(Pillan's Ice Plant)

This little-known genus of succulent perennials contains 60 species of what is commonly called iceplant. It is a coastal species found along the southern tip of Africa both east and west of the Cape of Good Hope. The plants are ground hugging dense mats of thick leaves that dwell in the sandy dune lands and rocky outcrops found in the maritime climate areas.

Cephalophyllum species are creeping plants that produce thick blue green leaves with a curiously half rounded tips. Leaves...

A low, petite, flowering succulent groundcover, this iceplant spreads by creeping stems, but it is not an invasive weed. Tolerant of limited light frosts, this evergreen perennial is native to South Africa.

The tiny leaves are finger-like and a bright green, although blush slightly purple or red when growing in intense sunlight. In mid- to late winter, deep rosy-pink, daisy-like flowers appear just above the carpet of succulent leaves. Individually, a blossom may have subtle hints of pink-orange...

(Snow-in-Summer)

Snow-in-Summer is an easy-care, mat-forming perennial that flowers so profusely in sproing that it resembles a drift of snow. This is a rampantly-spreading plant with small, wooly silver leaves that can persist through a mild winter. In spring, a carpet of clear white, star-shaped flowers with button centers rise above the leave on short stems and cover the plant into summer.

Grow Snow-in-Summer in full sun and average well-drained soil, A native of Italy and Sicily, it tolerates hot, dry conditions....

(Snow-in-Summer)

Tough and hardy, snow-in-summer is a vigorous, mat-forming perennial native to Italy. Its low-growing, fine, wooly, silver-gray leaves often persist through winter. In late spring to early summer, it blooms showily with five-petalled, star-like white flowers on stalks, covering the plant so densely that it resembles a mound of snow. This selection, ‘Columnae,’ lifts the flowers slightly higher than the parent species. The flowers draw many pollinators.

Give ‘Columnae’ full sun and average to poor...

(Silver Carpet Snow-in-Summer, Snow-in-Summer)

Tough and hardy, snow-in-summer is a vigorous, mat-forming perennial native to Italy. Its low-growing, fine, wooly, silver-gray leaves often persist through winter. In late spring to early summer, it blooms showily with five-petalled, star-like white flowers on stalks, covering the plant so densely that it resembles a mound of snow. This selection, ‘Silver Carpet,’ lifts the flowers slightly higher than the parent species. The flowers draw many pollinators.

Give ‘Silver Carpet’ full sun and average...

(Bell Flower Cherry)

Filling its branches with dense clusters of pink to deep pink-red flowers in late winter, the Taiwan cherry is a fantastic tree for warm winter regions where traditional flowering cherry trees grow poorly. A deciduous cherry tree that has an oval but spreading canopy, it is native to the mid-elevations of southern China, Taiwan, southern Japan and Vietnam.

In late winter to early spring while the branches are still leafless, they fill with flowers. Each flower hangs downward and resembles a bell...

(St. John's Bread)

The carob tree offers deep shade for warm, dry climates. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean where winters are mild and wet and succeeded by a very long, dry season. Adapted to poor, rocky ground that is well drained, it solves a landscaping challenge in the sandy-gravelly soils of desert gardens. This is a medium-sized evergreen tree with dense branching and large, glossy, leathery leaves.

The Carob tree blooms in spring with small flowers that release a pungent scent. They are followed...

(Blue Leadwort, Plumbago)

Blue leadwort is a deciduous perennial from western China. Foliage emerges in late spring, followed by true blue phlox-like flowers summer. In fall the foliage turns a striking bronze-red.

The drought-tolerant perennial blue leadwort will perform best in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Use it as a groundcover (even under a small tree), an edger, in a mixed border, or a rock garden. Blue leadwort is great for mixing with spring bulbs because its leaves emerge when bulbs are fading. In hot...

(Chinese Plumbago)

Chinese plumbago is a small twiggy shrub with an open habit and diamond-shaped apple green leaves. Valued for late season interest, it bears clusters of true blue flowers in late summer. Autumn brings a beautiful show of color with red to bronze foliage.

Tolerant of drought and poor soils, Chinese plumbago is a good candidate for banks and slopes. Small enough for the patio or container, this Chinese native looks best when grown in sun and lightly shaped before growth begins in the spring. It...

(Chinese Plumbago, My Love Plumbago)

Chinese plumbago is a small twiggy shrub with an open habit and diamond-shaped apple green leaves. Valued for late season interest, it bears clusters of true blue flowers in late summer. Autumn brings a beautiful show of color with red to bronze foliage.

Tolerant of drought and poor soils, Chinese plumbago is a good candidate for banks and slopes. Small enough for the patio or container, this Chinese native looks best when grown in sun and lightly shaped before growth begins in the spring. It...