Common name:Giant Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia nicolai
This clumping evergreen perennial can reach 25' tall fairly quickly, forming a false trunk from the base of the leaves. The leaves are shaped like bananas, reaching 10' long with the widest part reaching 5' . It does best with fertilizer once a month and rich soil. It does not like wet feet so water only when dry. It can be planted in full sun but will do better if it receives afternoon shade. The flowers can reach a size of 10"-12", but plants need to be a few years old before they will flower.
Common name:Golden Bamboo, Fish Pole Bamboo
Botanical name:Phyllostachys aurea
This Bamboo will grow to about 25' tall and is drought tolerant with dense foliage. This running bamboo needs to be restricted or confined in a container. This plant is fast growing and can be invasive.
Common name:Kleinia
Botanical name:Senecio mandraliscae
This succulent perennial will grow to about 1.5' tall and 2' wide. It has curved, bluish gray leaves that are about 3.5" long and very slender.
Common name:Aeonium Succulents
Botanical name:Aeonium species
These plants are one of the most useful succulents, due to their decorative effects and sculpturesque quality. The branched stems hold a wide rosetta of either light green or purple leaves. The flowers appear in long, clustered form. They need some shade in hotter areas. Prostrate forms are low-growing, and spreading.
Common name:Dymondia, Rock Ditty
Botanical name:Dymondia margaretae
This foliage is gray/green/silvery; it is a very dense, mat forming ground cover. It tolerates drought, cold, salt spray and poor soils. It's deep rooted and produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers. Rock Ditty is great for use in between stepping stones or pavers.
Common name:Australian Flame Tree
Botanical name:Brachychiton acerifolius
This large tree is highlighted by large clusters of highly aromatic bells of a red or orange-red color. These flowers are apparent from May to June.
Common name:King or Giant Protea
Botanical name:Protea cynaroides
This attractive flowering plant produces large tight clusters that are tubular in form and are surrounded by colored bracts. Therefore, a very colorful artichoke or thistle will bloom.As cut flowers, their color will endure for weeks and their shape will remain long afterward.
Common name:Compact Karo
Botanical name:Pittosporum crassifolium 'Compactum'
Pittosporum crassifolium 'Nana' is an evergreen shrub or tree. It can reach 25' tall and 20' wide in 8-10 years. Branches are densely clothed in gray green, with 1"-2" long leaves that have rounded ends. It produces maroon flowers in late spring.
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.