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Small Family Garden 10
California Fan Palm, Petticoat Palm
Arizona or Velvet  Ash
Catmint
Carolina Laurel Cherry
Heavenly Bamboo
California Fan Palm, Petticoat Palm

Common name:California Fan Palm, Petticoat Palm
Botanical name:Washingtonia filifera

Palm tree grows to 60' x 20' . It has light green fronds 3'-6' long. Seeds appear in fall so be sure to remove seed stalk to avoid mess on patios and sidewalks. California Fan Palm is the only palm native to California.

Arizona or Velvet  Ash

Common name:Arizona or Velvet Ash
Botanical name:Fraxinus velutina

This rounded tree will grow 30'-50' tall and has glossy, bright green leaves that turn yellow and gold in the fall. The leaves are soft and velvety, and the trunk is slender and gray. This tree is hardy to about -10 degrees F. This deciduous tree is heat tolerant and needs a moderate amount of water.

Catmint

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.

Carolina Laurel Cherry

Common name:Carolina Laurel Cherry
Botanical name:Prunus caroliniana

This large evergreen shrub or small tree has leaves that are glossy and 2"-4" in length. It is excellent as either a formal hedge or an informal screen. It has creamy white flowers in late winter and spring followed by small black berries.

Heavenly Bamboo

Common name:Heavenly Bamboo
Botanical name:Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica is a graceful upright shrub that grows from 3' - 6' in height. It gets its name from its bamboo-like growth habit. When thinned from the center, it bears a remarkable resemblance to bamboo. It is best used in groups. It can be used in a shaded patio or out in a shrub border with full sun. An interesting feature of Heavenly Bamboo is the bronze color in the new growth when planted in full sun. It also bears clusters of white flowers in the spring.

Designer: Sabina Munoz

Small Family Garden 10

Photographer: GardenSoft

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:

Even during our hottest months we don't need to water daily.

Give your plants a chance to breathe.

Water late at night or in the early morning hours to avoid losses to wind and evaporation.

Integrated Pest Management:

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