Cheirolophus burchardii

Rare, exciting, fast and easy to grow, this Canary Island native is evergreen and almost everblooming as well! Quickly growing into a dense and rounded 4’ tall shrub-like mound, it continually pops out lots of fluffy globe-shaped lavender flower balls well displayed above the sturdy branching stems and attractive Spring-green lance shaped leaves. Drought tolerant, though it looks best in rich well-drained soil with some Summer water, it makes a good sized, nice, round-formed addition to any garden. Attracts bees and butterflies and makes nice cut flowers year around!

Sun. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA zones 10-11

Monardella undulata var. frutescens

This SUPER RARE dainty California native perennial is tough for its size! In its native habitat it’s often found growing in pure sand and it endures drought and sun with aplomb! I’m sure it would look just as nice in regular garden soil (no clay please!) and with average water. Its crinkled, wavy leaves are very pleasantly mint-scented and the lavender flowers are delightful to adult butterflies, as well as bees! This Spring blooming species is decidedly the rarest Monardella we offer and it’s unusual we have a crop of this size, so get one while you can! Grows to 1’x1’, and would be happy at the front of a sunny bed with good drainage or a decently sized pot.

Sun. Low/Avg water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-10 (maybe hardier?)

Passiflora sanguinolenta

A perfectly beautiful vine for a smaller space, smaller garden or even a container. Moderate, vigorous and free flowering, P. sanguinolenta only grows to about 15’ – much less than most other Passionvines. From Spring thru Fall it bears its lovely 1.5” blooms with peak bloom in mid-Summer. The dark coral buds are a show unto themselves, held upright and looking like candles nestled in the foliage. The leaves are fun, too, each looking like a pair of butterfly wings. Tolerates periods of brief frost to the mid 20s F.

Sun/Part sun. Avg. water. Perennial Vine.
USDA zones 9-11

Puya alpestris

Oh, just about the most stunningly exotic silver accent for the temperate dry garden you can possibly grow. Forming 4- to 5’ across rosettes of silvery light green recurved and spiny margined leaves, it can eventually spread if you let it to form a thicket (or a barrier for keeping the bad guys out!). Once matured, the astounding flower clusters looking rather like large pineapples appear atop 4-5 erect stems. And that color! Practically nothing like it in the plant world – a deep metallic turquoise green. Add in its contrasting orange anthers and oh my – that’s what you call traffic stopping! Though its drought tolerant, it can take considerable water and humidity as well. Avg.-rich well drained soil.

Sun. Avg./No Summer water. Bromeliad.
USDA 9-11