PDF - Elk Grove Greener Gardens

1
Another Shade of ‘Green’
Plant list
1.Gold Breath of Heaven,
Coleonema pulchrum ‘Sunset Gold’
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
2.Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo,
Nandina domestica ‘Nana’
3.Dwarf Japanese Barberry,
Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’
4.Fortnight Lily, Dietes vegeta
5.Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea
6.Heather, Calluna vulgaris
‘Wickwar Flame’
Designed and installed in 2002, the face of this garden has changed throughout the years.
The original planting design included several sun loving shrubs and perennials; however the
increasing shade of the existing tree has caused many of those plants to be shaded out and
die over time. Despite this gradual metamorphosis, the remaining landscape is still worthy of
discussion and provides a display of four significant river-friendly principles:
• N
urturing Soil Health – Leaf litter is allowed to accumulate and decompose over time to
provide nutrient cycling back to the soil and act as mulch to retain soil moisture.
• C
onserving Water – With the exception of the ornamental roses, the landscape is planted
with relatively low-water use plants and irrigated entirely with a drip irrigation system.
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
• P
rotecting Air and Water Quality – Without lawn, the landscape does not require the
frequent use of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers or the weekly use of a high carbon emitting
gas-powered lawn mower. According to the EPA, one hour of operation of lawn mower
produces the same emissions as operating 11 cars for one hour! Something to think about
when considering turf…
• L andscaping for Less to the Landfill – The owner of this home has not been able to
maintain this front yard for some time. Yes, the tree could afford some lower limb pruning,
and some minor shrub trimming here and there, but generally speaking, weekly trimming
and pruning has not been necessary to keep this yard in relatively
good ‘shape’. This is evidence that the ‘right plant in the right place’,
results in less pruning and less to the landfill.
Although not necessarily a ‘jaw-dropping’ garden in terms
of curb appeal, it certainly is a good example of another ‘greener’
way of gardening!
7.Santa Barbara Daisy,
Erigeron karvinskianus
8.Gazania, Gazania species
9.Old Gold Pfitzer Juniper,
Juniperus chinensis ‘Old Gold’
10.Bar Harbor Juniper,
Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’
11.Cranesbill Geranium,
Erodium species
12.London Plane Tree,
Platanus acerifolia
13.New Zealand Flax,
Phormium tenax ‘Maori Maiden’
14.Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
15.Artemisia or Wormwood, Artemisia
‘Powis Castle’
To assist you, all plants listed above
have been labeled by number in the
landscape. Check them out!
2
Outdoor Living Room
Plant list
1.Corkscrew Willow, Salix matsudana ‘Tortuoso’
2. Edible Fig, Ficus carica
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3.Dwarf Pomegranate, Punica granatum ‘Nana’
4.White Butterfly Guara, Guara lindheimeri ‘White’
5. Mexican Blue Sage, Salvia chamaedryoides
6. Bearded Iris, Iris germanica
7.Lavender Cotton, Santolina chamaecyparissus
8. Lydia Broom, Genista lydia
9.Creeping Wire Vine, Muehlenbeckia axillaris
10.Fern Leaf Yarrow, Achillea ‘Moonshine’
Cul-de-sac homes often have narrow, flared or awkwardly shaped front yards that 11.Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas
result in little usable space. However, this did not prevent these homeowners from 12.California Fuschia, Zauschneria californica
creating a stylish courtyard and outdoor living room instead!
13.Henry Clematis, Clematis x ‘Henryi’
The curvilinear stucco wall and arbor encapsulate the front of this home creating a
welcoming entry and private haven. Brick pilasters repeat brick accents elsewhere
on the home and in the landscape to create a homogenous and complementary
design. The courtyard includes a marble fountain with hand-crafted ceramic fish
accents, a seating area and fireplace.
The courtyard leaves a small planter in front of the curved wall which includes
a combination of perennials, spring flowering bulbs (Iris, Daffodil and Freesia),
seasonal annuals and a collection of ceramics and garden ornaments.
14.Buchanan’s Sage, Salvia buchananii
15.Lion’s Tail, Leonotis leonurus
16.Copper Shine Coprosma, Coprosma ‘Coppershine’
17.Kumquat species
To assist you, all plants listed above have
been labeled by number in the landscape.
Check them out!
The edible landscape is a major component of this ‘greener
garden’. The patio includes potted dwarf citrus, such as
Lime and Kumquat. Fig and Dwarf Pomegranate are in
the front planter. However, the most unique use of space
is the linear planter of espaliered fruit trees to the right
of the driveway. The decorative arbor creates a rhythmic
framework for espaliered blood orange, plum, Bing cherry,
Rainier cherry, apricot, apple and grapefruit. This design
element is both attractive and productive.
