Correa pulchella ‘Pink Flamingo’- Commonly known as the Australian Fuchsia. A small tidy evergreen shrub growing to 3’ tall and wide. Very drought tolerant. Prefers well drained soil but can tolerate heavy clay as long as it doesn’t get water logged. Can be grown in dry shade under oak trees. Profuse salmon-pink bloom in winter and spring with some flowering all year. A good plant for hummingbirds. Hardy to 20 degrees.

Convolvulus cneorum (Bush Morning Glory)- A small evergreen with striking silvery leaves and bright white flowers throughout most of the year. This Mediterranean native prefers full sun and very good drainage. This clean and easy plant usually grows to about 2’ x 2’. Hardy to 15 degrees.

Penstemon ’Firebird’- A hardy hybrid perennial with bright red flowers for much of the year. Penstemons prefer full sun in coastal areas and a little afternoon shade in hot interiors. Good drainage is preferred but can tolerate very poor heavy alkaline soils as well. Firebird grows to about 2 feet tall. Drought tolerant on the coast and moderate irrigation inland. Very hardy to –15 degrees.

Calylophus drummondii (Texas Sundrops)- A trailing bushy perennial with narrow leaves and covered in bright yellow flowers throughout spring to fall. Calylophus grows to about a foot high and 2-3 feet wide. This is one tough plant for banks, borders, and areas that will endure some neglect. It prefers full sun, good drainage and needs only occasional watering. Hardy to 10 degrees.

Verbena lilacina ‘de la Mina’- A compact tidy evergreen subshrub topped with purple butterfly loving flowers for most of the year. This is a native of coastal Baja California that has adapted to prolonged periods of drought. It looks best with a deep monthly watering and occasional deadheading. This Verbena grows to about 3 feet and is hardy to 0 degrees. Well drained soil is best.

Verbena bonariensis– I like to call this Verbena-on-a-stick because that is how it looks and grows. A popular plant in the garden with hummingbirds, butterflies, and Goldfinches. Tall thin branches are topped with purple flower from spring to fall. Will grow about anywhere as an annual but is perennial in coastal gardens. Four to six feet tall, average water, any soil.