Two plants I need identified

Both of these plants are located at the San Diego Zoo turtle-lizard area. The bloom on this first one looks like a little yellow Christmas tree. The purple plant seems to be a succulent.

The second plant is some little knob like things that look a little like rocks.

Mexican bush sage in my new planter box

We installed a new retaining wall and planter box next to the driveway several months ago. Living in a desert, we then picked some plants that were a little tolerate of drought. I had never noticed this beautiful plant before we bought it. Now I see then everywhere around the city. The hummingbirds just love it.