California native plant; provides shelter and food for many native insects and other animals; tolerates high heat, drought, and alkaline soil; provides refreshing summer shade; attracts beneficial insects and birds.

Showy, lavender-pink flowers bloom in summer, with scattered blossoms all year long; small shrub that is tolerant of heat and dry soils; velvety, yellow-green leaves stay on the plant all year.

Good choice for the back of a perennial border; spring bloom is very showy and stands out in the moonlight; attractive vase-shaped form.

California native plant; flowers are golden yellow as buds, bright blue as blooms, then change to purple-pink; unlike many California native penstemons, it thrives in garden conditions.

Makes a dependable, low-maintenance screen in partial shade; does well on the north side of buildings; can thrive with low or medium irrigation and tolerates clay soils; fabulous fragrance.

Pink tubular flowers attract butterflies from mid-summer to early fall; low-maintenance groundcover; leaves can be used in cooking.

Accent plant with arching, sword-like leaves; produces clusters of gorgeous, intricately-patterned, violet-blue flowers; blooms repeatedly in partial shade during the hottest part of the summer.

California native plant; makes a low informal screen; needs almost no maintenance; remove old leaves at any time; adds texture and movement to the garden.

Great accent plant for a low-water garden; requires little maintenance; adds texture and movement to the garden; flower stalks persist and look attractive year round.

Leaves may turn red, orange, and yellow in the fall; many varieties are available, with different leaf patterns and a range of sizes; thrives in clay soil.