Common name:Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus
This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.
Common name:Oriental Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum orientale
Oriental Fountain Grass is a clumping, warm-season grass with spectacular pinkish white flowers in summer and sometimes fall. Flower plumes change to light brown. Foliage is a bright green that changes to straw color as winter approaches. This grass is 1'-2.5' tall and wide. It usually does not reseed. This grass is striking if backlit to show off flower plumes.
Common name:Curly Top or Leather Leaf Sedge
Botanical name:Carex buchananii
This orange-bronze ornamental grass/reed is 2-3' tall and 1-2' wide and does best in full sun to part shade. It needs moist soil so plant near a water feature or pond.
Common name:Sea Pink, Common Thrift
Botanical name:Armeria maritima
This clumping, grass-like perennial can be planted in full sun in coastal areas but needs afternoon shade in warm inland areas This CA native has small pink flowers that resemble pom poms that bloom in spring and summer. This cute flower can be used between pavers as it can tolerate light foot traffic. Overall height of plant is about 1' tall. It is drought tolerant near coastal areas but requires more water in hot summer areas.
Common name:Tom Thumb Dwarf Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Tom Thumb'
'Tom Thumb' is a dwarf variety of flax, reaching 1'-2' tall. Evergreen leaves are long, narrow, and arching, reddish bronze margins and dark green mid-ribs. Flowers rarely bloom. It prefers full sun to light shade, with low to moderate watering. More delicate looking than other flaxes.
Common name:Myer's Asparagus
Botanical name:Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'
An evergreen groundcover, the 'Myers' also makes an excellent hanging basket plant when larger in size. Its formal looking fronds have an even, spiral arrangement of leaflets. It is damaged by severe frosts, and looks best with at least occasional watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery
| Designer: Jody Palmer | Private Patio |
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:
Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.
Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.
Integrated Pest Management:
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.