Lawn Substitute No More Mower

Common name:Red Leaf Japanese Barberry
Botanical name:Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

A thorny, deciduous shrub growing 4'-6' high and as wide, Red Japanese Barberry can be contained with some light pruning. Its purplish-red leaves contrast beautifully against a dark green background.

Common name:Frades or Compact Escallonia
Botanical name:Escallonia 'Frades'

The 'Frades' is an evergreen shrub that grows to 6'-8' tall and wide. It is valued for its glossy foliage and clusters of pink flowers. The heaviest bloom period is during spring and fall, with some flowers all year. The Escallonias grow best in sun to part shade, but will tolerate mostly shade if necessary. These plants usually need little or no summer watering. This is the most tolerant of poor drainage of all Escallonia varieties. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Blue Pacific Shore Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus rigida conferta 'Blue Pacific'

This is the improved form of the Juniperus conferta, as the growth of this variety is more compact, with foliage that is a rich, blue-green color. Junipers are highly combustible plants.

Common name:Pony Tail or Bottle Palm, Beaucarne
Botanical name:Nolina recurvata

This palm-like shrub from the Agave family has a single trunk and grows up to 30' tall. It has thin flat leaves that can grow up to 6' long and only 1" wide. The base is large and distinctive; it usually looks swollen. Mature plants may bloom on a 3'-4' tall stalk.

Common name:London Plane Tree
Botanical name:Platanus X acerifolia

London Plane Tree is a fast growing, deciduous tree that reaches a size 40'-80' high by 30'-40' wide. Its leaves are 3-5 lobed, with a width of 4"-10". This plant is tolerant of most soils, smog, dust and reflected heat.

Common name:Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

The very dense growth of this plant is highlighted by foliage of a bluish green color. Its growth habit is very low, spreading, and mound-like, resembling a natural bonsai. This variety is one of the best Junipers for small garden spaces. Junipers are highly combustible plants.

Common name:Pygmy Date Palm, Roebelin Palm
Botanical name:Phoenix roebelenii

This tree will grow to about 10' tall and has dark green, spiny petiole foliage. It does well in full sun to heavy shade; it likes moderate to heavy irrigation, but can take periods of dryness.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

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:

Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.