Common name: Deer Grass
Botanical name: Muhlenbergia rigens
Deer Grass is a warm season perennial grass that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like flower stalks grow 2'-3' tall in summer. This grass has dramatic and handsome form. Deer Grass needs watering once or twice a month after it has been established. It is very water efficient but looks better with regular waterings.
Common name: Purple or Gray Sage
Botanical name: Salvia leucophylla
The Purple Sage is an evergreen shrub that grows 2'-3' tall by 5'-6' wide. It has white tomentose stems and leaves and light lavender purple flowers blooming in late spring. This shrub tolerates heat and drought. The purple sage is a CA native, preferring full sun. Do not overwater. This Sage is great for covering difficult slopes. Foliage is aromatic.
Common name: Jojoba, Goatnut
Botanical name: Simmondsia chinensis
This evergreen, extremely tough, durable shrub tolerates full sun, heat, and part shade. Feral goats eat the nuts, thus the common name, Goat Nut. Leaves are dark gray green and leathery. It has a slow to moderate growth rate, growing as large as 8'-10' tall, possibly larger. Jojoba is densely branched and can be pruned. Foliage is damaged in low 20's degrees F and killed below 15 degrees F. It is tolerant of adversity and drought.
Common name: Natal Plum
Botanical name: Carissa macrocarpa
The Natal Plum is a shrub that quickly reaches 2'-6' tall and 10' wide. Stems have thorns. The plant produces a milky sap that may cause allergenic reactions for some folks. Leaves are leathery, glossy and dark green. White, fragrant star shaped flowers bloom in spring, followed by egg shaped fruit that turns red when ripe. Fruit tastes like cranberries! This shrub takes little water once it's established and tolerates heat. It's great for barrier hedges.
Common name: Lemonade Berry
Botanical name: Rhus integrifolia
The Lemonade Berry is an evergreen shrub that reaches 30' high. It has aromatic leaves and develops small white to pink flowers and red berries. This shrub grows best in coastal areas and is drought tolerant. The Lemonade Berry is a native to California - Cornflower Farms
Common name: Coast Silktassel
Botanical name: Garrya elliptica
This shrub will reach about 10' tall and wide. It has small, leathery, dark green leaves with wavy margins and gray woolly undersides. Silvery gray flowers which look like tassels, appear in winter. It tolerates full sun except in hot inland areas; Coast Silktassel appreciates afternoon shade in these areas. It does best in well draining, average soil. It is salt and wind tolerant. It grows in coastal areas also.
Common name: Prostrate Coyote Bush
Botanical name: Baccharis pilularis 'Twin Peaks'
Complete with a strong, dense root system which clings attractively to slopes, this makes for an excellent low maintenance ground cover. In addition, it has no messy seeds.