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Pastel Pleasures
Hollyhock
White Sage, Sacred White Sage, Bee
California or Golden Poppy
Asparagus Fern, Fern Asparagus
Love-In-A-Mist
Bearded Iris
Hollyhock

Common name:Hollyhock
Botanical name:Alcea rosea

This plant grows 4-8' high and is particularly useful for background screening. It grows best in full sun in deep, rich, well drained soils and can produce a variety of colors of flowers.

White Sage, Sacred White Sage, Bee

Common name:White Sage, Sacred White Sage, Bee
Botanical name:Salvia apiana

This woody shrub has long stems with silvery white leaves and fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring. It provides a strong sturctural form as a garden focal point. It can reach 3'-5' tall and 6' wide. White sage prefers full sun and moderate amount of watering.

California or Golden Poppy

Common name:California or Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue-green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Asparagus Fern, Fern Asparagus

Common name:Asparagus Fern, Fern Asparagus
Botanical name:Asparagus setaceus

This vining plant is distinguished by its wispy foliage, climbing to 10' or more. It is excellent as a container plant, house plant, or in hanging baskets. The fern should be grown in part shade to shade, with average summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Love-In-A-Mist

Common name:Love-In-A-Mist
Botanical name:Nigella damascena

Nigella damascena is an annual, branching to 1'-1.5' tall. All leaves are finely cut into threadlike divisons. Blue, white, or rose flowers, 1"-1.5" in diameter, bloom in spring. This beautiful annual was actually used in Elizabethan times for English cottage gardens. It looks great in window boxes and will self-seed.

Bearded Iris

Common name:Bearded Iris
Botanical name:Iris Bearded Hybrids

This perennial will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium sized, blue green leaves with flowers of different colors that bloom in spring. It needs well draining soil and full sun. Many are fragrant and rebloom in the fall. Plant rhizomes in Sept or Oct. They need water once a week during the hot spells. Top dress with compost and gypsum in January and August.

Designer: Terri Nichols

Pastel Pleasures

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:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

Integrated Pest Management:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.