Underused Perennials for Southern California

1. Fruity Germander

Name:Teucrium cossonii(syn.T. majoricum)

Zones:8–11

Size:4 to 6 column inch tall and 2 to 3 foot wide

consideration : Full sunlight ; well - drained ground

Native Range : Mediterranean coast

This endearing solid ground cover does n’t always show well in a nursery pile , but once in the land it really glow . Like other germander , it is tough and satisfying as long as it has decent drain . In downfall and spring , the smooth-spoken foliation is covered by a cloud of purple flower . This adorable silver grey broadcaster is perfect for edging a bed , or as an accent in a rock garden . Fruity germander , like all the plants on this page , requires little to no water once established , which is important fall in our region ’s continued drought conditions .

2. Golden Coulter Bush

Name:Hymenolepis crithmifolia

Zones:9–11

Size:3 to 4 foot tall and all-inclusive

condition : Full Dominicus ; juiceless , well - enfeeble grime

Native Range : South Africa

I recently supply film editing from my personal garden to return this rare South African perennial to the nursery trade . My reasoning ? It is an incredibly rugged and fearless plant that can handle almost no guardianship — even being hit by a truck ( a characteristic that , unfortunately for my garden , I know to be reliable ) . This particular survival has feathery silver medal leaf and yellow - green , long - lasting heyday that are particularly showy in spring and summer . Golden colter bush responds well to pruning every few class , and it resprouts readily .

3. ‘Semper Purple’ Phlomis

Name:Phlomis purpurea‘Semper Purple’

Size:2 to 3 foot tall and all-inclusive

Native Range : Spain , Portugal , and Morocco

Yellow phlomis , also live as hardy Jerusalem sage ( Phlomis russeliana , Zones 5–9 ) is everywhere . So why not go for pinkish instead ? This beautiful cultivar not only has pinkish - purple flowers , but the leaves are more compact , and the flora has an overall less leggy and more refined feel than its yellow cousin . ‘ Semper Purple ’ creates a strong textural line and looks great paired with fine foliage flora such as grevillea ( Grevilleaspp . and cvs . , Zones 9–10 ) .

4. French Aloe

Name:Aloe pluridens

Conditions : Full Lord’s Day to partial shade ; well - run out soil

Native Range : Southern Africa

bitter aloes are often underappreciated , but they bring a long ton of people of color to the garden in winter and summer when many other plants are not in bloom , as they tend to have colorful foliage in times of environmental tenseness . Gallic aloe forms a beautiful rosette , which develops peach and yellow-bellied - green tones from winter ’s chill or in dry summer months . This is also a great focal - full point plant due to its strikingly big , coral efflorescence that appear in late fall or early wintertime .

Rachel Young is a plantsman in Los Angeles .

Fine Gardening urge product

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receive a charge for items purchase through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizing programs .

ARS telescope Long Reach Pruner

The Nature of oak tree : The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

Get our latest confidential information , how - to articles , and instructional television sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Underused Perennials for the Northeast

Underused Perennials for the Midwest

Underused Perennials for the Southern Plains

Underused Perennials for the Southeast

connect ok Gardening for a liberal engage live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a illustrious plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals expert manager …

When I spot a particular grit dollar mark cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritize plant we want over plants our landscape need , each time of year is satisfy with a never - terminate lean of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , improve , and fertilizing , with …

Golden Coulter Bush

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to get off on something , but because you might be dive - bomb by a brace …