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LA Arboretum 9
Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage
Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Endress' Cranesbill
Jerusalem Sage
Australian Grass Tree
Daylily, D. Moon Hybrid
Climbing Penstemon
Powis Castle Artemisia
Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage

Common name:Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, gray green leaves and velvet-like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds. -Cornflower Farms

Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Endress' Cranesbill

Common name:Endress' Cranesbill
Botanical name:Geranium endressii

This handsome plant has near-evergreen leaves which have a long blooming period.

Jerusalem Sage

Common name:Jerusalem Sage
Botanical name:Phlomis fruticosa

This hardy perennial is a useful, old-time garden plant with coarse, woolly gray green, wrinkled leaves and yellow, 1" flowers in ball-shaped whorls. It handles drought and poor soils but needs full sun.

Australian Grass Tree

Common name:Australian Grass Tree
Botanical name:Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

This grassy perennial will eventually grow to 15' high. It is a tree-like plant. Foliage is fiber optic looking with linear green leaves that are 2'-4' long and shimmer in the wind. The long flowering stalk resembles a jousting lance and is a stunning accent plant. Tall grasses are highly combustible.

Daylily, D. Moon Hybrid

Common name:Daylily, D. Moon Hybrid
Botanical name:Hemerocallis 'D. Moon'

This Daylily has clear yellow blooms above handsome, grass-like, green foliage. Flowers are perched on thin wiry stalks, about 2' tall. It has even bloomed in January! But typically, you see blooms in spring. Daylilies prefer full sun and regular watering. Provide well draining soil and compost.

Climbing Penstemon

Common name:Climbing Penstemon
Botanical name:Keckiella cordifolia

This sprawling shrub grows to 5' tall and 5' wide; it has bright green, evergreen leaves with tubular red flowers that bloom spring through summer. This California native prefers sun to part shade and is drought tolerant once it's established. Hummers love the flowers. This shrub is deciduous in summer unless given more water. This shrub looks great on hillsides and is striking during bloom time. Prune in fall to manage growth.

Powis Castle Artemisia

Common name:Powis Castle Artemisia
Botanical name:Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

This mounding shrub reaches 3' high and up to 5' wide with fine silver foliage. - Cornflower Farms

Designer: Los Angeles Arboretum

LA Arboretum 9

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.