Tree Garden

Common name:Japanese Boxwood
Botanical name:Buxus microphylla japonica

Japanese Boxwood is often used as a hedge. It is compact, with small bright green leaves. It can reach 4-6' tall and wide or be kept smaller through pruninig. It can be sheared to shape. It does better in areas with milder winters. It prefers full sun and a moderate amount of water.

Common name:English Ivy
Botanical name:Hedera helix

This evergreen vine has dark green leaves with pale green veins. When mature, clusters of small green flowers will bloom followed by black berries. English Ivy is considered invasive in some areas. It is beautiful in hanging baskets, as a ground cover or on difficult shady hillsides.

Common name:Little Princess Japanese Spirea
Botanical name:Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'

The 'Little Princess' is a deciduous shrub with rose blooms in the summer, with overall growth reaching a height of 2'-3' and 6' wide.

Common name:Silver Maple, Soft or White Maple
Botanical name:Acer saccharinum

This fast-growing, equally spreading tree can reach heights of 40-100'. Leaves of 3"-6" in width are five-lobed, with a light green top color and silvery color beneath. The fall color is a mixture of scarlet, orange and yellow. With an aggressive root system, this tree can be hard on sidewalks and sewers. It is, however, one of the best trees for poor soils where few other trees will grow.

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:

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:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.