Delosperma nubigenum

In my opinion, just THE BEST drought tolerant and deer proof groundcover you can grow!

Spreading into the densest, flattest bright emerald green mat to at least 2' across, it's fantastic for carpeting a rock garden or for trailing (rather, draping) over the edge of a raised bed or rock border. AND it's evergreen and hardy, too! It can take your footprints as well when working in your garden, though I wouldn't overdo it. Sparkly 1" bright lemon yellow ice plant-like blooms appear in the Spring to cheer things up even more. Looks great alternated along a border with Delosperma sutherlandii (simultaneous pink bloom) and the later blooming Delosperma lavisiae. Feed once a year for super appearance.

Sun. Avg. water/Dry. Succulent.
USDA zones 4-11

Brugmansia arborea
"Tree Datura"

New for 2009! This is one of the WILD SPECIES of Brugmansia (native to high elevation Andes) and is VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND in the nursery trade! Fast and vigorous, it will quickly grow into its small tree size (6-10’) with a strongly multi-branching habit. Blooming most of the year, it's adorned with exceptionally fragrant pendulous flaring 6” trumpets. These large star-shaped trumpet flowers will fill your garden with an intoxicating fragrance in the evening. Wonderful, large and velvety tropical foliage is evergreen, too. Though this “Angel’s Trumpet” is said to be more tolerant of dry soil – do know that Brugs look their best with rich soil and average moisture. Topdress with a 2” layer of compost in Spring to make sure it stays lush & happy! Special safety note: Do Not Eat! All parts of this plant are considered toxic.

Sun/Part Shade. Avg. water. Shrub/Tree
USDA Zones 8b -11

Brugmansia 'Double White'
“Angel's Trumpet”

Yes, we're featuring two different Brugs this month. Can you blame us? They're beautiful and delightfully fragrant, fast growing and steadfast. This is a fabulous choice for bringing sensuality and enchantment to your garden, especially for those of you who enjoy “moon gardens.” Grows to about 10' X 10' multibranching perfectly into a mini-tree shape, it'll look lovely even before bloom with its large and sensual tropicalesque leaves. And then there's those elegant sweetly scented blooms with their long bloom season - from the end of June until November. Emerging from long corollas, the flowers extend another 10”, flare double and emerge one from another. Give your “Angel's Trumpet” a good layer of compost each Spring for perfect health and appearance. And prune it into any size or shape you desire - it's easy going. This Brug is more mite and aphid resistant, too! Special safety note: Do Not Eat! All parts of this plant are considered toxic.

Full Sun (on coast)/Brt. Shade inland. Avg.water. Shrub.
USDA Zones 7b-11

Canna 'Paprika'

Riddle me this: Why are Cannas almost always sold with the caveat that they need abundant water? Clearly they are made of tougher stuff. Lately I've been noticing Cannas persisting in gardens where there is clearly no regular irrigation happening. For instance, the large stand of Cannas in the parking lot of the abandoned train station in Oakland that I happened by last month. The 16th St. station has been closed since 1989, but there are the Cannas: blooming strong in full sun and looking glorious with not a water garden in sight. So here's a Canna that we love: dark dramatic foliage and elegant flowers! 'Paprika' is one of the most garden worthy hybrids around. Blooms are more similar to the wild-species Cannas (our favorites!) but slightly larger – a lovely compromise! Red and orange ribbon like petals contrast nicely against broad, dark leaves. Like all Cannas, it tolerates high water and lots of sun, but it's a more drought and shade tolerant plant than you might guess, particularly here along the California coast. Useful anywhere you want a fast and easy spot of tropical drama – pots, borders – anywhere! Hummingbirds love the flowers! Cut back to the ground in Winter to renew the foliage yearly and bait for snails. To 4' tall and spreading – average soil is fine. Feed with a layer of compost annually for happier, showier plants.

Sun/Shade. High/Low water. Perennial.
Drought Tolerant?
USDA Zones 7b-11

Iris foetidissima
“Gladwyn” “Stinking Iris”

A great solution for almost any problem area in your garden! Let me tell you a story about this plant: I have a friend who has what you might call a *difficult* garden. The soil is compacted rocky clay in most places and the irrigation is given to breaking. When it rains, the whole garden floods. The large redwood tree on her property drops a cubic yard of leaf litter into her yard every couple of weeks. Then there's the dog, who has a tendency to mow even established plants down and to top it off, there's her grandkids, who in their explorations overturn every rock on the property in the hopes of finding and capturing unusual insects. And what of these overturned rocks? They are often overturned onto whatever hapless plant is in their vicinity. Do you know what thrives in her garden? THIS PLANT. Right here. It's evergreen and beautiful and the picture of health despite all of the above. The plants have been established there a good long while, and will obviously be there for years to come. Muy impressive, my friends. Grows in fairly dark shade all the way through almost full sun, with subtle flowers of purple and taupe that are delicately detailed with fine markings. Best of all, bright red seeds emerge from large seed pods in Fall. These are perhaps the showiest feature of the plant. The leaves have a garlic odor if crushed, but most people will not notice any “stink” from this plant! From Western Europe and Northern Africa.

Shade/Sun Low/Avg.water Perennial
USDA zones 6-10

Mimulus x aurantiacus 'Cherry'

New for 2009! How exciting that there are now so many colors of our native “Sticky Monkey Flower” to include in our gardens. This low water, pretty CA native shrub has good-sized flowers of a choice raspberry color, as well as a vigorous disposition. You also get extra karma points with this purchase, as it's a magnet for both hummingbirds and butterflies. Grows in many exposures, from blaring sun to almost full shade, but is much showier in sun. Be judicious with your water once this plant is established in your garden, as it prefers a life of neglect– low water, low fertilizer, little maintenance! Occasional, deep watering is recommended during the dry months, but regular watering is the death of many a Mimulus. In super dry conditions, the plant will live, but may go partially dormant during dry times. Light pruning to shape in early Spring is really all this plant requires to keep it looking good for many years to come. Grows from 2-3' high and wide. DRY SHADE and CLAY TOLERANT!

Sun/Shade Low/Avg.water Perennial
USDA Zones 7-10