Sustainable Landscaping Fundamentals

Sustainable landscaping is a term coined to mean sensible landscape practices that work within the limits of the Eco-system. This means within the limits of your local rainfall, soil conditions and sun patterns.

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Common name:Green Lavender Cotton
Botanical name:Santolina rosmarinifolia

Santolina is an amazingly tough plant with small, yellow, button-sized flowers that cover the 3' tall and 3' wide shrub in the summer months. The green leaves are very thin and needle like. This plant requires absolutely no care in most environments once established. Too much water will lead to mortality. Best grown in well drained soils.

Common name:Compact Karo
Botanical name:Pittosporum crassifolium 'Compactum'

Pittosporum crassifolium 'Nana' is an evergreen shrub or tree. It can reach 25' tall and 20' wide in 8-10 years. Branches are densely clothed in gray green, with 1"-2" long leaves that have rounded ends. It produces maroon flowers in late spring.

Common name:Flowering Maple
Botanical name:Abutilon hybrids

Flowering Maple usually grow to 8'-10' tall and as wide. Most will tolerate frost to 25 degrees F or lower with some damage. All are irresistible to hummingbirds with their showy flowers and heavy nectar production. They will take sun to moderately deep shade and little or no summer watering in coastal areas. They should be given more shade and water in hotter, drier climates. They make an excellent plant for containers. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Compact Myrtle
Botanical name:Myrtus communis 'Compacta'

This evergreen shrub is 6' high and 5' wide with aromatic leaves. It blooms with white, sweet-scented flowers followed by bluish black berries. It can be grown in sun or partial shade; well drained soil is essential. 'Compacta' has smaller leaves and is often used for edges and low formal hedges.

Common name:Sonoma Sage, Creeping Sage
Botanical name:Salvia sonomensis

This low growing, native groundcover has glaucous (covered with whitish, waxy material) green leaves with blue violet flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.