Chris
Water requirement: Low once established Light requirement: Full sun; must have filtered shade in low-desert zones Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant; deer-resistant Seasonal interest: Aromatic foliage, dark yellow flowers in spring and fall with sporadic
Planting and care. Red bird-of-paradise isn't fussy. Plant it in an area with full sun in well-drained soil. Maintenance is simple: Prune back severely in winter to 1 foot high. Once spring arrives it will grow back quickly, and it will begin blooming in April or May. In colder areas (zone 8), mulch the base of the shrub in winter to protect the roots. To extend the flowering period, lightly prune by removing the top 2 feet in August, which will stimulate new blooms through October.
How to use it. Shown here en masse with low-water plants Senecio, Agave, Anigozanthos and other ornamental grasses, Euphorbia shows texture and coloring that volumizes the design and adds a fuller and softer texture to the plant palette. Kelly often combines Euphorbias with companion plants such as succulents, Bulbine, Leucadendron and other low-water-need plants.
Euphorbia characias (zones 8 to 11). Add architectural structure and stimulating color to your garden with E. characias. Reaching a height upward of 4 feet, the upright dome of E. characias is one of the largest. Dense, chalky blue foliage brightens the garden year-round, and a vivid crown of chartreuse flowers tops the plant come spring. Grown in full sun, the shrub holds it color well through the season, only needing to be trimmed back once the stalks yellow. E. characias pairs neon colors with cooler hues for a truly modern design juxtaposition.
The natural, mounded shape of blackfoot daisy adds soft texture to the landscape when used alongside succulents like agave, red yucca and santa-rita prickly pear. The delicate beauty of its white flowers is accentuated alongside flowering plants like angelita daisy, firecracker penstemon and verbena (Glandularia spp).
Botanical name: Salvia leucantha Common name: Mexican bush sage Origin: Native to the forests of central and eastern Mexico Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9 to minus 7 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8b; find your zone) Water requirement: Drought tolerant once established but does best when watered every 10 days; in low-desert gardens, water weekly for best appearance Light requirement: Filtered sun
Distinguishing traits. This South African native has become a favorite of residents in the Southwest because of its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions while adding a tropical appearance to the landscape with its lush foliage and pink flowers. Evergreen in frost-free zones, pink trumpet vine will suffer frost damage when temperatures dip below freezing. In zones 7 and 8 it can be killed down to the roots but will quickly recover in spring. Each pinnate leaf consists of seven to nine leaflets that are approximately 2 inches lon
Black Dalea (Dalea frutescens) Native to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and into northern Mexico In fall, just as many shrubs slow down their flower production, black dalea is just getting started. Vibrant purple flowers create unexpected interest in autumn, making this a great choice for those who want year-round color in the garden. The lacy foliage of this shrub adds an airy texture, which is shown to its greatest effect next to boulders or succulents, such as Parry’s agave (Agave parryi) or Santa Rita prickly pear (Opuntia santa-rita). Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full, reflected sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide
Desert willow decorates summer landscapes with the pink blossoms hanging from its branches. Bright green willow-like foliage is lightly aromatic and adds a visually cooling element to the garden. This deciduous tree is best used in areas where it will be enjoyed throughout its long bloom season, from spring into early fall. There are several varieties with flower colors ranging from white to dark magenta. Narrow seedpods are produced after flowering and don’t fall off when the leaves do. However, some of the newer varieties, such as Art’s Seedless, don’t produce seedpods.
The bright yellow daisies of Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) make a dramatic color statement in the landscape — especially when planted in masses. This Chihuahuan desert native is at home in both low- and high-desert regions of the American Southwest and will impress you with its colorful flowers that appear in spring and again in fall.
Pair it with: Given its fiery golden orange color and distinctive texture, New Zealand wind grass stands out next to most other plants. Play with subtle combinations of it and plants with gray-green and silver foliage, such as silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae), shown here, or low-growing stonecrop. For more drama, combine it with purple-leaved plants, such as spurge (Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’) or dark purple smoke tree (Cotinus spp.). Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (zones 8 to 10)
New Zealand Wind Grass (Anemanthele lessoniana) Viable?
nice plant choices like yarrow
White and pink coneflowers surround blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens). Pair it with: For a naturalistic meadow look, plant coneflowers blooming in shades of pink, white and pale yellow in beds with mixed ornamental grasses or lavender-blue-flowering Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia).
black eyed Susan (gloriosa daisy)
Terraced pool edge nicely done with rock
courtyard different view
courtyard
footpath
terraced
Love the grass border
love this artwork
pretty sitting area
easily replicated here. This is from San Fran.
No care landscaping!
terrace with xeric plants
Bed with cacti and red yucca
Use of planters to frame a stairway
Cozy spot ADLA Studio Austin
concrete bed ADLA Studio Austin
Trellis and terrace
Steel terrace
cool lighting
ADLA Studio in Austin. Steel bed and fun swing
There are few plants that possess such a deep shade of green as monkey grass (Liriope spp), shown here. Astoundingly, it stays that lush with little to no irrigation (especially when planted in the shade). It’s not a grass at all, but a tuberous plant in the asparagus family, with dainty purple or white flowers in spring. L. spicata can be highly invasive in some areas, but L. muscari is a well-behaved clumping plant that can be used without fear of its escaping into the wild. It is hardy to zones 6 to 9.
Another sign of drought tolerance in the plant kingdom is hairy leaves. Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4 to 9) is a classic example. A low-growing, spreading plant, it makes a lush carpet with virtually no irrigation required. Use it as a ground cover, a filler or edging.
Palm trees are another group of plants that create a lush, tropical vibe, yet there are many species with very low water needs. Any of the dozens of palms that are native to desert areas are a natural choice. Most fan palms —a generic name for species with broad fan-like leaves — tend to be drought tolerant. Fan palms are also among the cold hardiest palms. Here are a few with excellent drought tolerance: California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera, zones 8 to 11) European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis, zones 9 to 11) Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei, zones 7 to 11)
Look to arid landscapes for inspiration. Gardeners normally think of ferns as moisture-loving plants, but there are many species that can be found in dry habitats. Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum, USDA zones 3 to 10; find your zone), shown here, grows in the forests of the West Coast, where rainfall is virtually nonexistent for six months of the year. It stays deep green nonetheless, pushing out fresh new fronds each spring after the winter rains.
Love this grass 'Hameln’ Dwarf Fountain Grass
cool way to create a bed with easy care and big impact using natives.
small zen garden for meditative area. You have to use plants approp. for this zone.
Spanish lavender and lamb’s ears. Keep it simple by banking borders with swaths of deep violet Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas, zones 7 to 9) and velvety lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4 to 9). These hardworking perennials grow best in full sun with moderate water and take almost no care to look good. While lamb’s ears can grow in moist soil, good drainage is essential for the lavender.
Planting notes. Opt for a dry, sunny, well-drained site. While supplemental watering will help establish the plant, cut back on irrigation once it matures. Ormiston recommends several deep waterings over summer. The foliage is naturally a glaucous gray, becoming greener with more water.
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