Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax
New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.
Common name:Dwarf Strawberry Tree
Botanical name:Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'
This is a compact evergreen shrub that grows to 5 ft. high. It has white flowers and red fruit throughout the year. It is also a very clean, colorful , " deer resistant " shrub.
Common name:Coast Live Oak
Botanical name:Quercus agrifolia
The coast live oak is and evergreen round-headed tree. It can reach 15-40 ft. high and 20 ft. wide and grows very well from the coastal areas to the interior valleys. It is native to California, is drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies. -Cornflower Farms
Common name:Strawberry Madrone, Marina Strawber
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. -Monterey Bay Nursery
Designer: Ann Breemer Designs
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.