A Steep Hillside Is Turned Into A Lush Landscape

Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

Derviss Design, Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia Leucantha, Pride of Madeira, Echium Candicans, Echium Fastuosum, Maiden Grass, Eulalia, Miscanthus Sinensis, David Austin English Rose 'Graham Thomas', Lavender 'Provence'

Using a fairly basic Mediterranean plant palette, this steep hillside has been turned into a lush landscape that is also easy to care for! When in full bloom, this hillside burst with colors: the cool blue and purple tones of Sage, Lavender, Catmint or Pride of Madeira contrast with the warm golden shades of the English Rose or the tangerine hues of Cape Fuchsias and pomegranate. Adding their sculptural look, the ornamental grasses add an airy feel to the whole scenery with their leaves, whispering in the breeze. A fabulous way of softening the edges of the stone staircase!

Most plants selected by Derviss Design are drought tolerant, water-wise or deer resistant.

Garden Information

Hardiness	8 - 9
Climate Zones	16, 17, 22, 23, 24
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Low, Average
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Landscaping Ideas	Banks And Slopes
Garden Styles	Mediterranean Garden

Plants In This Garden

Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)

Maybe one of the most attractive salvias, Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is prized by gardeners for its ornamental and showy velvety flower spikes produced from late summer to first frost, when other summer plants have given hope of doing anything productive.

Hardiness	8 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' (Lavender)

With one of the strongest fragrances among Lavenders, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ is a vigorous grower which produces exceptionally large and rich, deep violet flower spikes up to 6 in. long (15 cm), hence its common name of ‘Fat Lavender’!

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Phygelius x rectus 'African Queen' (Cape Fuchsia)

Particularly floriferous, Phygelius x rectus ‘African Queen’ (Cape Fuchsia) is a lovely perennial plant for the summer garden thanks to its with profuse clusters of fuchsia-like, salmon-orange flowers adorned with a yellow throat.

Hardiness	7 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' (Chinese Silver Grass)

One of the most popular variety of Chinese Silver Grasses, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ is a spectacular ornamental grass grown for its abundant, purple-flushed, flower plumes on display in late summer.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall, Winter
Height	5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Rosa Graham Thomas (English Rose)

One of the most popular and recognizable English Roses ever! Bred by David Austin, Graham Thomas features a truly unique color with its clusters of round red and yellow buds opening to shallow-cupped rich, pure yellow flowers with golden overtones. Incredibly scented with a fresh, fruity Tea Rose perfume!

Hardiness	5 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	5' - 10' (150cm - 3m)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Echium candicans (Pride of Madeira)

Few shrubs produce such magnificent conical flower spikes! Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans or Echium fastuosum) is a fascinating biennial mounding shrub displaying fabulously eye-catching, cone-shaped blue clusters from late spring through summer, atop sculptural and attractive rosettes of silvery-green, hairy leaves.

Hardiness	9 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm)
Spread	6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Bred for hot, sunny environments, Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare) will blow you away with its amazingly soft, densely-felted foliage which brings interest to the border as well as a slight licorice fragrance!

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Nepeta racemosa 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Catmint ‘Blue Wonder’ (Nepeta racemosa) is a lovely dwarf perennial noted for its continuous massive dark blue blooms, on short spikes atop aromatic, gray-green foliage, from late spring to early fall.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	9" - 2' (23cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy)

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy) is a graceful, trailing, woody-based perennial noted for its endless production of small daisies almost year-round. Opening white, the delicate flowers turn soft pink, fade to purple and attract butterflies and bees.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Salvia (Sage) Rosa (Climbing Roses) Rosa (Rose) Shrub Roses Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) Lavandula (Lavender) Nepeta (Catmint)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kaskade’ (Chinese Silver Grass)

Rosa Teasing Georgia (English Rose)

Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint)

Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal (Lavendin)

Rosa ‘Buff Beauty’ (Hybrid Musk Rose)

Rosa ‘Gloire de Dijon’ (Climbing Rose)

The Landscape Designers

Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers

Derviss Design

Landscape design that imbues inspiration and excites emotion in the beholder. We collaborate closely with our clients and craftsmen to design and build environmental experiences that brings value to their lives and properties.
From concept through construction we partner with our clients to ensure our creative vision becomes a reality.

Address

1408 Park Ave, Novato, California, United States, 94945

Phone

(415) 892-3121

Website

www.dervissdesign.com

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.