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.

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Its fall color is affected by the weather. While it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The colors of its flowers are shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white. It thrives on heat and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew.

Common name:Hollywood Twisted Juniper
Botanical name:Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka'

The dark green foliage on the branches of this Juniper start in a narrow cone shape when young but open up gracefully when older. Its twisted looking branches resemble flames. It may grow 15' tall in 15 years. Over time, the branches may lean to one side. Junipers are highly combustible plants.

Common name:Waxleaf Privet
Botanical name:Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'

This dense evergreen shrub of an upright habit is capable of growing as a shrub or small tree. Its dark green, leathery leaves are opposite those of a simple evergreen plant.

Common name:Canyon Prince Wild Rye
Botanical name:Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'

One of the best known and utilized native grass selections in Southern California, this beautiful, blue gray foliage spreads out 3'-4' or more. It will reach a height of 2'-3'. It rarely flowers. It does spread by rhizomes although not as vigorously as some closely related species. It can be extremely drought tolerant and care must be taken not to over water this species as it can rot from the center. Otherwise, it is carefree and requires virtually no maintenance.

Common name:Island Alum Root
Botanical name:Heuchera maxima

This large leaf native Heuchera from which many hybrids have been derived will reach about 3' tall in bloom and has deep green leaves with white flowers with a touch of pink.

Sustainable Fertilization

If you mulch heavily as recommended in the compost and mulch fact sheets you should not need traditional fertilization. Sustainable landscapes fertilize themselves as soil organisms break down and recycle the dropped leaves into nutrients.

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