Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica
The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Some cultivars have spectacular fall color. When it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The flower colors could be shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white, blooming in summer. It thrives on heat, and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew. This tree prefers full sun and has low watering needs once it's established.
Common name:Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum
Botanical name:Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf'
This handsome dwarf form of the Pittosporum tobira grows into a low, dense mound, 2'-3' tall and 4'-5' wide. This shrub is covered with glossy, evergreen foliage. Small, fragrant, white flowers cover this shrub in spring. It prefers full to part sun and has moderate watering needs. Wheeler's Dwarf is dependable and easy to grow. Prune in winter to keep shape.
| Designer: | Mulched for Easy Care |
Photographer: |
Soils and Compost:
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Water Saving Tip:
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.
Integrated Pest Management:
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.