Common name:Ferned-Leaved Tickseed
Botanical name:Bidens ferulifolia 'Goldmarie'
14-18" tall. Heat tolerant variety that is perfect for cascading, bright color in baskets, containers, and window boxes. Finely divided foliage is covered with gold, single flowers. Blooms until first frost. Plant in full sun, well drained soil.
Common name:Jack Spratt New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Jack Spratt'
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves in a fan pattern. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of small blossoms.
Common name:Striped Society Garlic
Botanical name:Tulbaghia violacea 'Variegata'
The striped Society Garlic is a garlic scented perennial with green narrow leaves that have white margins to 1 ft. tall. The flowers are lavender clusters on a 1-2 ft. stem that bloom in the spring and summer. This perennial is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Ivy Geranium
Botanical name:Pelargonium peltatum
Clouds of single flowers are produced from spring through fall on this plant, which should be planted in areas that receive part sun. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Designer: Ann Breemer Designs
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.