Hotlinks:
ADD
View from the Patio
New Zealand Flax
Hall's Japanese Honeysuckle
Yellow Moraea, Fortnight Lily
Dark Leaf Aeonium
Red Fringe Flower
European Grapevine
New Zealand Flax

Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.

Hall's Japanese Honeysuckle

Common name:Hall's Japanese Honeysuckle
Botanical name:Lonicera japonica 'Halliana'

The 'Halliana' is a vigorous, hardy, climbing vine with deep green, oval leaves and fragrant white flowers that change their color to yellow. It is good as a groundcover or for covering fences. This is a highly combustible plant.

Yellow Moraea, Fortnight Lily

Common name:Yellow Moraea, Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes bicolor

This clumping perennial Iris relative stands 3'-4' high. It has light yellow, iris-like flowers with maroon blotches that are about 2" wide. It performs best in full sun and in soil with good drainage.

Dark Leaf Aeonium

Common name:Dark Leaf Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'

Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' is a succulent perennial that is used for accenting effect. Aeonium arboreum grows 3' tall and wide. Each branch has a 6"-8 " wide rosette of dark green, fleshy leaves.The flowers are yellow in clusters.

Red Fringe Flower

Common name:Red Fringe Flower
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinese 'Rubrum'

Red Fringe Flower is a 6'-12' shrub with arching branches and light green and reddish leaves .

European Grapevine

Common name:European Grapevine
Botanical name:Vitis vinifera

This vine grows 20'-30' long. Many species of this vine produce today's wines and grapes. There are thousands of species worldwide, but this plant originated in Europe. Vitis is a woody perennial that climbs its way around the supports. It does better with long, warm to hot summers, with mild winters. Frost will kill the young shoots. Vitis does not do well with humidity, as it promotes disease. Well-drained soil is important also.

Designer: Susan McEowen

View from the Patio

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.

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.