Artificial Turf and Swing Set

Common name:Mediterranean Fan palm
Botanical name:Chamaerops humilis

Slow growing to 20' tall but very hardy, the Mediterranean Fan palm is clump forming with rich green foliage. It can be used as a good container subject. It does best in full sun or partial shade. Petioles have sharp spines.

Common name:Bitsy Hybrid Daylily
Botanical name:Hemerocallis 'Bitsy'

This Daylily has tiny, 2" wide, yellow flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Grassy looking foliage is narrow and slender, reaching 12"- 16" tall. Thin stalks give an airy, fairy-like quality. Flowers spikes are 2' tall. This Daylily tolerates heat and cold. It looks better with regular watering and can be planted in full or part sun. Some gardeners eat the flowers!

Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Common name:Dwarf Pomegranate
Botanical name:Punica granatum 'Nana'

This shrub is highly ornamental with dense foliage. It can reach 3' tall and 6' wide. It is easily pruned and shaped, thus its popularity as a bonsai plant. Flowers are small, showy, and red orange, developing into dry red fruit (not edible). It is considered evergreen in mild frost-free winter areas. This shrub is great in containers. It needs extra summer water in hot inland valleys.

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:

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