Common name:Red Hot Poker
Botanical name:Kniphofia uvaria

This perennial will reach about 3' tall and has large green leaves with orange flowers that bloom in summer and fall.

Common name:Garden Nasturtium
Botanical name:Tropaeolum majus

This annual groundcover/vine and will grow less than 1' tall, but will spread and climb up to 6' tall. Nasturtium has 2" light green leaves with edible, red, orange, yellow, or white flowers that are in constant bloom throughout the warm season. This plant usually reseeds, with new plants emerging in early spring.

Common name:Pheasant's Tail Grass
Botanical name:Stipa arundinacea

Pheasant's Tail Grass is a beautiful, fine, airy grass that is emerald green in color. It has many soft yellow, beige flower stalks in the spring. This grass grows 10"-12" tall , 1'-2' wide and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Red Cross Kangaroo Paws
Botanical name:Anigozanthos 'Red Cross'

Red Cross Kangaroo Paws has spectacular, tall (4'-5'), multi- branched stems with rich burgundy coloration on both flowers and stems. The flowers open to reveal a green interior. It is a good strong grower with very dark red flowers.- San Marcos Growers

Common name:Catalina Cherry
Botanical name:Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii

The Catalina cherry is an evergreen tree or shrub that grows 15'-40' high and wide. It develops showy white flowers in the spring and red fruit in the fall. It is resistant to oak root fungus. The Catalina cherry is native to California, is drought tolerant, is a beneficial insect plant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Mexican Feather Grass
Botanical name:Nassella tenuissima

This ornamental grass grows to 2' tall. It goes partially dormant during the summer but green in spring and fall. It prefers a sunny, well drained site. This plant can be invasive in some areas, so use caution. To keep reseeding to a minimum, drip irrigation will be best. Cut back in early spring to remove dormant foliage and dried seed heads. It can also tolerate dry shade. It grows to 10" wide and is the finest textured of the ornamental grasses.

Common name:Dwarf Blue Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus 'Peter Pan'

This variety of Agapanthus has a growth of blue flowers between 12"-18" high. This variety is a dwarf form of the Agapanthus parent plant. It is both smaller in size and has much thinner leaves than the parent.

Common name:Japanese Blood Grass
Botanical name:Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'

This groundcover/grass can reach up to 3' tall and has green leaves that are reddish maroon at the tips.

The Magic of Mulch

In the natural world the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, death and rebirth flows throughout the seasons. Plants die, leaves fall and new growth springs up in its place. Nothing is lost and the fallen leaves and dead plants decay into the soil, enriching it for the next generation of growth.

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