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Jasminum polyanthum    PINK JASMINE    closeup    habit    showy buds    a fast twining evergreen vine with small, fine textured pinnate leaves bears massed clusters of small, showy deep pink buds that open to heavily fragrant white flowers. Heaviest bloom is in winter and spring, but plants can be almost everblooming in cool summer, warm winter climates (us!). Sun to part shade, average to little summer watering. Damaged by frost below 25°F. Western China. Oleaceae.

humile ‘Revolutum’    wonderful flowers    habit    this is the true “J. revolutum,” not the inferior clone masquerading as it, which is really just the normal form of J. humile. Every yard should have one. This, the real McCoy, has much larger leaves, AND much bigger flowers (to 1"), AND they're are fragrant, AND it blooms year around. The flowers are intense yellow, almost golden yellow, against bright green leaves. The fragrance is strong, and very much like that of Sweet Peas. It has a semivining habit like a climbing rose and gets 12-15' tall and wide without restraint. Full to part sun, average watering, but very tough and drought tolerant when established. Evergreen and hardy in Portland, Oregon, USDA zone 8, and undamaged at 8°F there. Sunset zones 6 and higher, USDA probably zone 7, at least. rev 3/2006

Juncus  RUSH   grass-like plants that grow as clumps, found growing in a range of habitats and soils. Many will take seasonal inundation followed by very dry conditions, making them particularly useful in California landscapes. rev 5/2010

effusus 'Occidental Blue'  Dream Inn   nice vigor, with a conspicuously stiff, upright habit, intense blue grey color, and clean presentation. Hardy to USDA zone 8/Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24. rev 5/2010

inflexus 'Afro'   curly leaves     spiral blue rush leaves, to 12-18" long, quite effective by itself in a striking container or used with other plants. Juncaceae. Sun or part shade, infrequent watering required. Hardy to USDA zone 8/Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24. rev 12/2004.

‘Lovesick Blues’    nursery plant, best I can do    this species is distinguished by its much more horizontal habit. Stiff, wonderfully steel blue leaves to 2' long. Can be used in masses or spotted as an accent plant against rocks, red foliaged plants, or even used in mixed containers. Hardy to USDA zone 8/Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24. rev 5/2010