Hopley's Purple is a very showy ornamental cultivar of oreganos which are native to the Mediterranean.   Its dark blue-green foliage spreads by rhizomes to form a thick mat of evergreen foliage, 2 - 3 ft thick. .  Erect wiry stems of deep purple - pink flowers appear over a long period during the summer and are very attractive to both bees and butterflies.  This plant can be used in a number of ways in the garden - as a filler in the perennial border, as an edging plant, as part of a rock garden or as a cut flower.  It likes full sun and   is deer resistant.  This oregano requires little water and must have good drainage.  Try using Origanum laevigatum 'Hopley's Purple' with Agastache (see summer breeze below), Artemisia, Santolina and other gray foliaged, low water use perennials.

   Bearing many fragrant, tubular flowers on saliva like stems, this agastache hybrid will bloom for a long period beginning in mid-summer.  Flowers are multi-colored in shades of pink, peach and lavender varying in hue depending on temperature.  The licorice scented gray-green foliage grows rapidly to 1-3 feet tall - the leaves may be used to flavor teas.  These plants will tolerate drought but look better with some water as long as there is good drainage.  Although full sun will provide the most blooms, agastache also will perform well in light shade.  Hummingbirds love it as well as bees and butterflies.  Try using Agastache 'Summer Breeze' in large containers or in borders combined with Achillea, Nepeta, Pervoskia, or Origanum.

   Houttuynia is not just variegated, this groundcover's curly leaves wear a coat of many colors: bright red, white, yellow, green and bronze. Colors fade in shade. Houtuynia can be invasive, so give it some room to expand. We have a limited supply. You'll find it in the herb bed along with a large selection of Thyme, Oregano, Rue, Rosemary, two new Lavenders, and more.

   We have recently received large donations of plants from two garden clubs -- the Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club and the Clayton Valley Garden Club. These donations included some of the plants mentioned above plus an assortment of plants located at various locations in the Nursery and will be available at the Plant Sale, Saturday June 19th. It's always fun to look through other people's treasures. Thanks to these clubs for their generous donations. Both usually meet monthly... see their websites for their programs and meeting times.

   Interested in being a Master Gardener? You must attend an orientation session to apply for the classes that start this October...

   See the details at http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/How_to_Become_a_Master_Gardener/.