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Descanso Gardens 9
Climbing Rose
Purple Leaf Acacia
Foothill Penstemon
California Sycamore
Climbing Rose

Common name:Climbing Rose
Botanical name:Rosa Climbing varieties

With its dark green foliage and fragrant flowers with full and double blooms, this upright shrub is generally grown as a vine or pillar rose. Climbing varieties come in many colors.

Purple Leaf Acacia

Common name:Purple Leaf Acacia
Botanical name:Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'

This cultivar is one of the showiest Acacias for western gardens. It usually grows to 15' in height, with a compact, dense habit; it is one of the first plants to flower, blooming heavily in late winter. It has soft textured leaves that are usually purple/green. It is very drought tolerant and comes from Eastern Australia.

Foothill Penstemon

Common name:Foothill Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon heterophyllus

This perennial will grow 1.5'-2' tall and 2'-3' wide. It has glossy, blue green foliage with flowers that vary in color and bloom from spring through early summer.

California Sycamore

Common name:California Sycamore
Botanical name:Platanus racemosa

The California Sycamore is a fast growing deciduous tree that reaches up to 40'-50' high. It tolerates heat, smog, as well as moist conditions; it is native to riparian areas. It can be drought tolerant once it's established if there is a high water table. It has interesting mottled bark when the tree is bare in winter. Leaves in fall are gold, red and orange, creating litter. It is beautiful all year round.

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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Designer: Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens 9

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

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