Trying to surprise my wife with a plant that she loves. Can someone help? Thank you!!!

well are you trying to buy something to put in the area in the photo? What state are you in? You have some things planted in there that make me think you are in a warmer zone? That makes a difference if you are selecting plants that you want to live a long time. Shade, sun? well drained soil, clay/heavy soil. ect

Sorry, I should have been more clear! First time posting. She saw this garden somewhere else (it's not ours), but she loves the plant that looks like lavender. We are in Southern California. Sun but some shade. Well drained soil. Thanks!

Welcome to ATP.
The All Things Plants database has several types of Lavender listed with photos here:
http://garden.org/plants/searc...

Butter04!

I can't see the details well enough to be positive, but it looks like it could be a Polygala, such as Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'.

I assume you are talking about the plant that has the purple/fushcia flowers on it?
I'm not sure what it IS< but its NOT a lavender.
If you are talking about the grayish foliage smaller plant in the foreground of the other one, that appears some type of sedum.
sedum would do well in your area. lavender may do ok, I don't know much about it. Maybe rosemarry or thyme would do ok too, all are fragrant herbs. Sage may be what you are looking for. I would suggest visiting a nursery in your area. or joining a garden club!

It reminds me a bit of Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)

For comparison, here's a link to the plant Danita referred to: Sweet Pea Shrub (Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly')

I'm in the Polygala camp, but I'm thinking Polygala X dalmaisiana (sweet pea shrub)

Lin, I think the small cluster at bottom center of the photograph is Mexican Heather, but the larger shrub behind it is not.

lovemyhouse said:Lin, I think the small cluster at bottom center of the photograph is Mexican Heather, but the larger shrub behind it is not.

With my old eyes, maybe that's the one I was looking at! That little one does look like the Cuphea but the larger clump behind looks a lot like Polygala.