Common name:Purple Coneflower
Botanical name:Echinacea purpurea
The Purple Coneflower is a long-lived, reliable standby for the perennial garden. Rosy purple petals fall below the prominent orange-tinged cone and blooms in late June to September. It should be placed toward the front or middle of the border, or interplanted with Ox-Eye Daisy in the cut flower garden. It should be grown in fertile, well-drained soil. The plant blooms well in shade, but does even better in sun. -Holland WIldflower Farm
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.
Common name:Mendocino Reed Grass
Botanical name:Calamagrostis foliosa
This tufted perennial bunchgrass is native to the Northern California coastal scrub. It forms a beautiful, dense mound of grey-green leaves that reach 2' tall, with showy arching buff colored flower stalks to 3' tall in spring and summer. Reed Grass foliage turn into an attractive purple coloration in the fall and winter. This evergreen should be grown under sun, with little or no summer watering required. This plant is fire prone. Please use caution when planting near your home.
Common name:Montebretia
Botanical name:Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora
Montebretia is a bulb, closely resembling gladiolus. Vertical, strap like leaves grow to 3' tall. Brilliant red, coral/apricot, red, red-orange, or bright yellow flowers sit on top of arching stalks during the summer. Plants may wither in winter but come back in spring. It requires sun to part shade. Once this plant is established, it requires little or no summer watering. This plant performs well in containers as it is considered invasive in some areas.
Common name:White Birch, European White Birch
Botanical name:Betula pendula
This medium-size weeping tree will grow to about 40' tall and has a whitish/brown bark with deciduous green leaves.
Common name:Mendocino Reed Grass
Botanical name:Calamagrostis foliosa
This tufted perennial bunchgrass is native to the Northern California coastal scrub. It forms a beautiful, dense mound of grey-green leaves that reach 2' tall, with showy arching buff colored flower stalks to 3' tall in spring and summer. Reed Grass foliage turn into an attractive purple coloration in the fall and winter. This evergreen should be grown under sun, with little or no summer watering required. This plant is fire prone. Please use caution when planting near your home.
Designer: Phil Thornburg Winterbloom
Photographer: Phil Thornburg Winterbloom
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.