Euonymus microphyllus

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…

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….

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…

Laurus nobilis, or sweet bay, is the bay leaf used in cooking.  It is a handsome evergreen shrub that grows anywhere from twelve to forty feet, but in our climate, usually stays in the twelve to fifteen foot range.  Yellow flowers appear in spring.  It  can take full sun or partial shade and needs moderate…

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,…