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Tour: Two Sides Entry Garden

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Two Sides Entry Lawn Alternative
Olive, Edible Olive
Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Border Penstemon
Olive, Edible Olive

Common name:Olive, Edible Olive
Botanical name:Olea europaea

This broad tree will slowly grow to 20'-30' tall and wide. It has small, grey-green, evergreen leaves. Small white fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by fleshy black fruit that appears in fall. Fruit is messy and can stain sidewalks. There are cultivars that do not produce fruit. Some folks are allergic to the blooms. This tree is very long lived, with a beautiful gnarled trunk. It prefers full sun and low watering in summer months (twice a month) and none during the winter, when established.

Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy

Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican 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.

Border Penstemon

Common name:Border Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon hybrids (assorted)

This perennial plant will reach 3' high and has medium-sized, glossy dark green leaves with red and pink flowers that bloom in summer and fall. It needs a bit extra water in the summer and no water in the winter. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.

Designer:

Two Sides Entry Lawn Alternative
Image: 2 of 9

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.