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Tour: Fair Oaks Demonstration Garden

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Garden Overview
Lamb's Ear
Butterfly Iris or Fortnight Lily
CatMint
Provence Lavender
Purple or Gray Sage
Lamb's Ear

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.

Butterfly Iris or Fortnight Lily

Common name:Butterfly Iris or 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 to 3' tall, appearing spring through fall. This variety has stiffer, darker foiliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. This is a very reliable plant. Divide every 3-5 years to keep it looking fresh.

CatMint

Common name:CatMint
Botanical name:Nepeta faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, grey-green, undulating mounds to 1.5' high in bloom. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring, and early summer.

Provence Lavender

Common name:Provence Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula X intermedia 'Provence'

With tall, 24"-30" stems, 'Provence' has true, lavender-colored flowers that are fragrant and excellent for cutting. It flowers in early June and has large, grey-green leaves.

Purple or Gray Sage

Common name:Purple or Gray Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucophylla

The Purple Sage is an evergreen shrub that grows 2'-3' tall by 5'-6' wide. It has white tomentose stems and leaves and light purple flowers blooming in late spring. This shrub tolerates heat and drought. The purple sage is a CA native, preferring full sun. Do not overwater. This Sage is great for covering difficult slopes. Foliage is aromatic.

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Garden Overview
Image: 11 of 12

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:

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