What would have been a narrow, unused stretch of turf as
you enter the home on an awkwardly shaped cul-de-sac lot
has now become a welcoming outdoor room with a purpose!
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3
‘Good Neighbor’ Landscape
Plant list
1.White Stonecrop, Sedum album
2.Lava Cascade Grevillea, Grevillea juniperina
‘Lava Cascade’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3.Ken Taylor Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
‘Ken Taylor’
4.Maori Queen New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax
‘Maori Queen’
5. Sageleaf Rockrose, Cistus salvifolius
6. Little John Bottlebrush, Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’
7. New Zealand Tea Tree, Leptospermum scoparium
8. Indian Hawthorne, Rhaphiolepis indica
9.Photinia, Photinia fraserii
Just last year, adjacent neighbors got together and decided to redo their
landscapes. They chose to have them designed simultaneously so that they not
only complemented each other, but also created a single cohesive landscape
between their homes.
10. Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’
The landscape design evokes a sense or feeling of a high desert landscape. The
use of boulders, cobble and decomposed granite simulate a desert wash and
provide flow between the residential lots. Weathered logs scattered throughout
the landscape add interest, while gentle mounding elevates plant material for
visual variety.
14.Strawberry Seduction Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
‘Strawberry Seduction’
The plant palette is predominantly drought tolerant with the exception of some
foundation plantings remaining from the original landscape. Seasonal displays
of color abound with springtime favorites like California Poppy and Spanish
Lavender followed by summer blossoms of Rockrose and Rosemary.
I’ve heard of ‘good neighbor’ fences, but this landscape erases the line drawn
between the two lots and creates a ‘good neighbor’ landscape!
To assist you, all plants listed on the right have been labeled by
number in the landscape. Check them out!
11. Rattlesnake Grass, Briza maxima
12. Variegated Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea ‘Variegata’
13. Moonshine Yarrow, Achillea x ‘Moonshine’
15.Dwarf Fountain Grass, Pennisetum
alopecuroides ‘Hameln’
16. Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha
17. Pacific Mist Manzanita, Arctostaphylos ‘Pacific Mist’
18. Purple Autumn Sage, Salvia greggii ‘Purple’
19. Pink Autumn Sage, Salvia greggii ‘Pink Frills’
20.Candy Stripe Creeping Plox, Phlox subulata
‘Candy Stripe’
21.Blue Pacific Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta
‘Blue Pacific’
22. Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides
23. California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
24. Dwarf Red Oleander, Nerium oleander ‘Little Red’
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
25. Marina Strawberry Tree, Arbutus ‘Marina’
26. Mexican Heather, Cuphea hyssopifolia
27. Butterfly Iris, Dietes bicolor
28.Daylily, Heteromeles species
29. Mugo Pine, Pinus Mugo
4
Sensible and Sophisticated
Plant list
1.Muskogee Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
‘Muskogee’
2. Zuni Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica ‘Zuni’
3.Snow-in-Summer, Cerastium tomentosum
4.Golden Breath of Heaven, Coleonema ‘Sunset Gold’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
5.Yarrow, Achillea millefolium ‘Summer Pastels’
6.Prostrate Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
‘Prostratus’
7.Chinese ‘Ever Red’ Fringe Flower,
Loropetalum chinense
8.English Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
9.Munstead Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
This landscape was designed by local landscape designer, Roberta Walker, and
installed by Jeff Abdallah of Sacramento Valley Landscape. The finished product is
a landscape that is both sensible and sophisticated and sets this home apart from
others in the neighborhood.
A courtyard clad in decorative stone and iron work provides a private seating area
for morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening. Using front yard space in this
way gives the homeowner additional outdoor living area, reduces the amount of
planting area requiring irrigation and maintenance and is a wonderful backdrop to
the plantings in the foreground. This is a sophisticated addition that complements
the color and architecture of the home.
The landscaping and plant selections weave an interesting palette of contrasting
grays and greens. Additional contrast is provided on the ground plane with the
juxtaposition of charcoal gray lava rock and light gray cobble used in the dry
river bed. Interest and color are provided with a compilation of plant material that
blooms early spring through fall. Early bloomers include Golden Breath of Heaven
and Chinese Fringe Flower followed by summer blooms of Crape Myrtle, Lavender,
Rosemary, Groundcover Rose, Dwarf Bottlebrush and Yarrow. All selections have
low water requirements and are sensible selections for the Sacramento Valley.
