Common name:Tree Roses
Botanical name:Rosa Tree varieties
Tree roses are actually shrubs that have been grafted or grown in a way that looks like a tree, ie with a trunk. Tree roses can be floribundas, hybrid teas, or grandifloras. They are typically used as specimen plants. Make sure the plant is tied to a stake in case of strong winds.
Common name:Japanese Boxwood
Botanical name:Buxus microphylla japonica
Japanese Boxwood is often used as a hedge. It is compact, with small bright green leaves. It can reach 4-6' tall and wide or be kept smaller through pruninig. It can be sheared to shape. It does better in areas with milder winters. It prefers full sun and a moderate amount of water.
Common name:Pink Lady Rhaph or Indian Hawthorn
Botanical name:Rhaphiolepis indica 'Pink Lady'
This shrub will quickly grow 4'-6' tall and wide with dark green, thick foliage. It produces clusters of pink flowers that bloom in spring and clusters of black fruit in the fall. It prefers full to part sun with well draining, rich soil. 'Pink Lady" is adaptable to coastal areas as well as warm inland valleys. It is drought tolerant once it's established.
Common name:Shrub Rose
Botanical name:Rosa Shrub varieties
The dark green, heavily veined leaves of this bushy shrub are strong support for the pure white or pink, nearly double flowers it produces. This is a very tolerant, heavily scented plant with an impressive fall color. Also, large hips appear intermittently with this plant.
Common name:Creeping Fig
Botanical name:Ficus pumila
This is one of the few plants that can attach itself securely to wood, masonry, or metal. Because there is no limit to its size, it can overcome an entire buliding. It is most often found in colder climates. This vine will not clim on southern or western walls.
Common name:Star Jasmine, Maile Haole
Botanical name:Trachelospermum jasminoides
Star Jasmine is an evergreen vine that grows 20' tall or a ground cover that reaches 1'-2' tall and 4'-5' wide. It has white fragrant flowers in the summer and can tolerate sun or partial shade. The star jasmine needs regular watering. Leaves are dark green, oval, thick, about 2" long. This is a great plant on a trellis, in containers or in a parking strip.
Designer: Jeff Gamboni
Photographer: GardenSoft
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.