Common name:Western Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis occidentalis
This deciduous shrub or small tree reaches 15' tall and 10' wide. Beautiful magenta flowers appear in spring, before the leaves appear. Foliage is apple green , turning yellow to red in the fall. Seed pods dangle on this tree in winter. Western Redbud prefers full sun but will appreciate afternoon shade in desert areas. It needs well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. A tree of varying interest all year round!
Common name:California Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca californica
The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue-green blades that reach 2' high. The violet colored flower stalks are 5' tall, appearing in spring and summer, creating fountain-like clumps. This grass is drought tolerant for sun and shade although it looks better with additional summer water. The California fescue is native to CA and is a beneficial insect plant. Plant on dry sunny slopes or on the edge of a dry creek bed.
Common name:Cathedral Windows Coral Bells
Botanical name:Heuchera 'Cathedral Windows'
This perennial grows to less than 1' tall and has dark green, veined leaves. Small white flower spikes bloom in spring and summer, reaching 2' tall overall height. It prefers part shade or shade in warm inland areas with medium amount of 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:Thundercloud Copper-Purple-Purple L
Botanical name:Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud'
This deciduous tree grows to 20' tall with a 20' spread. The single flowers are light pink, blooming in spring. 'Thundercloud' has a dense, round form, which is great for small front and back yards. It has deep purple foliage until it changes to bronze in the fall.
Common name:Japanese Fatsia
Botanical name:Fatsia japonica
This evergreen shrub has large, glossy, fan-like leaves that grow to 16" wide. It has a moderate growth rate to a size of 5'-8' that can be kept lower with occasional pruning. It has a very lush, tropical appearance, and grows well in partial shade.
Designer: | Lovely Curves to Entry |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
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.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.