By definition this is an Elk Grove ‘Greener Garden’…it features a mix of native and
water conserving plant material which require less watering and maintenance than
traditional lawns, the variety of plants make it more interesting and aesthetically
pleasing, and some selections are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies
providing them with food and habitat.
To assist you, all plants listed above on the right have been labeled by
number in the landscape. Check them out!
10.Lemon Leigh Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas
‘Lemon Leigh’
11.Goodwin Creek Lavender, Lavandula ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’
12. Australian Fuschia, Correa pulchella
13. Dwarf Bottlebrush, Callistemon ‘Little John’
14.Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper, Juniperus procumbens
‘Nana’
15.Green Mound Juniper, Juniperus procumbens ‘Green
Mound’
16. Australian Willow, Geijera parviflora
17. Autumn Joy Stonecrop, Sedum ‘ Autumn Joy’
18.Peach Drift Groundcover Rose, Rosa ‘Peach Drift’
19. Cape Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata
20. Lavender Cotton, Santolina chamaecyparissus
21.Lemon Fizz Lavender Cotton, Santolina virens ‘Lemon Fizz’
22.Wheeler’s Dwarf Mock Orange, Pittosporum tobira
‘Wheeleri’
23. May Night Salvia, Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’
24.California Fuchsia, Zauschneria californica
25.Purple Rock Rose, Cistus x purpureus
26. Hens and Chicks, Sempervivum tectorum
27.Sweet Lavender, Lavandula
heterophylla
28.Krebs Desert Rose Hens & Chicks,
Sempervivum ‘Krebs’
29.Green Wheel Hens & Chicks,
Sempervivum ‘Green Wheel’
5
Savvy Water Saver
Plant list
1. Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
2.Dwarf Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar,
Cedrus atlanica ‘Glauca Pendula’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3.‘Little Ollie’ Dwarf Olive,
Olea europaea ‘Montra’
4.Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
5.Chinese Fringe Flower,
Loropetalum ‘Zhuzhou Fuchsia’
6. Purple Hopseed Bush, Dodonaea viscosa
7. Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia
Five years ago these homeowners wanted a change…and what a change they got! Not
only did they achieve an aesthetic change to their landscape, but a significant change in
maintenance requirements and water use too!
The courtyard wall and custom iron fence add an architectural backdrop to this eyecatching and drought tolerant composition. The ground plane provides a tapestry
of texture with what feels like a pond of permeable decomposed granite bridged by
a walkway of flagstone, surrounded by a shoreline of boulders, cobbles and rock. A
succinct plant palette provides year round interest in this garden with the sculptural
quality of the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and the red foliage of Purple Hopseed Bush,
Chinese Fringe Flower and Japanese Bloodgrass. In addition, cool blue gray foliage and
purple blooms are introduced with Russian Sage, Rosemary and Blue Shore Juniper.
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
Although the courtyard area is predominantly turf, the overall reduction of lawn in this
front yard still results in a significant daily water savings of approximately 50 gallons a
day during the summer months. Because the homeowners typically use the backyard
with its view of the lake for relaxation, a ‘greener garden’ renovation of the courtyard
might include removal of the lawn and creating a
courtyard with permeable paving and decorative
pottery or a sculpture garden to be viewed from
indoors surrounded by colorful drought tolerant
plantings.
Either way…this landscape is a savvy water saver!
8. Mugo Pine, Pinus mugo
9.Dwarf Lily-of-the-Nile, Agapanthus
africanus ‘Peter Pan’
10.Japanese Blood Grass, Imperata cylindrica
11.Sundowner New Zealand Flax,
Phormim tenax ‘Sundowner’
12.Little John Bottlebrush,
Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’
13.Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo,
Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’
14.Blue Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta
‘Blue Pacific’
15.Aloe, Aloe vera
16.Golden Variegated Sweet Flag,
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
17.Creeping Thyme, Thymus serpyllum
18.Mexican Heather, Cuphea hyssopifolia
19.Hen and Chicks, Sempervivum species
20.Japanese Iris, Iris ensata
To assist you, all plants listed above
have been labeled by number in the landscape.
Check them out!
