Common name:California Sycamore
Botanical name:Platanus racemosa
The California Sycamore is a fast growing deciduous tree that reaches up to 40'-50' high. It tolerates heat, smog, as well as moist conditions; it is native to riparian areas. It can be drought tolerant once it's established if there is a high water table. It has interesting mottled bark when the tree is bare in winter. Leaves in fall are gold, red and orange, creating litter. It is beautiful all year round.
Common name:Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Botanical name:Centranthus ruber
This perennial groundcover will grow 1'-3' high and has medium-size blue/green leaves with red, pink, or white flowers that bloom in the summer.
Common name:Common Foxglove
Botanical name:Digitalis purpurea
This biennial foxglove will reach up to 4' when blooming in the early summer. The large spire of huge, bell-shaped flowers ranges from purple to pink to cream with purple specks. Large, textured leaves form an attractive rosette until bloom time. The plant likes a moist, filtered-sun area similar to the Lobelias and Columbines. -Holland Wildflower Farm
Common name:Dusty Miller, Silver Groundsel
Botanical name:Senecio cineraria
The Dusty Miller exhibits growth to 1' or more, with velvet gray leaves that have broad, roundish lobes. Yellow flower heads appear through the middle of the plant during most months of the year. Cut heads back occasionally to encourage bushiness.
Common name:Summer Lobelia
Botanical name:Lobelia erinus
This short ground cover has small green leaves with blue or red flowers that bloom in the summer and fall.
Common name:Eaton Canyon Dwarf Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum 'Eaton Canyon'
This grass will grow 2'-3' tall and has red or bronze colored stems that are very slender and topped with red purple whips.
Common name:Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum
Botanical name:Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius'
The 'Krauter Vesuvius' is a smaller growing, flowering plum that grows to 18' high by 12' wide. Its leaves are purplish black throughout the growing season, and the flowers have a light pink color.
Common name:Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks
Botanical name:Dianthus caryophyllus
Dianthus caryophyllus is a perennial. It produces double flowers, bluish green leaves, and leafy stems that often become woody at the base.
Common name:Olive, European Olive
Botanical name:Olea europaea
This broad tree will grow to 40' tall and has small, gray green leaves with fleshy black fruit that appears in fall.
Common name:Orchid or Purple Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus X purpureus
Orchid rockrose is an evergreen shrub growing to 4' tall and wide, often shorter in stressful situations. The rosy-crimson flowers to 3" wide exhibit a dark purple blotch at the base of each petal, and bloom early to mid-summer. The flowers also feature a contrasting yellow cluster of stamens in the center. It does well in salt spray and cool winds. It is relatively long-lived, tolerant of heat and aridity as well as accepting many soil conditions. -Native Sons Nursery
Common name:Bearded Iris
Botanical name:Iris Bearded Hybrids
This perennial will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium sized, blue green leaves with flowers of different colors that bloom in spring. It needs well draining soil and full sun. Many are fragrant and rebloom several times a year. Plant rhizomes in Sept or Oct. They need water once a week during the hot spells. Top dress with compost and gypsum in January and August.
Common name:Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac
Botanical name:Buddleja davidii
Butterfly bush is a fast growing deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub ranging from 3' up to 10', with an open, rangy growth habit. It should be cut back nearly to the ground in fall for size control and appearance. Purple, pink, white or red flowers appear in spring and summer, attracting butterflies. This shrub looks great in mass plantings.
Common name:Snapdragon
Botanical name:Antirrhinum majus
This annual will grow 1'-3' tall and has dark green leaves accented by red, orange, yellow, pink, and white flowers.
Common name:Blue Potato Bush
Botanical name:Lycianthes rantonnetii
This plant will grow 6 x 8' wide and produces beautiful purple flowers tha bloom all year. It does best in full sun and is very drought tolerant.
Designer: Homeowner | Flower Garden |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
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.