Common name:Blue Atlas Cedar
Botanical name:Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'
As a large, slow-growing conifer, this tree requires ample room for growth. Its needles are 1" long, and its foliage (needles) is a beautiful shade of silvery blue. In order to develop its best color, the tree needs to be exposed to full sun. It can reach up to 40' tall.
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.
Common name:California or Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica
This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue-green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
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.
Common name:Limelight Strawflower
Botanical name:Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight'
This shrub will grow 1'-2' high and 4'-6' wide.It has velvety chartreuse (yellow green) leaves. It does well in part sun and light shade with well draining soil. This shrub is also used as a ground cover and looks great in shady dry corners of the garden. This plant lives for about 2 years. Prune to keep it tidy.
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:Sunburst Honey Locust
Botanical name:Gleditsia triacanthos inermis 'Sunburst'
This beautiful deciduous tree has tiny, yellow leaflets in spring, changing to lime green in summer, then golden in fall. It has an oval and pyramidal shape reaching 40' tall and 30' wide. Flowers are considered insignificant. This tree is used in urban areas as it tolerates heat, smog, drought, occasional flooding and saline soils.
Common name:Rose selected cultivars
Botanical name:Rosa species
These shrubs and vines are the most-loved in the West and are very resilient. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors and are easy to maintain with proper care. Roses can be espaliered or used on a trellis or as shrubs along walkways. Some are fragrant; most have thorns.
Designer: Jody Palmer | Lots of Layers |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Group plants in your garden according to their water needs (hydrozone).
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.