6
Residential Rain Garden
Plant list
1. Lamb’s Ear, Stachys byzantina
2. Mugo Pine, Pinus mugo
3.Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
4.African Iris or Fortnight Lily,
Dietes vegeta
5. Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta
6.Creeping Rosemary, Rosmarinus
officinalis prostratus
7.Littleleaf Cotoneaster,
Cotoneaster microphyllus
8.Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
Water down the drain? Not here! This homeowner has taken a very progressive
and river-friendly approach to their garden, it collects rain water. Unlike traditional
homes that capture rainwater in their rain gutters, drain it to the street and then
to the public storm drain system; the rain water from the rooftop of this home is
collected in the rain gutters and then drained to a rain garden.
‘What’s the purpose of that?’, you might ask. A rain garden is a small collection
and retention area within the garden that allows rain water to collect and
slowly percolate back through the soil and recharge our ground water system.
Mathematical calculations were made using the surface area of the roof to
determine the volume of rain water received during a 10-year storm. The rain
garden was then designed to accommodate this volume of water. If a larger storm
were to occur, then excess water would drain to the gutter like traditional homes.
The landscape is also aesthetically pleasing with the use of a dry-stacked stone
wall to create elevated interest, slate pavers to provide a secondary pathway
through the garden and black Mexican river pebbles as a smooth textured mulch
in the foreground. Plant species are also indicative of river-friendly and water
conserving selections.
For more information on residential rain gardens, visit the City of Elk Grove’s
Rain Garden Plaza located behind city hall on Laguna Springs Drive or
www.raingardens.org or do a search for residential rain gardens.
9. Mexican Sage, Salvia leucantha
10.Otto Quast Spanish Lavender,
Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’
11.Mound San Bruno Coffeeberry,
Rhamnus californica ‘Mound
San Bruno’
To assist you, all plants listed above have
been labeled by number in the landscape.
Check them out!
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
7
Sacramento Valley Success
Plant list
1. Blue Fescue, Festuca ovina glauca
2. New Zealand Hair Sedge, Carex comans
‘Bronze’
3. California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
4. Coast Rosemary, Westringia fruticosa
‘Wynyabbie Gem’
5. Dwarf Bottlebrush, Callistemon citrinus
‘Little John’
6. Parney’s Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster lacteus
7. Bearberry (Creeping Manzanita),
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Radiant’
8. English Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
This front yard is a perfect example of how beautiful and aesthetically pleasing
eco-friendly and water-wise landscaping can be. The warm-toned colored
concrete walkway, selective use of decorative rock and boulders, attractive
accent lighting and intricate screen detail at the front door combine to create a
landscape that complements the home and delivers a lot of curb appeal.
Only a few of these plants produce showy flowers (ie. Coast Rosemary,
Lavender, Dwarf Bottlebrush and Golden Breath of Heaven), but this garden
proves that you can have color, beauty and year-round interest in the garden by
choosing plants that are varied in foliage color, texture and form.
The Sacramento Valley can be a difficult environment for landscaping with hot
summer temperatures, heavy clay soils and average annual rainfall of only 19
inches. Many homeowners fall into the ‘mis-belief’ that the only way to have an
attractive landscape is to pour lots of water on everything to keep it green, apply
loads of fertilizer on grass and prune, shear and mow everything weekly to keep
it looking good. Not true! With the proper selection and use of both hardscape
and plant materials, you too can create a ‘greener garden’ that requires less
water, less chemicals and less maintenance.
9. Golden Breath of Heaven, Coleonema
‘Sunset Gold’
10. Mugo Pine, Pinus mugo
11. S
panish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas
‘Anne’s Purple’
12. D
ragon’s Blood Stonecrop, Sedum
spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’
13. M
ajestic Beauty Olive, Olea europaea
‘Majestic Beauty’
14. B
lue Star Juniper, Juniperus squamata
‘Blue Star’
15. W
eeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica
‘Glauca pendula’
16. Gold Yarrow, Achillea filipendulina
17. R
ed Leaf Japanese Barberry, Berberis
thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’
18. Red Maple, Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’
19. B
lue Oat Grass, Helictotrichon
sempervirens
To assist you, all plants listed
above have been labeled by
number in the landscape.
Check them out!
8
Lawn Substitute
Plant list
1.Dwarf Bottlebrush, Callistemon ‘Little
John’
2.Coral Beauty Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster
dammeri ‘Coral Beauty’
3.Santa Barbara Daisy, Erigeron
karvinskianus
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
4.Cape Rush, Chondropetalum tectorum
5.Dwarf Southern Magnolia, Magnolia
grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
6.Rainbow Maiden Flax, Phormium tenax
‘Rainbow Maiden’
7.Ruby Grass, Melinis nerviglumis ‘Pink
Crystals’
This front yard has a wide inviting walkway of buff-colored concrete with in-laid slate
medallions leading to a large slate landing at the front door. The adjacent plantings
are made interesting with a composition of contrasting green foliage interspersed with
variegations of red and a variety of textures. The large planter beds include hardy
and less-thirsty shrubs, perennials and groundcovers such as Dwarf Bottlebrush,
Cotoneaster ‘Coral Beauty’, Santa Barbara Daisy, Cape Rush and a variety of ornamental
grasses that are drip irrigated and receive minimal water in the summer. In addition,
dark red pottery is filled with drought tolerant succulents to accent the entry and
complement the colors of the home.
