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.
Common name:Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia reginae
This shrub will grow to 6' tall and has large, gray green fronds with orange, blue, white, or multi-colored flowers that bloom throughout the year.
Common name:Spanish Bayonet
Botanical name:Yucca aloifolia
This shrub becomes a large sprawling plant, reaching 10' tall and 10' wide. Growth is slow. Stiff dense leaves are medium green with sharp points; they reach 2.5' long and 2" wide. It tends to bloom when under drought stress situations. This variety is more tolerant of cold than Y. gloriosa. Cold weather can turn leaves purple. Leaf margins are smooth. Weevils can damage this plant.
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.
Click in the green box for more information
| Designer: | Party Under Parasol |
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:
Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.
Integrated Pest Management:
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.