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Soothing Shrub Border
Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma
Strawberry Madrone
Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Little Bunny Fountain Grass
Dwarf Morning Glory
Red Fringe Flower
Kleinia
White Baccopa
Red Hot Poker
Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma

Common name:Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma
Botanical name:Pratia pedunculata

Pratia pedunculata has bright green, nearly stemless, 1/4" leaves. In late spring and summer, these form a backdrop for equally tiny, star-shaped pale blue flowers.

Strawberry Madrone

Common name:Strawberry Madrone
Botanical name:Arbutus 'Marina'

The 'Marina' has gorgeous bark, with leaves that are smaller and not as glossy as Pacific Madrone. Its flowers are pink, borne in pendant clusters in the summer. The fruit is large, red and quite ornamental. The plant should be grown in sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. The 'Marina' prefers good drainage.

Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Little Bunny Fountain Grass

Common name:Little Bunny Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'

This perennial grass will grow 1.5' tall and 1.5' wide. It has bright green foliage with pinkish flowers that bloom in summer and fall.

Dwarf Morning Glory

Common name:Dwarf Morning Glory
Botanical name:Convolvulus sabatius

Convolvulus sabaticus is a perennial that grows 1'-2' high, with branches that spread to 3' or more. It produces blue to lavender flowers with blooms of 1"-2" wide. The soft, evergreen leaves are 1/2" to 1.5" long.

Red Fringe Flower

Common name:Red Fringe Flower
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinese 'Rubrum'

Red Fringe Flower is a 6'-12' shrub with arching branches and light green and reddish leaves .

Kleinia

Common name:Kleinia
Botanical name:Senecio mandraliscae

This succulent perennial will grow to about 1.5' tall and 2' wide. It has curved, bluish gray leaves that are about 3.5" long and very slender.

White Baccopa

Common name:White Baccopa
Botanical name:Sutera cordata

White Baccopa is a prostrate ground cover with white flowers. It stays under 12" in height.

Red Hot Poker

Common name:Red Hot Poker
Botanical name:Kniphofia uvaria

This perennial will reach about 3' tall and has large green leaves with orange flowers that bloom in summer and fall.

Designer:

Soothing Shrub Border

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.

Water Saving Tip:

Irrigate in the early morning to minimize evaporation.

Integrated Pest Management:

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