Common name:Autumn Joy Sedum
Botanical name:Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Noted as the finest of all upright Sedums, Autumn Joy Sedum produces from its sturdy stems, a variety of flower heads with an umbrella-like shape, whose color changes from pink to a rosy-red shade. This plant loses its leaves in the winter.

Common name:Hallmark Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii 'Hallmark'

This attractive perennial reaches 1' tall and 2' wide, with a mounding habit. Dense foliage is gray green, aromatic when crushed, and velvety looking. Lavender blue clusters of flowers bloom in summer, attracting bees. Prune spent flowers to prevent reseeding and encourage more blooming. This plant tolerates ocean spray, full to part sun with well draining, dry soil. Moderate water once it's established. Does not like heat and humidity. Deer resistant but some cats love Catmint!

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Some cultivars have spectacular fall color. When it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The flower colors could be shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white, blooming in summer. It thrives on heat, and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew. This tree prefers full sun and has low watering needs once it's established.

Common name:Baby Sage
Botanical name:Salvia microphylla 'Berzerkeley'

This compact beautiful sage reaches 1'-2' tall and 2'-3' wide. Leaves are evergreen, glossy, green and fragrant. Bright pink flowers cover the shrub from spring through fall. If you prune in late winter, you will get more blossoms. This plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It prefers full to part sun and low watering requirements once it's established.

Common name:California Sycamore
Botanical name:Platanus racemosa

The California Sycamore is a fast growing deciduous tree that reaches up to 40'-50' high. It tolerates heat, smog, and drought conditions as well as moist conditions; it is native to riparian areas. It has interesting mottled bark when the tree is bare in winter.

Common name:Blanket Flower
Botanical name:Gaillardia X grandiflora

This perennial has daisylike flowers in warm colors on sturdy stems. Plants form medium-sized clumps. It likes full sun and well-drained soil but tolerates poor soil and drought. It makes a great cut flower.

The Magic of Mulch

In the natural world the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, death and rebirth flows throughout the seasons. Plants die, leaves fall and new growth springs up in its place. Nothing is lost and the fallen leaves and dead plants decay into the soil, enriching it for the next generation of growth.

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