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Tour: Brooks Backyard Garden

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Brooks Backyard 3
New Hampshire Magenta Cranesbill
Myer's Asparagus
Spanish Fir
Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Gold Dust Plant
New Hampshire Magenta Cranesbill

Common name:New Hampshire Magenta Cranesbill
Botanical name:Geranium sanguineum 'New Hampshire'

This creeping perennial grows to a height of 12", spreading slowly by underground runners. Its small leaves a re lobed and havea dark green color. Dark ,rosy violet flowers appear mainly in summer. The plant should receive sun with average to little summer watering. This variety requires good drainage. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Myer's Asparagus

Common name:Myer's Asparagus
Botanical name:Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'

An evergreen groundcover, the 'Myers' also makes an excellent hanging basket plant when larger in size. Its formal looking fronds have an even, spiral arrangement of leaflets. It is damaged by severe frosts, and looks best with at least occasional watering. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Spanish Fir

Common name:Spanish Fir
Botanical name:Abies pinsapo

This evergreen conifer slowly grows to 10-30' tall and 5-15' wide. It has broadly conical branches in regular whorls that usually form a symmetrical crown. The needles are radially erect, stiff, long, very sharp-pointed, and thick. This small evergreen tree has a neat appearance; many varieties available today. Foliage is attractive blue-green needles with white undersides. It does best in full sun with fertile, acidic, well-draining, moist soil. It may not do well in clay soils. It tolerates some neutral and slightly alkaline soils. It has some tolerance for hot and dry climates.

Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo

Common name:Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Botanical name:Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica is a graceful upright shrub that grows from 3'-6' in height. It gets its name from its bamboo-like growth habit. When thinned from the center it bears a remarkable resemblance to bamboo. It is best used in groups. It can be used in a shaded patio or out in a shrub border with full sun. An interesting feature of Heavenly Bamboo is the bronze color in the new growth when planted in full sun. It also bears clusters of white flowers in the spring.

Gold Dust Plant

Common name:Gold Dust Plant
Botanical name:Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'

The shiny, green leaves dotted and speckled with gold make this a beautiful evergreen shrub perfect for areas with heavy shade. Overall, this shrub exhibits moderate growth habits.

Designer: Debbie Synder-Brooks

Brooks Backyard 3
Image: 3 of 18

Photographer: Debbie Snyder-Brooks

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:

Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.