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California Greek Garden 28
New Zealand Flax
Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily
Blackstem Pittosporum, Tawhiwhi
Boston Ivy
White Bacopa
Rubber Plant, Rubber Tree
New Zealand Flax

Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.

Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily

Common name:Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides

This clumping evergreen Iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks up to 3' tall. This variety has stiffer, darker foliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Blackstem Pittosporum, Tawhiwhi

Common name:Blackstem Pittosporum, Tawhiwhi
Botanical name:Pittosporum tenuifolium

This medium sized evergreen shrub has medium green leaves with black stems. Its pleasing texture and narrow, upright growth make this a fine hedge or screen. It is easy to grow in soils with good drainage. Many new cultivars are being introduced with smaller, variegated and/or multi-colored foliage.

Boston Ivy

Common name:Boston Ivy
Botanical name:Parthenocissus tricuspidata

This deciduous vine grows leaves that are usually lobed and divided into 3 leaflets. It clings tightly to any surface.

White Bacopa

Common name:White Bacopa
Botanical name:Sutera cordata

White Bacopa is an annual that is used as a groundcover with white flowers. It stays under 12" in height but may spread 3'-4'. White Bacopa is lovely in hanging baskets or borders where it is allowed to spill over. It needs moist, rich soil for flowers to look healthy. It blooms from spring through fall.

Rubber Plant, Rubber Tree

Common name:Rubber Plant, Rubber Tree
Botanical name:Ficus elastica

This evergreen tree will grow 25'-50' tall and has dark green, leathery leaves with rosey pink sheaths.

Designer: Stephanie Blanc

California Greek Garden 28

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.