Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Common name:Yellow Bush Spurge
Botanical name:Euphorbia characias wulfenii

Broad clusters of lime green flowers appear in winter and spring. These flowers create dense, round cylindrical masses! This evergreen perennial has upright stems forming a 4' tall dome-shaped bush. Crowded all along the stems are narrow, blue-green leaves. Once it's established, it is drought tolerant. Until the seeds ripen, the flower color holds with only slight fading. At that point, the stalks should be cut out at the base. Use gloves as sap is poisonous.

Common name:Mexican Weeping Bamboo
Botanical name:Otatea acuminata aztecorum

This exotic clumping bamboo has tall fronds that sway in the wind like a kelp bed forest. This bamboo can reach 20' tall, with canes that are 1.5" in diameter. Canes are covered with light green, thin, narrow leaves which sway in the wind. It rarely blooms. Mexican Weeping Bamboo can be planted in sun or shade and is drought tolerant once it's established. It also tolerates ocean spray.