Common name:London Plane Tree
Botanical name:Platanus X acerifolia

The Platanus acerifolia is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that reaches a size 40'-80' high by 30'-40' wide. Its leaves are 3-5 lobed, with a width of 4"-10", turning yellow in fall. This tree is tolerant of most soils, smog, dust and reflected heat. It is tolerant of wet soils also. Exfoliating bark is beautiful, revealing a lovely winter silhouette.

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, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage attracts hummingbirds. Be careful not to overwater. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Jerusalem Sage
Botanical name:Phlomis fruticosa

This hardy perennial is a useful, old-time garden plant with coarse, woolly grey-green, wrinkled leaves and yellow, 1" flowers in ball-shaped whorls. It handles drought and poor soils but needs full sun.

Common name:White Alder, Western Alder
Botanical name:Alnus rhombifolia

White Alder is a deciduous tree with spreading or ascending branches and downward pointing tips. It has coarse teeth and dark green leaves. It is very fast growing 50'-90' tall with a 40' spread. It is very heat and wind tolerant and is a native to California. Green yellow flowers appear in spring. During winter, small cones decorate bare limbs.

Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

The Deer Grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like flower stalks grow 2'-3' tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The Deer Grass is native to California and needs watering once or twice a month after it has been established. The more water it has, the greener it is.

Common name:Asteriscus Daisy
Botanical name:Asteriscus maritimus

Water efficient, daisy-like, woody-based, short-lived perennial.

Common name:Cushion Dusty Miller, Silver Ground
Botanical name:Senecio cineraria

The Dusty Miller grows to 2' tall and wide, with velvety gray leaves that have broad, roundish lobes. Yellow flowers heads appear in summer and sometimes, intermittently. Dead head occasionally to encourage bushiness. Use foliage for cut flower arrangements. It prefers full sun and medium amount of watering. It is not frost hardy.

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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