Common name:Delta Fusion Crapemyrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica 'Delta Fusion'
Delta Fusion has the perfect combination of dark burgundy foliage and re-blooming hot pink blooms. This small tree or hedge (8-12') is an excellent low water choice. Foliage color does not fade in hot summer sun. Deciduous. Attracts pollinators, summer and fall blooming, heat tolerance, longer blooming, reblooming. Great for an accent, cottage style or informal, hedge, mass planting and privacy planting. Established plants need low water. It does best in full sun with well draining soil. Use slow-growth fertilizer in late winter, before spring growth. Prune to desired shape and size in late winter.
Common name:Dropmore Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii 'Dropmore'
Dropmore Catmint has soft, grey-green, fragrant foliage that reaches 1'-3' tall, spreading 3'-4' wide. The small leaves are not attractive to cats but bees and butterflies love this plant. This perennial has lavender blue flowers from spring through fall (may depend on heat). Catmint can be planted in sun or part shade in warm inland valleys with well draining, sandy, dry soil. It tolerates coastal conditions. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Flowers are fragrant and great for flower arrangements. It is deer and rabbit resistant.
Common name:Tequila Sunrise Kangaroo Paw
Botanical name:Anigozanthos hybrid 'Tequila Sunrise'
This attractive perennial reaches 3' tall and 3' wide. Leaves are strap-like, evergreen, and green. During spring and summer, fuzzy, tubular orange flowers appear. Blooms are curved at the tips. This plant needs full sun and well draining soil. It likes sandy soil. Protect from frost as it can burn leaves. After flowering period, remove old stems and leaves. Use slow release fertilizer. It requires medium amount of watering.
Common name:Rock Purslane
Botanical name:Calandrinia grandiflora
This perennial will grow 12-36" and produces large blue/green rosettes that last for a long season. It produces large, silky, lavender/pink flowers that have lime/green, purple spotted calyces.
Common name:Sunshine Ligustrum
Botanical name:Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine'
Sunshine Ligustrum is a hybrized Ligustrum with charteuse colored leaves. It grows to about 6 ft. in height and 3-4 ft. wide. It makes a great short hedge. Incredible color accent. Full sun to part shade and tough.
Common name:Compact Myrtle
Botanical name:Myrtus communis 'Compacta'
This evergreen shrub is 6' high and 5' wide with aromatic leaves. It blooms with white, sweet-scented flowers followed by bluish black berries. It can be grown in sun or partial shade; well drained soil is essential. 'Compacta' has smaller leaves and is often used for edges and low formal hedges.
Designer: Susan Morrison
Photographer: Vicki Anderson
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Water-wise plants can be beautiful as well as practical.
Take your 'My List' Hydrozone Report to a landscape designer, or local nursery, when selecting and purchasing plants.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.