Common name:Germander Sage
Botanical name:Salvia chamaedryoides
Low mounding perennial with long bloom spreads by underground runners. Produces a small, silvery foliage which serves as a background for bright blue flowers. Bruised leaves have spicy fragrance. Native to eastern Mexico 7-9000' in desert habitat Grows to mature size of 2' tall and wide. Heaviest bloom in spring and early fall, intermittent throughout the rest of the season. Full sun, well drained site. No fertilizer. Drought tolerant.
Common name:Holly Oak or Holm Oak
Botanical name:Quercus ilex
This evergreen oak has a moderate growth rate to 30'-60' tall and as wide. The leaves are 1.5"-3" long, .5"-1" wide, and either toothed or smooth-edged. It has a rich, dark green leaf color.
Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica
The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Its fall color is affected by the weather. While it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The colors of its flowers are shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white. It thrives on heat and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew.
Common name:Spanish Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula stoechas
This dense shrub grows 2'-3' tall with blue gray foliage and deep purple flowers that have large showy bracts near the top of the spikes. It is drought tolerant . - Cornflower Farms
Common name:Eulalia or Japanese Silver Grass
Botanical name:Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus sinensis is popular ornamental grass. Flowers are held well above foliage clumps and may be cut for fresh or dry arrangements.
Common name:Dymondia, Rock Ditty
Botanical name:Dymondia margaretae
This foliage is gray/green/silvery; it is a very dense, mat forming groundcover. It tolerates drought, cold, salt spray and poor soils. It's deep rooted and produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers. Rock Ditty is great for use in between stepping stones or pavers.
Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii
Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray green, undulating mounds that are 1.5' high when blooming. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring and early summer.
Designer: Wynne Wilson | Large Front Yard Garden |
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.