Common name:California Poppy, 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:Artichoke
Botanical name:Cynara scolymus
This perennial will grow 4' tall and 6'-8' wide. It has silvery green leaves with bluish purple flowers that bloom in spring. Artichoke is a favorite fruit/vegetable of California kitchens but it is a great ornamental plant often overlooked for color contrast. It is very tolerant of little water when planted for ornamental purposes.
Common name:Otto Quast Spanish Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula stoechas 'Otto Quast'
This round shrub will grow to about 3' high and has small, gray green leaves with purple flowers that bloom in summer. It is more prostrate than its parent Lavandula stoechas. The flowers resemble a purple pineapple! 'Otto Quast' is drought tolerant once it is established and cold tolerant to 5 degrees F.
Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens
The Deer Grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like flower stalks grow 2'-3' tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The Deer Grass is native to California and needs watering once or twice a month after it has been established. The more water it has, the greener it is.
Common name:Red Monkey Flower
Botanical name:Mimulus puniceus
Red Monkey Flower is an evergreen shrub 18" to 3' tall with numerous red tubular flowers. It is a California native that is drought tolerant. It attracts hummingbirds. - Cornflower Farms
Common name:Ken Taylor Flannel Bush, Fremontia
Botanical name:Fremontodendron 'Ken Taylor'
This plant is a low mounding, evergreen shrub growing to 3'-4' high and 6' -8' wide. Bright yellow flowers bloom from mid-spring through early summer. Full sun and excellent drainage are required for best health.
Designer: Homeowner | Orange Color Haven |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Check your irrigation controller once a month, and adjust as necessary.
Most plants require only one-third as much water in winter as they do in summer.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.