Common name:Blue Eyed Grass
Botanical name:Sisyrinchium bellum
Following winter rains, this grassy perennial brings a soft texture back into the garden. It produces an abundance of small, blue purple flowers which have a long bloom.
Common name:Incense Cedar
Botanical name:Calocedrus decurrens
The Cedar is an attractive, stiff, narrow evergreen tree which has a columnar growing pattern and maintains a central leader. The foliage is comprised of imbricate-scales, while the coarse bark has an attractive cinnamon red-brown coloring. The cedar retains its color in winter and under good cultural conditons, will maintain its foliage to the ground. It serves as an effective screening evergreen, and contrasts well with Maples and other deciduous trees and flowering plants.
Common name:Valley Oak, White Oak, Roble
Botanical name:Quercus lobata
The Valley Oak is a large deciduous tree that grows 60'-80' tall. It develops a rounded canopy that spreads 50'-70' wide with leaves deeply lobed and rounded. The Valley Oak is very heat tolerant and drought tolerant. It is a native to California and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica
This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
Common name:California Gray Rush
Botanical name:Juncus patens
Although a wetland plant, Juncus patens can tolerate fairly dry conditions. It will slowly clump to 2'-3' wide and a height of 2'-2.5'. There are many selections of this species available with different heights and widths. It is carefree, with little to no maintenance. It provides great upright structure to many styles of landscapes.
Designer: Rancho Santa Ana Bot. Garden
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.