Common name:Freeway Daisy, Trailing African Dai
Botanical name:Osteospermum fruticosum
This groundcover-small shrub will grow 1' tall, spreading 4' in a year. It has medium-size green leaves with lavender that have a dark purple center. The flower color changes to white the next day! The flowers bloom in fall and winter but in mild coastal areas, may bloom all year. It needs well draining soil. This plant looks great on a hillside or in a hanging basket.
Common name:Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo Tree
Botanical name:Ginkgo biloba
The Ginkgo biloba, with its distinct fan-shaped leaves, initially grows with a pyramidal habit, but later becomes wide-spreading. It is generally not bothered by insects or disease. It slowly reaches 35'-50' tall and wide. It needs regular watering and more during hot summer months. Flowers are inconspicuous. Fall color is spectacular with changing color of leaves from light green with a yellow tinge to yellow.
Common name:Pacific Coast Irises
Botanical name:Iris Pacific Coast Hybrid
These Irises are 6"-18" tall and have clumps of grass-like foliage. The flowers are 3"-4" across, good cut flowers, and vary from white, yellow, lavender, purple, blue, and reddish purple.
Common name:Blue Fescue, Blue Fescue Grass
Botanical name:Festuca glauca
This ground cover/grass will grow less than 1' tall and has small, blue-green, evergreen leaves that are very thin and hair-like. Flowers appear in the summer but are insignificant. This dependable ground cover prefers full sun in coastal areas and afternoon shade in warm inland areas. It needs well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. Leaves may burn during the summer but trim in winter to keep it looking refreshed.
Common name:Blue Rug Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'
This prostrate ground cover is valued for its silver, blue-green foliage which remains a constant blue color through winter. It is useful on slopes and when draped over walls. It quickly spreads 6'-8' wide, only reaching 6" tall. It prefers full sun and is cold tolerant. This conifer is great for erosion control and looks great in rock gardens. It needs occasional watering once it's established.
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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.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.