Common name:Bougainvillea selections
Botanical name:Bougainvillea cultivars
This species is hardy and vigorous, with a showy, ornamental display of purple color. It blooms well in areas with cool summers. It is senstive to frost and will die back hard but comes back in a number of weeks. Be carefeul of this in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata
This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.
Common name:Purple Hopseed Bush or Hop Bush
Botanical name:Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'
This fast-growing shrub has an upright, branching habit that reaches a height of 12'-15', with willow-like leaves that are 4" in length. Its foliage is bronzy-green in color, which turns a reddish-purple shade in the fall and winter. It has compact growth and requires full sun for the best results.
Common name:Gloriosa Yucca, Spanish Dagger
Botanical name:Yucca gloriosa
This clumping palm relative will reach 10' to15' tall and has large, green, sword-like leaves with white flowers in spring and summer. Its broad, medium green leaves blend with either tropical or desert theme landscapes.
Common name:Bougainvillea, San Diego Red
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'San Diego Red'
The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. 'San Diego Red' blooms in red, with large green leaves. It is one of the hardiest, and will climb high.
Common name:Coyote Bush
Botanical name:Baccharis pilularis 'Pigeon Point'
Pigeon Point is a compact evergreen groundcover that grows 18-24" tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. It is the preferred form of the Coyote Bush . Its leaves are green and it has white flowers that bloom in the Fall. It is important to plant this groundcover by gallons that are at least 6 -10 ft. apart. Otherwise they will overgrow each other and create a high groundcover. Pigeon Point is tolerant of ocean spray and is deer resistant.
Common name:Mediterranean Tree Mallow
Botanical name:Lavatera maritima
This large, shrubby perennial grows up to 6' and has profuse lavender pink flowers with maroon highlights. From the Mallow family, the flowers are produced year round and are especially showy in the fall.
Common name:Freeway Daisy, Trailing African Dai
Botanical name:Osteospermum fruticosum
This groundcover will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium-sized, green leaves with purple or blue flowers that can bloom all year.
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.