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Rock Garden
Eastern Redbud
Japanese Black Pine
Snow-In-Summer
Coast Redwood, Redwood
Dwarf Lily of the Nile
Variegated Japanese Sedge
Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper
Japanese Black Pine
Rosemary
Amazing Red Flax
Eastern Redbud

Common name:Eastern Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis canadensis

This small, deciduous tree with a rounded head is covered with small flowers of a rose pink color in the spring before the appearance of heart-shaped leaves. It can grow to 25' tall with an equal spread. It has a low branching habit with a rounded form. During fall, foliage turns yellow. Eastern Redbud lives about 20 years. This is a great patio tree or for a small front yard.

Japanese Black Pine

Common name:Japanese Black Pine
Botanical name:Pinus thunbergii

This variety of pine is both rigid and twisted, reaching 12'-20' tall and 10' wide. It has an irregular shape, and the short, contorted branches eventually produce a canopy-shaped tree. Bright green needles are 4" long. New foliage, called candles, are white colored. Cones are oval shaped and brown, about 3" long. This is a great tree for an outdoor Christmas tree or for bonsai. It needs full sun and a moderate amount of water.

Snow-In-Summer

Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum

Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season. This attractive ground cover is a great filler among other plants and rocks. Foliage is silver gray or gray/green and is woolly. This plant tolerates coastal conditions and desert areas. Use in rock settings, in hanging baskets, containers, or as a lawn substitute. Cut back in fall to refresh plant.

Coast Redwood, Redwood

Common name:Coast Redwood, Redwood
Botanical name:Sequoia sempervirens

This fast-growing, aromatic tree has soft, dark green foliage with long needles appearing in flat sprays and brown, barrel-shaped cones that appear after 1 year. Its soft, red-brown bark is fiberous and furrowed. Particularly after mechanical damage, this tree will stump sprout to form new, young trees around the stump. Avoid planting in areas of high foot traffic. Inadequate moisture or a hot, dry site will inhibit its growth.

Dwarf Lily of the Nile

Common name:Dwarf Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus 'Peter Pan'

This clumping dwarf variety of Agapanthus has green, strap-like, evergreen leaves. Clusters of blue, oval shaped flowers appear in summer on top of stalks, making this plant about 2' tall. This dependable plant can be grown in sun or partial sun. It is drought tolerant in coastal areas but will appreciate occasional watering in inland warm areas, especially during the summer. This perennial attracts butterflies.

Variegated Japanese Sedge

Common name:Variegated Japanese Sedge
Botanical name:Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'

This low-growing, clumping grass consists of strap-like foliage that have a broad yellow stripe down the center with green margins. This grass needs a medium amount of watering and more during hot summer months. It prefers light shade and part sun. Plant near a water feature. It reaches about 1'-2' tall.

Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper

Common name:Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

This attractive ground cover reaches 1' tall and 6' wide. It is very low, spreading, and mound-like -- resembling a natural bonsai. One of the best Junipers for small garden spaces! Dense evergreen foliage is blue green. This Juniper is great for erosion control, difficult hillsides and in coastal areas. This Juniper can be pruned into a topiary or used for Asian themed gardens. It's great in small spaces. It prefers full to part sun and needs occasional watering once it's established.

Japanese Black Pine

Common name:Japanese Black Pine
Botanical name:Pinus thunbergii

This variety of pine is both rigid and twisted, reaching 12'-20' tall and 10' wide. It has an irregular shape, and the short, contorted branches eventually produce a canopy-shaped tree. Bright green needles are 4" long. New foliage, called candles, are white colored. Cones are oval shaped and brown, about 3" long. This is a great tree for an outdoor Christmas tree or for bonsai. It needs full sun and a moderate amount of water.

Rosemary

Common name:Rosemary
Botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary is hardy in full sun areas where winter temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees F. Rosemary is evergreen and makes a great aromatic hedge, 4'-6' tall and 2' wide. Foliage is used in cooking. Blue flowers appear in summer. This plant is drought tolerant once it's established. Bees love Rosemary!

Amazing Red Flax

Common name:Amazing Red Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Amazing Red'

Phormium 'Amazing Red' is an evergreen perennial. This plant has many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves in a fan pattern, growing 1.5'- 2' tall. Leaves are reddish brown. Flowers are insignificant and bloom infrequently. It does better with occasional watering once it's established.

Designer:

Rock Garden

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:

In general, lawns only need to be watered once every three days.

Check your irrigation controller and reduce watering times if necessary.

Integrated Pest Management:

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