Salvia nemorosa
Blue Sage, Meadow Sage
Salvias are a huge genus, with hundreds of species and cultivars available to gardeners. Blue Sage is available in several improved selections. Look for the Sensation series, as well as 'May Knight'. The white-flowering form shown in the photos is 'Snow Hill'. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Salvia officinalis
Garden Sage, Common Sage
Garden Sage is often grown in the herb garden for its ornamental as well as its culinary attributes. 'Aurea' and 'Tricolor' are popular selections. It is common to replace plantings after a few years due to their woody growth. Must have well drained soil. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Saponaria ocymoides
Rock Soapwort
Rock Soapwort is a candidate for the rock garden, spreading groundcover or spiller over the edge of a container or ledge. Masses of small pink flowers bloom late spring into summer. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Scabiosa columbaria
Pincushion Flower
A must for the butterfly garden. Deadhead (remove) spent flowers frequently for continuous bloom. 'Butterfly Blue', shown in photos, is a popular selection. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Scabiosa lucida
Dwarf Pincushion Flower
This is the Dwarf Pincushion Flower, reaching less than 1 foot high and as wide. Flowers are lilac-blue and remind one of a pincushion, complete with protruding needles. An excellent, low-growing choice for the foreground in a border. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Scutellaria resinosa
Prairie Skullcap
Grows as a mounding groundcover to less than 1 foot high—useful in rock gardens and small spaces. 'Smokey Hills' is a recent Plant Select selection. Drought tolerant. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Autumn Joy Stonecrop
This succulent is a hybrid of Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabile. 'Autumn Joy' grows as a rounded clump. Flowers bloom in late summer, emerging as salmon pink then turning bronze to rust in the fall. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive some afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Sedum kamtschaticum
Russian Stonecrop, Orange Stonecrop
Russian Stonecrop is a low, mounding succulent, well-suited to rock gardens and in the foreground of the border. Leaves have interesting serrated edges. Flowers are tiny stars that emerge yellow then turn red. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Senecio mandraliscae
Kleinia, Blue Finger
The common name Blue Finger is a great hint as to this plant's appearance. Long, fingerlike stems are slightly curved. Useful as a groundcover or accent planting. Provide afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Sphaeralcea ambigua
Globe Mallow
The form of Globe Mallow is natural and casual. It is a tough plant, thriving in less-than-ideal conditions. Additional water will improve appearance. Look for the selection 'Papago Pink'. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
[Read More]Stachys byzantina
Lamb's Ears
The fuzzy, silvery gray leaves of Lamb's Ears makes it a great choice to contrast with dark foliage plants. Better with afternoon shade in hot-summer climates. Spreads by runners. Selection 'Silver Carpet' does not produce flowers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Stachys coccinea
Scarlet Betony, Texas Betony
Leaves of Scarlet Betony grow to 3 inches long and have a wrinkled appearance. Clumping growth habit. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Strelitzia reginae
Bird of Paradise
If your garden would benefit from a tropical fix, this is the plant to consider. Ideal for an oasis planting. Bird of Paradise is cold tender so requires a sheltered location, or grow in containers so plants can be moved to a frost-free location. Flowers bloom during cooler times of the year and are valued for cutting. Prefers an improved soil but adapts to poor soil. Actually drought tolerant once established but better with regular water. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Tagetes lemmonii
Mountain Marigold
Mountain Marigold is shrublike in form. Leaves are aromatic when brushed. It is a tough plant that does well in extreme heat. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Tagetes lucida
Licorice Marigold
The common name Licorice Marigold is due to the fact that leaves emit a fragrance similar to anise. Appearance is similar to its cousin, Mountain Marigold, but growth is more compact. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Tanacetum densum amani
Partridge Feather
Partridge Feather is a mat-forming groundcover to about 6 inches high. Lacy, feathery leaves are attractive. Requires soil with good drainage; nice in a rock garden. Plant Selection plant. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Tetraneuris acaulis
Angelita Daisy
The daisylike flowers of Angelita Daisy are profuse, blooming almost year-round. Grows in a rounded clumping form, with flowers on top of tall stems that rise above the foliage. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostratum'
Creeping Germander
The mature height of Creeping Germander is listed at 1 foot high, but it actually stays lower—to just 6 inches high. Fragrant foliage is appealing when planted between stepping stones or other close-up locations. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta
Golden Dyssodia
Golden Dyssodia is a short-lived, wildflower-type perennial that is sometimes grown as an annual. It is low-growing, typically reaching only 7 inches high and as wide. Used successfully on slopes for erosion control. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Thymus praecox
Pink Creeping Thyme
Pink Creeping Thyme makes an interesting, mat-forming groundcover in small locations. 'Elfin', shown in photos between pavers and steppingstones, hugs the ground even closer. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Thymus x citriodorus
Lemon Thyme
This Thyme has a strong lemon scent that is fragrant to the touch and also useful for cooking. 'Aureus' is commonly known as Variegated Lemon Thyme. Leaves have a yellow-gold hue. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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