Common name:Oleander
Botanical name:Nerium oleander
Oleander is a dense, upright evergreen shrub that grows quickly to 6' x 4'. Leaves are dark green, leathery, and glossy. Accepts reflected sun. Flowers appear spring to fall. Excellent screen. Good summer color. Native to the Mediterranean.
Common name:Banana Yucca
Botanical name:Yucca baccata
Evergreen clumping yucca grows at a moderate rate to 3' x 5'. Leaves are blue-green and have sharp tips. White clusters of flowers appear on tall stalks spring to summer. Accepts full sun. Striking show of flowers. Effective security plant. Very frost tolerant. Native to the southwest U.S. and Mexico.
Common name:Turpentine Bush
Botanical name:Ericameria laricifolia
Low mounding evergreen shrub grows to 2' x 3'. Tiny dark green, needle like leaves have aroma of turpentine. Yellow clusters of flowers appear late summer to fall. Seeds attract birds. Native to southwest U.S. and Mexcio.
Common name:Medio Picta Century Plant
Botanical name:Agave americana v. medio-picta
This form has arching leaves with a creamy white stripe down the center of the blue-green leaf. The leaves are outstanding with their arching form and are well armed with a stout, terminal spine as well as marginal teeth. It is somewhat smaller than the americana variety, growing to around 4.' It prefers full sun, well drained soil and will perform well in containers. This form also will die after bloom but will survive in the form of new pups around the old plant.
Common name:Golden Barrel Cactus
Botanical name:Echinocactus grusonii
Globe shaped cactus grows slowly to 1-1/2' x 2'. Golden spines line medium green ribs. Yellow flowers appear in spring. Full sun but prefers some shade in low desert. Striking accent. Looks attractive in groupings. Native to southern Mexico.
Designer:
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Apply a 2" layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.
Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost, or aged sawdust.
Inorganic mulches such as gravel are also acceptable.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.