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: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. Very weedy near coast.
Common name:Bearded Iris
Botanical name:Iris Bearded Hybrids
This perennial will grow 1-3' tall and has medium-size blue/green leaves with wonderful flowers that come in a variety of colors.
Common name:Shrub Rose
Botanical name:Rosa Shrub varieties
The dark green, heavily veined leaves of this bushy rugosa are strong support for the pure white, nearly double flowers it produces. This is a very tolerant, heavily scented plant with an impressive fall color. Also, large hips appear intermittently with this plant.
Designer: Gregory Lewis Landscape Archit | Waving Phormiums |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.
Check soil moisture below the surface with a soil probe or large screwdriver, trowel or shovel. Don't assume the plants need water just because the soil surface looks dry.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.