Hotlinks:
ADD
Backyard Meadow
Flannel Bush, Fremontia cv.
Needle Grass
California Lilac
Foothill Penstemon
California Fan Palm
Blue Elderberry
California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Rosea Tree Mallow
Flannel Bush, Fremontia cv.

Common name:Flannel Bush, Fremontia cv.
Botanical name:Fremontodendron 'California Glory'

California Glory is a open and spreading evergreen shrub 10-20 ft. in height with many yellow flowers blooming in spring. It needs good drainage and little summer water. It is a native plant to California as the name suggests and it is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Needle Grass

Common name:Needle Grass
Botanical name:Stipa pulchra

The needle grass is a cool season bunchgrass that grows 1-2 ft. tall with graceful, shiny flower stalks that reach 30 in. long in the spring. This grass is fire retardant, tolerates drought, and is good in mass plantings and restoration uses. The needle grass is California's State Grass and is a beneficial insect plant. -Cornflower Farms

California Lilac

Common name:California Lilac
Botanical name:Ceanothus 'Dark Star'

The 'Dark Star' grows to 4-6' tall and 6-8' wide, producing small, rounded clusters of dark blule flowers from light burgundy buds that appear in spring. Its habit is compact, with small, warty leaves growing to only 1/2" long. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Foothill Penstemon

Common name:Foothill Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon heterophyllus

This perennial will grow 1.5'-2' tall and 2-3' wide. It has glossy, blue/green foliage with flowers that vary in color and bloom from spring through early summer.

California Fan Palm

Common name:California Fan Palm
Botanical name:Washingtonia filifera

California Fan Palm is the only palm native to California. It populates the areas along the San Andreas Fault where desert water has seeped to the surface and formed springs. It grows to 60' tall and 20' wide. It has light green fronds 3-6' long. One of the most common uses of the palms fronds by Native Californians was in forming housing and hatched Ramadas. Fronds and frond fiber were also used to make sandals, cordage, nets and mats.

Blue Elderberry

Common name:Blue Elderberry
Botanical name:Sambucus mexicana

The blue elderberry is a deciduous shrub that grows 4-10 ft. tall or tree that reaches up to 40 ft. high. The leaves of this plant have 5-9 leaflets with white spring flower clusters developing into blue berries. The blue elderberry is a native to California, is drought tolerant and is a beneficial insect plant. -Cornflower Farms

California Poppy, Golden Poppy

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.

Rosea Tree Mallow

Common name:Rosea Tree Mallow
Botanical name:Lavatera thuringiaca 'Rosea'

Lavatera thuringiaca 'Rosea' is an evergreen shurb that grows 6-8 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide. The leaves are green with a maplelike form. Produces pink blossoms.

Designer: Armstrong & Walker Land. Arch.

Backyard Meadow

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Water Saving Tip:

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch in planting beds to conserve water, suppress weeds, and protect the soil from compaction and erosion.

Integrated Pest Management:

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