Common name:Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides
This clumping evergreen Iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks up to 3' tall. This variety has stiffer, darker foliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established.
Common name:Gaiety Girl New Zealand Tea Tree
Botanical name:Leptospermum scoparium 'Gaiety Girl'
New Zealand Tea Tree has small, needle-like green leaves with showy, 1/2" rose-like flowers in winter and spring. These shrubs can be thinned to enhance their attractive branch structure and flaking bark. They need very little water once established. 'Gaiety Girl' is a slow grower to 5' tall by 4' wide. It has reddish foliage with double flowers in pink and lilac.
Common name:Forest Pansy Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
This small tree may reach 25' tall and it has dark green/purple leaves that are purple in the fall. Amazing pink flowers bloom in the spring and fill the tree.
Common name:Dwarf Morning Glory
Botanical name:Convolvulus sabatius
Convolvulus sabaticus is a perennial that grows 1'-2' high, with branches that spread to 3' or more. It produces blue to lavender flowers with blooms of 1"-2" wide. The soft, evergreen leaves are 1/2" to 1.5" long.
Common name:Netted Chain Fern
Botanical name:Woodwardia areolata
The Netted Chain Fern is a small fern that grows 2'-3' tall. It can tolerate full sun but does best in some shade. This fern is native to California and is drought tolerant.
Common name:Petunia
Botanical name:Petunia X hybrida
This plant will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium-sized green leaves with multi-colored flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
Common name:Blackstem Pittosporum, Tawhiwhi
Botanical name:Pittosporum tenuifolium
This medium sized evergreen shrub has medium green leaves with black stems. Its pleasing texture and narrow, upright growth make this a fine hedge or screen. It is easy to grow in soils with good drainage. Many new cultivars are being introduced with smaller, variegated and/or multi-colored foliage.
Designer: The Plant Nerd | Color Haven and Cercis |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Mulching around plants helps retain water and improves the soil.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.