Common name:Heartleaf Bergenia, Winter Bergenia
Botanical name:Bergenia cordifolia
This evergreen perennial has round, heart-shaped, glossy leaves that possess waxy-toothed edges. Its growth is clustered, and flowers that bloom in the spriong are in shades of lilac or rose, held on stems above the leaves.
Common name:Common Camellia
Botanical name:Camellia japonica
This beautiful evergreen shrub can reach 6-15' tall, depending on the variety. It is intended for growth in filtered sun to shade, with regular water and more in hot summer areas. They make excellent container plants. White, pink or red flowers bloom in winter. Camellia prefers well draining, acid soil. Mulch well to keep roots cool.
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. (2nd photo courtesy of Steve Mullany)
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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Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.