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Mediterranean Villa Garden 8
Sticks on Fire Pencil Tree
Giant Bird Of Paradise
Aeonium cultivars
Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Improved Meyer Lemon
Fern Pine
Tall Fescue, Marathon (turf)
Sticks on Fire Pencil Tree

Common name:Sticks on Fire Pencil Tree
Botanical name:Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'

In frost free areas, Euphorbia can become a 30' tree but in colder areas, it is often knocked back by frost. It can be single or multiple trunked. It has green cylindrical branches that are about the diameter of a pencil. Leaves are not usually present. Some people are allergic to the sap. It is tolerant of salt, full sun, part shade and quite drought resistant. It is a great accent plant for a container. This form has yellow or orange branches if in full sun.

Giant Bird Of Paradise

Common name:Giant Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Strelitzia nicolai

This clumping evergreen perennial can reach 25' tall fairly quickly, forming a false trunk from the base of the leaves. The leaves are shaped like bananas, reaching 10' long with the widest part reaching 5' . It does best with fertilizer once a month and rich soil. It does not like wet feet so water only when dry. It can be planted in full sun but will do better if it receives afternoon shade. The flowers can reach a size of 10"-12", but plants need to be a few years old before they will flower.

Aeonium cultivars

Common name:Aeonium cultivars
Botanical name:Aeonium cultivars

These plants are one of the most useful succulents, due to their decorative effects and sculpturesque quality. The branched stems hold a wide rosetta of either light green or purple leaves. The flowers appear in long, clustered form. They need some shade in hotter areas. Prostrate forms are low-growing, and spreading.

Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst

Common name:Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. The 'Barbara Karst' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms early and long. It is senstive to frost and will die back hard but comes back in a number of weeks. Be carefeul of this in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Improved Meyer Lemon

Common name:Improved Meyer Lemon
Botanical name:Citrus X 'Improved Meyer'

Improved Meyer Lemon is an evergreen tree that grows 3'-6' tall and 3'-6' wide; it has year around leaves that are glossy green. This tree likes well drained loam soil, with full sun; medium watering is required. It has white flowers and yellow edible fruit.

Fern Pine

Common name:Fern Pine
Botanical name:Afrocarpus gracilior

Soft, narrow, pointed leaves on graceful arching branches characterize this plant. The foliage is gray green, and the plant can be used as an individual specimen, screen, or even a small tree.

Tall Fescue, Marathon (turf)

Common name:Tall Fescue, Marathon (turf)
Botanical name:Festuca arundinacea 'Marathon'

This grass is best when kept at about 2"-2.5" high, but it has a root depth of about 6'. It is a beautiful, dark green color all year and is used in a variety of locations.

Designer: N/A

Mediterranean Villa Garden 8
Image: 38 of 50

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.