Plant of the Month: March 2011

Echeveria lilacina or 'Ghost Echeveria' is from the family Crassulaceae which contains 1400 species,  commonly known as succulents that store water in their fleshy leaves.  E. lilacina is an attractive, slow growing species with pale-gray/green or whitish leaves forming rosettes up to 10" across and coral-colored flowers that appear on reddish stems in spring. Drought tolerant and good in rock gardens.

To see more suggestions for drought resistant landscape plants, 

visit stevensmithlandscape.com

Residential Installations, New Photos

Please visit our Installation Gallery and click on the Residential tab to see new photos showcasing our landscape installations for  La Jolla and  Rancho Santa Fe homes. Photos credits: Doug Livingston, Livingston Associates.

Plant of the Month: February 2011

Aloe arborescens, 'Tree aloe' or 'Torch aloe' is a drought tolerant densely growing succulent native to South Africa, size is approximately 10 ft. tall and 6 ft. wide. Gray-green spiny edged leaves with bright red or yellow winter flowers in long spiky clusters. A. arborescens shares similar medicinal properties with Aloe vera, for burn treatment etc. Attractive to birds, butterflies and bees.

To see more suggestions for drought resistant landscape plants, 

visit stevensmithlandscape.com

Plant of the Month: January 2011

 Senecio mandraliscae or Kleinia mandraliscae is a succulent species of the Senecio group related to daisies.  A shrubby perennial native to South Africa, S. mandraliscae grows 1 to 1-1/2 ft. high and 2 ft. wide with blue-gray pencil-like fleshy leaves and small white flowers in mid-summer.  Also known as 'Blue Finger' it is used as a drought tolerant groundcover where a blue-gray effect is desired.

To see more suggestions for drought resistant landscape plants, 

visit stevensmithlandscape.com

Plant of the Month: December 2010

Lavatera assurgentiflora , Island Mallow, Mission Mallow, Malva Rosa: shrub growing to 12 ft. with 3-5" maple-like leaves. Rosy/lavender white striped flowers, 2-3" wide and resembling a single Hollyhock, bloom nearly all year.  Drought resistant, Lavatera can be used as a fast growing windbreak hedge.  This plant is a Channel Islands native, but naturalized along coastal California. Needs sun, but has low water requirements.  The jewel-like flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.

To see more suggestions for drought resistant landscape plants, 

visit stevensmithlandscape.com

Plant of the Month: November 2010

Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis, is a drought-tolerant succulent that requires well drained soil.  The leaves are used for medicinal properties, especially effective for burns. Clustering rosettes of fleshy leaves.  Blooms in the winter with yellow flowers atop a dense spike on a 3-ft stalk. Leaves grow from 1-2 ft. with a spread of 2-3 ft.

To see more suggestions for drought resistant landscape plants, 

visit stevensmithlandscape.com

Plant of the Month: October 2010

Arctostaphylos of the species uva-ursi, is commonly known as manzanita and has several other common names: sandberry, kinnikinnick and bearberry.  Evergreen western natives, that range from full size shrubs to small trees.  The cultivar 'Point Reyes' is prostrate, spreading and rooting up to 15' in width, with dark green leaves on closely set branches.Waxy bell-like white or pinkish and tiny apple-like pink or red fruit. Heat and drought tolerant. Good on hillsides, near coast.