Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Common name:Carmel Creeper
Botanical name:Ceanothus griseus horizontalis

Carmel Creeper is one of the most popular forms of spreading shrubs. Its glossy oval leaves of 2" are bright green. The tiny, light blue flowers are abundant and form 1" clusters. This shrub benefits from pruning. It does best in well-drained soil with little to no summer water.

Common name:Beard Tongue
Botanical name:Penstemon 'Apple Blossom'

The Border Penstemon is a showy perennial that remains 2'-4' high. It has light pink, tubular blossoms on long flower spikes from spring through the fall and is hardy to 15 degrees F. It is also drought tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.

Common name:Star Jasmine
Botanical name:Trachelospermum jasminoides

The Star Jasmine is an evergreen vine that grows 20' tall or as a groundcover that reaches 1'-2' tall and 4'-5' wide. It has white fragrant flowers in the summer and can tolerate sun or partial shade. The Star Jasmine is also drought tolerant.

Common name:Feathery Cassia or Senna
Botanical name:Senna artemisiodes

This evergreen shrub grows to 4'-6' tall and wide. It has leaves that are narrowly pinnate, forming feathery sprays of silvery foliage. Its showy yellow flowers appear at branch tips from late winter through early summer. A very tough plant, this variety will survive under desert conditions or near the coast. It will even tolerate clay soils if kept dry during the summer. The plant is damaged below 20 degrees F.