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Benches for Friendship
Chinese Pistache
Butterfly Iris or Fortnight Lily
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Deer Grass
Red Fringe Flower cultivar
Chinese Pistache

Common name:Chinese Pistache
Botanical name:Pistacia chinensis

The Pistacia chinensis is a deciduous tree with broad, spreading growth to 50' in height. Its leaves have 10-16 leaflets, and the fall coloring arrives in beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. Prune young trees to shape. This tree does not have edible nuts. Female trees have tiny red fruit, turning dark blue. It prefers full sun and deep, infrequent waterings. This is a great street or park tree.

Butterfly Iris or Fortnight Lily

Common name:Butterfly Iris or Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides

This clumping evergreen iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks to 3' tall, appearing spring through fall. This variety has stiffer, darker foiliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. This is a very reliable plant. Divide every 3-5 years to keep it looking fresh.

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

Common name:Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Botanical name:Calamagrostis X acutiflora 'Karl Foerste

This ornamental perennial grass grows 4-6' tall x 1-1.5' wide and has semi-evergreen foliage that is green in spring and summer and turns green/brown in fall. The flowers bloom in mid June and emerge a light green but quickly turn to pink/purple.

Deer Grass

Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

The Deer Grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like, straw yellow, flower stalks grow 4' tall, creating a striking foundation form in fall. The Deer Grass is native to California and needs watering once or twice a month after it's established. The more water it has, the greener it is.

Red Fringe Flower cultivar

Common name:Red Fringe Flower cultivar
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinense 'Rubrum' cvs.

Red Fringe Flower is a shrub that grows 6'-12' tall and wide. It has arching branches with light green and reddish leaves. Pink flowers bloom intermittently throughout the year. This attractive shrub prefers afternoon shade and shelter from hot, drying winds. It needs a moderate amount of watering.

Designer: Robery Boro, Jody Palmer

Benches for Friendship

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.

Water Saving Tip:

Group plants in your garden according to their water needs (hydrozone).

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.