wicked green

Dasylirion wheeleri aka Desert Spoon This is technically a shrub but it definitely has a grassy feel to it though the thin leaves are on the stiff side. It has a great silhouette and a nice, soft green color.  It’s larger size makes i it a great focal plant. Best Feature:  round shape, thin green [...]

Aeonium arboreum ‘Atropurpureum’ aka Purple Aeonium The green center of these mostly purple plants create interest and contrast when it’s not in bloom and the bright yellow flowers add even more when in bloom. Best Feature:  shiny purple leaves with green center, bright yellow flowers, evergreen, low maintenance, relatively low water From :  Canary Islands [...]

Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Fire Sticks’  aka Euphorbia Fire Sticks, Sticks on Fire, Fire Sticks Pencil Cactus I think this is a sort of love it or hate it type of plant. It is a succulent and so distinct in it’s color and silhouette. This plant adds an interesting element to a garden area. And it is [...]

I walked by this very cute garden the other day here in San Diego. It’s a good example of a low water, low maintenance garden. No grass here. The larger succulent to the left is Aeonium ‘Kiwi’, the ground cover in the foreground is Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Finger), the grass in the front is Nassella [...]

Hesperaloe parviflora aka Red Yucca The gray/green foliage and the tall red/coral (though there are some with yellow) flowers are a really nice contrast. Best Feature:  tall, arching thin stalks of flowers in late summer to early fall, low maintenance, low water From :  Texas and Mexico Preferable Places : Sunset Zones 2b, 3, 7-16, [...]

Grevillea ‘Cranberra Gem’ (also listed as just Grevillea ‘Cranberra’  or Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Cranberra Gem’) This is an evergreen shrub with really interesting red flowers. Best Feature:  bright red flowers in winter and spring, low maintenance, drought tolerant From :  Australia Preferable Places : Sunset Zones 8,9,12-24;  USDA Zones 8-10 Looks :  6-8 feet tall and [...]

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ aka Stonecrop (I’ve also seen this called Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’) These perennial succulents provide great, bright color from late summer through the fall and interesting texture. There are a few variations in color from pink to red to orange. They need little maintenance and water. Best Feature:  bright flowers in late [...]

Aloe barbadensis…….aka Aloe vera These ornamental succulents look great in small masses, especially when flowering. They need little maintenance or water and even have medicinal uses. They are fairly common, making them easy to find. Best Feature:  bright yellow flowers in spring and summer, low maintenance, drought tolerant From :  South Africa Preferable Places : [...]

Agave Geminiflora….aka Twin-Flowered Agave This is a great for a small garden focal point, alone or a small cluster of them. They are (usually) symmetrical spheres and add texture and interest.  A living sculpture. Best Feature:  green and some red/purple (when young) evergreen foliage, nice round shape, low maintenance, drought tolerant From :  Mexico Preferable [...]

Santolina virens A great flowering ground cover that is also drought tolerant. Santolina chamaecyparissus or Lavender Cotton, is also a great option with gray foliage and lighter yellow flowers. Best Feature:  dark green, evergreen foliage and masses of small button-like bright yellow flowers, low maintenance, drought tolerant From :  Mediterranean Preferable Places : Sunset Zones [...]