Garden View Deck

Common name:Oleander
Botanical name:Nerium oleander

Oleander is an evergreen shrub with moderate to fast growth. Leaves are narrow, 4-12 in. long, dark green, leathery, and glossy, attractive in all seasons. Flowers are in clusters on branch ends; blooms from late spring through fall. Warning: poisonous

Common name:Allepo Pine
Botanical name:Pinus halepensis

The Pinus halepensis exhibits moderate growth to 30' or more, with an open, irregular crown. The long needles are doubled and light green in color, with a length of 2 1/2- 4".

Common name:Orchid or Purple Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus X purpureus

Orchid rockrose. 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. A fine choice for a limiting environment of salt spray and cool winds. Relatively long-lived, tolerant of heat and aridity as well as accepting many soil conditions. -Native Sons Nursery

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:

Learn how to use the various features of your irrigation controller.

If you’ve lost the instruction manual for your irrigation timer, find and download a replacement from the Internet.

Integrated Pest Management:

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