Common name:Trailing Rosemary
Botanical name:Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'
This horticultral selection grows at a moderate rate to 2' x 4'. Flowers are blue in color, and appear winter to spring. The the leaves dark green, and highly aromatic. This plant makes a good ground cover, and its leaves can be used as seasoning in cooking.
Common name:Palo Brea
Botanical name:Parkinsonia praecox
Spectacular tree with unusual, umbrellalike growth habit. Palo Brea can reach 25' x 25'. Distinctive sculptural form usually with multiple lime green trunks and wide-spreading branches. Spring clusters of bright yellow flowers provide seasonal intrest. Native to Mexico into South America.
Common name:Compass Barrel
Botanical name:Ferocactus cylindraceus
Globe-shaped cactus grows slowly to 2' x 1-1/2'. Stem is medium green and spines are red/yellow. Flowers are yellow to orange and apper late spring to early summer. Good for naturalistic landscapes. Accepts reflected sun. Native to Sonoran and Mojave deserts.
Designer: Carol Stuttard, Homeowner
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.
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.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.