Centaurea cineraria
Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller is grown for its silvery white, velvety leaves with roundish lobes rather than its flowers. Compact growth habit; it is in perfect contrast next to green-foliaged plants. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Centranthus ruber
Red Valerian
This is an old-fashioned perennial, often used in borders. Grows as a shrubby clump and reseeds readily. Selections with white, red or pink flowers are available. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chamaemelum nobile
Roman Chamomile
Use Roman Chamomile as a small area groundcover, edging or between stepping stones. Foliage is fragrant when crushed. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chrysactinia mexicana
Damianita
The tiny, daisylike, golden yellow flowers of Damianita are fragrant. Use close-up by entrances and traffic areas. Mounding growth habit. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Garden Chrysanthemum, Hardy Mum
Plant Garden Chrysanthemum from containers in late summer to early fall. Available in a wide range of colors and flower forms, including daisy, pompon, anemone, spider and more. This is the traditional, easy-to-grow, fall-bloomer. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Clivia miniata
Kaffir Lily
This is a good choice for a flowering perennial selection in a shady, subtropical garden. Excellent when grown in containers. Cold-tender at freezing temperatures; provide protection from cold in these regions. 'Aurea' has light yellow flowers. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Convolvulus cneorum
Silver Bush Morning Glory
The mounding form of Bush Morning Glory works well as a groundcover. Attractive trailing from a container. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Convolvulus mauritanicus
Ground Morning Glory
Ground Morning Glory has a trailing growth habit that allows plants to spread to fill space. Plant in full sun only. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Coreopsis lanceolata
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
The profuse yellow flowers of Lanceleaf Coreopsis put on quite the show during spring and summer. Flowers are good for cutting, so enjoy them indoors in bouquets as well as in the landscape. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Coreopsis verticillata
Sunray Coreopsis
Sunray Coreopsis is blessed with a long, colorful bloom period. 'Zagreb' is an improved selection. Accepting of drought. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Cuphea llavea
Bat-faced Cuphea
Bat-faced cuphea is true to its name—the unusual flowers look much like the face of a bat. In hot-summer areas, locate where plants will receive afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Dianella tasmanica
Tasman Flax Lily
A grasslike perennial. Plants can become invasive if located near well-irrigated planting beds. ‘Variegata’ (see photo) is often a preferred choice with leaves that feature wide white stripes along its margins, adding brightness to shady corners. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Dietes bicolor
Peacock Flower
The irislike flowers bloom on top of tall stems. Flowers are large—to 3 inches across—with distinctive marks or spots. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Echinacea purpurea
Purple Coneflower
The flowers of Purple Coneflower are daisylike and reach up to 4 inches across. They are definite eye-catchers, particularly when they bloom on top of stems 3 feet or more high. Consider it a rough-textured, but easy-to-grow perennial. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Epilobium canum garrettii
Hummingbird Trumpet
Hummingbird Trumpet is a colorful, low-growing subshrub (small shrub) that can also serve as a groundcover. Ideal for a naturalistic garden. Strong blooming period comes on late in the season when color is not as common so it is more appreciated. It may be sold as Zauschneria. 'Orange Carpet' is an improved selection. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Epilobium latifolia johnstonii
Bush California Fuchsia
Bush California Fuchsia is one of those plants who's name (genus and species) has been in a constant state of change. May be sold as Zauschneria. Extremely profuse flowering produces a red-orange carpet of color. Strong blooming period comes on late in the season when color is not as common. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Erigeron karvinskianus
Mexican Daisy, Santa Barbara Daisy
This little perennial accepts full sun exposure along the coast; provide with afternoon shade and additional water in hot inland areas. Tiny, daisylike flowers about 3/4 inch wide and have yellow centers. They are white then age to pink and magenta. They can be invasive so be ready to control planting beds. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Eriogonum umbellatum
Sulphur Flower
Sulphur Flower grows as a mounding mat to 1 foot high or less. It can be variable in appearance. Useful for erosion control, plants drape and cascade down rocky slopes. Tiny yellow flowers form fragrant clusters. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy
This wildflower is very popular—likely the most popular wildflower, period. California Poppy is a shortlived perennial most often grown as an annual. It is known to naturalize in many regions of California and the Southwest. Plant seeds where you want plants to grow in the fall.
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Euphorbia polychroma
Cushion Spurge
Cushion Spurge is so-named due to its rounded, mounding growth that reminds one of a chair cushion. Its eye-catching, sulphur yellow color comes from the bracts, modified leaves, that surround the insignificant greenish flowers. Accepts some shade but better appearance in full sun. Sap may irritate skin. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Euryops pectinatus 'Viridis'
Green Gold
This easy-to-grow flowering perennial can do double duty as a small shrub. Best with afternoon shade in hot-summer regions. 'Viridis' is an improved selection with yellow daisylike flowers to 2 inches across. Leaves are a darker green color compared to the species. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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