Euonymus microphyllus

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

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,…

Teucrium ( germander) is a genus with some very different looking species.  Teucrium cossonii majoricum is a low growing groundcover with grey foliage and whorls of mauvey purple flowers that smell like honey.  T. x lucidrys (formerly T. chamaedrys) has dark green, toothed leaves with pink flowers.  It grows to about one by two feet.  T….

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…

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. …