Descanso Gardens 4

Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Common name:Blue Hibiscus
Botanical name:Alyogyne huegelii

This round shrub will grow about 6' tall by 6' wide and has medium-sized green leaves with lavender blue flowers that bloom all year.

Common name:Coast Live Oak
Botanical name:Quercus agrifolia

The Coast Live Oak is an evergreen round headed tree. It can reach 15'-40' high and 20' wide; it grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. It is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Royal Beard Tongue
Botanical name:Penstemon spectabilis

This shrubby perennial produces spectacular, blue purple, tubular flowers on spikes, which is quite attractive to hummingbirds. Royal Beard Tongue can reach a mature size of about 3'-4' tall and wide. It is native to Southern California. It is best planted in the fall and blooms from spring through summer. It prefers well draining soil, full sun and low watering. It looks great in borders. Do not overwater!

Common name:Pride Of Madeira
Botanical name:Echium candicans

Mature specimens of this evergreen shrub can grow to a size of 6'-8' tall and 8'-10' wide. In the spring, spikes of rosy-violet to blue-purple flowers appear. It should receive sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. This plant can be severely damaged by frost below 25 degrees F. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Blue Moor Grass
Botanical name:Sesleria caerulea

This grass will grow to about 18"-24"tall and 18"-24" wide. It has bluish green or gray green leaves.

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.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.

Integrated Pest Management:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.