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Sycamore Shade Garden 3
Giant Chain Fern
Tobira
California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Iris 'Canyon Snow'
Kaffir Lily, Clivia
Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Margarita Bop Foothill Penstemon
Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac
Century Plant, Maguey
Giant Chain Fern

Common name:Giant Chain Fern
Botanical name:Woodwardia fimbriata

The Giant Chain Fern is a large fern that grows 4'-8' tall. It can tolerate full sun but does best in some shade. This fern is native to California and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Tobira

Common name:Tobira
Botanical name:Pittosporum tobira

This large, dense, evergreen shrub or small tree has shiny dark green leaves. In the spring, clusters of small, cream-colored flowers appear with the fragrance of orange blossoms. Tobira can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is considered one of the most durable shrubs in California landscapes.

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.

Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian

Common name:Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Botanical name:Centranthus ruber

This perennial groundcover will grow 1'-3' high and has medium-size blue/green leaves with red, pink, or white flowers that bloom in the summer.

Iris 'Canyon Snow'

Common name:Iris 'Canyon Snow'
Botanical name:Iris Pacific Coast Hybrid 'Canyon Snow'

Iris 'Canyon Snow' is a beautifu, white flower with a yellow throat. It is one of the best performing of the Irises. It tolerates regular garden conditions and does not struggle through the summer. It is not a fussy plant, as there is little to no maintenance, once established. Like most Irises, the bloom period is fairly short. It looks best in mass plantings. It prefers partial to full shade.

Kaffir Lily, Clivia

Common name:Kaffir Lily, Clivia
Botanical name:Clivia miniata

A clumping evergreen bulb, this Kafir Lily produces luxuriant leaves and stalks of deep orange to red orange flowers in late winter and spring. It tolerates deep shade and, after establishment, drought. The plant requires frost protection. It performs well in containers. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy

Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus

This low mounding perennial, with fine leaves and white to pinkish, daisy-like flowers, is an excellent asset to rock gardens.

Margarita Bop Foothill Penstemon

Common name:Margarita Bop Foothill Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita Bop'

This is one of the easiest and most versatile California native plants. This is a hybrid Penstemon, which will produce beautiful, purple blue flowers through much of the year when spent flowers are removed. Foliage grows in low growing mats to 6"-8" tall and 12"-18" wide.

Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac

Common name:Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac
Botanical name:Buddleja davidii

Butterfly bush is a fast growing deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub ranging from 3' up to 10', with an open, rangy growth habit. It should be cut back nearly to the ground in fall for size control and appearance. Purple, pink, white or red flowers appear in spring and summer, attracting butterflies. This shrub looks great in mass plantings.

Century Plant, Maguey

Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Designer: Unknown

Sycamore Shade Garden 3

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.