Botanical Garden Path

Common name:Toyon, Christmas Berry, Calif. Holl
Botanical name:Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon is a California native evergreen shrub that grows 8'-15'. high and spreading 2'-3'. It has leathery, toothed leaves, white summer flowers and clusters of red winter berries. It tolerates full sun or partial shade, heat, smog, wind and heavy or light soils. It is drought tolerant, attracts beneficial insects and hummingbirds. - Cornflower Farms

Common name:Orchid Spot or Orchid Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus X purpureus

This is a consistently good performer, with leaves of 1-2" inches that are dark green on top, and grey and hairy beneath. Its long, blooming 3" wide flowers are a reddish-purple color with a red spot at the base of each petal, and are quite attractive. It has yellow stamens.It can be pruned regularly. This plant is a small evergreen shrub with narrow wavy-edged aromatic leaves.

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.

Soils and Compost:

Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.

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.