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Native Garden Magic
Cedros Island Verbena
Hummingbird Sage, Pitcher Sage
Deer Grass
Tree Lupine
Strawberry Madrone, Marina Strawber
Powis Castle Artemisia
California Buckeye
California Fescue
Cedros Island Verbena

Common name:Cedros Island Verbena
Botanical name:Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' is a selection introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden. It follows the same wonderful characteristics described under the general species V. lilacina.

Hummingbird Sage, Pitcher Sage

Common name:Hummingbird Sage, Pitcher Sage
Botanical name:Salvia spathacea

The extravagant leaves of this small clumping sage emit a perfectly sweet fragrance, which attracts hummingbirds. In the spring, the red/pink flowering spikes become a deep fuchsia. It is a great plant for dry shade.

Deer Grass

Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

The deer grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike like flower stalks grow 2-3 ft. tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The deer grass is native to California, is drought tolerant, and is a beneficial insect plant. -Cornflower Farms

Tree Lupine

Common name:Tree Lupine
Botanical name:Lupinus arboreus

This shrub has grayish green leaves with flowers come in yellow, blue, or lavender forms and bloom in the spring.

Strawberry Madrone, Marina Strawber

Common name:Strawberry Madrone, Marina Strawber
Botanical name:Arbutus 'Marina'

The 'Marina' has gorgeous bark, with leaves that are smaller and not as glossy as Pacific Madrone. Its flowers are pink, borne in pendant clusters in the summer. The fruit is large, red and quite ornamental. The plant should be grown in sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. The 'Marina' prefers good drainage. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Powis Castle Artemisia

Common name:Powis Castle Artemisia
Botanical name:Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

This mounding shrub reaches 3 ft. high and up to 5ft. wide with fine silver foliage. - Cornflower Farms

California Buckeye

Common name:California Buckeye
Botanical name:Aesculus californica

The Aesculus californica is a tree with a year-round interest. Creamy pink or white flowers bloom in the spring, and when late summer arrives, these leaves drop to unveil pear-shaped fruits.

California Fescue

Common name:California Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca californica

The California fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue-green blades that reach 2 ft. high. The flower stalks are 5 ft. tall and create fountain-like clumps. This grass is drought tolerant for sun and shade. The California fescue is native to California and is a beneficial insect plant. -Cornflower Farms

Designer: 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos

Native Garden Magic

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 systems at least once per month (or after each mowing).

Monitor each cycle to identify obvious problems and to confirm that all of the components are functioning properly.

Contact your water agency for assistance.

Integrated Pest Management:

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