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Splashes of Color
New Zealand Flax
Cape Rush
Goodwin Creek Gray Lavender
Elijah Blue Fescue
White Birch, European White Birch
Mexican Bush Sage
Wulfen Euphorbia
Endress' Cranesbill or Geranium
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.

Cape Rush

Common name:Cape Rush
Botanical name:Chondropetalum tectorum

Chondropetalum tectorum has 3-4 ft. tall stems that shoot out in all directions from the roots. Each stem has papery bracts connected to the endes that turn from tan to dark drown, then fall off. Chondropetalum can grow in marshes, in the ground with regular watering, or in drought conditions.

Goodwin Creek Gray Lavender

Common name:Goodwin Creek Gray Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Gray'

Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Gray' is an evergreen shrub. This dense foliaged plant grows to 2.5-3 ft. high and 3-4 ft. wide, with silvery leaves that are toothed at the tips. Deep violet-blue flowers from spring to late fall.

Elijah Blue Fescue

Common name:Elijah Blue Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca 'Elijah Blue'

The 'Elijah Blue' is a dwarf, very glaucous variety with almost white foliage. It should receive sun and little summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursrey

White Birch, European White Birch

Common name:White Birch, European White Birch
Botanical name:Betula pendula

This medium-size weeping tree will grow to about 40' tall and has a whitish/brown bark with deciduous green leaves. This plant has high water needs when in a full sun situation. It is best used along riparian or pond areas, in wet soils, or on properties with high rainfall or water tables.

Mexican Bush Sage

Common name:Mexican Bush Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3-4 ft. tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, gray-green leaves and velvet like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds. -Cornflower Farms

Wulfen Euphorbia

Common name:Wulfen Euphorbia
Botanical name:Euphorbia characias wulfenii

This perennial will reach about 4' tall and has significant green leaves with clusters of yellow flowers.

Endress' Cranesbill or Geranium

Common name:Endress' Cranesbill or Geranium
Botanical name:Geranium endressii

This handsome tree has near-evergreen leaves which have a long blooming period.

Designer:

Splashes of Color

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 soil moisture below the surface with a soil probe or large screwdriver, trowel or shovel. Don't assume the plants need water just because the soil surface looks dry.

Integrated Pest Management:

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