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LA Arboretum Main 16
Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage
Powis Castle Artemisia
Australian Grass Tree
Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Endress' Cranesbill
Hybrid Daylily (various)
Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry
Red Ironbark, Pink Ironbark
Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage

Common name:Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' 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

Powis Castle Artemisia

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

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

Australian Grass Tree

Common name:Australian Grass Tree
Botanical name:Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

This grassy perennial will eventually grow to 15' high. It is a tree-like plant. Foliage is fiber optic looking with linear green leaves that are 2'-4' long and shimmer in the wind. The long flowering stalk resembles a jousting lance and is a stunning accent plant. Tall grasses are highly combustible.

Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Endress' Cranesbill

Common name:Endress' Cranesbill
Botanical name:Geranium endressii

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

Hybrid Daylily (various)

Common name:Hybrid Daylily (various)
Botanical name:Hemerocallis hybrids

These summer-blooming perennials form clumps with large, grass-like leaves. Its showy flowers, resembling lilies, are borne in clusters on stems held well above the foliage. They prefer full sun to light shade, well draining soil that is slightly acidic and rich. They do better with deep watering once a week. Daylilies make excellent cut flowers. Apply a layer of compost every fall.

Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry

Common name:Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry
Botanical name:Prunus caroliniana 'Compacta'

This large evergreen shrub or small tree has leaves that are glossy and 2"-4" in length. It is excellent as a formal hedge or an informal screen. It has creamy white flowers in late winter and spring followed by small black berries. 'Compacta' reaches 8'-10' tall and 6'-8' wide and tends to be more dense.

Red Ironbark, Pink Ironbark

Common name:Red Ironbark, Pink Ironbark
Botanical name:Eucalyptus sideroxylon

This evergreen tree may reach a height of 60'-75'. It has slender, lance-shaped leaves found on somewhat pendulous branches. The bark is a deep red-brown color. In the winter, the leaves turn a reddish-pink color. Flowers are red to pink. This tree needs full sun.

Designer: LA Arboretum

LA Arboretum Main 16

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.

Integrated Pest Management:

Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.