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.
Common name:Confetti Lantana
Botanical name:Lantana 'Confetti'
'Confetti' has year round flowers of yellow, pink and purple. This dependable shrub reaches 2'-3' tall and 6'-8' tall, making it a great plant for ground covers. It prefers full sun and is drought tolerant once it's established. Foliage is evergreen and aromatic, sometimes causing dermatitis.
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.
Common name:Japanese Boxwood
Botanical name:Buxus microphylla japonica
Japanese Boxwood is often used as a hedge. It is compact, with small bright green leaves. It can reach 4-6' tall and wide or be kept smaller through pruninig. It can be sheared to shape. It does better in areas with milder winters. It prefers full sun and a moderate amount of water.
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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.
Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.