The landscape design originally included two small patches of lawn. At the time the
homeowner wasn’t quite sure how the neighbors would react to a home with no lawn at
all, so included some turf for good measure. But last summer, the inevitable happened,
the lawn came out! According to the homeowner, “It just didn’t make sense to drag out
the lawnmower every weekend for two small areas of lawn.”
The hardy groundcover Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae) was planted as a lawn
substitute and has filled in nicely since last August. The area is still irrigated with the
same spray system that used to water the lawn, but is run once or twice a week in the
summer compared to two cycles daily for turf. In addition, no fertilizer is used and no
mowing is required. That’s a ‘greener garden’ substitute that saves water, lawnmower
emissions, water quality and time!
8.Pink Knotweed, Persicaria capitata
9.Maori New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax
‘Maori Chief’
10.Moonbay Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo,
Nandina domestica ‘Moonbay
11.Golden Breath of Heaven, Coleonema
pulchrum ‘Sunset Gold’
12.Purple Leaf Birch, Betula ‘Royal Frost’
13.Creeping Myoporum, Myoporum
parvifolium
14.Daylily, Hemerocallis sp.
15.Blue Fescue, Festuca ovina glauca
16.Pink Muhly Grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris
17.Silver Carpet, Dymondia margaretae
18.Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea
To assist you, all plants listed
above have been labeled by
number in the landscape.
Check them out!
9
A ‘Lawnless’ Life
Plant list
1. Pacific Sunset Maple, Acer ‘Pacific Sunset’
2.Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia soulangeana
3.Harlequin Wintercreeper, Euonymous
fortunei ‘Harlequin’
4.Lemon Lime Wintercreeper, Euonymous
fortunei ‘Lemon Lime’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
5.Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina
domestica ‘Nana’
6.Coral Bells, Heuchera sanguinea
7.Silver Carpet, Dymondia margaretae
8.Homestead Purple Verbena, Verbena
peruviana ‘Homestead Purple’
9.California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
This homeowner started removing their lawn several years ago. It started with merely
expanding and enlarging planting beds every year until finally the lawn was gone!
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
The use of dry set walls of various materials to create terraced planting beds and a
gravel path have added interest to what once was a predictable sloping corner lot. The
homeowner has created seasonal interest with the use of spring bulbs, flowering trees
(Magnolia soulangeana) and shrubs (Loropetalum), a variety of perennials and the
occasional use of annuals. Year round interest is created with the use of variegated
plant material such as Euonymous fortunei ‘Harlequin’ and evergreen shrubs with
colored foliage such as Nandina domestica ‘Nana’. The edible landscape has been
introduced with the Satsuma Mandarin in the entry planter.
Although not every plant in this front yard composition
is drought tolerant, the combined removal of lawn and
introduction of drought tolerant groundcovers and other
less thirsty perennials such as Salvia has made this garden
one to admire.
I think this homeowner is happy to live a ‘lawnless’ life!
10.Siskiyou Pink Guara, Guara lindheimeri
‘Siskiyou Pink’
11.Lemon Thyme, Thymus citriodorus
12.Scotch Moss, Sagina subulata
13.Mexican Blue Sage, Salvia chamaedryoides
14.Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea
15.Autumn Sage (4 varieties), Salvia gregii
16.Chinese Fringe Flower, Loropetalum
chinense
17.Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus
18.Creeping Phlox, Phlox subulata
To assist you, all plants listed above have been
labeled by number in the landscape. Check
them out!
