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Inviting Courtyard
Shrub Pink Floribunda Rose
Evergreen or Flowering Pear
American Arborvitae
Japanese Boxwood
Shrub Pink Floribunda Rose

Common name:Shrub Pink Floribunda Rose
Botanical name:Rosa cv. floribunda pink

The dark green, heavily veined leaves of this bushy shrub are strong support for the pink, nearly double flowers it produces. This is a very tolerant, heavily scented plant with an impressive fall color. Also, large hips appear intermittently with this plant.

Evergreen or Flowering Pear

Common name:Evergreen or Flowering Pear
Botanical name:Pyrus kawakamii

This tree grows quickly to about 20' tall and wide. It is has evergreen, glossy, oval, and pointed leaves. White, fragrant, spectacular flowers bloom in spring. Leaves may fall in winter if very cold. It prefers full sun and regular watering, more in hot summer months. Prune in winter. This tree looks great if espaliered. Fruit is inedible.

American Arborvitae

Common name:American Arborvitae
Botanical name:Thuja occidentalis

This evergreen tree will grow 30'-60' tall and 10'-15' wide. It has small, scaled, light green leaves that turn brown in severe cold weather. This tree is used for hedges, screens and windbreaks. It prefers full sun and rich, moist soil.

Japanese Boxwood

Common name:Japanese Boxwood
Botanical name:Buxus microphylla japonica

Japanese Boxwood is often used as a hedge. It is compact, with small bright green leaves. It can reach 4-6' tall and wide or be kept smaller through pruninig. It can be sheared to shape. It does better in areas with milder winters. It prefers full sun and a moderate amount of water.

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

Click in the green box for more information

Designer: Mariette Olsen

Inviting Courtyard
Image: 9 of 18

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.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.