Common name:California Lilac
Botanical name:Ceanothus 'Dark Star'
The 'Dark Star' grows to 4-6' tall and 6-8' wide, producing small, rounded clusters of dark blule flowers from light burgundy buds that appear in spring. Its habit is compact, with small, warty leaves growing to only 1/2" long. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Common name:Krauter Vasuvius Flowering Plum
Botanical name:Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius'
The 'Krauter Vesuvius' is a smaller growing, flowering plum that grows to 18' high by 12' wide. Its leaves are purple-black throughout the growing season, and the flowers have a light pink color. Some reseeding in riparian areas.
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
Common name:Coast Rosemary
Botanical name:Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'
This evergreen shrub will grow 3-6' high x 6-8' wide and has lavender flowers that bloom February through spring. It is drought tolerant and does well in full sun or partial shade.
Common name:California Fuchsia, Zauschneria
Botanical name:Epilobium canum canum
The California fuchsia is a perennial with dense, narrow, green-grey foliage and red-orange summer flowers. The growth habit of this plant is sprawling and low. The California fuchsia is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds. -Cornflower Farms
Note: More commonly known in the nursery trade as Zauschneria cana or Z. canum.
Designer: Liz Ryan | Vegetable Patch |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Irrigate early in the morning and/or late in the evening to reduce water loss due to evaporation and wind drift.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.