10
California Dream
Plant list
1 Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
2. Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum
3. Thornless Honeylocust, Gleditsia triacanthos inermis
4. Pink Muhly, Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Regal Mist’
5. Keller’s Yarrow, Achillea x Kellereri
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
6. Moonbeam Coreopsis, Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’
7. Blue Fescue, Festuca ovina ‘Elijah Blue’
8. Society Garlic, Tulbaghia violacea
9. Pacific Coast Iris, Iris ‘Pacific Coast Hybrid’
10. Dwarf Japanese Barberry, Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’
11. Golden Breath of Heaven, Coleonema pulchrum ‘Sunset Gold’
12. Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha
13.Oregano, Origanum vulgare
Here the home’s architecture and beautiful river friendly landscape
combine to create a California dream! Staggered concrete steps
gradually move you through the landscape to the brick entry covered
by a framework of custom fabricated iron. The garden of moss rock,
gentle mounds, California natives and other Mediterranean plants
and dry stream bed give you reason to stop and admire.
14. Blue Rug Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’
15.Yellow Calendula, Calendula officinalis
16. Orange Clumping Gazania, Gazania krebsiana
17. Dwarf Lily-of-the-Nile, Agapanthus africanus ‘Peter Pan’
18.Bearberry, Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
19. Mugo Pine, Pinus mugo
20. New Zealand Hair Sedge, Carex comans ‘Bronze’
The planting design allows ample space for all species. There is no
need to prune, shear or shape these plants. The right plant has been
planted in the right place to prevent the need for constant ‘control’.
Seasonal dead-heading and clean-up of annual foliage is all that
is needed.
21. Mexican Feather Grass, Nasella tenuissima
Varieties of ornamental grass are interspersed throughout and soften
the landscape with their fine texture and golden hues. Wildflowers
from seed are in bloom near the sidewalk. A variety of blues are
provided by Rosemary, Lavender, Lavandin, Iris, Mountain Lilac,
Rosemary and Dwarf Lily of the Nile. In the spring, clumps of Iris,
Daffodils and Freesia provide color here and there.
27. Purple Lantana, Lantana montevidensis ‘Purple’
The homeowner’s love of plants is evident and the combinations are
reminiscent of Sunset Magazine. All in all, the result is an ecofriendly and water-wise California dream.
22. Mexican Sage, Salvia leucantha
23. Indian Hawthorne, Rhaphiolepis indica
24. Limemound Spiraea, Spiraea x bumalda ‘Limemound’
25. Munstead’s Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
26. Otto Quast Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’
28.Snowgrass, Poa costiniana
29. Muhlenbergia rigens, Deer Grass
30.Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
31. Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus
32. Yellow Lantana, Lantana montevidensis ‘New Gold’
33.Heart’s Desire Mountain Lilac,
Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Heart’s Desire’
34. Crimson Spot Rockrose, Cistus ladanifer
35.Mexican Evening Primrose,
Oenothera berlandieri
To assist you, all plants listed above on the right have been labeled by number in the landscape. Check them out!
Rain Garden Plaza
To assist you, all plants listed
below have been labeled by
number in the landscape.
Check them out!
Plant list
1. Big Leaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum
2. California Buckeye, Aesculus californica
3. Marina Strawberry Tree, Arbutus ‘Marina’
20.Coyote Bush, Baccharis pilularis
4. Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis
21.Sageleaf Rockrose, Cistus salvifolius ‘Prostratus’
5. Chinese Fringe Tree, Chionanthus retusus
22.Dwarf Bottlebrush, Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’
6. Purple Smoke Tree, Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’
23.California fuschia, Epilobium canum
7. Oregon Ash, Fraxinus latifolia
24.Biglow’s Sneezeweed, Helenium bigloveii
8. Tupelo or Sour Gum, Nyssa sylvatica
25.Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia
9. Valley Oak, Quercus lobata
26.Douglas Iris, Iris douglasiana
10.Sawleaf Zelkova, Zelkova serrata ‘Village Green’
27.Golden Sticky Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus
11.Sentinel Manzanita, Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Sentinel’
28.Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium
12.Emerald Carpet Manzanita, Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald Carpet’ 29.Myoporum, Myoporum parvifolium
13.Showy Milkweed, Asclepius speciosa
30.Walkers Low Catmint, Nepeta x faasesenii ‘Walker’s Low’
14.Santa Margarita Foothill Penstemon,
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita B.O.P.’
