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Western Back Gate
Mission Fig
Kleinia
White Birch, European White Birch
Lily of the Nile
Sandankwa  Viburnum
Red New Zealand Flax
Mission Fig

Common name:Mission Fig
Botanical name:Opuntia ficus-indica

This Opuntia is more tree-like than other types; it grows to15' tall. It usually has no spines but some glochids can be found. Flowers are yellow to orange in late spring and early summer. Fruit is edible. It does best in full sun and is frost sensitive. It needs well drained soil. The major pest and source of the red dye cochineal comes from a scale.

Kleinia

Common name:Kleinia
Botanical name:Senecio mandraliscae

This succulent perennial will grow to about 1.5' tall and 2' wide. It has curved, bluish gray leaves that are about 3.5" long and very slender.

White Birch, European White Birch

Common name:White Birch, European White Birch
Botanical name:Betula pendula

This medium-size weeping tree will grow to about 40' tall and has a whitish/brown bark with deciduous green leaves.

Lily of the Nile

Common name:Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis

This evergreen groundcover/shrub will grow about 3' tall and has large green leaves with blue flowers ( there is also a white variety) that bloom in spring and summer. It will grow in all soils but prefers loam soil.

Sandankwa  Viburnum

Common name:Sandankwa Viburnum
Botanical name:Viburnum suspensum

This broad-spreading evergreen produces dense, glossy foliage that is 4" long and oval in shape. Open, loose clusters of white flowers with a rose tint bloom in spring and summer. This shrub serves as a good specimen, hedge, or screen. This variety should be grown under sun or partial shade.

Red New Zealand Flax

Common name:Red New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Rubrum'

New Zealand Flax is an excellent accent plant for the garden. Evergreen leaves are long, narrow, and grow upright. Clusters of flowers grow on spikes above the foliage in late spring and summer. 'Rubrum' is a large, bold plant with stiff, vertical, strap-like leaves that arise from its base and are dark purplish red in color. It should be grown in full sun.

Designer:

Western Back Gate

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

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:

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