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Raised Porch
English Ivy
Blue Oat Grass
Cushion Dusty Miller, Silver Ground
Big-Leaf Maple, Oregon or Canyon Ma
English Ivy

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.

Blue Oat Grass

Common name:Blue Oat Grass
Botanical name:Helictotrichon sempervirens

The blue oat grass is an evergreen blue clumping grass that grows 12"-18" tall and wide. Its showy flowers are 1'-2' above the foliage. This plant looks good alone as well as in mass plantings. The blue oat grass likes dry hill sides and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Cushion Dusty Miller, Silver Ground

Common name:Cushion Dusty Miller, Silver Ground
Botanical name:Senecio cineraria

The Dusty Miller grows to 2'-3' tall and wide, with velvety gray leaves that have broad, roundish lobes. Yellow flowers heads appear in summer and sometimes, intermittently. Dead head occasionally to encourage bushiness. Use foliage for cut flower arrangements. It prefers full sun and medium amount of watering. It is not frost hardy.

Big-Leaf Maple, Oregon or Canyon Ma

Common name:Big-Leaf Maple, Oregon or Canyon Ma
Botanical name:Acer macrophyllum

This fast-growing deciduous tree grows to 90 feet in height with a 45' spread. It is a coastal and inland native which flourishes on north facing slopes. It has very large leaves, 6-15 in. wide, that offer spectacular yellow fall color in cool areas. It is found in streambanks and canyons and should only be used in areas that are naturally moist. -Cornflower Farms

Designer: Loreen Willenberg Earth Tender

Raised Porch

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:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

Integrated Pest Management:

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