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:Kleinia
Botanical name:Senecio mandraliscae
This succulent perennial will grow to about 1.5' tall and 2' wide. It has curved, bluish gray leaves that are about 3.5" long and very slender.
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:Semi-Trailing Yellow Gazania
Botanical name:Gazania 'Mitsua Yellow'
This somewhat hardy perennial will grow 6"-12" high and produces wonderful, bright yellow flowers.
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:Radiance Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Radiance'
Phormium 'Radiance' is an evergreen perennial. It is a 6'-8' tall, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves in a fan pattern. The leaves are variegated yellow and green.
Designer: Isabell Green
Photographer: GardenSoft
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Group plants in your garden according to their water needs (hydrozone).
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.