Common name:Australian Grass Tree
Botanical name:Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

This grassy perennial will eventually grow to 15' high. It is a tree-like plant. Foliage is fiber optic looking with linear green leaves that are 2'-4' long and shimmer in the wind. The long flowering stalk resembles a jousting lance and is a stunning accent plant. Tall grasses are highly combustible.

Common name:Foothills Palo Verde
Botanical name:Cercidium microphyllum

This is a smaller shade tree that reaches heights and widths of 10'-20'. The tree is very drought-tolerant, although supplemental watering during the dry season will speed up growth rate. Trees are leafless for most of the year, except following rains.

Common name:Banana or Blue Yucca, Datil
Botanical name:Yucca baccata

This clump-forming Yucca can also grow a small trunk up to 8' tall. Clumps will typically have 5-20 rosettes, although rare specimens can have as many as 70. Fruit is edible and banana shaped, 5" long and 2" wide. Flower spikes are often partially enclosed in the leaves from March to April. Leaves are stiff, bluish green, 1.5"-2" wide and 2' long. This is one of the toughest plants, with a coarse appearance. It needs full sun and well drained sites.

Common name:Peruvian-Apple Cactus, Pitaya
Botanical name:Cereus peruvianus

This cactus can grow 25' high and produces large, white blooms. It does best in full sun and dry soil.

Common name:Pony Tail or Bottle Palm, Beaucarne
Botanical name:Nolina recurvata

This palm-like shrub from the Agave family has a single trunk and grows up to 30' tall. It has thin flat leaves that can grow up to 6' long and only 1" wide. The base is large and distinctive; it usually looks swollen. Mature plants may bloom on a 3'-4' tall stalk.

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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