Common name:Purple or Gray Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucophylla
The Purple Sage is an evergreen shrub that grows 2'-3' tall and 5'-6' wide. It has white stems and leaves and light purple flowers that bloom between May and June. This shrub tolerates heat and drought. The Purple Sage is a California native.
Common name:California Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca californica
The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue green blades that reach 2'-5' high and 3' wide. Foliage arches gracefully upwards and outwards. Flower spikes reach 3' above the leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It makes a great companion plant to oak trees and is handsome as a backdrop behind lower growing grasses for a meadow look. The California fescue is native to California and is a beneficial insect plant. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Dwarf Coyote Brush or Chaparral Bro
Botanical name:Baccharis piluraris 'Twin Peaks'
Complete with a strong, dense root system which clings attractively to slopes, this makes for an excellent low maintenance ground cover. In addition, it has no messy seeds.
Common name:Atlas Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca mairei
Festuca mairei is a mounding grass that grows to 2-3'H x 2-3'W. The foliage is yellowish green and often browns at the tips. Is considered drought tolerant but performs better (stays greener) with fairly regular summer irrigation. Rarely blooms in the landscape in Southern California. Basically carefree.
Common name:Chinese or Evergreen Elm
Botanical name:Ulmus parvifolia
This evergreen tree will grow about 40'-60' tall and 50'-70' wide. It has leathery, dark green leaves and round fruit in the fall. It grows quickly to provide a beautiful shade tree. Bark exfoliates in the winter providing various colors. Foliage turns yellow, gold, orange, red or purple. This tree is lovely all year round but tends to be messy with falling fruit.
Common name:Elija Blue Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca glauca 'Elija Blue'
The 'Elijah Blue' is a dwarf variety with gray blue (but sometimes white-looking) foliage. It should receive sun and little summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursrey
Designer: Unknown | Wildlife Habitat Garden 19 |
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.
Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.