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:Rosemary
Botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary is hardy in full sun areas where winter temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees F. They can be grown in a clay pot with well-drained, porous soil in bright indoor light, and will also flourish on the backporch in spring, summer and fall. Its beautiful, slowly trailing stems and shiny slender leaves are perfect for showing off the small, light blue flowers that blossom in the summer. -Holland WIldflower Farm

Common name:Pride Of Madeira
Botanical name:Echium candicans

Mature specimens of this evergreen shrub can grow to a size of 6'-8' tall and 8'-10' wide. In the spring, spikes of rosy-violet to blue-purple flowers appear. It should receive sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. plant can be severely damaged by frost below 25 degrees F. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. The 'Barbara Karst' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms early and long.

Common name:Sandhill Sage, Coast Sagebrush
Botanical name:Artemisia pycnocephala

This shrub will grow anywhere from 1'-3' tall and has small gray leaves accented by yellow flowers that bloom in spring. This mounding shrub tolerates salt spray and prefers full sun. Foliage is very fine textured so plant near entryway to appreciate it. Yellow flowers bloom in spring but the focal feature of this plant is the foliage.

Common name:California Black Oak
Botanical name:Quercus kelloggii

The California Black Oak is a deciduous tree that grows 20'-60' tall. It has sharply lobed leaves which turn yellow to orange in the fall. The Black Oak is a California native, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms