Common name:Fern Pine
Botanical name:Podocarpus gracilior

Soft, narrow, pointed leaves on graceful arching branches charatcerize this plant. The foliage is gray-green, and the plant can be used as an individual specimen, screen, or even a small tree.

Common name:Aloe Vera or Medicinal Aloe
Botanical name:Aloe vera

Slow to moderate grower, the rosette consists of fleshy gray green leaves. Leaves are narrow, succulent and erect with soft spines on margins. Flowers are spikes of yellow to 2-3' tall and occur late winter to summer. Can form large clumps. Sap used for burns and abrasions. Will tolerate full to partial shade. Needs some supplemental water in heat. Mediterranean native. Needs good drainage. Hummer attractor.

Common name:Horsetail Reed
Botanical name:Equisetum hyemale

This reed-like plant bears dark green, jointed stems to 3-4' tall. It should receive sun to part shade with regular summer watering. The reed grass can be extremely invasive and is best when used in pots or when confined by a barrier. As such, it can be extremely effective as an accent plant. While tolerant of wet conditions, the most successful plantings are those with average soil moisture. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Montebretia
Botanical name:Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora

This garden plant is a cormous herb, and it closely resembles the gladiolus. Its summer deciduous bulb bears crenate vertical leaves to 3' tall and arching stalks of brilliant red, coral/apricot, red, red-orange, or bright yellow flowers in late spring and summer. It requires sun to part shade. Little or no summer watering. This plant performs well in containers. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Gravel mulch keeps weeds down allows water in.

Using Water Wisely

An efficient watering system applies the right amount of water to the right parts of the garden at the right time. This conserves water and saves you money.

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