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Gravel Nature Walk
White Gaura
Red Fountain Grass
Crape Myrtle
Coast Redwood, Redwood
Eulalia Grass, Japanese Silver Gras
Flamingo Green Eulalia Grass
Blue Fescue, Blue Fescue Grass
White Gaura

Common name:White Gaura
Botanical name:Gaura lindheimeri

White Gaura is a profusely flowering perennial for all zones that grows 2'-4' high. It has pink buds that open to showy white flowers in spring and fall. It needs full sun and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Red Fountain Grass

Common name:Red Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum 'Rubrum'

This grass will reach 6' high and has deciduous, purplish/red leaves with clusters of purple flowers that appear in summer and fall.

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.

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.

Eulalia Grass, Japanese Silver Gras

Common name:Eulalia Grass, Japanese Silver Gras
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is popular ornamental grass. Red flowers are held well above foliage clumps, appearing in summer, and may be cut for fresh or dry arrangements. Miscanthus needs full sun and watering at least once a week and more during hot summers. Foliage is variegated, with a thin white band down the center. This grass does great in coastal as well as warm inland valleys.

Flamingo Green Eulalia Grass

Common name:Flamingo Green Eulalia Grass
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis 'Flamingo'

These deciduous grasses grow from 4-5' tall, and often turn rose colored in fall before going dormant. Tall, showy spikes of feathery, pink, curved seed heads and flower panicles appear in summer. It should receive sun to part shade with little to regular summer watering. It is deer resistant. Flowers are great for arrangements.

Blue Fescue, Blue Fescue Grass

Common name:Blue Fescue, Blue Fescue Grass
Botanical name:Festuca glauca

This ground cover/grass will grow less than 1' tall and has small, blue-green, evergreen leaves that are very thin and hair-like. Flowers appear in the summer but are insignificant. This dependable ground cover prefers full sun in coastal areas and afternoon shade in warm inland areas. It needs well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. Leaves may burn during the summer but trim in winter to keep it looking refreshed.

Designer:

Gravel Nature Walk

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 the soil's moisture level before watering.

You can reduce your water use 20-50% by regularly checking the soil before watering.

Integrated Pest Management:

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