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Blue Chairs
Mexican Weeping Bamboo
Japanese Maple
Oriental Fountain Grass
Mexican Feather Grass
Silver Maple, Soft or White Maple
Mexican Weeping Bamboo

Common name:Mexican Weeping Bamboo
Botanical name:Otatea acuminata aztecorum

This exotic clumping bamboo has tall fronds that sway in the wind like a kelp bed forest. This bamboo can reach 20' tall, with canes that are 1.5" in diameter. Canes are covered with light green, thin, narrow leaves which sway in the wind. It rarely blooms. Mexican Weeping Bamboo can be planted in sun or shade and is drought tolerant once it's established. It also tolerates ocean spray.

Japanese Maple

Common name:Japanese Maple
Botanical name:Acer palmatum

This magnificient plant can used as a small tree or shrub. It is deciduous with graceful leaves which have a scarlet color in spring as it leafs out. Leaves later turn orange or yellow in fall. It is slow growing to 20', and requires shelter from the hot sun. The leaves of this tree are small, light green in color, and deeply lobed. It should also be noted that this tree remains spectacular throughout all seasons. (2nd photo courtesy of Steve Mullany)

Oriental Fountain Grass

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.

Mexican Feather Grass

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.

Silver Maple, Soft or White Maple

Common name:Silver Maple, Soft or White Maple
Botanical name:Acer saccharinum

This fast-growing, equally spreading tree can reach heights of 40-100'. Leaves of 3"-6" in width are five-lobed, with a light green top color and silvery color beneath. The fall color is a mixture of scarlet, orange and yellow. With an aggressive root system, this tree can be hard on sidewalks and sewers. It is, however, one of the best trees for poor soils where few other trees will grow.

Designer: Jody Palmer

Blue Chairs

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:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.