Common name:Trailing Germander
Botanical name:Teucrium chamaedrys
This mini-shrub with small, shiny, dark green leaves on woody stems can be sheared and shaped. The stems trail and rise to 24", with lovely reddish-purple flowers between the upper leaves. It can be used as a low hedge plant in herbal knot gardens. To encourage branching, it should be pruned in the spring. -Holland WIldflower Farm
Common name:Coast Redwood
Botanical name:Sequoia sempervirens
This fast-growing, aromatic tree has soft, dark green foliage with long needles appearing in flat sprays and brown, barrel-shaped cones that appear after 1 year. Its soft, red-brown bark is fiberous and furrowed. Particularly after mechanical damage, this tree will stump sprout to form new, young trees around the stump. Avoid planting in areas of high foot traffic.
Common name:False Spirea
Botanical name:Astilbe 'Rhineland'
These clumping, deciduous perennials have ferny leaves and tall, feathery spikes of reddish flowers in spring and early summer. The best bloom occurs in full to part sun to 24-30". They make an excellent cut flower, requiring average watering.
-Monterey Bay Nursery
Photographer: Duane Morris
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.
Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.
