Common name:Chaparral Sage
Botanical name:Salvia clevelandii
This evergreen perennial takes a rounded shrub like form reaching 4' x 4' at a fast rate. It bears rounded whorls of blue to violet flowers that appear in skewered clusters from spring to summer. Both leaves and flowers are fragrant. Accepts full sun or partial shade. Attracts humingbirds. Native to southern California and Baja California.
Common name:Purple Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
This grass will reach 6' high and has deciduous, purplish/red leaves with clusters of purple flowers that appear in summer and fall. Cut back hard in the winter to avoid frost damage and to allow vibrant new growth in the spring.
Common name:Sago Palm
Botanical name:Cycas revoluta
Sago Palm resembles small palms; it is evergreen. It can slowly grow to 10'. It is used for a tropical effect and also looks great in planters. In the low desert, light shade and additional moisture are best. Side sprouts can form multi-trunked individuals. Apply fertilizer at leaf expansion. This plant has few pests. In the High desert use this plant in a container and protect from direct sun.
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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.
Use multiple cycles of irrigation on watering days. Most sprinklers deliver water faster than soils can absorb it.
By breaking up the watering time into smaller segments, runoff can be greatly reduced.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.