Common name:Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea
This clumping perennial will grow less than 1' tall and has narrow, blue green leaves. Clusters of lavender flowers bloom in spring and summer. Leaves and flowers have a distinct onion or garlic smell if crushed.
Common name:Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis
This evergreen ground cover/shrub will grow about 3' tall and has large green leaves with blue flowers ( there is also a white variety) that bloom in spring and summer. It will grow in all soils but prefers loam soil.
Common name:Dwarf Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus 'Peter Pan'
This variety of Agapanthus has a growth of blue flowers between 12"-18" high. This variety is a dwarf form of the Agapanthus parent plant. It is both smaller in size and has much thinner leaves than the parent.
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.
Common name:Semi-Trailing Yellow Gazania
Botanical name:Gazania 'Mitsua Yellow'
This somewhat hardy perennial will grow 6"-12" high and produces wonderful, bright yellow flowers.
Designer: Isabell Green
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.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.