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Aptenia and Friends
Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Red Apple Aptenia (Ice Plant)
Society Garlic
Snow-In-Summer
Blue Pfitzer Juniper
Coast  Live Oak
Crape Myrtle
Tree Roses
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.

Red Apple Aptenia (Ice Plant)

Common name:Red Apple Aptenia (Ice Plant)
Botanical name:Aptenia X cordifolia 'Red Apple'

Aptenis is a herbaceous perennial groundcover with fleshy heart shaped leaves on succulent stems. Tiny, solitary red flowers appear among leaves. Foliage is shiny and bright green. It is salt tolerant and great in containers, planters or hanging baskets. It needs full sun or light shade. Be careful not to overwater. It can die back with heavy frost and will not tolerate foot traffic.

Society Garlic

Common name:Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea

This clumping perennial will grow less than 1' tall and has narrow, blue green leaves. Clusters of lavender flowers bloom in spring and summer. Leaves and flowers have a distinct onion or garlic smell if crushed.

Snow-In-Summer

Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum

Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season.

Blue Pfitzer Juniper

Common name:Blue Pfitzer Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus X pfitzeriana 'Glauca'

Broad, vase-shaped evergreen shrub branches spread and angle upward can get to 20' tall. This Juniper has a moderate growth rate with feathery, gray green foliage. It needs full sun to part sun in the low desert. It is susceptible to mites, bagworms, aphids, and Juniper blight. Junipers are highly combustible plants.

Coast  Live Oak

Common name:Coast Live Oak
Botanical name:Quercus agrifolia

The Coast Live Oak is an evergreen round headed tree. It can reach 15'-40' high and 20' wide; it grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. It is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms

Crape Myrtle

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Its fall color is affected by the weather. While it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The colors of its flowers are shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white. It thrives on heat and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew.

Tree Roses

Common name:Tree Roses
Botanical name:Rosa Tree varieties

Tree roses are actually shrubs that have been grafted or grown in a way that looks like a tree, ie with a trunk. Tree roses can be floribundas, hybrid teas, or grandifloras. They are typically used as specimen plants. Make sure the plant is tied to a stake in case of strong winds.

Designer:

Aptenia and Friends

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.

Integrated Pest Management:

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