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Strawberry Madrone, Marina Strawber
California Coffee Berry
Toyon, Christmas Berry, Calif. Holl
California Fescue
Red Buckwheat
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

California Coffee Berry

Common name:California Coffee Berry
Botanical name:Rhamnus californica

The California coffeeberry is an evergreen shrub that reaches 6-8 ft. high. It grows inland and has large green to black berries between in late summer. This shrub tolerates sun or partial shade in all soil types. The California coffeeberry is a native to California and is drought tolerant. It is a beneficial insect plant and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms

Toyon, Christmas Berry, Calif. Holl

Common name:Toyon, Christmas Berry, Calif. Holl
Botanical name:Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon is a California native evergreen shrub that grows 8-15ft. high and spreading 2-3ft. It has leathery toothed leaves, white summer flowers and clusters of red winter berries. It tolerates full sun or partial shade, heat, smog, wind and heavy or light soils. It is drought tolerant, attracts beneficial insects and hummingbirds. - Cornflower Farms

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

Red Buckwheat

Common name:Red Buckwheat
Botanical name:Eriogonum grande rubescens

Red Buckwheat is a low growing woody perennial 1-2 ft high and 3 ft. wide. It has showy dark pink summer flowers that stand out against small gray-green foliage. It is a California native that is drought tolerant. It attracts butterflies and benefical insects. - Cornflower Farms

Designer: 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos

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Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch in planting beds to conserve water, suppress weeds, and protect the soil from compaction and erosion.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.