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Path Through Diversity
California Pepper, Mission Pepper
New Zealand Flax
Century Plant, Maguey
Strawberry Madrone, Marina Strawber
Red Fringe Flower
Pride Of Madeira
Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum
Trailing Germander
Coast Redwood
Johnson's Blue Cranesbill
California Pepper, Mission Pepper

Common name:California Pepper, Mission Pepper
Botanical name:Schinus molle

The California Pepper is a fast-growing evegreen tree that will mature to a height of 25-40' and as wide. Its bright green leaves are divided into many narrow, 1 1/2-2" long leaflets. Naturalizes.

New Zealand Flax

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.

Century Plant, Maguey

Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

Fast growing to about 6-10' tall x 8-13' wide. Wide, grey leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. Prefers full sun and well-drained situations. Prone to agave snout weevil which will eat the roots and heart out. After blooming, which could take several years. it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted. Naturalizes.

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

Red Fringe Flower

Common name:Red Fringe Flower
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinese 'Rubrum'

Red Fringe Flower is a 6-12' shrub with arching branches and light green and reddish leaves .

Pride Of Madeira

Common name:Pride Of Madeira
Botanical name:Echium candicans

Mature specimens of this evergren shrub can grow to a size of 6'-8' tall and 8'-10' wide. In the spring, spikes of rosy-violet to blue-purple flowers appear. It should receive sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. This plant can be severely damaged by frost below 25 degrees F. Reseeds vigorously.

Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum

Common name:Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum
Botanical name:Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf'

This handsome dwarf form of the Pittosporum tobira grows into a low, dense mound that is covered with glossy, evergreen foliage.

Trailing Germander

Common name:Trailing Germander
Botanical name:Teucrium X lucidrys

This mini-shrub with small, shiny, dark green leaves on woody stems can be sheared and shaped. The stems trail and rise to 24", with lovely reddish-purple flowers between the upper leaves. It can be used as a low hedge plant in herbal knot gardens. To encourage branching, it should be pruned in the spring. -Holland WIldflower Farm

Coast Redwood

Common name:Coast Redwood
Botanical name:Sequoia sempervirens

This fast-growing, aromatic tree has soft, dark green foliage with long needles appearing in flat sprays and brown, barrel-shaped cones that appear after 1 year. Its soft, red-brown bark is fiberous and furrowed. Particularly after mechanical damage, this tree will stump sprout to form new, young trees around the stump. Avoid planting in areas of high foot traffic.

Johnson's Blue Cranesbill

Common name:Johnson's Blue Cranesbill
Botanical name:Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

This herbaceous perennial is a favorite among geranium lovers. It grows up to 18" tall and 2'-3' wide. Saucer-like violet-blue flowers bloom from spring through fall. The leaves are bright green, finely cut and quite divided. Plant in full sun or half sun. Looks good in rock gardens, borders and containers.

Designer: Barbara Jackel Landscape Dsgn

Path Through Diversity

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:

Use water saving equipment, e.g. rain or soil-moisture sensors, MP rotator nozzles, weather-based controllers, and low-volume irrigation (drip systems, soaker hoses, and microsprayers).

Integrated Pest Management:

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