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Gallery: Mediterranean Gardens

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Color and Texture
Century Plant, Maguey
Lamb's Ears Silver Carpet
Mendocino Reed Grass
Giant Catmint
Ivy Geranium
Torch Lily Improved
Yellow Margin Century Plant
Flamingo Eulalia Grass
Century Plant, Maguey

Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Lamb's Ears Silver Carpet

Common name:Lamb's Ears Silver Carpet
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'

This variety of Lamb's Ears does not produce flowers worthy of having. It is grown for the beautiful, soft, silver gray foliage.

Mendocino Reed Grass

Common name:Mendocino Reed Grass
Botanical name:Calamagrostis foliosa

This tufted perennial bunchgrass is native to the Northern California coastal scrub. It forms a beautiful, dense mound of grey-green leaves that reach 2' tall, with showy arching buff colored flower stalks to 3' tall in spring and summer. Reed Grass foliage turn into an attractive purple coloration in the fall and winter. This evergreen should be grown under sun, with little or no summer watering required. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Giant Catmint

Common name:Giant Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'

From the early summer and into the fall, this aromatic plant will bloom with grey-green foliage and lavender blue flowers. This perennial grows from 30" to reach a height and width of 3'. It is tolerant of both humidity and drought. This perennial is effective when grown below roses, as a filler in perennial gardens, and as an edging plant. It also is complemented by pines and pale yelow flowers. The perennial should be placed in a well-drained location.

Ivy Geranium

Common name:Ivy Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium peltatum

Clouds of single flowers are produced from spring through fall on This perennial, which should be planted in areas that receive protection from afternoon sun in warm inland areas. Ivy geranium reaches 2' tall and spreads to 3' wide. Leaves are shaped like ivy leaves, thus its common name. Flowers bloom from spring through fall in pink, white, red or violet. It looks great in containers as it spills over. Deadhead to encourage more blooming and keep plant bushy.

Torch Lily Improved

Common name:Torch Lily Improved
Botanical name:Kniphofia hybrids

This perennial will grow to about 6' tall and has large green, grass-like leaves with red, orange, and yellow tubular flowers that bloom in summer. Flowers resemble tiki torches. Hummingbirds love the flowers.

Yellow Margin Century Plant

Common name:Yellow Margin Century Plant
Botanical name:Agave americana v. marginata

This form has a creamy yellow margin around the edge of the leaves and will grow 6-10' x 13' . It is a native to Mexico, and has a very open growth habit with leaves that recurve along their length. Susceptible to Agave Snout Weevil. Has stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base.

Flamingo Eulalia Grass

Common name:Flamingo Eulalia Grass
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis 'Flamingo'

These deciduous grasses grow from 4'-7' tall, and often turn orange or dark red before going dormant. Tall, showy spikes of feathery, curved seed heads are borne and retained well into the winter or the following spring. It should receive sun to part shade, and average to little summer watering. Tall grasses are highly combustible. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Designer: Mark Lewis

Color and Texture
Image: 14 of 18

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:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.