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Dry Creek Bed
Canary Island Pine
Chinese Elm, Chinese Evergreen Elm
Pacific Wax Myrtle
Crape Myrtle
Canary Island Pine

Common name:Canary Island Pine
Botanical name:Pinus canariensis

This graceful, slender-growing pine has a pyramidal form, reaching 50'-70' tall. Its needles are 12" long and drooping in bundles of 3. The foliage is a blue-green color, maturing to a dark green shade. Needles do drop periodically, creating litter. Flowers are insignificant. Cones appear in the spring.

Chinese Elm, Chinese Evergreen Elm

Common name:Chinese Elm, Chinese Evergreen Elm
Botanical name:Ulmus parvifolia

Chinese Elm quickly reaches 50' tall and 60' wide with an upright habit and spreading pendulous branches with age. Chinese Elm has small, dark green leaves. Foliage turns yellow or orange in fall. Small, greenish yellow flower appear in summer but are considered insignificant. Small light brown fruit appear in fall. Bark is brown gray but with maturity, exfoliates to reveal orange patterns.

Pacific Wax Myrtle

Common name:Pacific Wax Myrtle
Botanical name:Myrica californica

This large shrub can reach 10'-30' tall and has glossy, apple green leaves that turn dark green with maturity. Tiny yellow insignificant flowers appear in summer, followed by purple berries that attract birds. Used very effectively as a screen and is wind and ocean spray tolerant. Leaves are aromatic.

Crape Myrtle

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.

Designer: Jody Palmer

Dry Creek Bed

Photographer: GardenSoft

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:

Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.