Common name:Canna, Canna Lily
Botanical name:Canna X generalis (assorted varieties)

These lilies will grow anywhere from about 2'-5' tall and have large dark green or bronzy green leaves that look like banana leaves. Exotic looking flowers in purple, red or lavender bloom in summer. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooming. Canna Lily prefers full sun and a medium amount of watering, more in hot summer areas. It tolerates coastal conditions and wet areas.

Common name:Japanese Garden Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus procumbens

This groundcover-small shrub will reach 3' tall with a 4'-5' spread. It has small, blue-green, evergreen leaves. This dependable conifer is used for bonsai. It prefers full to part sun with occasional watering once it's established. It can also be used for topiaries.

Common name:Sago-Palm
Botanical name:Cycas revoluta

Sago Palm resembles small palms; it is evergreen. It can slowly grow to 10'. It is used for a tropical effect and also looks great in planters. In the low desert, light shade and additional moisture are best. Side sprouts can form multi-trunked individuals. Apply fertilizer at leaf expansion. This plant has few pests.

Common name:Italian Stone Pine
Botanical name:Pinus pinea

Italian Stone Pine has a moderate growth rate to 40'-80' in height, spreading 20'-40' wide. It eventually forms a broad umbrella with a shaped, flat crown. The needles cluster in 2's, 5"-8" long, and brown to gray green in color. Bark is fissured, reddish brown with orange. Cones appear in spring, starting off green colored and changing to brown. They are shaped like small footballs. Some folks use the juvenile pine as Christmas trees.

Common name:Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar
Botanical name:Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'

Another large, slow-growing conifer which exhibits weeping growth form. Its golden leaves are 1" in size, and it also requires full sun in order to best develop its color. It serves as an excellent specimen or rock garden subject.

Common name:Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis

This evergreen shrub will grow about 3' tall and has large green leaves with blue flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It will grow in all soils but prefers loam soil. It can be grown in sun or shade. Lily of the Nile prefers a moderate amount of water; established plants have low water use.

Common name:Sago-Palm
Botanical name:Cycas revoluta

Sago Palm resembles small palms; it is evergreen. It can slowly grow to 10'. It is used for a tropical effect and also looks great in planters. In the low desert, light shade and additional moisture are best. Side sprouts can form multi-trunked individuals. Apply fertilizer at leaf expansion. This plant has few pests.

Common name:Carolina Jessamine
Botanical name:Gelsemium sempervirens

As a vigorous evergreen, this vine has fine, rich, glossy foliage complete with trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers that are borne from late winter to spring. Carolina Jessamine will bloom best in full sun.

Common name:Large Blue Fescue, Tufted Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca amethystina 'Superba'

'Superba' is a hardy fescue with finely textured blue-green foliage that grows 8"-12' tall. It has spring flowers with tan spikes and purple tones that are 12" above the foliage .This fescue is a very showy, neat grass for sunny well draining spots. It prefers regular watering. This lovely ground cover is great in dry creek beds and borders.

Using Water Wisely

An efficient watering system applies the right amount of water to the right parts of the garden at the right time. This conserves water and saves you money.

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