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Gallery: Raised Planters

Butterfly Observes Garden
Ivy Geranium
Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush
Ivy Geranium

Common name:Ivy Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium peltatum

Clouds of single flowers are produced from spring through fall on this plant, which should be planted in areas that receive part sun.

Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush

Common name:Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush
Botanical name:Portulacaria afra

This interesting succulent has an irregular growth habit. Depending on pruning and cold, Elephant's Food can be grown as a groundcover or shrub to 12' tall and wide. Plants work very well in containers, and can be used indoors or outdoors. It is drought tolerant but needs some protection from frost. It does best with some shade in most arid climates; otherwise, it tolerates full sun. This plant is a native of South Africa.

Designer:

Butterfly Observes Garden
Image: 9 of 18

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.