Common name:Purple Leaf Acacia
Botanical name:Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'
This cultivar is one of the showiest Acacias for western gardens. It usually grows to 15' in height, with a compact, dense habit; it is one of the first plants to flower, blooming heavily in late winter. It has soft textured leaves that are usually purple/green. It is very drought tolerant and comes from Eastern Australia.
Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus
This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish, daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.
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.
Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax
New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.
Common name:Purple Hopseed Bush or Hop Bush
Botanical name:Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'
This fast-growing shrub has an upright, branching habit that reaches a height of 12'-15', with willow-like leaves that are 4" in length. Its foliage is bronzy-green in color, which turns a reddish-purple shade in the fall and winter. It has compact growth and requires full sun for the best results.
Common name:Gloriosa Yucca, Spanish Dagger
Botanical name:Yucca gloriosa
This clumping palm relative will reach 10' to15' tall and has large, green, sword-like leaves with white flowers in spring and summer. Its broad, medium green leaves blend with either tropical or desert theme landscapes.
Common name:Giant Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia nicolai
This clumping evergreen perennial can reach 25' tall fairly quickly, forming a false trunk from the base of the leaves. The leaves are shaped like bananas, reaching 10' long with the widest part reaching 5' . It does best with fertilizer once a month and rich soil. It does not like wet feet so water only when dry. It can be planted in full sun but will do better if it receives afternoon shade. The flowers can reach a size of 10"-12", but plants need to be a few years old before they will flower.
Common name:Parasol Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum
Parasol Aeonium is an upright succulent with rosette leaf clusters. It forms a mound and can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Common name:Creeping Fig
Botanical name:Ficus pumila
This is one of the few plants that can attach itself securely to wood, masonry, or metal. Because there is no limit to its size, it can overcome an entire buliding. It is most often found in colder climates. This vine will not climb on the south or west walls. This plant is fast growing and can be invasive.
Common name:Hawaiian Elf Schefflera
Botanical name:Schefflera arboricola
This round shrub will grow to 12' tall and has glossy, dark green leaves with white flowers that bloom in summer.
Designer: Katie Cool | Quiet Corner and Bench |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Check your irrigation system for breaks, leaks and problems once a month.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.