Short-Grass Blend
Species:blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis),purple needlegrass (Nassella [formerly Stipa] pulchra), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), meadow barley (Hordeum brachyantherum), Pacific coast iris (Iris munzii, I. Fernaldii, I. Purdyi, I. Innominata, and others), California fuchsia (Zauschneria californica), tidytips (Layia platyglossa), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum).
Native: yes
Height: 12-18 inches
Maintenance: Cut once a year in late winter/early spring; no lower than 5 inches.
Ground Covers
1. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)–See under Southeast; for colder parts of Pacific Northwest and mountains of California.
Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris)–See under East/Northeast.
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum)–See under East/Northeast.
Fringed sage (Artemisia frigida)–See under Southwest.
2. Coast strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)
Native: yes.
Characteristics: a perennial evergreen herb with green, glossy leaves; white flowers in spring; edible berries; tolerates foot traffic.
Maintenance: none except to pull out grassy weeds the first few years of establishment.
3. Treasure flower (Gazania rigens)
Native: no
Characteristics: perennial in warm climates, spreads by rhizomes, yellow, orange flowers from spring into early winter; use in warm parts of California only.
Maintenance: Trim if looks untidy.
4. California meadow sedge (Carex pansa)
Native: yes
Characteristics: slowly creeping, dark green foliage about 4 to 6 inches if left unmowed, tolerates foot traffic, evergreen in all but the coldest climates.
Maintenance: Mow two to three times per year to keep the foliage low and tight or can leave unmown.