
Purple-leaved eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

Purple prickly pear
Opuntia violacea var. santa rita
Opuntia violacea var. santa rita

Sticks on Fire
Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'
Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'

New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Guardsman'
Phormium 'Guardsman'

Creeping spurge
Euphorbia myrsinites
Euphorbia myrsinites

Orange sedge
Carex testacea
Carex testacea

Black rose aeonium
Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'
Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'

Sunburst thornless honey locust
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Sunburst'
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Sunburst'

Arizona cypress + cvs
Cupressus arizonica
Cupressus arizonica

Chinese pistache
Pistacia chinensis
Pistacia chinensis

Blue Glow agave
Agave 'Blue Glow'
Agave 'Blue Glow'

Afterglow echeveria
Echeveria 'Afterglow'
Echeveria 'Afterglow'
Description
Plants included on this list have foliage colors that range from olive and gray to red and purple, and two groups of variegated foliage based upon yellow and white. All of these plants are used to provide relief and interest that can last year round. Larger plants can provide important color contrast when placed in background areas; smaller ones can help define borders. All can be useful for accent and focal plantings.
Plant List

Arizona cypress + cvs
Botanical Name: Cupressus arizonicaPlant Type: Tree, Native
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 35 ft. - 50 ft. Width: 5 ft. - 15 ft.

Blue hesper palm
Botanical Name: Brahea armataPlant Type: Palm
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 30 ft. - 40 ft. Width: 15 ft. - 20 ft.

Bronze loquat
Botanical Name: Eriobotrya deflexaPlant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 25 ft. - 30 ft. Width: 25 ft. - 30 ft.

Chinese pistache
Botanical Name: Pistacia chinensisPlant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 25 ft. - 35 ft. Width: 25 ft. - 35 ft.

Crape myrtle
Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indicaPlant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 6 ft. - 30 ft. Width: 10 ft. - 30 ft.

Mediterranean olive + cvs
Botanical Name: Olea europaeaPlant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 25 ft. - 35 ft. Width: 20 ft. - 30 ft.

Mulga
Botanical Name: Acacia aneuraPlant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 15 ft. - 20 ft. Width: 15 ft. - 20 ft.

Purple-leaved eastern redbud
Botanical Name: Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'Plant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 25 ft. - 35 ft. Width: 25 ft. - 35 ft.

Sunburst thornless honey locust
Botanical Name: Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Sunburst'Plant Type: Tree
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 25 ft. - 30 ft. Width: 25 ft. - 30 ft.
Shrubs and Vines

Bladderpod
Botanical Name: Isomeris arboreaPlant Type: Shrub, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 4 ft. - 6 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 6 ft.

California grape + cv
Botanical Name: Vitis californicaPlant Type: Vine, Native
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: Morning sun, Moderate shade, All day sun
Height: 30 ft. - 40 ft. Width: 30 ft. - 40 ft.

California sagebrush
Botanical Name: Artemisia californicaPlant Type: Shrub, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 5 ft. - 7 ft.

Canyon Gray sagebrush
Botanical Name: Artemisia californica 'Canyon Gray'Plant Type: Shrub, Ground cover, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 15 in. - 18 in. Width: 8 ft. - 10 ft.

Desert lavender
Botanical Name: Hyptis emoryiPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: Width:

Feathery cassia
Botanical Name: Senna artemisioidesPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 6 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 6 ft.

Incienso, Brittlebush
Botanical Name: Encelia farinosaPlant Type: Shrub, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 5 ft.

Island bush poppy
Botanical Name: Dendromecon harfordiiPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 6 ft. - 10 ft. Width: 6 ft. - 10 ft.

Lavender cotton
Botanical Name: Santolina chamaecyparissusPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 1 ft. - 2 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Montara sagebrush
Botanical Name: Artemisia californica 'Montara'Plant Type: Shrub, Ground cover, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 24 in. Width: 3 ft. - 5 ft.

Palmer’s mallow
Botanical Name: Abutilon palmeriPlant Type: Shrub, Native
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 4 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 5 ft.

