Helianthemum is a great low growing evergreen shrub. It only gets about six inches tall and spreads two to three feet. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink, orange or red. The biggest flower show occurs in late spring or early summer, but further flowering can be encouraged by shearing off the spent flowers. Full sun, moderate water and good drainage are essential.
Rhaphiolepis indica, or Indian hawthorn, is a very useful, fairly low-growing shrub to about five feet. Flowers are white or pink. R. umbellata has very dark green leaves and white flowers
Buxus, or boxwood, is the classic hedging plant. It responds well to pruning and clipping and is also great for topiaries. It is a slow grower and is very cold hardy. Some varieties and species turn orange to bronze in winter. For green foliage all year, plant ‘Green Beauty’ or ‘Winter Gem’. Buxus will also…
Euonymus j. microphyllus, or box-leaf euonymus, is a slow growing evergreen shrub that grows to only one to two feet tall and about half as wide. It is frequently used as a hedging plant. It prefers full sun and moderate to regular water.
The Cotoneasters listed here are all evergreen and require little to moderate water. They have small white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn and winter. The most common groundcover types are ‘Coral Beauty’, ‘Lowfast’ and ‘Streib’s Findling’, all of which will get about ten feet wide and do well in sun or partial shade. …
Myrtus communis, or myrtle, is a dense shrub that does well in full sun or partial shade. Leaves are small, bright green and aromatic. White, fragrant flowers appear in summer. It generally grows to about six feet (or more with age), but ‘Compacta’ stays about three by three feet. Good drainage is essential.
Salvia microphylla is a wonderful plant that requires little water once established and is not liked by deer, but is a hummingbird magnet! Flower colors are off-white, yellow, coral, pink, red and purple. One very popular variety is called ‘Hot Lips’, with red and white flowers. An interesting aspect of this one is the changing flower color. The flowers are…