in red, pink, white or yellow in the spring. Bluish green leaves and leafy stems often become woody at the base. It prefers afternoon shade in hot inland areas with alkaline soil. Encourage more blooms by deadheading. Carnations have a faint fragrance and make excellent cut flowers.

Common name:Blue Fescue, Blue Fescue Grass
Botanical name:Festuca glauca

This ground cover/grass will grow less than 1' tall and has small, blue-green, evergreen leaves that are very thin and hair-like. Flowers appear in the summer but are insignificant. This dependable ground cover prefers full sun in coastal areas and afternoon shade in warm inland areas. It needs well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. Leaves may burn during the summer but trim in winter to keep it looking refreshed.

Common name:Yellow Dietes or Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes bicolor

This clumping perennial iris relative stands 3'-4' high. It has light- yellow, iris-like flowers with maroon blotches that are about 2" wide. It performs best in full sun and in soil with good drainage.

Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum

Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season. This attractive ground cover is a great filler among other plants and rocks. Foliage is silver gray or gray/green and is woolly. This plant tolerates coastal conditions and desert areas. Use in rock settings, in hanging baskets, containers, or as a lawn substitute. Cut back in fall to refresh plant.

Common name:Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Botanical name:Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica is a graceful upright shrub that grows from 3'-6' in height. It gets its name from its bamboo-like growth habit. When thinned from the center it bears a remarkable resemblance to bamboo. It is best used in groups. It can be used in a shaded patio or out in a shrub border with full sun. An interesting feature of Heavenly Bamboo is the bronze color in the new growth when planted in full sun. It also bears clusters of white flowers in the spring.

Common name:Victor Reiter Thyme
Botanical name:Thymus 'Victor Reiter'

This evergreen ground cover needs full sun to light shade. It grows to 3" tall, forming a dense, thick mat. It needs well-drained, light soil. This thyme is considered drought tolerant. The foliage is dark green and slightly hairy. It has a pleasant, minty fragrance when crushed, though not considered for culinary uses. Flowers are lilac purple and bloom in the summer. It attracts bees and butterflies.

Common name:Striped Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea 'Variegata'

The Striped Society Garlic is a garlic-scented perennial with green narrow leaves that have white margins to 1' tall. The flowers are lavender clusters on a 1'-2' stem that bloom in the spring and summer. This perennial is drought tolerant once it's established. It tolerates full and part sun.

Common name:Tobira
Botanical name:Pittosporum tobira

This large, dense, evergreen shrub or small tree has shiny dark green leaves. In the spring, clusters of small, cream-colored flowers appear with the fragrance of orange blossoms. Mock Orange can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is considered one of the most durable shrubs in California landscapes.

Common name:Semi-trailing Yellow Gazania
Botanical name:Gazania 'Mitsuwa Yellow'

This somewhat hardy perennial will grow 6"-12" high, spreading 3' wide. It produces wonderful, bright yellow flowers during the warm season. Plant in full sun. It is drought tolerant once it's established. This is a great ground cover for erosion control on hillsides or used as a lawn substitute.

Managing Your Soil

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of a vibrant landscape. It provides oxygen and nutrients vital to plant growth and sustenance. It provides protection from the sun and stability for root systems.

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