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Penstemon and Friends
Pincushion Flower
Midnight Penstemon (dark purple)
Firebird Border Penstemon (red)
Gold Spot Euonymus
White Lily of the Nile
Columnar Italian Cypress
Waxleaf Privet
Pincushion Flower

Common name:Pincushion Flower
Botanical name:Scabiosa caucasica

This perennial will grow 1.5'-2.5' tall and 1'-2' wide. It has medium-size green leaves with lavender-blue flowers that bloom in summer.

Midnight Penstemon (dark purple)

Common name:Midnight Penstemon (dark purple)
Botanical name:Penstemon 'Midnight'

This bushy, perennial shrub is 2'-3' high with tall, deep violet or blue flower spikes that bloom in spring through fall. Leaves are dark green, lance-shaped and evergreen. Plant in full sun in coastal areas but give afternoon shade in warm inland areas. This plant is a show stopper but short lived, lasting 3-5 years. Well worth the effort to plant!

Firebird Border Penstemon (red)

Common name:Firebird Border Penstemon (red)
Botanical name:Penstemon 'Firebird'

Penstemon gloxiniodes 'Firebird' is perennial with spectacular red flowers in spring and fall. This dependable plant quickly reaches 3' tall, with lance-shaped, dark green leaves on stems. Trumpet shaped flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in full sun in coastal areas but provide afternoon shade in warm inland areas. It has low watering needs but will do better with extra summer water in hot inland valleys. It need well draining soil. Penstemon should be replaced every 5 years.

Gold Spot Euonymus

Common name:Gold Spot Euonymus
Botanical name:Euonymus japonica 'Aureo Variegatus'

Growing to about 8' tall, this evergreen shrub has green foliage with yellow splashes of color. Leaves are glossy and roundish. Flowers are insignificant. It prefers full sun and a location with air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.

White Lily of the Nile

Common name:White Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis 'Albu

Many stems on this evergreen perennial bear clusters of white flowers that are borne on stems 2' above the clusters of green, strappy leaves. It seems to bloom more when crowded. Agapanthus varieties may cause dermatitis.

Columnar Italian Cypress

Common name:Columnar Italian Cypress
Botanical name:Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'

Italian Cypress is often associated with Italian and Spanish architecture, providing columns in the landscape. They often reach 60' tall. 'Stricta' is compact, columnar and produces long, straight branches with deep green foliage.

Waxleaf Privet

Common name:Waxleaf Privet
Botanical name:Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'

This dense, evergreen shrub reaches 6'-8' tall and 4'-6' wide. Waxleaf Privet has dark green, leathery, evergreen leaves that make a great privacy hedge. White fragrant flowers bloom in spring and summer. Bees love these flowers! Blue black berries follow bloom season. Part of this shrub may be poisonous if ingested. It prefers full sun to light shade with a medium amount of watering, more in hot summer months.

Designer: Mariette Olsen

Penstemon and Friends
Image: 13 of 30

Photographer: GardenSoft

Water Saving Tip:

Check your irrigation controller once a month, and adjust as necessary.

Most plants require only one-third as much water in winter as they do in summer.