Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii
Nepeta faassenii makes soft, grey-green, undulating mounds to 1.5' high in bloom, spreading 3'-4' wide. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in summer. Catmint can be planted in sun or shade and needs medium amount of water. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
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.
Common name:Carnation, Clove Pink
Botanical name:Dianthus caryophyllus
Dianthus caryophyllus is a perennial. It produces double flowers in red, pink, white or yellow in the spring. Bluish green leaves and leafy stems often become woody at the base. It prefers afternoon shade in hot inland areas with alkaline soil. Encourage more blooms by deadheading. Carnations have a faint fragrance and make excellent cut flowers.
Designer: Susan and Pat Price
Photographer: GardenSoft
Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.