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Red Leaf Japanese Barberry
Natal Plum
Frades or Compact Escallonia
Blue Pacific Shore Juniper
Pony Tail,  Bottle Palm
London Plane Tree
Red Leaf Japanese Barberry

Common name:Red Leaf Japanese Barberry
Botanical name:Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

A thorny, deciduous shrub growing 4'-6' high and as wide, Red Japanese Barberry can be contained with some light pruning. Its purplish-red leaves contrast beautifully against a dark green background.

Natal Plum

Common name:Natal Plum
Botanical name:Carissa macrocarpa

The Natal Plum is a shrub that quickly reaches 2'-7' tall and 10' wide. Stems have thorns. The plant produces a milky sap that may cause allergenic reactions for some folks. Leaves are leathery, glossy and dark green. White, fragrant star shaped flowers bloom in spring, followed by egg shaped fruit that turns red when ripe. Fruit tastes like cranberries! This shrub takes little water once it's established and tolerates heat. It's great for barrier hedges.

Frades or Compact Escallonia

Common name:Frades or Compact Escallonia
Botanical name:Escallonia 'Frades'

The 'Frades' is an evergreen shrub that grows to 6'-8' tall and wide. It is valued for its glossy foliage and clusters of pink flowers. The heaviest bloom period is during spring and fall, with some flowers all year. The Escallonias grow best in sun to part shade, but will tolerate mostly shade if necessary. These plants usually need little or no summer watering. This is the most tolerant of poor drainage of all Escallonia varieties. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Blue Pacific Shore Juniper

Common name:Blue Pacific Shore Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus rigida conferta 'Blue Pacific'

This is the improved form of the Juniperus conferta, as the growth of this variety is more compact, with foliage that is a rich, blue-green color. Junipers are highly combustible plants.

Pony Tail,  Bottle Palm

Common name:Pony Tail, Bottle Palm
Botanical name:Beaucarnea recurvata

This palm-like shrub from the Agave family has a single trunk and grows up to 30' tall. It has thin flat leaves that can grow up to 6' long and only 1" wide. The base is large and distinctive; it usually looks swollen. Mature plants may bloom on a 3'-4' tall stalk.

London Plane Tree

Common name:London Plane Tree
Botanical name:Platanus X acerifolia

London Plane Tree is a fast growing, deciduous tree that reaches a size 40'-80' high by 30'-40' wide. Its leaves are 3-5 lobed, with a width of 4"-10". This plant is tolerant of most soils, smog, dust and reflected heat.

Designer: Pam Pavela

Lawn Substitute No More Mower

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.

Integrated Pest Management:

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