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Gone Native
Pine Hill Flannel Bush
Deer Grass
California Sycamore
California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Cedros Island Verbena
Pine Hill Flannel Bush

Common name:Pine Hill Flannel Bush
Botanical name:Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumb

These Flannel Bush hybrids are mounding evergreen shrubs that grow 3'-5' tall and 6'-10' wide. They have soft, dark green leaves and produce blooms ranging from red to yellow. They are drought tolerant.

Deer Grass

Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

The Deer Grass is a warm season perennial that forms dense clumps from the base. The spike-like flower stalks grow 3' tall and this grass has striking foundation form. The Deer Grass is native to California and needs watering once or twice a month after it has been established. The more water it has, the greener it is.

Maintenance Tips

Muhlenbergia rigens is a dense grass with a dome-shaped structure arching in all directions. It is commonly referred to as Deergrass. The foliage can reach 3' tall and 5' wide with flower blooms that emerge in the spring and summer 18" above the foliage. This grass requires almost no maintenance if it is planted in its ideal conditions. A sunny location, well-drained soil, and the space to reach its mature size will ensure that it thrives without having to prune for size or shape. It is common to cut back perennial grasses very hard in the winter to prune off the old spent flowers. If you are planning on winter pruning, it is best to wait until you see some new foliage emerge so the newly emerging leaves can cover the cuts quickly.

California Sycamore

Common name:California Sycamore
Botanical name:Platanus racemosa

The California Sycamore is a fast growing deciduous tree that reaches up to 40'-50' high. It tolerates heat, smog, and drought conditions as well as moist conditions; it is native to riparian areas. It has interesting mottled bark when the tree is bare in winter.

California Poppy, Golden Poppy

Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Cedros Island Verbena

Common name:Cedros Island Verbena
Botanical name:Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' is a selection introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden. It follows the same wonderful characteristics described under the general species V. lilacina.

Maintenance Tips

Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ is a popular hybrid of the low-growing, herbaceous perennial that is native to a small island off the coast of Baja California. This variety grows 2-6' tall and 3-4' wide with dark purple flowers and a slight fragrance. This is a low-water, low-maintenance plant that rarely requires attention, pruning, or fertilizer. The best way to keep it looking and performing its best is to plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil and to not overwater in the warmer months. During the fall and winter, the plant usually stops blooming and can sometimes look a little rangy. This is a good time to prune the plant to allow it some dormancy before the growth season begins again in the spring. You can cut back the foliage by one-third of the current size and remove any additional branches that have died back.

Designer: Bill Butler

Gone Native
Image: 3 of 6

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.

Integrated Pest Management:

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