Common name:Japanese Aralia
Botanical name:Fatsia japonica
This evergreen shrub has large, glossy, fan-like leaves that grow to 16" wide. It has a moderate growth rate to a size of 5'-8' that can be kept lower with occasional pruning. It has a very lush, tropical appearance, and grows well in partial shade.
Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus
This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish, daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.
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:Alkali Sacaton
Botanical name:Sporobolus airoides
This winter-dormant drought tolerant grass tolerates a variety of soils including alkaline conditions. Pinkish inflorescence in summer. Best in mass plantings.
Designer: Michael Cook
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.
