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Water-Smart Landscaping
Getting Started
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| Plant of the Month Plant of the Month Archives Demonstration Gardens Landscape Photo Gallery |
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Lily-of-the-Nile, Agapanthus species |
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Saltbush, Atriplex canescens Silvery leaves, fire retardant, with 3 - 6 foot growth, good for erosion control. Likes full sun. Use as a naturalizer to native surroundings. Tolerates saline soils. |
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Bird of Paradise Bush, Caesalpinia gilliesii Open, sparsely leafed shrub grown for interesting shape and spectacular flowers, long blooming--spring through summer. Fast growing to 10 feet, does best in full sun and well-drained soil. |
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Dusty Miller, Centurea cineraria Annual or perennial, with silvery white leaves and spring and summer yellow flowers. Use as a border plant and as a foliage contrast. Cut back if leggy. |
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Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides Native to the west, sun or light shade, good under tree canopy, evergreen with open growth 5 - 10 feet, white spring flowers. |
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Mediterranean Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis Hardy to 6 feet, slow growing to 15 feet, use as accent, near pools, sun to partial shade. |
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Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis Deciduous large shrub or small tree, drops leaves early and holds seed capsules until removed, showy summer flower clusters pink to white trumpet shaped. Use in full sun, does well in highly exposed and difficult situations. |
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Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Perennial herb to 5 feet with bright yellow daisy-like flowers spring to summer, start by seed then spreads by reseeding, water increases plant size. Use anywhere to get bright color--near buildings or as a naturalizer. |
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Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster species Evergreen, semideciduous or deciduous groundcovers and small shrub, arching branches with small leaves and red winter berries, good for erosion control, give north or east exposure with some shade, do not prune, looks best with natural growth, give room to spread. |
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Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia Large shrub or small tree to 20 feet, 10 - 15 foot spread, deciduous. Attractive silver gray leaves with pale yellow flowers in summer, producing olive-like berries. Hardy, takes nearly any conditions. Use as a screen shrub, small tree, or pruned on a trellis or fence. |
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Silverberry, Elaeagnus pungens Evergreen shrub to 10 feet with grayish foliage and rust colored undersides, can be shaped with pruning or allowed to naturally sprawl, could be hedge or screen. Sun to partial shade. Alkaline soils may need amendment to adjust pH for successful growth. |
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California Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum Shrub native to the west, hardy, takes heat and wind, but likes well drained soil. White flowers late spring to fall. Low growing to 3 feet, use in rock gardens or as a naturalizer to native surroundings. Prune back after flowering. Warning: some other frequently available Eriogonum species are of coastal origin and may not tolerate the High Desert heat and cold. |
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Flannel Bush, Fremontodendron californicum Native to California, fast growth to 20 feet with showy yellow spring flowers, needs good drainage and little or no summer water, use as espalier, against walls or as large shrub. Likes sun to partial shade. Various cultivated varieties available, including some low-growing forms. |
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Daylily, Hemerocallis species Bulb-like small shrubs with showy summer to fall blooms, generally yellow to orange, use in borders, as mass plantings, near pools, best in shade or east exposure. Very successful in the High Desert, but may suffer some winter freeze damage and wind burn. |
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Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia Evergreen shrub native to California, use as screen or large shrub, red winter berries, give some summer water, fire retardant with consistent water, good far erosion control. Full sun or partial shade of large trees. |
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Juniper, Juniperus species Many varieties from prostrate form to medium sized shrubs, use as accent, on slopes, as a barrier, for desert appearance, avoid pruning, give each variety the proper room to grow, will do well in light shade or full sun. J. californica and J. ostosperma are native to the High Desert. Juniperous chinensis is more readily available in High Desert nurseries. |
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Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentata Evergreen to 12 feet, native to North American deserts. Use as a natural desert plant, in a hedge, or as an accent. |
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Texas Ranger, Leucophyllum frutescens Evergreen, slow-growing shrub 4 - 10 feet high, 4 -5 feet wide. Tolerant of full sun, heat, wind, and alkali sail, lavender flowers in summer and fall. Needs no pruning, use as a hedge, or as an accent with other shrubs. Native to Texas and Mexico. |
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Oregon Grape, Mahonia species Western natives, low to medium shrubs, yellow spring flowers, fall berries, use in shade or north exposure site. Large varieties make good barrier plants because of their spiny leaves. Mahonia "Golden Abundance" is particularly attractive. Can freeze back during High Desert winters. |
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Sugar Bush, Rhus ovata Evergreen shrub, slow growing with deep green, glossy leaves and an attractive form. Plant in fall. Use as a hedge in full sun or partial shade. |
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Banks Rose, Rosa banksiae Evergreen to deciduous climber to 20 feet, thornless, large clusters of yellow or white flowers spring to summer, use on slopes, fences and arbors. Full sun to partial shade. Can freeze back during High Desert winters. |
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Damask Rose, Rosa damascena Deciduous oldstyle spreading rose with pale to deep pink 3 - 4 inch fragrant flowers, grows 6 - 8 feet, prickly stoma, hardy and green during the hot season, good for erosion control on banks or as hedges. Full sun. Can freeze back during High Desert winters. |
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Sage, Salvia species Evergreen shrubs with fragrant foliage to 4 feet tall, flowers spring to fall in a range of colors from reds to blues, attracts hummingbirds. Remove dead blooms to prolong flowering. Some species are frost sensitive. |
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Jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis Evergreen to 10 feet, slow growth, can be trimmed to large screen, can take reflected sun from walls or streets. Full sun. |
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Yucca, Yucca species Recommended species include both Yucca chidegera (Mojave Yucca) and Yucca whipplei. These plants are native to Southern California, featuring a cluster of spine-tipped leaves, and white blooms on tall stalks. Fire retardant, needs full sun. Beware: leaf spines can be dangerous, particularly for children, keep away from walks or play areas. Use as accent with other desert plants. Each rosette dies after flowering, but the colony remains. |
