Simi Valley Library 19

Common name:Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush
Botanical name:Portulacaria afra

This interesting succulent has an irregular growth habit. Depending on pruning and cold, Elephant's Food can be grown as a groundcover or shrub to 12' tall and wide. Plants work very well in containers, and can be used indoors or outdoors. It is drought tolerant but needs some protection from frost. It does best with some shade in most arid climates; otherwise, it tolerates full sun. This plant is a native of South Africa.

Common name:Cynthia Giddy Aloe
Botanical name:Aloe 'Cynthia Giddy'

This aloe clumps to form rosettes that are 2' tall and 3' wide. Leaves are stiff, pointed, dark green with white specks that may turn reddish in the fall. Watch out for spines on margins. In early spring through summer, red orange flowers appear above foliage. This succulent tolerates full to part sun with well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.

Integrated Pest Management:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.