Common name:Bird of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia reginae
This shrub will grow to 6' tall and has large, grey-green fronds with orange, blue, white, or multi-colored flowers that bloom throughout the year. It prefers full to part sun with medium watering.
Common name:Purplish N.Z. Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'
Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves, 6'-9' tall and 5" wide, in a fan pattern. Leaves are olive green and yellow. Flower stems reach high above foliage, bearing clusters of 1"-2" wide, dark red to yellow blossoms in summer.
Common name:Chinese Wisteria
Botanical name:Wisteria sinensis
While the sinensis is similar to the floribunda, it bears more rounded, full clusters of strongly fragrant flowers which open more or less all at once. There are usually 13-15 leaflets per leaf, and they require full sun and average to little watering. It comes in many colors such as blues, whites and purples.-Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Ivy Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium peltatum
Clouds of single flowers are produced from spring through fall on this perennial, which should be planted in areas that receive protection from afternoon sun in warm inland areas. Ivy geranium reaches 2' tall and spreads to 3' wide. Leaves are shaped like ivy leaves, thus its common name. Flowers bloom from spring through fall in pink, white, red or violet. It looks great in containers as it spills over. Deadhead to encourage more blooming and keep plant bushy.
Designer: Amy Bartell | Splash Time |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Check your irrigation controller once a month, and adjust as necessary.
Most plants require only one-third as much water in winter as they do in summer.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.