Common name:Buchanan Sage, Buchanan's Fuchsia S
Botanical name:Salvia buchananii
Salvia buchananii is a beautiful perennial that grows up to 1 to 2' tall but is more spreading than upright. It does not like frost and will act more like an annual in colder climates. Fuzzy, magenta flowers, 1" long, bloom in the summer. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Leaves are glossy green. This plant tends to be brittle so it's best to plant in areas with low traffic.
Common name:Flanders Poppy
Botanical name:Papaver rhoeas
This beautiful annual has bright red single flowers, each petal often marked at its base with a large black blotch. Sow seeds in spring. Flanders Poppy is attractive near entries, walkways, and in containers. It can reach 3' tall and prefers full sun in well draining, rich soil. It may re-sow.
Common name:Flamingo Eulalia Grass
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis 'Flamingo'
These deciduous grasses grow from 4'-7' tall, and often turn orange or dark red before going dormant. Tall, showy spikes of feathery, curved seed heads are borne and retained well into the winter or the following spring. It should receive sun to part shade, and average to little summer watering. Tall grasses are highly combustible. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Frades Compact Escallonia
Botanical name:Escallonia 'Frades'
The 'Fradesii' is an evergreen shrub that grows to 6'-8' tall and wide. It is valued for its glossy foliage and clusters of pink flowers. The heaviest bloom period is during spring and fall, with some flowers all year. The Escallonias grow best in sun to part shade, but will tolerate mostly shade if they have to. These plants usually need little or no summer watering. This is the most tolerant of poor drainage of all Escallonia varieties. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Designer: Jody Palmer
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.