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:Greenleaf Manzanita
Botanical name:Arctostaphylos patula

This is an evergreen multi-branched shrub 3-7' high with interesting smooth reddish bark which shreds on older branches. It has very small pink flowers in spring and dark brown fall berries. It has fair to poor browse value for deer. It can be found in open pine forests froum 2000-5000' elevation and occasionally to 9000'. It occurs in the Sierra Nevadas from Kern County north to the Coast Ranges. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Orchid or Purple Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus X purpureus

Orchid rockrose is an evergreen shrub growing to 4' tall and wide, often shorter in stressful situations. The rosy-crimson flowers to 3" wide exhibit a dark purple blotch at the base of each petal, and bloom early to mid-summer. The flowers also feature a contrasting yellow cluster of stamens in the center. It does well in salt spray and cool winds. It is relatively long-lived, tolerant of heat and aridity as well as accepting many soil conditions. -Native Sons Nursery

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.