Common name:Sticks on Fire Pencil Tree
Botanical name:Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'
In frost free areas, Euphorbia can become a 30' tree but in colder areas, it is often knocked back by frost. It can be single or multiple trunked. It has green cylindrical branches that are about the diameter of a pencil. Leaves are not usually present. Some people are allergic to the sap. It is tolerant of salt, full sun, part shade and quite drought resistant. It is a great accent plant for a container. This form has yellow or orange branches if in full sun.
Common name:Deodar Cedar, Calif. Christmas Tree
Botanical name:Cedrus deodara
This fast-growing, coniferous evergreen is capable of reaching a size of 80' high by 40' wide. Its needles are a light, silvery green color.
Common name:Coast Live Oak
Botanical name:Quercus agrifolia
The Coast Live Oak is an evergreen round headed tree. It can reach 15'-40' high and 20' wide; it grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. It is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Catalina Cherry
Botanical name:Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii
The Catalina cherry is an evergreen tree or shrub that grows 15'-40' high and wide. It develops showy white flowers in the spring and red fruit in the fall. It is resistant to oak root fungus. The Catalina cherry is native to California, is drought tolerant, is a beneficial insect plant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Chinese Wisteria
Botanical name:Wisteria sinensis
While the sinensis is similar to the floribunda, it bears more rounded, full clusters of strongly fragrant flowers which open more or less, all at once. There are usually 13-15 leaflets per leaf, and they require full sun and average to little watering. It comes in many colors in the blues, whites and purples.-Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Japanese Maple
Botanical name:Acer palmatum
This magnificient plant can used as a small tree or shrub. It is deciduous with graceful leaves which have a scarlet color in spring as it leafs out. Leaves later turn orange or yellow in fall. It is slow growing to 20', and requires shelter from the hot sun. The leaves of this tree are small, light green in color, and deeply lobed. It should also be noted that this tree remains spectacular throughout all seasons. It can be used as a bonsai plant.
Designer: Descanso Gardens | Descanso Gardens Pathway |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
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.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.