Special features: Pollinator-friendly, deer-resistant, rabbit-resistant, fragrant leavesĭwarf periwinkle | WikimediaImages | Pixabay 5. Mature size: 3-6 inches tall 3-12 inches wide Soil needs: Sandy, rocky neutral to alkaline well-draining In cooler northern states, it goes dormant in fall and greens up in spring. While creeping thyme isn’t the same as culinary thyme, its leaves give off a pleasant, savory oregano-like scent that makes it a popular plant for sensory gardens.Ĭreeping thyme is an evergreen in the South. This sun-loving herb forms a dense mat of fuzzy, fragrant, blue-green leaves that stand up to foot traffic, making it an excellent addition between pavers and stepping stones and bordering patios and driveways, as well as in cottage gardens and butterfly gardens. (Fun fact: “Praecox” is Latin for “very early.”) Its nectar-filled flowers attract bees and butterflies. Creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox)Ĭreeping thyme greens up early in spring and blooms in late spring to early summer, producing a profusion of dainty pink, white, and purple flower clusters. Special features: Pollinator-friendly, deer-resistant, fire-resistant, long blooming seasonĬreeping thyme | Andrea_44 | Flickr | CC BY 2.0 4. Mature size: 4-18 inches tall 2-3 feet wide Soil needs: Sandy, clay, rocky neutral to alkaline well-draining Cut or mow them to the ground in fall or early winter to prevent them from getting scraggly and to stimulate healthy spring growth. California fuchsias are quick to self-seed, and they go dormant in winter. If you have a dry, sunny slope where other plants fail to grow, plant California fuchsia: It will control erosion and look gorgeous doing it. It’s a fantastic companion plant with penstemon, Russian sage, and blue-eyed grass. With gray-green foliage and tubular scarlet flowers that bloom at the peak of summer heat, the California fuchsia will give your garden a burst of color when other plants have gone dormant. It’s a heat-hardy, fast grower that will attract beautiful butterflies, moths, and bees - and compliments from your neighbors. Known as the hummingbird trumpet, this California native’s nectar-filled flowers make it one of the best plants for pollinators on the West Coast. Love seeing hummingbirds flutter around your yard? Plant California fuchsia. Special features: Pollinator-friendly, salt-tolerant Soil needs: Sandy, loamy, clay tolerates alkaline soil well-draining In cooler climates, they turn bronze-red and purple in the fall. In warmer climates, bearberry leaves remain green year-round. Bearberries can be planted on hills and banks to prevent erosion or in rock gardens and pollinator gardens for winter interest. You can let bearberries grow naturally or prune them for a tidier look. Small, singular white flowers bloom in late spring followed by vibrant, 1- to 4-inch crimson berries which persist into winter to give your lawn a boost of holiday spirit.īearberry cotoneaster has oblong, deep green, glossy leaves and trailing roots that spread quickly and may form dense thickets. Whether you’re looking to create an eco-friendly wildlife refuge in your backyard or just want to give your lawn year-round visual appeal, bearberry cotoneaster is every evergreen lover’s dream. Bearberry cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster dammeri)Īll kinds of wildlife - from chipmunks to birds to bears - love munching on shiny red bearberries. Special features: Pollinator-friendly, deer-resistant, rabbit-resistant, pollution-tolerantīearberry cotoneaster | Hectonichus | CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 2. Mature size: 4-6 inches tall 1-2 feet wide Soil needs: Sandy, loamy, clay, rocky neutral to alkaline well-draining Sun exposure: Prefers full sun, can tolerate partial shade As the weather cools, leaves darken for winter appeal. It’s a natural companion plant with blanket flower, purple coneflower, ice plant, and blue fescue.Ĭlusters of delicate, star-shaped yellow flowers bloom in late spring to midsummer. Angelina sedum’s noteworthy leaf color contrasts well with plants with dark green, blue, burgundy, and black foliage. In spring and summer, Angelina sedum’s fleshy leaf spikes are neon Chartreuse with light brown tips, resembling tiny shiny bananas. This low-growing succulent boasts unique color year-round, making it an ideal statement piece in fairy gardens or rock gardens, overhanging a rock wall, or showcased in a container garden. If your lawn needs a winter pick-me-up, Angelina sedum’s striking bronze and red foliage will give your garden that “wow” factor. Angelina sedum ( Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) Angelina sedum | Leonora (Ellie) Enking | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 1.
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