Common name:Kentia Palm, Paradise Palm
Botanical name:Howea forsteriana
This palm will reach about 60' tall and 20' wide and has long, drooping leaflets that are slender and deep green.
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:Garden Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium X hortorum
Pelargonium X hortorum is a shrubby, succulent perennial stemmed to 3' or more. Round or kidney-shaped leaves are velvety and hairy, soft to the touch, aromatic, with edges distinctly lobed and scalloped toothed. Single and double flowers are flatter and smaller than those of Pelargonium domesticum variety, but clusters bear more blossoms.
Common name:Spear Lily
Botanical name:Doryanthes palmeri
This large succulent will grow 6'-15' high and produces huge clusters of leaves. It produces clusters of reddish brown flowers that bloom in the summer and does well in a lot of shade with regular water.
Common name:Kafir Lily, Clivia
Botanical name:Clivia miniata
A clumping evergreen bulb, this Kafir Lily produces luxuriant leaves and stalks of deep orange to red orange flowers in late winter and spring. It tolerates deep shade and, after establishment, drought. The plant requires frost protection. It performs well in containers.
Designer: Carol Bornstein
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.