Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'
Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves (9 ft. long, to 5 in. wide) in a fan pattern. Leaves are purple red. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of 1-2 in. blossoms in dark red to yellow.
Common name:Ivy Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium peltatum
Clouds of single flowers are produced from spring through fall on this plant, which should be planted in areas that receive part sun. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Dome Euphorbia
Botanical name:Euphorbia characias
This perennial will reach about 4' tall and has blue/green leaves with bright green flowers that bloom from late winter to early spring.
Common name:Coast Beefwood, Mountain She-Oak
Botanical name:Casuarina stricta
This graceful, evergreen tree resembles a pine, and can grow either upright or more rounded with a drooping character. It has fast growth to 35-45'. It is also serves as an excellent windbreak.
Common name:Tricolor Mountain Flax
Botanical name:Phormium cookianum hookeri 'Tricolor'
Standing 6' high, this variety of Phormium is yellow with green and light rose variegation.
Common name:Kanooka Box, Water Gum
Botanical name:Tristaniopsis laurina
This slow-growing, evergreen, multi-trunked tree is 20' tall x 10' wide. It has a dense, rounded crown, yellow flowers that bloom in late spring, and attractive leaves and bark. It requires regular watering.
Common name:Autumn Moor Grass
Botanical name:Sesleria autumnalis
A small, mounding grass with yellow-green leaves that reaches 12" high. In the fall it sends up narrow flower stems that have silvery-white inflorescence. When planted in masses, it has a striking appearance. It is drought tolerant.
Designer: 2660 E Lake Ave., Watsonville | Urban Jungle |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.
Irrigate early in the morning and/or late in the evening to reduce water loss due to evaporation and wind drift.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.