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Crape Myrtle
Powis Castle Artemisia
Australian Bluebell
Chaparral Mallow
Crape Myrtle

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright gren, 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.

Powis Castle Artemisia

Common name:Powis Castle Artemisia
Botanical name:Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

This mounding shrub reaches 3 ft. high and up to 5ft. wide with fine silver foliage. - Cornflower Farms

Australian Bluebell

Common name:Australian Bluebell
Botanical name:Sollya heterophylla

The Australian bluebell creeper is a spreading evergreen shrub that grows 2-3 ft. tall, or a climbing vine that grows to 8 ft. tall with support. It has attractive glossy green foliage and blue, bell-shaped summer flowers. This shrub can tolerate full sun or part shade on the coast , and part shade inland. It can grow under Eucalyptus trees, and needs good drainage. The Australian bluebell creeper is also drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Chaparral Mallow

Common name:Chaparral Mallow
Botanical name:Malacothamnus fasciculatus

This medium-size shrub grows 8' H x 8' W and has tomentose (fuzz on the underside) leaves with lavender/white flowers that bloom in spring.

Designer: Nadine Cloudt

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Photographer: GardenSoft

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:

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