House on the Hill 5

Common name:Century Plant
Botanical name:Agave parryi v. couesii

This subspecies is smaller than regular Agave parryi and grows to a mature size of 2' x 2' . More cold hardy than both A. parryi truncata and huachucensis. Native in central Arizona in Coconino County.

Common name:Yellow Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Caesalpinia gilliesii

Shrub grows to 6' x 5'. Has exotic yellow flowers with showy red stamens that appear from spring until fall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. More open and woodier than Caesalpinia pulcherrima.

Common name:Trailing Gazania
Botanical name:Gazania rigens

This trailing groundcover grows at a moderate rate to 8" x 18". Leaves are silver to green. Billiant daisylike flowers come in many colors orange, bronze and yellow. Long bloom season from late winter to spring. Grows well in most soil conditions, and needs only occassional water once established. May die out if overwatered. Native to South Africa.

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:

Different areas of your landscape have different water requirements.

Shrubs need much less water than lawns and drip systems should never be scheduled on the same program with lawns.

Establish separate watering schedules for those areas.

Integrated Pest Management:

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