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: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:Surfer N.Z. Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is an evergreen perennial or sub-shrub. It is a dwarf variety of its Phormium tenax cousin. Great for pots and smaller spaces where the accenting feature of a flax is needed but not the size.

Common name:Sea Lavender
Botanical name:Limonium perezii

This mounding shrub will reach about 3' high and has large, dark green leaves with small blue and purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Common name:Purplish N.Z. Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'

Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves (9' long, to 5" wide) in a fan pattern. Leaves are purple red. Flower stems reach high above leaves, bearing cluster of 1"- 2" blossoms in dark red to yellow.

Common name:Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea

This clumping perennial will grow less than 1' tall and has narrow, blue-green leaves. Clusters of lavender flowers bloom in spring and summer. Leaves and flowers have a distinct onion or garlic smell if crushed.

Common name:Canna, Canna Lily
Botanical name:Canna X generalis (assorted varieties)

These lilies will grow anywhere from about 2'-5' tall and have large dark green or bronzy green leaves that look like banana leaves. Exotic looking flowers in purple, red or lavender bloom in summer. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooming. Canna Lily prefers full sun and a medium amount of watering, more in hot summer areas. It tolerates coastal conditions and wet areas.

Common name:Wings of Gold N.Z. Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Wings of Gold'

Phormium ?Wings of Gold' has a bright olive green blades with creamy yellow margins. It grows to about 3' high and 3' wide. It likes full sun or half sun and prefers the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

The Magic of Mulch

In the natural world the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, death and rebirth flows throughout the seasons. Plants die, leaves fall and new growth springs up in its place. Nothing is lost and the fallen leaves and dead plants decay into the soil, enriching it for the next generation of growth.

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