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Colors come alive in Mulch
Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac
Red-Hot Poker, Torch Lily
Yellow Margin Century Plant
Century Plant
Catmint
Olive, Edible Olive
Evergreen Eulalia
Goldenrain Tree, Varnish Tree
French or Toothed Lavender
Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy
Hamelin White Plume Fountain Grass
Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac

Common name:Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac
Botanical name:Buddleja davidii

Butterfly bush is a fast growing deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub ranging from 3' up to 10'. It has an open, rangy growth habit. It should be cut back nearly to the ground in fall or spring for size control and appearance. - Cornflower Farms There are various cultivars that come in pinks and purple flowers.

Red-Hot Poker, Torch Lily

Common name:Red-Hot Poker, Torch Lily
Botanical name:Kniphofia hybrids

This perennial will grow to about 6' tall and has large green leaves and has red, orange, and yellow flowers that bloom in spring, summer, and fall.

Yellow Margin Century Plant

Common name:Yellow Margin Century Plant
Botanical name:Agave americana marginata

Marginata has a creamy yellow margin around the edge of the leaves and will grow 6-10' tall x 13' wide. It is a native to Mexico, and has a very open growth habit with leaves that recurve along their length.

Century Plant

Common name:Century Plant
Botanical name:Agave americana

This agave is fast growing to about 6-10' tall and 8-13' wide. Wide, gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. It is prone to agave snout weevil which will eat the roots and leaves. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted. Water once a month during the summer.

Catmint

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, grey-green, undulating mounds to 1' tall in bloom, spreading 3'-4' wide. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in summer. Catmint can be planted in sun or shade and needs medium amount of water. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Olive, Edible Olive

Common name:Olive, Edible Olive
Botanical name:Olea europaea

This broad tree will slowly grow to 25'-30' tall and wide. It has small, grey-green, evergreen leaves. Small white fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by fleshy black fruit that appears in fall. Fruit is messy and can stain sidewalks. There are cultivars that do not produce fruit. Some folks are allergic to the blooms. This tree is very long lived, with a beautiful gnarled trunk. It prefers full sun and low watering in summer months (twice a month) and none during the winter, when established.

Evergreen Eulalia

Common name:Evergreen Eulalia
Botanical name:Miscanthus transmorrisonensis

This grass will reach 2.5'-3.5' tall and has narrow, green leaves. Eulalia will arch and have an 8' wide spread. Golden flower spikes appear in spring, lasting through winter, shooting up 6' tall. Eulalia is drought tolerant once it's established but give occasional water to spruce it up. It prefers full to part sun. Give this grass some width area.

Goldenrain Tree, Varnish Tree

Common name:Goldenrain Tree, Varnish Tree
Botanical name:Koelreuteria paniculata

This tree reaches 30' tall and wide. Crown of tree is rounded. Blue green foliage is lacy and delicate looking, turning yellow in the fall. Upright yellow flower clusters bloom in the summer, followed by lantern shapeded seed pods. This dependable tree is attractive all year round, tolerating urban conditions and various soil types. It prefers full sun and occasional watering once it's established.

French or Toothed Lavender

Common name:French or Toothed Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula dentata

This lavender has green leaves and will grow 3' height and 5' wide. It has lavender flowers that are prominent in the spring and summer months.

Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy

Common name:Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus

This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.

Hamelin White Plume Fountain Grass

Common name:Hamelin White Plume Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hamelin'

This beautiful dwarf grass reaches 2'-3' tall and 1'-2' wide. Bright green foliage is grass-like. Creamy white fluffy plume flowers appear in thin arching stalks in summer and fall. Foliage turns gold in fall. This grass prefers full sun and low to moderate watering.

Designer: Mark Lewis

Colors come alive in Mulch

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.