Pomegranate + cvs
Botanical Name: Punica granatumPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 10 ft. - 20 ft. Width: 10 ft. - 20 ft.

Powis Castle artemisia
Botanical Name: Artemisia 'Powis Castle'Plant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 6 ft.

Purple hopseed bush
Botanical Name: Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'Plant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 ft. - 18 ft. Width: 6 ft. - 12 ft.

Silver spurge
Botanical Name: Euphorbia rigidaPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 4 ft.

Silvery cassia
Botanical Name: Senna phyllodineaPlant Type: Shrub
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 6 ft.

White sage
Botanical Name: Salvia apianaPlant Type: Shrub, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 4 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 5 ft.
Perennials and Grasses

Blue fescue
Botanical Name: Festuca glauca & cvsPlant Type: Grass
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 15 in. Width: 12 in. - 15 in.

California fescue
Botanical Name: Festuca californicaPlant Type: Grass, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Partial sun
Height: 1 ft. - 2 ft. Width: 1 ft. - 2 ft.

California gray rush
Botanical Name: Juncus patensPlant Type: Grass, Rush, Native
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: Morning sun, Moderate shade, All day sun
Height: 18 in. - 24 in. Width: 18 in. - 24 in.

Canyon Prince Wild rye
Botanical Name: Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'Plant Type: Grass, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 4 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 5 ft.

Creeping spurge
Botanical Name: Euphorbia myrsinitesPlant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 in. Width: 18 in.

Desert Marigold
Botanical Name: Baileya multiradiataPlant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 18 in. Width: 24 in. - 30 in.

Dwarf flax lily
Botanical Name: Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev'Plant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, Moderate shade, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 18 in. - 24 in. Width: 18 in. - 24 in.

Garden sage + cvs
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalisPlant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure:
Height: 18 in. - 24 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Jack Sprat dwarf flax
Botanical Name: Phormium 'Jack Sprat'Plant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 18 in. Width: 18 in.

Lamb’s ear
Botanical Name: Stachys byzantinaPlant Type: Ground cover, Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 6 in. - 12 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Leather leaf sedge
Botanical Name: Carex buchananiiPlant Type: Grass, Sedge
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Matilija poppy + cv
Botanical Name: Romneya coulteriPlant Type: Perennial, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 6 ft. - 10 ft. Width: 6 ft. - 10 ft.

Mediterranean spurge
Botanical Name: Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfeniiPlant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 4 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 4 ft.

Moonshine yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea 'Moonshine'Plant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 2 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

New Zealand flax
Botanical Name: Phormium 'Guardsman'Plant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 5 ft. - 7 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 5 ft.

Orange sedge
Botanical Name: Carex testaceaPlant Type: Grass, Sedge
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 18 in. Width: 18 in.

Purple garden sage
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis 'Purpurescens'Plant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 18 in. - 24 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Russian sage
Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifoliaPlant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 4 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 4 ft.

Saffron buckwheat
Botanical Name: Eriogonum crocatumPlant Type: Perennial, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 18 in. Width: 18 in. - 24 in.

Sandhill sage
Botanical Name: Artemisia pycnocephalaPlant Type: Perennial, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 8 in. - 12 in. Width: 18 in. - 24 in.

Silver carpet
Botanical Name: Dymondia margaretaePlant Type: Ground cover, Perennial
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 1 in. - 3 in. Width: 1 ft. - 2 ft.

Silver carpet aster
Botanical Name: Lessingia filaginifolia 'Silver Carpet'Plant Type: Ground cover, Perennial
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 4 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Variegated flax lily
Botanical Name: Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'Plant Type: Perennial
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Exposure: Morning sun, Moderate shade, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 2 ft. Width: 2 ft.
Succulents

Afterglow echeveria
Botanical Name: Echeveria 'Afterglow'Plant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun
Height: 6 in. - 8 in. Width: 10 in. - 12 in.

Aloe vera
Botanical Name: Aloe veraPlant Type: Aloe
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 18 in. - 24 in. Width: 3' then offsets to form a larger clump - 24 in.

