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LA Hilltop Garden 14
Japanese Maple
Variegated Tobira
Beach Strawberry, Sand Strawberry
White Gaura
Sansanqua or Sun Camellia
Wide-Leaf Myoporum Putah Creek
White Birch, European White Birch
Lily of the Nile hybrids
Australian Willow, Wilga
Star Jasmine, Maile Haole
Wendy Alum Root
Dalmation Bellflower
White Gaura
Japanese Maple

Common name:Japanese Maple
Botanical name:Acer palmatum

This magnificient plant can used as a small tree or shrub. It is deciduous with graceful leaves which have a scarlet color in spring as it leafs out. Leaves later turn orange or yellow in fall. It is slow growing to 20', and requires shelter from the hot sun. The leaves of this tree are small, light green in color, and deeply lobed. It should also be noted that this tree remains spectacular throughout all seasons. It can be used as a bonsai plant.

Variegated Tobira

Common name:Variegated Tobira
Botanical name:Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata'

This variegated evergreen shrub or small tree has creamy margins on its gray green leaves. In spring, clusters of small, cream-colored flowers appear with the fragrance of orange blossoms. Variegated Tobira is often used to brighten shaded areas.

Beach Strawberry, Sand Strawberry

Common name:Beach Strawberry, Sand Strawberry
Botanical name:Fragaria chiloensis

This perennial grows 4"-8" high with tooth-edged leaves and ornamental strawberries during the fall. Cut back or mow in early spring to encourage new growth.

White Gaura

Common name:White Gaura
Botanical name:Gaura lindheimeri

White Gaura is a profusely flowering perennial for all zones; it grows 2'-4' high. It has pink buds that open to showy white flowers in spring and fall. It needs full sun and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Sansanqua or Sun Camellia

Common name:Sansanqua or Sun Camellia
Botanical name:Camellia sasanqua

In contrast to other Camellias, this broad-leaved evergreen shrub has small foliage and a more open habit. Its long shoots are easily trained on a wall or fence. Flowering occurs in the fall to early winter, and produces single to fully double blossoms. There should be an incorporation of organic material into the planting bed.

Wide-Leaf Myoporum Putah Creek

Common name:Wide-Leaf Myoporum Putah Creek
Botanical name:Myoporum parvifolium 'Putah Creek'

This evergreen groundcover grows 1' high and 8' wide. It is drought tolerant once established and blooms with white flowers in the summer. It cannot take foot traffic. Leaves are bright green and held close to the stems. This shrub is great for erosion control. It tolerates ocean spray as well as heat.

White Birch, European White Birch

Common name:White Birch, European White Birch
Botanical name:Betula pendula

This medium-size weeping tree will grow to about 40' tall and has a whitish/brown bark with deciduous green leaves.

Lily of the Nile hybrids

Common name:Lily of the Nile hybrids
Botanical name:Agapanthus hybrids

This evergreen groundcover/shrub will grow about 3' tall and has large green leaves with blue flowers (there is a white variety and dwarf varieties) that bloom in spring and summer. It will grow in all soils but prefers loam soil.

Australian Willow, Wilga

Common name:Australian Willow, Wilga
Botanical name:Geijera parviflora

This evergreen tree reaches a height of 25', with 3"-6" long, medium length, green colored leaves that are narrow. Its main branches sweep up and out, while the smaller branches tend to hang down.

Star Jasmine, Maile Haole

Common name:Star Jasmine, Maile Haole
Botanical name:Trachelospermum jasminoides

The Star Jasmine is an evergreen vine that grows 20' tall or as a groundcover that reaches 1'-2' tall and 4'-5' wide. It has white fragrant flowers in the summer and can tolerate sun or partial shade. The Star Jasmine is also drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Wendy Alum Root

Common name:Wendy Alum Root
Botanical name:Heuchera 'Wendy'

Heuchera 'Wendy' belongs to the group of large leaf (H. maxima), native, Heuchera hybrids that prefer, dry, shady conditions. They thrive under native oak trees or in similar situations. Once established, they require virtually no care other than removal of the dead flowers after bloom in the spring. They are most effectively shown when planted in mass.

Dalmation Bellflower

Common name:Dalmation Bellflower
Botanical name:Campanula portenschlagiana

The Dalmation Bellflower is a mounding, deciduous perennial that forms a curtain of purple flowers often blooming in waves throughout the year. It should be grown in areas with sun to partial shade. -Monterey Bay Nursery

White Gaura

Common name:White Gaura
Botanical name:Gaura lindheimeri

White Gaura is a profusely flowering perennial for all zones; it grows 2'-4' high. It has pink buds that open to showy white flowers in spring and fall. It needs full sun and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Designer: Stephanie Blanc

LA Hilltop Garden 14

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:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.