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Lavender Loveliness
Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum
Mediterranean Tree Mallow
Hidcote English Lavender
Boston Ivy
Red New Zealand Flax
Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Olive, European Olive
Rhaphiolepis  Ballerina
Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry
Garden or Common Geranium
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.

Mediterranean Tree Mallow

Common name:Mediterranean Tree Mallow
Botanical name:Lavatera maritima

This large, shrubby perennial grows up to 6' and has profuse lavender pink flowers with maroon highlights. From the Mallow family, the flowers are produced year round and are especially showy in the fall.

Hidcote English Lavender

Common name:Hidcote English Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'

This is a slow growing lavender that grows to 1' tall with deep purple flowers. It is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. -Cornflower Farms

Boston Ivy

Common name:Boston Ivy
Botanical name:Parthenocissus tricuspidata

This deciduous vine grows leaves that are usually lobed and divided into 3 leaflets. It clings tightly to any surface.

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.

Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst

Common name:Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. The 'Barbara Karst' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms early and long.

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.

Rhaphiolepis  Ballerina

Common name:Rhaphiolepis Ballerina
Botanical name:Rhaphiolepis indica 'Ballerina'

This small shrub will grow 2' tall and 4' wide. It has small, dark green leaves that get a red tint in the winter and deep pink flowers that bloom fall through spring.

Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry

Common name:Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry
Botanical name:Prunus caroliniana 'Compacta'

This large evergreen shrub or small tree has leaves that are glossy and 2"-4" in length. It is excellent as a formal hedge or an informal screen. It has creamy white flowers in late winter and spring followed by small black berries. 'Compacta' reaches 8'-10' tall and 6'-8' wide and tends to be more dense.

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.

Designer: Anon

Lavender Loveliness

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:

Check your irrigation controller once a month, and adjust as necessary.

Most plants require only one-third as much water in winter as they do in summer.

Integrated Pest Management:

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