Common name:Red Star Texas or Autumn Sage
Botanical name:Salvia greggii 'Red Star'
This shrub will grow 1'-4' tall and wide. It has glossy green leaves with red flowers that bloom from spring through fall. It prefers well draining soil with regular watering although it will take drought conditions. It will become leggy looking. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooming.
Common name:Cloth of Gold Fernleaf Yarrow
Botanical name:Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold'
The filipendulina is characterized by dense clumps of upright stems, which show green, densely-hairy leaves similar to those of a fern. The plant is accented with flower heads formed in flat-topped clusters of a bright yellow color. Yarrow propagates easily from rooted cuttings or divisions, which should be performed in the early spring or fall. Following bloom, one should dead head the plant and divide the clumps when it appears crowded.
Common name:Bearberry, Kinnikinnick
Botanical name:Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
A hardy, creeping evergreen shrub, it grows 6-12" high and spreads as much as 10-12'. It has glossy green, leathery leaves attached to dark brown branches. Its flowers are white to light pink in late winter and early spring; berries are bright red.
Common name:Chinese Elm, Chinese Evergreen Elm
Botanical name:Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese Elm quickly reaches 50' tall and 60' wide with an upright habit and spreading pendulous branches with age. Chinese Elm has small, dark green leaves. Foliage turns yellow or orange in fall. Small, greenish yellow flower appear in summer but are considered insignificant. Small light brown fruit appear in fall but are not noticeable. Bark is brown gray but with maturity, exfoliates to reveal orange patterns.
Common name:Border or Garden Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon hybrids (assorted)
This perennial plant will reach 3' high and has medium-sized, glossy dark green leaves with red, pink, lavender or purple flowers that bloom in summer and fall. It needs a bit extra water in the summer and no water in the winter. Hummingbirds love the flowers. This plant is great for cut flowers and color borders.
Putting the right plants in the right places in the right groupings is both the challenge and art of good landscape design.
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Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.
