Common name:Italian Cypress
Botanical name:Cupressus sempervirens

Native to southern Europe, western Asia. With its narrow columnar habit of growth, this evergreen forms tall, dark green columns 40' to 60' in height. Leaves are dark green and scalelike. Can reach 3' to 10' wide. Does best in full sun. Established plants need little water. Tolerates most soil types as long as it's well draining. A fast growing tree that generally does not require pruning or maintenance. Dry conditions of the Southwest can cause problems with spider mites in early spring. If tree appears 'dusty', washing the tree down with a jet of water can help. This washing needs to be repeated five days later to control mites.

Common name:Mexican or Texas Needle Grass
Botanical name:Nassella tenuissima

The Mexican Fan Grass is a beautiful, fine, airy grass that is emerald green in color. It has many soft yellow-beige flower stalks in the spring. This grass grows 1' x 2' and is drought tolerant.

Common name:Red Yucca
Botanical name:Hesperaloe parviflora

Upright rosettes grow quickly to 3' x 5' wide. Spectacular accent for desert landscape. Leaves are dark green and strap-like. Coral red flower spikes emerge in spring & remain on plant till end of summer. Tolerates tough conditions including reflected heat and frost. Attracts humingbirds. Native to western Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Common name:Azure or Russian Sage
Botanical name:Perovskia X atriplicifolia

This broad perennial will grow 3'-6' tall and has small, gray green leaves with blue violet flowers that bloom in the summer.