Hotlinks:
ADD
Spanish Style Gate
Martha Washington or Regal Geranium
Pygmy Date Palm, Roebelin Palm
Garden or Common Geranium
Crape Myrtle
Hybrid Tea Rose (selections)
Martha Washington or Regal Geranium

Common name:Martha Washington or Regal Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium X domesticum

Pelargonium X domesticum is a shrubby perennial but treated as an annual. It is erect as well as spreading to 3' tall and wide. Leaves are heart shaped to kidney-shaped, dark green, and 2"-4" wide. Flowers are large and showy, found in white, pink, red, lavender, and purple with brilliant blotches and markings of darker colors. This plant blooms in throughout warm weather. It does well in regions of warm dry days and cool evenings with mild (no frost) winters. It needs well draining soil.

Pygmy Date Palm, Roebelin Palm

Common name:Pygmy Date Palm, Roebelin Palm
Botanical name:Phoenix roebelenii

This tree will grow to about 10' tall and has dark green, spiny petiole foliage. It does well in full sun to heavy shade; it likes moderate to heavy irrigation, but can take periods of dryness.

Garden or Common Geranium

Common name:Garden or Common Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium X hortorum

Pelargonium X hortorum is a shrubby, succulent perennial stemmed to 3' or more. Round or kidney-shaped leaves are velvety and hairy, soft to the touch, aromatic, with edges distinctly lobed and scalloped toothed. Single and double flowers are flatter and smaller than those of Pelargonium domesticum variety, but clusters bear more blossoms.

Crape Myrtle

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Its fall color is affected by the weather. While it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The colors of its flowers are shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white. It thrives on heat and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew.

Hybrid Tea Rose (selections)

Common name:Hybrid Tea Rose (selections)
Botanical name:Rosa Hybrid Tea varieties

These shrubs and vines are the most loved in the Western USA and are very resilient. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors and are easy to maintain with proper care. They can be used in a water-conserving garden with careful attention to irrigation practices.

Designer: Anon

Spanish Style Gate

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:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.