Common name:Parasol Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum

Parasol Aeonium is an upright succulent with rosette leaf clusters. It forms a mound and can be easily propagated by cuttings.

Common name:River She-Oak
Botanical name:Casuarina cunninghamiana

A fast evergreen tree that grows to 30'-60', the River Oak has an open canopy and pine-like foliage. It will tolerate considerable soil moisture or extended drought, and is often used to control soil erosion. It should receive sun to part shade.

Common name:Royal Purple Smokebush
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

Royal Purple Smokebrush is a large shrub with handsome, oval purple leaves all summer and silvery-purple clouds of seed heads in fall. It is subject to winter dieback. It is best in a protected location. It needs full sunlight.

Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum

Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season.

Common name:Feather Reed Grass
Botanical name:Calamagrostis X acutiflora 'Karl Foerste

This ornamental perennial grass grows 4'-6' tall and 1'-1.5' wide; it has semi-evergreen foliage that is green in spring and summer but turns green/brown in fall. The flowers bloom in mid June and emerge a light green but quickly turn to pink/purple. Tall grasses are highly combustible.

Common name:Red Yucca
Botanical name:Hesperaloe parviflora

This spectacular succulent is wonderful for a desert garden, with rosettes of gray green leaves to about 3'-4' tall and 6' wide. Red flower stalks emerge during spring and remain on the plant until the end of summer. This shrub will spread to form a crowded grass-like clump. This evergreen shrub is drought resistant but will appear better and bloom longer with added moisture. It does well in full sun, reflected heat, poor soils and cold temperatures to at least 0 degrees F.

Common name:California Buckwheat
Botanical name:Eriogonum fasciculatum

Eriogonum fasciculatum is a fast growing, woody perennial with tiny narrow leaves and pink-white flower heads that dry to a rust color. This is a highly combustible plant.

Sustainable Landscaping Fundamentals

Sustainable landscaping is a term coined to mean sensible landscape practices that work within the limits of the Eco-system. This means within the limits of your local rainfall, soil conditions and sun patterns.

Click in the green box for more information