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Drama in the Desert
Fan Aloe
New Zealand Flax
Century Plant, Maguey
Felt Plant or Bush, Velvetleaf
Mexican Bush Sage
Snow-In-Summer
Sweet Orange cultivars
Fan Aloe

Common name:Fan Aloe
Botanical name:Aloe plicatilis

This wide succulent shrub grows 3'-6' tall and wide, with fan-like clusters of the bluish-gray round tipped leaves. From each fan emerges an open terminal cluster of tubular, orange red flowers in late winter to early spring. Plant in full sun if on the coast or in shade if inland. It is hardy to about 23 degrees F. It needs winter and spring irrigation if grown where does does not receive adequate water from rainfall.

New Zealand Flax

Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.

Century Plant, Maguey

Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Felt Plant or Bush, Velvetleaf

Common name:Felt Plant or Bush, Velvetleaf
Botanical name:Kalanchoe beharensis

This unusual succulent perennial will grow 4'-5' tall and wide. It has thick, fuzzy, gray green to golden leaves with inconspicuous flowers. Although tender to frost, it makes an excellent accent for rock gardens or desert themed landscapes.

Mexican Bush Sage

Common name:Mexican Bush Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, gray green leaves and velvet-like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds.

Snow-In-Summer

Common name:Snow-In-Summer
Botanical name:Cerastium tomentosum

Masses of snow white flowers highlight this plant during the early summer season.

Sweet Orange cultivars

Common name:Sweet Orange cultivars
Botanical name:Citrus sinensis

This tree will grow 20'-30' high and 10'-15' wide; it produces sweet, tasty oranges. It has shiny green, leathery foliage and produces clusters of fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring.

Using Permeable Surfaces

If you have impermeable paving that you would like to make permeable, there are two main methods for doing so:
1. Break up hard paved surfaces to create spaces for water to seep through.
2. Remove and replace the surfaces with permeable paving.

Click in the green box for more information

Roof water can be funneled into landscape not to the street.

Designer: Suding Design

Drama in the Desert

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.

 

 

 

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