31.California Blue Sage, Salvia clevelandii
15.Spice Bush, Calycanthus occidentalis californica
33.Hummingbird Sage, Salvia spathacea
16.Bush Anemone, Carpenteria californica
34.Anthony Waterer Spirea, Spirea x bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’
17.Concha Ceanothus, Ceanothus ‘Concha’
35.Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica
18.Carmel Creeper, Ceanothus griseus horizontalis
36.Golden Currant, Ribes aureum
19.Santa Barbara Daisy, Erigeron karvinskianus
37.Bush Germander, Teucrium fruticans
32.Hot Lips Autumn Sage, Salvia greggii ‘Hot Lips’
38.Carmen’s Grey Rush, Juncus patens ‘Carmen’s Grey’
39.Deer Grass, Muhlenbergia rigens
40.European Grey Sedge or Berkeley Sedge, Carex divulsa
41.Tufted Hair Grass, Deschampsia caespitosa
‘Northern Lights’
42.Elijah Blue Fescue, Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’
43.Virgin’s Bower, Clematis ligusticifolia
44.Violet Trumpet Vine, Clytostoma callistegiodes
Parks Can Be ‘Greener Gardens’ Too
Plant list
1.Natchez Crape Myrtle,
Lagerstroemia x ‘Natchez’
2.Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Berberis
thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’
3.Bearberry Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster
dammeri ‘Lowfast’ or ‘Coral Beauty’
4. Pink Muhly, Muhlenbergia capillaris
5.Santa Barbara Daisy, Erigeron
karvinskianus
Phase II of Van Doren Park was the first in the Cosumnes CSD whose design and
construction had to comply with Assembly Bill (AB) 1881. AB 1881 or the State of
California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance was adopted in September 2010.
Local agencies, including the City of Elk Grove, were required to adopt the
Model Ordinance or adopt their own landscape ordinance that was at least as effective
in conserving water as the updated model ordinance.
6.Blue Fescue, Festuca glauca
‘Boulder Blue’ or ‘Elijah Blue’
The ordinance generally applies to all new public and commercial landscaping of which
parks are included. The ordinance has many requirements specific to the design and
construction of landscapes intended to meet the desired goal of saving water. Van Doren
Park includes several features and design elements in response to these requirements.
9.New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax
‘Maori Sunset’
• A ll planter beds are irrigated with a subsurface drip irrigation system. This system
eliminates overspray and reduces run-off by delivering water to the root system of the
plants. A network of polyethylene tubing fitted with integral drip emitters is buried a
few inches below the soil surface.
• T he size of turf areas was reduced significantly compared to previous traditional park
designs. The ratio of turf to planter beds and other hardscape areas in this park is
approximately 60:40 compared to 90:10.
• P lants are predominantly low water using selections, with the exception of a few that
fall into the medium use category.
• S torm water is collected and/or allowed to percolate on site via both pervious
decomposed granite paving and pervious pavers used in the seating plaza.
• Low flow rotors are used in turf areas adjacent to the public sidewalk to reduce runoff.
Other ‘greener garden’ concepts at this park are the preservation of existing oaks, drought
tolerant plantings and minimal drip irrigation at the limit of their driplines, the use of
plant material that requires minimal pruning which results in less waste to the landfill
and the application of thick layers of mulch to retain moisture in the soil and prevent
weed growth.
7. Daylily, Hemerocallis
8.Azure Bush Germander, Teucrium
fruticans ‘Azure’
10.Deer Grass, Muhlenbergia rigens
11.Berkeley Sedge, Carex tumulicola
12. Indian Hawthorne, Rhaphiolepis
indica ‘Clara’
13.Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis
acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
14.Sageleaf Rockrose, Cistus
salvifolius ‘Prostratus’
15.African Iris, Dietes bicolor
To assist you, all plants listed above
have been labeled by number in the
landscape. Check them out!
Elk Grove Community Garden
accomplished through generous contributions of volunteer time,
donations and grants from local businesses, churches, nurseries,
Boy Scouts, Cosumnes CSD, Elk Grove Food Bank and the City of
Elk Grove. In addition, the city and Allied Waste Services partnered
to provide free compost and classes on composting.
GERMINATE!
The idea of the Elk Grove Community Garden and Learning Center was
spearheaded in 1999 by a group of tenacious residents of Elk Grove.
With the help of the Cosumnes CSD in 2001, they found a 1.13 acre,
weed infested, irregular parcel at Hampton Oak Drive and Iron Rock Way
in east Elk Grove. The property was donated to the City of Elk Grove
by then developer Lennar Communities. In 2004, the City leased the
property to the Elk Grove Food Bank.
NURTURE!
The vision of garden was to provide plots where gardeners and
their families could grow flowers and vegetables while cultivating
relationships with one another. The garden would also become a
learning center where people could meet, share information and be
involved at a grass roots level.
The garden also offers regular gardening classes to the community
through the CSD, taught by Master Gardeners and other knowledgeable
volunteers. EGCG classes explored many aspects of organic gardening
such as pollinators, mulching, irrigation, composting, California natives
in the landscape, herbs, vermi-composting, edibles in the landscape
and much more.
