Common name:Bauer's Dracaena
Botanical name:Cordyline baueri

Bauer's Dracaena grows to 10' high, and is topped with a 5' wide crown of burgundy leaves. In summer, there are clusters of fragrant white flowers.

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.

Common name:Ground Cover Natal Plum
Botanical name:Carissa macrocarpa 'Prostrata'

This wonderful ground cover will grow 2' high and can be trained as an espalier. It spreads quickly to provide good cover. It blooms with white flowers followed by red or purple fruit. Thorns make it a good barrier planting.

Common name:Rose Campion, Crown-Pink
Botanical name:Lychnis coronaria

Magenta pink blooms in May through July on mossy-soft, gray green leaves highlight this plant. The 1'-2' long stems branch at the top and are loaded with flowers. It should be grown in slightly moist, well -drained soil, and is a great companion to Lambs Ears.

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

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