Common name:Calla Lily or Calla
Botanical name:Zantedeschia aethiopica

This perennial will grow 2'-4' tall and has large, glossy green leaves with beautiful cream or white flowers with a central yellow "finger" that bloom in spring and sometimes even summer. Calla Lily prefers full sun or afternoon shade in warm, inland areas. It prefers rich, moist soil and does well near water features or boggy conditions. Cally Lily is beautiful for cut flowers.

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 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.

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.

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.

Compost for Healthy Soil and Plants

The natural world works in cycles. Everything is changing form and moving from place to place in an endless energy exchange system. The leaves and twigs that fall to the ground, not to mention other life forms that might die, decompose and combine with water, air and minerals of the soil to create a medium for future plants.

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Sustainable Landscaping Fundamentals

Sustainable landscaping is a term coined to mean sensible landscape practices that work within the limits of the Eco-system. This means within the limits of your local rainfall, soil conditions and sun patterns.

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