Pronounced (koo-pres-sus  ahr-i-zon-i-ka  oar-ee-uh)
Fast Facts:

• commonly known as a 'Golden Arizona Cypress'
• has signature frosty foliage, same as other Arizona Cypress varieties
• matures to 12' in height by 8' in width, grows about 1' per year
• foliage has a citrusy aroma to it, and can be burned as incense once dried

Maturing at a smaller height than other Arizona Cypress varieties, the 'Aurea' is  a gorgeous choice for a yard that can not accommodate the taller and wider 'Blue Pyramid'. Plant in full sun and the evergreen foliage will turn a golden color where the light hits, and areas not hit by the sun will remain a blue-green. Color fades back to blue-green in winter as well. Drought tolerant once established and due to strong roots, is not recommended as a permanent option for container planting. Could be sheared into a a thinner shape if desired, pruning only necessary if there is dead or diseased wood. Be wary when cutting that new buds do not grow on old wood. 

Pronounced (kair-eks tess-tah-see-ah)
Fast Facts:

• commonly known as 'orange sedge' or 'New Zealand Hair Sedge'
• evergreen
  
• deer, drought, pest, and salt tolerant
• height and spread are both 1'-2'

As sedges become more commonly used as elements of rain gardens or alternatives to green lawns, this orange sedge adds a warm color pop among the cooler blue and green hues often seen in the fall when its shade turns from a warm green to a coppery orange. Flowering in June, the small brown flowers do not draw much attention, but their stems create interesting drooping architecture as they age, similar to a tulip's effect in a bouqet of cut flowers. It's needs are quite flexible, making it that much more desirable: full to part sun and many different soil types will allow this grass success. Could be utilized in rock gardens or as borders, in addition to rain garden or alternative lawn options previously mentioned. 

Pronounced (san-tow-leen-a  vy-renz)
Fast facts:

• commonly known as 'green santolina' or 'cotton lavender'
• drought tolerant ground cover for full sun
• clumping ground habit with spread of 2-4 ft wide
• flowering evergreen

​An easy and eye catching groundcover, Santolina virens offers a low maintenance and drought tolerant option for a hot and dry bed, container planting, green roof, or rock garden. This textural chartreuse plant spreads into domed mounds approximately 1-2' tall and 2-4" wide. Small yellow blossoms emerge in summer and seed pods form in early fall appearing as though they are floating cottony clouds on top of the ground cover. Options for companion planting are sedums, flax, dianthus ground covers, and more. Due to its evergreen nature and bright color, it is a great choice for a year round container planting, sidewalk bed, or border along garden or walkway. We like it so much, we planted it in the beds along our nursery fence and try to always have it in stock. A specimen sure to brighten your day!

Pronounced (seh-seh-lee goo-me-fair-um)
Fast facts:

• commonly known as moon carrot
• in the Apiaceae family, which includes celery, carrots, and parsley
• loves full sun, can tolerate part shade, and is drought tolerant

Quite similar to the habit of Angelica pachycarpa, this semi-evergreen is technically a biannual, that can be forced to be perennial by pruning the flowers to the ground as soon as they die and before they go to seed. If choosing not to maintain them in this way, they will behave as a biannual by blooming their second year, and then self-seeding. A quirky addition to a drought tolerant landscape, this wonderful specimen is showing without much maintenance work at all. Silvery fern-like leaves emerge from a central growing stem, with large umbels of white flowers emerging the second year. Does not die back in the winters in Portland, lending it to be a semi-evergreen rather than a true perennial. Not commonly seen in many Portland gardens, though it is an excellent choice for the gardener or homeowner seeking a unique, low maintenance, and drought tolerant landscape!