Wild and Woolly

Common name:Silver Cloud Violet Silverleaf
Botanical name:Leucophyllum candidum 'Silver Cloud'

Leucophyllum candidum 'Silver Cloud' is an evergreen shrub. It grows to 5' high and wide, with small white leaves and deep, purple flowers. You will see more blooms after rainfall. This shrub has an irregular shape but looks good in mass plantings if you want contrasting foliage and blooms. It is susceptible to Texas root rot so plant in well drained soil.

Common name:Tree Aloe
Botanical name:Aloe arborescens

This succulent is large, full of branches and produces deep red orange blooms in fall and winter. The flowers produce a nectar that is attractive to many different birds; this plant is grown all over the world. This succulent can reach 8' tall and 5' wide. Leaves are narrow, recurved and tooth margined and can be green or yellowish or blue green, depending on how much sun it receives. It tolerates sun or shade.

Common name:Shrimp Pink Aloe
Botanical name:Aloe saponaria

This succulent plant will grow about 2' high and has large, greenish/white leaves with orange, pink, and red flowers that bloom in spring and fall.

Common name:California Field Sedge
Botanical name:Carex praegracilis

This native Carex can be successfully used as a lawn substitute but requires significant water to obtain good coverage. Once coverage is reached, water can be reduced and maintenance is close to zero. Unmowed, the plant can be used effectively in a variety of conditions and will reach a height of 6" or under and spreads up to 2' by rhizomes.

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:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.