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Weathered Gray Deck
Chalk Dudleya, Chalk-Lettuce
Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
New Zealand Flax
Silver Wormwood
Chalk Dudleya, Chalk-Lettuce

Common name:Chalk Dudleya, Chalk-Lettuce
Botanical name:Dudleya pulverulenta

Chalk Dudleya is a succulent. with 12" diameter rosette and waxy leaves; it has interesting flower spikes.

Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

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.

Silver Wormwood

Common name:Silver Wormwood
Botanical name:Artemisia arborescens

Silver wormwood is a fast growing shrub to 6' tall by 8' wide. Soft, silvery foliage is a good contrast to the dull yellow flowers produced in spring. It is tolerant of a wide range of climates and soil conditons although it is a little cold tolerant to 25 degrees F.

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

Click in the green box for more information

Designer: Jeffrey Smith

Weathered Gray Deck

Photographer: GardenSoft

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.

Integrated Pest Management:

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