Common name:Diablo Purple Ninebark
Botanical name:Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'

Diablo Purple Ninebark is a small, dense upright shrub. The foliage a burgundy red. It is a great accent plant because of its foliage color. It is one of the best performing, burgundy foliage plants for alkaline soils. It needs full sunlight.

Common name:Umbrella Flatsedge
Botanical name:Cyperus alternifolius

This perennial will grow 5'-6' tall and has tiny flat leaves with greenish flowers at the center. It also produces fruit that appears golden and then turns to dark brown.

Common name:Giant Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia nicolai

This clumping evergreen perennial can reach 25' tall fairly quickly, forming a false trunk from the base of the leaves. The leaves are shaped like bananas, reaching 10' long with the widest part reaching 5' . It does best with fertilizer once a month and rich soil. It does not like wet feet so water only when dry. It can be planted in full sun but will do better if it receives afternoon shade. The flowers can reach a size of 10"-12", but plants need to be a few years old before they will flower.

Common name:Blackstem Pittosporum, Tawhiwhi
Botanical name:Pittosporum tenuifolium

This medium sized evergreen shrub has medium green leaves with black stems. Its pleasing texture and narrow, upright growth make this a fine hedge or screen. It is easy to grow in soils with good drainage. Many new cultivars are being introduced with smaller, variegated and/or multi-colored foliage.

Common name:Dymondia, Rock Ditty
Botanical name:Dymondia margaretae

This foliage is gray/green/silvery; it is a very dense, mat forming ground cover. It tolerates drought, cold, salt spray and poor soils. It's deep rooted and produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers. Rock Ditty is great for use in between stepping stones or pavers.

Common name:Australian Flame Tree
Botanical name:Brachychiton acerifolius

This large tree is highlighted by large clusters of highly aromatic bells of a red or orange-red color. These flowers are apparent from May to June.

Common name:Pink Flame Tree
Botanical name:Brachychiton discolor

This tall tree will grow 40'-75' high and will do best in full sun and well-drained soil. The rose-pink, salmon blooms it produces will open after the tree loses its leaves in late spring. The flowers and large pods are covered with a dense fuzzy coating.

Sustainable Landscaping Fundamentals

Sustainable landscaping is a term coined to mean sensible landscape practices that work within the limits of the Eco-system. This means within the limits of your local rainfall, soil conditions and sun patterns.

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