Common name:Columnar Italian Cypress
Botanical name:Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'
Italian Cypress is often associated with Italian and Spanish architecture, providing columns in the landscape. They often reach 40'- 60' tall. 'Stricta' is compact, columnar and produces long, straight branches with deep green foliage. Once it's established, it is drought tolerant. Provide well draining soil. Do not plant near ocean.
Common name:Hybrid Tea Rose cultivar
Botanical name:Rosa Hybrid Tea selection
Hybrid tea roses are the traditional classic roses; buds are used for boutonnieres. These roses have long stems with a single rose at the end, which may or may not be fragrant. Blooms typically start in spring until fall. Many colors now available. Roses prefer full to part sun with well draining, rich soil. It needs fertilizer after each bloom period. It prefers medium watering and more in hot summer areas. Mulch well. Prune in winter. It usually grows 2'-6' tall.
Common name:Rose selected cultivars
Botanical name:Rosa species
These shrubs and vines are the most-loved in the West and are very resilient. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors and are easy to maintain with proper care. Roses can be espaliered or used on a trellis or as shrubs along walkways. Some are fragrant; most have thorns.
Common name:Mission or Tree Cactus, Indian Fig
Botanical name:Opuntia ficus-indica
This unusual looking cactus forms a trunk topped with pads (actually the leaves) that have few spines. Flowers are yellow to orange in late spring and early summer, found at the edges of the pads. Green edible fruit follows the bloom period. Fruit turns purple when ripe. This cactus need full sun and well draining soil; it will reach 12'-15' tall. It is frost sensitive. The newly formed pads, or nopales of this cactus are used to make a delicious salsa.
Common name:California Fuchsia, Zauschneria
Botanical name:Epilobium canum
The California Fuchsia is a perennial with dense, narrow, silver foliage and orange summer flowers. The growth habit of this plant is sprawling and low, 2' tall and 4' wide. This perennial is a California native and attracts hummingbirds. It prefers full sun and is drought tolerant once it's established.
| Designer: | Plant Vignettes |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Soils and Compost:
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Water Saving Tip:
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.
Integrated Pest Management:
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.