Common name:Valley Oak
Botanical name:Quercus lobata
The Valley Oak is a large deciduous tree that grows 60'-80' tall. It develops a rounded canopy that spreads 50'-70' wide with leaves deeply lobed and rounded. The Valley Oak is very heat tolerant and drought tolerant. It is a native to CA and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Western Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis occidentalis
This deciduous shrub ranges from 6-20' tall and 10-15' wide. It is desirable for its magenta spring flowers, yellow to red fall color, and dangling winter seed pods. It is tolerant of many soil types, drought and oak root fungus. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The Western Redbud can be found statewide in California in the foothills below 4500' elevations in chaparral and woodland communities.
- Cornflower Farms
Common name:Brazilian Lilac Verbena
Botanical name:Verbena bonariensis
This 4'-5' plant is a drought-hardy performer, with blooms atop the sturdy, squarish stem all summer and fall. The flower is a striking purple tuft that makes a good fresh or dried flower. The sparse foliage makes this a great accent flower that hovers high and blends well. Deadheading will prolong its blooming. -Holland WIldflower Farm
Common name:Sunflower
Botanical name:Helianthus laetiflorus 'Lemon Queen'
Lemon Queen is in the Sunflower family. It is an upright shrub with wispy droopy branches that contain vibrant gold flowers in abundance at the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus
This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.
Designer: Turtlebay Exploration Park
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Fix leaking sprinklers, valves, and pipes.
One broken spray sprinkler can waste 10 gallons per minute - or 100 gallons in a typical 10 minute watering cycle.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.