Common name:Bougainvillea, Barbara Karst
Botanical name:Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'
The large amount of flamboyant color on this species creates a wonderful accent in a garden. Varieties can be in bush or vine form; colors vary. Once established, they tend to be carefree. All varieties are susceptible to frost damage. The 'Barbara Karst' variety blooms bright red in full sun; more crimson if in shade. It blooms early and long. It is senstive to frost and will die back hard but comes back in a number of weeks. Be carefeul of this in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Common name:Royal Trumpet Vine, River's Trumpet
Botanical name:Distictis 'Rivers'
The Royal Trumpet Vine is a very vigorous vine with rosy lavender flowers. These blooms have yellow throats and fade to pink as they age. Its foliage is lighter green and glossier than the Blood Red Trumpet Vine, its closest relative.
Common name:Ground Cover Natal Plum
Botanical name:Carissa macrocarpa 'Prostrata'
This wonderful ground cover will grow 2' high and can be trained as an espalier. It spreads quickly to provide good cover. It blooms with white flowers followed by red or purple fruit. Thorns make it a good barrier planting.
Designer: Barbara Lentz
Photographer: GardenSoft
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Be sure to fix all leaks promptly no matter how small they may seem.
Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.
