Common name:California Pepper, Mission Pepper
Botanical name:Schinus molle

The California Pepper is a fast growing evergreen tree that will mature to a height of 25'-40' and as wide. Its bright green leaves are divided into many narrow, 1.5"-2" long leaflets.

Common name:Tall Fescue, Marathon (turf)
Botanical name:Festuca arundinacea 'Marathon'

This grass is best when kept at about 2"-2.5" high, but it has a root depth of about 6'. It is a beautiful, dark green color all year and is used in a variety of locations.

Common name:Red Buckwheat
Botanical name:Eriogonum grande rubescens

Red Buckwheat is a low growing, woody perennial 1'-2' high and 3' wide. It has showy, dark pink summer flowers that stand out against small, gray green foliage. It is a CA native that is drought tolerant. It attracts butterflies and benefical insects.

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Common name:California Fuchsia, Zauschneria
Botanical name:Epilobium canum

The California fuchsia is a perennial with dense, narrow, green gray foliage and red orange summer flowers. The growth habit of this plant is sprawling and low. The California fuchsia is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.

Common name:California Buckwheat
Botanical name:Eriogonum fasciculatum

Eriogonum fasciculatum is a fast growing, woody perennial with tiny narrow leaves and pink-white flower heads that dry to a rust color. This is a highly combustible plant.

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.

Sustainable Fertilization

If you mulch heavily as recommended in the compost and mulch fact sheets you should not need traditional fertilization. Sustainable landscapes fertilize themselves as soil organisms break down and recycle the dropped leaves into nutrients.

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