Common name:Deodar Cedar
Botanical name:Cedrus deodara
This fast-growing, coniferous evergreen is capable of reaching a size of 80' high by 40' wide. Its needles are a light, silvery green color, 2" long. Flowers are inconspicuous. Barrel shaped cones appear in fall and winter. Branches are pendulous and spreadings. Plant in area that has ample room for growth.
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.
Common name:Mexican Feather Grass
Botanical name:Nassella tenuissima
The Mexican Fan Grass is a fine, airy grass that is emerald green in color. It has many soft yellow-beige flower stalks in the spring.It is extremely invasive; the California Invasive Plant Council is working to halt commercial sale of this grass because it is taking over natural areas. This grass grows 10"-12" tall , 1'-2' wide, and is drought tolerant.
Common name:Butterfly Iris or Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides
This clumping evergreen iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks to 3' tall, appearing spring through fall. This variety has stiffer, darker foiliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. This is a very reliable plant. Divide every 3-5 years to keep it looking fresh.
Common name:Daylily (hybrid selection)
Botanical name:Hemerocallis hybrids
These summer-blooming perennials form clumps with large, grass-like leaves. Its showy flowers, resembling lilies, are borne in clusters on stems held well above the foliage. Daylilies can be found in many colors: yellow, orange, red, purple, pink or multi-colored. Hemerocallis does better in well-draining soil and with extra summer water. Hemerocallis are very hardy,with few or none pests/problems.
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
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.
Common name:Climbing Rose
Botanical name:Rosa Climbing varieties
With its dark green foliage and fragrant flowers with full and double blooms, this upright shrub is generally grown as a vine or pillar rose. Climbing varieties come in many colors.
Designer: Jody Palmer | Mixed Border |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Apply as little fertilizer as possible.
If you use fertilizer make sure it stays on the landscape, and carefully water it in so there is NO runoff.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.