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Cal Southwest Garden
Blue Palo Verde
Chalk Dudleya, Chalk-Lettuce
Dusky Chief Flax
Incana Cranesbill
Society Garlic
Catmint
Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily
Elija Blue Fescue
Boston Ivy
Creeping Fig
Blue Palo Verde

Common name:Blue Palo Verde
Botanical name:Cercidium floridum

This desert tree has an upright habit and can reach 30' high and wide. It can grow moderately fast with irrigation, however, it can be considered drought tolerant. Trees bloom profusely in spring with clusters of golden-yellow blossoms.

Chalk Dudleya, Chalk-Lettuce

Common name:Chalk Dudleya, Chalk-Lettuce
Botanical name:Dudleya pulverulenta

Chalk Dudleya is a succulent. with 12" diameter rosette and waxy leaves; it has interesting flower spikes.

Dusky Chief Flax

Common name:Dusky Chief Flax
Botanical name:Phormium 'Dusky Chief'

This plant will grow 5-10' high x 3-6' wide and has unique foliage that varies in color. It produces deep purple flowers that have a coral edge.

Incana Cranesbill

Common name:Incana Cranesbill
Botanical name:Geranium incanum

Geranium incanum is grown as a trailing or mounding perennial to a size of 1' tall, spreading by underground runners to cover relatively large areas if healthy. Its foliage has a wispy, ferny texture. The dark, rosy violet flowers can appear almost all year in areas of mild climates. The plant needs good drainage, and most suffer die back in cold winters. Proper growth conditions include sun with little or no summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Society Garlic

Common name:Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea

This clumping perennial will grow less than 1' tall and has narrow, blue green leaves. Clusters of lavender flowers bloom in spring and summer. Leaves and flowers have a distinct onion or garlic smell if crushed.

Catmint

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray green, undulating mounds that are 1.5' high when blooming. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring and early summer.

Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily

Common name:Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides

This clumping evergreen Iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks up to 3' tall. This variety has stiffer, darker foliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Elija Blue Fescue

Common name:Elija Blue Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca glauca 'Elija Blue'

The 'Elijah Blue' is a dwarf variety with gray blue (but sometimes white-looking) foliage. It should receive sun and little summer watering. -Monterey Bay Nursrey

Boston Ivy

Common name:Boston Ivy
Botanical name:Parthenocissus tricuspidata

This deciduous vine grows leaves that are usually lobed and divided into 3 leaflets. It clings tightly to any surface.

Creeping Fig

Common name:Creeping Fig
Botanical name:Ficus pumila

This is one of the few plants that can attach itself securely to wood, masonry, or metal. Because there is no limit to its size, it can overcome an entire buliding. It is most often found in colder climates. This vine will not climb on the south or west walls.

Designer:

Cal Southwest Garden

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Integrated Pest Management:

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