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Backyard Meadow
Flannel Bush, Fremontia cv.
Foothill Penstemon
California Fan Palm
Blue Elderberry
California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Sky Flower. Golden Dew-Drop
California Fescue
Flannel Bush, Fremontia cv.

Common name:Flannel Bush, Fremontia cv.
Botanical name:Fremontodendron 'California Glory'

'California Glory' is an open and spreading evergreen shrub 10'-20' in height with many yellow flowers blooming in spring. It needs good drainage and little summer water. It is a native plant to California as the name suggests and it is drought tolerant.

Foothill Penstemon

Common name:Foothill Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon heterophyllus

This perennial will grow 1.5'-2' tall and 2'-3' wide. It has glossy, blue green foliage with flowers that vary in color and bloom from spring through early summer.

California Fan Palm

Common name:California Fan Palm
Botanical name:Washingtonia filifera

California Fan Palm is the only palm native to California. It populates the areas along the San Andreas Fault where desert water has seeped to the surface and formed springs. It grows to 60' tall and 20' wide. It has light green fronds 3'-6' long. One of the most common uses of the palms fronds by Native Californians was in forming housing and thatched Ramadas. Fronds and frond fiber were also used to make sandals, cordage, nets and mats.

Blue Elderberry

Common name:Blue Elderberry
Botanical name:Sambucus mexicana

The Blue Elderberry is a deciduous shrub that grows 4'-10' tall or tree that reaches up to 40' high. The leaves of this plant have 5-9 leaflets with white spring flower clusters developing into blue berries. The Blue Elderberry is a native to California, is drought tolerant and is a beneficial insect plant.

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.

Sky Flower. Golden Dew-Drop

Common name:Sky Flower. Golden Dew-Drop
Botanical name:Duranta erecta

This vining shrub grows from 15'-25' tall and 8'-12' wide. This plant blooms profusely with clusters of blue flowers all through the summer. Orange-yellow berries follow the flowers. Full sun and regular water are necessary to keep this shrub looking and performing its best.

California Fescue

Common name:California Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca californica

The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue green blades that reach 2'-5' high and 3' wide. Foliage arches gracefully upwards and outwards. Flower spikes reach 3' above the leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It makes a great companion plant to oak trees and is handsome as a backdrop behind lower growing grasses for a meadow look. The California fescue is native to California and is a beneficial insect plant.

Designer: Armstrong & Walker Land. Arch.

Backyard Meadow

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:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.