Penstemon Red Riding Hood

I thought I would make a few posts to make up lost time.  The trial garden in Corralitos is looking great.  Penstemon Red Riding Hood has been in peak flower for about a month now. This variety came back with us from Holland a few years ago and it has started to really catch on. Red Riding Hood is a barbatus type with basil branching and thick glossy leaves. This variety is very floriferous and has stiff stems with watermelon red flowers. This variety is nice compact for a penstemon and flowers about 18" tall.  Hardier than most Penstemons, Red Riding Hood is rated down to USDA 5, this variety is also drought tolerant and is at home in Mediterranean gardens. 

Santolina Lemon Fizz

Wow, how quickly 5 months flies by. Well its due time for another post on a great new plant. We introduced a golden leaved Santolina this year named 'Lemon Fizz'. This plant continues to impress me every time I see it in containers and the landscape. It is very flat growing and golden in full sun. In the shade it's chartreuse and more lush in its growth habit. This is a virens type of Santolina, it has small thread like leaves that are very fragrant like other Santolinas. Growers are trying this variety this season, I would expect to see this plant showing up in retail garden centers this summer.  The top photo is full sun, and the bottom part shade.