"Where have you been all my life? " When I first saw
Lessingia filanginfolia 'Silver Carpet', these are the words that rang out in my mind. What a perfectly lovely native! Short of stature at one foot high-but generous in width-ranging from three to five feet on the ground, this plant really makes a statement. Its lovely gray leaves blend well with a Mediterannean palette of plants. Delicate lavender-pink blossoms emerge in mid-summer, just when you most need brightening in a garden of dormant natives. The flower's yellow centers complete the picture, a lovely lure for butterflies. These delicate daisy-like flowers make the skippers and duskywings feel right at home. Plant
Lessingia in clay soil. That's just fine, but make sure the plants have good drainage. Although these lovelies are drought tolerant, they perk up with an occasional drink of water during the hottest months. Introduced by the
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,
Lessingia 'Silver Carpet' is a welcome addition to any
Bay Area garden. Just look at it-spilling over a wall, or adding a lovely subtle note to a wildflower meadow, or just filling in under
the oaks. Beautiful
!! 
