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Tour: Adobe Mesa Garden

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Ground Cover Rather Than Grass
Gloriosa Yucca, Spanish Dagger
Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Ground Cover Myoporum
Freeway Daisy
Mediterranean Tree Mallow
Bougainvillea, San Diego Red
Rosea Iceplant
Gloriosa Yucca, Spanish Dagger

Common name:Gloriosa Yucca, Spanish Dagger
Botanical name:Yucca gloriosa

This clumping palm relative will reach 10' to15' tall and has large, green, sword-like leaves with white flowers in spring and summer. Its broad, medium green leaves blend with either tropical or desert theme landscapes.

Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst

Common name:Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. The 'Barbara Karst' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms early and long. It is senstive to frost and will die back hard but comes back in a number of weeks. Be carefeul of this in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Ground Cover Myoporum

Common name:Ground Cover Myoporum
Botanical name:Myoporum parvifolium

This great ground cover will grow 9" high and 9' wide and does well in partial or full sun with moderate watering. It produces delicate white flowers that bloom in summer and are surrounded by tiny, bright green leaves.

Freeway Daisy

Common name:Freeway Daisy
Botanical name:Osteospermum fruticosum

This ground cover will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium-sized, green leaves with purple or blue flowers that can bloom all year.

Mediterranean Tree Mallow

Common name:Mediterranean Tree Mallow
Botanical name:Lavatera maritima

This large, shrubby perennial grows up to 6' and has profuse lavender pink flowers with maroon highlights. From the Mallow family, the flowers are produced year round and are especially showy in the fall.

Bougainvillea, San Diego Red

Common name:Bougainvillea, San Diego Red
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'San Diego Red'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. 'San Diego Red' blooms in red, with large green leaves. It is one of the hardiest, and will climb high. It is senstive to frost and will die back hard but comes back in a number of weeks. Be carefeul of this in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Rosea Iceplant

Common name:Rosea Iceplant
Botanical name:Drosanthemum floribundum

This dependable ground cover is well-suited to growing under trees and in other partially shaded areas. Rosea Iceplant will stay under 1' tall and spread to about 3'. Pink-purple blooms will cover this plant from spring to summer.

Designer:

Ground Cover Rather Than Grass
Image: 1 of 12

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Integrated Pest Management:

Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.