Artichoke agave + var
Botanical Name: Agave parryiPlant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Black rose aeonium
Botanical Name: Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'Plant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Blue chalksticks
Botanical Name: Senecio serpensPlant Type: Ground cover, Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 6 in. - 8 in. Width: 1 ft. - 2 ft.

Blue Elf aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe 'Blue Elf'Plant Type: Aloe
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 15 in. - 18 in. Width: 24 in.

Blue finger
Botanical Name: Senecio talinoides ssp. mandraliscaePlant Type: Ground cover, Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 12 in. - 18 in. Width: 3 ft. - 4 ft., can slowly spread further

Blue Flame agave
Botanical Name: Agave 'Blue Flame'Plant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 5 ft.

Blue fox tail agave
Botanical Name: Agave attenuata 'Boutin Blue'Plant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 5 ft.

Blue Glow agave
Botanical Name: Agave 'Blue Glow'Plant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 18 in. - 20 in. Width: 18 in. - 20 in.

Blue rose echeveria
Botanical Name: Echeveria imbricataPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun
Height: 6 in. - 12 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Coppertone stonecrop
Botanical Name: Sedum nussbaumerianumPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 15 in. Width: 18 in.

Coral aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe striataPlant Type: Aloe
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 12 in. - 24 in. Width: 12 in. - 24 in.

Desert spoon
Botanical Name: Dasylirion wheeleriPlant Type: Yucca
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 4 ft. - 7 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 7 ft.

Dudleya species
Botanical Name: DudleyaPlant Type: Succulent, Native
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 6 in. - 18 in. Width: 12 in. - 18 in.

Elephant food
Botanical Name: Portulacaria afraPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 6 ft. - 8 ft. Width: 6 ft. - 8 ft.

Fan aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe plicatilisPlant Type: Aloe
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 5 ft. - 6 ft. Width: 5 ft. - 6 ft.

Flapjack plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe luciaePlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 12 in. - 18 in. Width: 12 in. - 18 in.

Fox tail agave
Botanical Name: Agave attenuataPlant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 3 ft. - 5 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 5 ft.

Ghost plant
Botanical Name: Graptopetalum paraguayensePlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 15 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Golden barrel cactus
Botanical Name: Echinocactus grusoniiPlant Type: Cacti
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 12 in. - 24 in. Width: 18 in. - 30 in.

Kiwi aeonium
Botanical Name: Aeonium 'Kiwi'Plant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 1 ft. - 2 ft.

Pink ice plant
Botanical Name: Lampranthus deltoidesPlant Type: Ground cover, Succulent, Iceplant
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 10 in. - 12 in. Width: 24 in. - 30 in.

Pork and beans
Botanical Name: Sedum x rubrotinctumPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 6 in. - 8 in. Width: 12 in. - 15 in.

Propeller plant
Botanical Name: Crassula perfoliata var. falcataPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 1 ft. - 2 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Purple prickly pear
Botanical Name: Opuntia violacea var. santa ritaPlant Type: Cacti
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 4 ft. Width: 4 ft. - 5 ft.

Rock purslane
Botanical Name: Cistanthe grandifloraPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 12 in. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

Silver dollar plant
Botanical Name: Crassula arborescensPlant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 4 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 4 ft.

Spider agave
Botanical Name: Agave bracteosaPlant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 2 ft. - 3 ft. Width: 12 in. - 15 in.

Sticks on Fire
Botanical Name: Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'Plant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 4 ft. - 8 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 5 ft.

Sunburst aeonium
Botanical Name: Aeonium 'Sunburst'Plant Type: Succulent
Water Needs: Low 2
Exposure: Morning sun, All day sun, Partial sun
Height: 1 ft. - 2 ft. Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.

White-striped century plant
Botanical Name: Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba'Plant Type: Agave
Water Needs: Low 1
Exposure: All day sun
Height: 3 ft. - 4 ft. Width: 3 ft. - 4 ft.