GROW!
In 2006 the garden was installed including 80 redwood 4’ x 16’ beds,
perimeter fencing and an irrigation system to serve them. This was
THRIVE!
The site has become a thriving Community Garden. In 2009 the Elk
Grove Community Garden and Learning Center became its own 501
(c)(3) public non-profit organization under the direction of a board
of volunteers.
It rents out 81 raised bed plots, ten of which were been built by
Eagle Scouts to accommodate disabled gardeners. Volunteers and
UC Davis Master Gardeners also care for a fruit, berry, grape and
citrus orchard, herb garden, rose garden, perennial garden, and
children’s garden. And although the garden is no longer under the
umbrella of the Elk Grove Food Bank, produce from the garden is
donated to the food bank.
Building community and being a demonstration site for gardening
and sustainable living was a major goal of the original volunteers.
Free or low cost gardening classes are provided throughout the year.
The most recent addition to the garden is the perimeter
demonstration landscape which showcases UC Davis Arboretum
All-Star plants. Designed by Soleil Tranquilli of Tranquill Gardens
and installed by local volunteers, it provides a resource for
homeowners and landscape professionals an opportunity to view
a variety of plants suitable for our local climate that are both ecofriendly and water-wise selections. See the reverse side of this flyer
for a complete list of plants.
Additional information about the Community Garden,
events and how to volunteer can be found at
www.elkgrovecommunitygarden.org
Elk Grove Community Garden
Plant list
1. Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
27.Butterfly Rose, Rosa x odorata ‘Mutabilis’
2. Shantung Maple, Acer truncatum
28.Cape Balsam, Bulbine frutescens ‘Hallmark’
3. Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis
29.Autumn Joy Stonecrop, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
4. Bay Laurel, Laurus nobilis
30.Desert Spoon, Dasylirion wheeleri
5. Santa Barbara Daisy, Erigeron karvinskianus
31.Trailing Iceplant, Delosperma cooperi
6. Lilac Vine, Hardenbergia violacea
32.Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora
7. Goodwin Creek Lavender, Lavandula ‘Goodwin Creek Gray’
33.Ray Hartman Mountain Lilac, Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’
8. Evergreen Currant, Ribes viburnifolium
34.Prostrate Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys ‘Prostratum’
9. Dwarf Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium ‘Compacta’
35.Oregano, Origanum vulgare
10.Western Columbine, Aquilegia formosa
36.Lavender Trumpet Vine, Clytostoma callistegioides
11.Autumn Sage, Salvia greggi ‘Teresa’
37.Marie Simon Wild Lilac, Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Marie Simon’
12.Autumn Sage, Salvia greggi ‘Lipstick’
38.Violet Bottlebrush, Callistemon ‘Violaceus’
13.Autumn Sage, Salvia greggi ‘Dark Dancer’
39.Siskiyou Pink Gaura, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’
14.Autumn Sage, Salvia greggi ‘San Takao’
40.Dwarf Maiden Grass, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’
15.Autumn Sage, Salvia greggi ‘Coral’
41.Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
16.Bush Germander, Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’
42.California Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum foliolosum
17.Canyon Snow Pacific Coast Iris, Iris ‘Canyon Snow’
43.California Fescue, Festuca californica
18.New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’
44.Carmen’s Gray California Fuschia, Epilobium canum
‘Carmen’s Gray’
19.Wayne Roderick Seaside Daisy, Erigeron glaucus ‘
Wayne Roderick’
45.Concha Mountain Lilac, Ceanothus ‘Concha’
20.Dwarf Blue Plumbago, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
46.White Sage, Salvia apiana
21.Snow-in-Summer, Cerastium tomentosum
47.Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis x acutiflora
‘Karl Foerster’
22.Canyon Delight Coral Bells, Heuchera ‘Canyon Delight’
23.Bush Anemone, Carpenteria californica
24.Blue Fescue, Festuca glauca
25.Jerusalem Sage, Phlomis fruticosa
26.Margarita BOP Beardtongue, Penstemon heterophyllus
‘Margarita BOP’
48.Passionate Rainbow Gaura, Gaura lindheimeri
‘Passionate Rainbow’
49.Corrie’s Gold Gaura, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Corrie’s Gold’
50.Howard McMinn Manzanita, Arctostaphylos densiflora
‘Howard McMinn’
51.Deer Grass, Muhlenbergia rigens
52.Cleveland Sage, Salvia clevelandii ‘Winifred Gilman’
To assist you, all plants listed above have been labeled by number in the landscape. Check them out!