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Flower Garden
California Sycamore
Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Common Foxglove
Dusty Miller, Silver Groundsel
Summer Lobelia
Eaton Canyon Dwarf Fountain Grass
Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum
Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks
Olive, European Olive
Orchid or Purple Rockrose
Bearded Iris
Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac
Snapdragon
Blue Potato Bush
California Sycamore

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.

Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian

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 Foxglove

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

Dusty Miller, Silver Groundsel

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.

Summer Lobelia

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.

Eaton Canyon Dwarf Fountain Grass

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.

Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum

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.

Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks

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.

Olive, European Olive

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.

Orchid or Purple Rockrose

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

Bearded Iris

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.

Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac

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.

Snapdragon

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.

Blue Potato Bush

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

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:

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:

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