Common name: Dr. Hurd Manzanita
Botanical name: Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Dr. Hurd'

This is a large shrub with showy bark that reaches 8'-20' tall and wide. It has dark red bark, large pale green leaves and white to pink flower clusters that bloom from February to March.

Common name: Sugar Bush
Botanical name: Rhus ovata

Sugar Bush is a dense, rounded evergreen shrub growing 8'-15' tall and wide with creamy flowers in spring. Small red fruit follows blooms, which are edible. It grows well in inland areas and is drought tolerant. Leathery, rich, dark foliage is evergreen. It prefers full sun and well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established although it could use additional irrigation in hot summer areas. Do not plant in wet areas.

Common name: White Sage
Botanical name: Salvia apiana

This woody shrub has long stiff stems with gray green, wrinkled evergreen leaves when juvenile, changing to smooth and white with time. Fragrant white flowers bloom in the spring, attracting bees. Prune after bloom time to shape shrub. It provides a strong structural form as a garden focal point. It can reach 6' tall and wide; and is considered slow growing. Plant in full sun with well draining soil. Established plants need very little summer water. Leaves have been used for herbal teas and for medicinal purposes.

Common name: Mexican Gold Poppy
Botanical name: Eschscholzia mexicana

Mexican Gold Poppy is similar to the California Poppy, with exception to the foliage (but difficult to distinguish). It has cup-shaped, fragrant, four petaled yellow orange blooms. It grows to 8" high and spread about 12". However, this plant does self sow. Foliage is finely divided, gray green and attractive. Considered an annual in coastal areas but will come back every winter through spring in warmer areas. It prefers full sun with well draining soil. Poisonous plant.

Common name: Jerusalem Sage
Botanical name: Phlomis fruticosa

This hardy shrub can reach 4' tall and wide. It is a useful, old-time garden plant with soft, woolly gray green, wrinkled leaves. During spring and summer, yellow, 1" flowers in ball-shaped whorls with a clove like fragrance cover the shrub. It does best in full sun or light shade. It is both cold tolerant and drought tolerant once it's established.