Common name:California Meadow Sedge
Botanical name:Carex pansa

This native Carex can be successfully used as a lawn substitute but requires significant water to obtain good coverage. Once coverage is reached, water can be reduced and maintenance is close to zero. Unmowed, the plant can be used effectively in a variety of conditions and will reach a height of 6" or under and spreads up to 2' by rhizomes.

Common name:Apple, edible
Botanical name:Malus pumila

The common edible apple is a good family edible ornamental tree. Rootstock makes the tree available in: dwarf,semi-dwarf and standard sizes. Select a suitable cultivar for your growing zone. Mild climate, low-chill cv.s are available.

Common name:Joyce Coulter California Lilac
Botanical name:Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter'

This cultivar has a generous amount of medium blue, tiny flowers in 3"-5" clusters. It can (with good drainage) tolerate garden moisture and heavy soils. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Common name:Pomegranate
Botanical name:Punica granatum

A dense growing shrub, the Pomegranate produces showy, orange red flowers that are followed by 2" diameter decorative fruit. Its apple green leaves are about 1" long and 1/2" wide. (The fruit is not edible.)

Solving Runoff Problems

Importance of Water Shed

A watershed is a land area that drains rain and other water into a creek, river, lake, wetland, bay or groundwater aquifer. Water from your neighborhood also enters the watershed through the storm drain system and flows directly to local creeks and the Bay without any treatment. It often is contaminated by pollutants that can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and people.

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