Common name:Annual Blanket flower selection
Botanical name:Gaillardia pulchella 'Gaiety' Mixed Colo
This small shrub will grow 1-3' tall and has green leaves with flowers that have a deep maroon center and yellow outside edge. It blooms intermittently throughout the year. Its growing season is during the winter months. Though it may last only one season, it is well worth planting for the beautiful blooms.
Common name:Chocolate Flower
Botanical name:Berlandiera lyrata
This perennial grows quickly to 1' x 2'. Will bloom from spring to fall with yellow daisylike flowers. Flowers have distinctive chocolate scent. Full sun to part shade. Dead head to prolong flowering. Native to the southwest U.S. and Mexico.
Common name:Indian Fig
Botanical name:Opuntia ficus-indica
Cactus grows at a moderate rate to 12' x 18'. Usually has no spines. Flowers are yellow to orange and appear in spring. Fruit is edible. Accepts full sun. When this plant is young, the pad (or nopales) are used to make a delicious salsa. This cactus has treelike sculptural qualities.
Designer: Sallie Homan
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Water-wise plants can be beautiful as well as practical.
Ask at your local nursery for the types of plants that have minimal watering needs.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.