Common name:Mexican Honeysuckle
Botanical name:Justicia spicigera
Evergreen shrub grows quickly to 6' x 6'. Leaves are fuzzy and velvety. Flowers borne in clusters of bright orange to reddish orange and nearly year round in warmer areas, during warm months in colder. Needs well drained soil. Pruning will induce bushiness. Attracts hummingbirds. Accepts full sun but prefers light shade. Works well under the canopy of trees. Native to Mexico into South America.
Common name:Elephant's Food
Botanical name:Portulacaria afra
Interesting succulent that sprawls to 3' x 4' at a moderate rate. Depending on pruning and cold, elephant's food can be grown as a groundcover or small shrub. Accepts full sun to partial shade but does best with some shade in most desert areas. Plants work very well in containers, and can be used indoors or outdoors. Adapted to many different conditions. Rarely flowers. Needs some protection from frost. Native to South Africa.
Common name:Desert Marigold
Botanical name:Baileya multiradiata
Fast growing perennial reaches 1' x 1'. Soft silvery gray leaves. Bright yellow daisy like flowers appear year round. This undemanding plant reseeds easily. Accepts reflected sun. Be careful not to overwater. Native to southwest U.S. and northern Mexico.