Slow-growing, Dioon edule (Chestnut Dioon) is an elegant, palm-like, evergreen cycad with an open rosette of large, stiff and straight, blue-green, pinnate leaves, up to 3-6 ft. long (90-180 cm). Borne atop a short stocky trunk, the leaves are divided into up to 120-160 spine-tipped, narrow leaflets. Drought and salt tolerant, Dioon edule is also one of the most cold hardy cycads. It can survive temperatures down to 22ºF (-5ºC).

Tolerant of extreme heat and cold, Dyckia 'Burgundy Ice' is an evergreen succulent with striking rosettes of fleshy, gracefully curving, burgundy leaves adorned with brilliant white spines. It will maintain its burgundy color year-round if placed in full sun. In summer, spikes of bright orange flowers are borne in profusion above the foliage, brightening up the garden and attracting hummingbirds. This Dyckia produces offsets very freely, forming a dense and charming colony over time. A colorful focal point in the xeriscape, it is perfect for rock gardens and containers.

Providing year-round interest, Parkinsonia praecox (Palo Brea) is a majestic, semi-evergreen tree with a loose, spreading, umbrella-shaped canopy. Turning and twisting, its branches are gracefully interwoven. The foliage of small pinnately compound blue-green leaves remains on the tree most of the year. The smooth, bright chartreuse-green bark of the trunk and branches is very distinctive. This unique trait allows the tree to appear evergreen, even when the leaves have been shed in winter or summer drought. In mid to late spring, a profusion of brilliant yellow flowers adorned with orange dots cover the entire tree.