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Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma
New Zealand Flax, Purple
Catmint
Sea Pink, Common Thrift
Sage
Freeway Daisy
Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma

Common name:Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma
Botanical name:Pratia pedunculata

Pratia pedunculata has bright green, nearly stemless, 1/4" leaves. In late spring and summer, these form a backdrop for equally tiny, star-shaped pale blue flowers.

New Zealand Flax, Purple

Common name:New Zealand Flax, Purple
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'

Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves can reach 5' tall. Leaves are purple red. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of 1"-2" blossoms in dark red.

Catmint

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray green, undulating mounds that are 1.5' high when blooming. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring and early summer.

Sea Pink, Common Thrift

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

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

Sage

Common name:Sage
Botanical name:Salvia uliginosa

This clumping plant with straight stems of 6'-7' and narrow, bright green leaves is a favorite of hummingbirds. These highly aromatic leaves are accented by pale blue and white flowers. The flowers are arranged in 7" long, branched clusters. This plant blooms throughout the entire summer.

Freeway Daisy

Common name:Freeway Daisy
Botanical name:Osteospermum fruticosum

This ground cover will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium-sized, green leaves with purple or blue flowers that can bloom all year.

Designer: Marilee Kuhlmann

Skip Through the Garden

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.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.