Common name:Purple Smoke Tree
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'

A deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 10' tall, the "Purpureus" is grown for its wispy, thread-like flower clusters in summer. Its green foliage turns a brilliant purple and then yellow to red in the fall. This shrub is a show stopper! It prefers full sun but will do better with afternoon shade in hot inland areas. This attractive shrub is drought tolerant once it's established.

Common name:Marina Strawberry Madrone
Botanical name:Arbutus 'Marina'

The Marina is quite easy to cultivate, with leaves that are smaller and not as glossy as the Madrone. Its flowers are pink, borne in pendant clusters in the summer. The fruit is large, red and quite ornamental. The plant should be grown in sun to partial shade, with little or no summer watering when established. The 'Marina' prefers good drainage. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Curly Top or Leather Leaf Sedge
Botanical name:Carex buchananii

This orange-bronze ornamental grass/reed is 2-3' tall and 1-2' wide and does best in full sun to part shade. It needs moist soil so plant near a water feature or pond.

Common name:Common Field or Slender Sedge
Botanical name:Carex praegracilis

This California native grass can tolerate occasional flooding or standing water as it is found in marshes and wetlands. It does make a great lawn substitute as it can be mowed, will take sun and part sun and need watering once a week in hot summer months. This sedge uses much less water than sod. It can be used for erosion control also.

Common name:Canary Island Date Palm
Botanical name:Phoenix canariensis

The Phoenix canariensis is a large-growing, wide-spreading palm with a crown of many long arching fronds. It needs ample room for proper growth.

The Magic of Mulch

In the natural world the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, death and rebirth flows throughout the seasons. Plants die, leaves fall and new growth springs up in its place. Nothing is lost and the fallen leaves and dead plants decay into the soil, enriching it for the next generation of growth.

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