Common name:Butterfly Iris
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides
This clumping evergreen iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks to 3' tall, appearing spring through fall. This variety has stiffer, darker foiliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. This perennial is a very reliable plant. Divide every 3-5 years to keep it looking fresh.
Common name:Yellow Spurge
Botanical name:Euphorbia characias wulfenii
Broad clusters of lime green flowers appear in winter and spring. These flowers create dense, round cylindrical masses! This evergreen perennial has upright stems forming a 4' tall dome-shaped bush. Crowded all along the stems are narrow, blue-green leaves. Once it's established, it is drought tolerant. Until the seeds ripen, the flower color holds with only slight fading. At that point, the stalks should be cut out at the base. Use gloves as sap is poisonous or could cause contact dermatitis.
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Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Mulching around plants helps retain water and improves the soil.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.
