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Cathedral Windows Coral Bells
Annual Cosmos
Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper Tree
Common Horsechestnut
Goldenrain Tree, Varnish Tree
Cathedral Windows Coral Bells

Common name:Cathedral Windows Coral Bells
Botanical name:Heuchera 'Cathedral Windows'

This perennial will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium green leaves with pink flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Annual Cosmos

Common name:Annual Cosmos
Botanical name:Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos bipinnatus is an annual. Depending on the cultivar, it reaches 3'-6' high and 1.5'-2.5' wide. Blossoms with tufted yellow centers and rays in white and shades of pink, rose, lavender, purple, or crimson, bloom in spring and summer. Deadhead to encourage more blooms. Cosmos will self-sow. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper Tree

Common name:Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper Tree
Botanical name:Vitex agnus-castus

Chaste Tree is not a tree but a deciduous shrub that quickly grows to 20' tall and wide. It has beautiful, fragrant lavender or white flowers in summer which is striking against the gray green, slender, pointed leaves. Butterflies love this shrub too. It full sun and medium amount of watering, more in summer. It tolerates coastal conditions but needs heat to look its best. Prune spent flowers to keep it tidy looking.

Common Horsechestnut

Common name:Common Horsechestnut
Botanical name:Aesculus hippocastanum

While it is a bulky tree, the hippocastanum provides heavy shade and a beautiful flower show in spring from its drooping leaves. Its plumes are long ivory blossoms of 12", colored with a light hint of pink. This decidous tree can reach 75' tall with a 45'-60' spread. It is upright, oval and rounded. Roots are aggressive so it is not a good street tree. Common Horsechestnut needs extra water during the summer.

Goldenrain Tree, Varnish Tree

Common name:Goldenrain Tree, Varnish Tree
Botanical name:Koelreuteria paniculata

This tree reaches 30' tall and wide. Crown of tree is rounded. Blue green foliage is lacy and delicate looking, turning yellow in the fall. Upright yellow flower clusters bloom in the summer, followed by lantern shapeded seed pods. This dependable tree is attractive all year round, tolerating urban conditions and various soil types. It prefers full sun and occasional watering once it's established.

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.

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Curved Path to Entry
Image: 6 of 9

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.