Common name:Montebretia
Botanical name:Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora

Montebretia is a bulb, closely resembling gladiolus. Vertical, strap like leaves grow to 3' tall. Brilliant red, coral/apricot, red, red-orange, or bright yellow flowers sit on top of arching stalks during the summer. Plants may wither in winter but come back in spring. It requires sun to part shade. Once this plant is established, it requires little or no summer watering. This plant performs well in containers as it is considered invasive in some areas.

Common name:Purple Coneflower
Botanical name:Echinacea purpurea

The Purple Coneflower is a long-lived, reliable standby for the perennial garden. Rosy purple petals fall below the prominent orange-tinged cone and blooms in late June to September. It should be placed toward the front or middle of the border, or interplanted with Ox-Eye Daisy in the cut flower garden. It should be grown in fertile, well-drained soil. The plant blooms well in shade, but does even better in sun. -Holland WIldflower Farm

Common name:Spanish Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula stoechas

This evergreen dense shrub grows 1' tall and 1-2' wide. It has gray green, narrow, long leaves. During spring, flowers on a cone-like spike capped with a purple butterfly-like flag appear on the top of the foliage. It is very attractive but not as fragrant as other lavender varieties. Many cultivars now available, with different color flowers. Tip shear after bloom period to encourage more density. Pruning should be done once a year, every year. This plant does well in full sun with well-draining soil.

Common name:Tickseed
Botanical name:Coreopsis grandiflora

The Coreopsis, a plant which grows up to 30", produces striking double bright yellow flowers. It is excellent as cut flowers or as a backdrop. The bloom period occurs from spring to fall.

Common name:Chinese Wisteria
Botanical name:Wisteria sinensis

While the sinensis is similar to the floribunda, it bears more rounded, full clusters of strongly fragrant flowers which open more or less all at once. There are usually 13-15 leaflets per leaf, and they require full sun and average to little watering. It comes in many colors such as blues, whites and purples.-Monterey Bay Nursery