Common name: Provence Blue Lavandin
Botanical name: Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'
With tall 24"-30" stems, 'Provence' has true, lavender colored flowers that are fragrant and excellent for cutting. It flowers in early June and has large, gray green leaves. A hybrid between L. angustifolia & L. latifolia, both of which are strong plants tolerant of warm summers,and are known for their very intense scent. 'Provence'™ grows fast to 3' tall ; wide & can be used as a short aromatic hedge. It takes well to pruning when young & blooms profusely in the mid-late Summer. Though not suitable for oil production, the light blue flowers make excellent dry flowers for sachets ; are also used in cooking and wine production. Pick before the flowers are fully open for best results or leave them to be enjoyed by bees and butterflies. Shear for best appearance when the blooms are spent. Lives about 5-6 years.
Common name: Mexican Feather Grass
Botanical name: Nassella tenuissima
The Mexican Fan Grass is a beautiful, fine, airy grass that is emerald green in color. It has many soft yellow-beige flower stalks in the spring. This grass grows 10"-12" tall , 1'-2' wide, and is drought tolerant. It is a very aggressive reseeder and once it takes off in the garden it is hard to stop. Invasive.
Common name: Olive
Botanical name: Olea europaea
This broad tree will slowly grow to 20'-30' tall and wide. It has small, grey-green, evergreen leaves. Small white fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by fleshy black fruit that appears in fall. Fruit is messy and can stain sidewalks. There are cultivars that do not produce fruit. Some folks are allergic to the blooms. This tree is very long lived, with a beautiful gnarled trunk. It prefers full sun and low watering in summer months (twice a month) and none during the winter, when established.
Common name: Rosemary
Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary is hardy in full sun areas where winter temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees F. Rosemary is evergreen and makes a great aromatic hedge, 4'-6' tall and 2' wide. Foliage is used in cooking. Blue flowers appear in summer. This plant is drought tolerant once it's established. Bees love Rosemary!
Common name: Variegated Japanese Silver Grass
Botanical name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
This tall, mounding grass will grow to about 6' high and has seasonally deciduous, greenish white, variegated leaves. Tall grasses are highly combustible.
Common name: Autumn Sage
Botanical name: Salvia greggii
The Autumn Sage is a hybrid evergreen shrub that grows 3'-4' high and wide. It has fragrant green leaves and colorful flowers in shades of red that bloom in spring and summer. This lovely perennial can tolerate sun or partial shade and is hardy to 15 degrees. The Autumn Sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds. The flower colors that can be grown are coral, pink, purple, red, and white. It can be grown near the coast and in inland warm valleys.
Common name: African Iris
Botanical name: Dietes iridioides
This clumping evergreen iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks to 3' tall, appearing spring through fall. This variety has stiffer, darker foiliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. This perennial is a very reliable plant. Divide every 3-5 years to keep it looking fresh.