Common name:Lamb's Ear
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina
This tiny shrub will grow less than 1' tall and has medium-size, greyish-green leaves with blue and lavender flowers that bloom in the spring. This shrub is grown more for its velvety leaves than the flowers. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Be careful not to overwater.
Common name:Ruby King Penstemon (deep pink)
Botanical name:Penstemon 'Ruby King'
Penstemon 'Ruby King' is an attractive perennial, reaching 3' tall. Red tubular flowers appear in summer and fall. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. Evergreen leaves are pointed and bright green. Penstemons need well draining soil and full sun in coastal areas. It prefers afternoon shade in warm inland areas. It is not cold hardy. It is usually short lived (3-4 years) but well worth the effort for the spectacular blooms.
Common name:Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea
Botanical name:Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'
And upright shrub with large maple like leaves. It has a very graceful form and it has wonderful white flowers in the spring. The plant is worth adding for the foliage alone but the blooms are to die for.
Common name:Chinese Pistache
Botanical name:Pistacia chinensis
The Pistacia chinensis is a deciduous tree with broad, spreading growth to 50' in height. Its leaves have 10-16 leaflets, and the fall coloring arrives in beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. Prune young trees to shape. This tree does not have edible nuts. Female trees have tiny red fruit, turning dark blue. It prefers full sun and deep, infrequent waterings. This is a great street or park tree.
Designer: Dave Roberts Landscape
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.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.