Regional Picks: Perennial Hole Fillers – Southern California

1. Chalk Live-Forever

Name:Dudleya pulverulenta

USDA Hardiness Zones:8 to 11

Size:1 infantry tall and 22 column inch wide of the mark

atmospheric condition : Full sun ; flaxen , well - drain dirt A drouth - tolerant

California indigene , this stubborn succulent thrives where many plant fail , include in jolty dirt and on slopes . Its waxy leave have a striking brooding quality in both sunlight and moonlight . In saltation , it shoots up 3 - understructure - tall flower stalk decked with rosy cherry-red buds , making it a favorite among hummingbird . For best results , industrial plant chalk live - forever at a slight disputation to prevent water from collecting in the crown .

2. Orange Bush Monkey Flower

Name:Mimulus aurantiacus

Zones:7 to 11

Size:3 groundwork tall and wide

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; well - drained ground

Much like its lovable namesake , orange bush monkey flower is a sunny plant . It broadcasts intense subtlety of reds , Orange River , or yellows , and it lures hummingbird to its bloom . Despite its delicate appearance , I ’ve spy the plant grow in the wild on drop-off and rough edges . More domesticated circumstances , such as along a driveway or beneath an mature backyard shadowiness Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , will nonplus no contest for this drouth - kind subsister .

3. ‘Valerie Finnis’ Silver Wormwood

Name:Artemisia ludoviciana‘Valerie Finnis’

Zones:4 to 9

Size:1 to 2 feet marvelous and spreading

Conditions : Full sun ; normal to sandy , well - drain soil

silvern wormwood place up a engagement against the kind of conditions that send other perennials to the compost pile . It ’s unpalatable to deer and rabbits , tolerates heat and humidness , and withstands drought and poor soil . Its silver coloring shines along walkway and mixed edge , and its foliage is so fragrant that you might capture yourself on your hand and knees inhaling its scent instead of weeding . The fast - growing ‘ Valerie Finnis ’ multiplies via rhizomes and prefers to be divided in spring .

4. California Blue-Eyed Grass

Name:Sisyrinchium bellumand cvs.

Zones:8 to 11

Size:1 foot magniloquent and wide

condition : Full sun to partial shade ; average , well - drained soil

You wo n’t regret keeping this West Coast native on script for periodic bare touch in planting beds or containers . It split up well , naturalizes nicely , and abide both sandy and the Great Compromiser soils . California sorry - eyed grass is also drought tolerant once establish and rarely troubled by diseases or pests . Late spring bring a flurry of delicate blue flowers , which stay to protrude up periodically through summer . If you require to keep this semievergreen perennial from self - sowing , be certain to deadhead faded blooms .

Lawrence Ziese is owner of Ashcrow Landscape Design in Los Angeles , California .

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Regional Picks: Perennial Hole Fillers - Midwest

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Regional Picks: Perennial Hole Fillers - South

Regional Picks: Perennial Hole Fillers - Southern Plains

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