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View from the Table
Barbara Karst Red Bougainvillea
Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy
Purple Needle Bunch Grass
Washington Thorn
Myer's Asparagus
Kangaroo Paws, Red
Barbara Karst Red Bougainvillea

Common name:Barbara Karst Red Bougainvillea
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. The 'Barbara Kost' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms in summer and fall.

Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy

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.

Purple Needle Bunch Grass

Common name:Purple Needle Bunch Grass
Botanical name:Nassella pulchra

The Needle Grass is a cool season bunchgrass that grows 1'-3' tall with graceful, shiny silver tan flower stalks that reach 30" long in the spring. This grass is tolerates drought and is good in mass plantings and for restoration. Purple seed heads give this grass its common name. The Needle Grass is California's State Grass and is a beneficial insect plant.

Washington Thorn

Common name:Washington Thorn
Botanical name:Crataegus phaenopyrum

This deciduous tree grows to a height of 20' tall and wide, with glossy green leaves 2"-3" long and 3-5 pointed lobes. In the spring, small white clusters of flowers appear. Some folks say the flowers are malodorous. Thorns appear on the twigs during the growing season. Shiny green fruit turns orange when ripe in the fall. Fruit can be made into jellies. Birds love them too.

Myer's Asparagus

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

Kangaroo Paws, Red

Common name:Kangaroo Paws, Red
Botanical name:Anigozanthos hybrids

This tender perennial is a clump-forming evergreen that produces fuzzy, yellow green flowers that bloom in spring and last for over 2 months. Many sizes and varieties are available including yellow and pink flowers.

Designer: Jody Palmer

View from the Table

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:

Group plants in your garden according to their water needs (hydrozone).

Integrated Pest Management:

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