Common name:Silk Tree, Mimosa Tree
Botanical name:Albizia julibrissin
This is a very graceful tree with a unique flat top which creates an interesting canopy effect. The light sensitive leaves close at night. It has delightful, fluffy pink summer flowers and fern like leaves. It is a fast grower to 40' tall when given adequate water. It enjoys high summer heat. It is especially interesting when viewed from above, so it works well on down slopes. Can have a short life span, around 10-20 years. Does well in most soils but has a low tolerance for salts.
Common name:Oleander
Botanical name:Nerium oleander
Oleander is a dense, upright evergreen shrub that grows quickly to 6' x 4'. Leaves are dark green, leathery, and glossy. Accepts reflected sun. Flowers appear spring to fall. Excellent screen. Good summer color. Native to the Mediterranean.
Common name:Coast Sunflower selection
Botanical name:Encelia californica 'El Dorado'
The California native Coast sunflower is a showy member of the Coastal Scrub California Native plant community, displaying bright yellow daisy-like flowers with a dark brown center from late winter into spring.
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: Sallie Homan | Ridge Road Garden 1 |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
As the weather gets hotter avoid the temptation to increase run times.
Instead, schedule more start times with one to two hours in between to allow the water from the previous session to soak in before watering again.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.