Echinacea, native to the eastern North America, is a beautiful genius of flowers known for their long blooming period. Commonly known as coneflower, these plants are common in the cultivated garden and can be used for a variety of landscapes, from water smart planters to English gardens. They actually have multiple flower structures within the bloom – a showy, but sterile out flower to attract pollinators, and inner flowers with pollen in the shape of a cone.

 

Echinacea tends to grow between two to five feet tall, and once it’s established (after around a year from planting time) it has very low water requirements.

 

 

 

Landscape Planting – Echinacea basics 

 

Botanical Name: Echinacea spp.

Common Name: Coneflower

Type: perennial shrub

Native Range: Eastern North America

Size: 2 – 5 feet tall, 1 – 2 feet wide

Bloom Time: Summer

Bloom Description: Purple and pink

Sun: Full sun, partial shade

Water: once established (around one year after planting), water around once a week. They can go longer without water, however they start to show signs of drought stress.

Maintenance: Pruning is not required, however shearing them back in winter will often result in bushier plants with more blooms. Removing spend flowers (deadheading) in summer will promote a longer blooming period.

Suggested Use: Flower gardens, English gardens 

 

 

For landscape planting, Echinacea grows best in full sun areas, however they can handle partial shade. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if Echinacea’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Echinacea can be used in water-wise gardens, however they will show best with weekly supplemental water. Their pastel blooms look at home in English gardens, however they can be incorporated into many different design types, including more traditional chaparral themed landscapes. Again, Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Echinacea has moderate water requirements, once established, however they can be used in drought tolerant garden. In the first year after planting, while your Echinacea is establishing itself in the landscape, they will need irrigation systems or regular hand watering. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet Echinacea’s needs. Once these plants are established (usually around one year after planting) the irrigation can be reduced to around once per week, or twice during high temperatures. If there is rain, the irrigation can be turned off completely in late fall through winter.

 

These plants also prefer well-draining soils. Most of the natural soil in Southern California is somewhat sandy, well-draining soil.

 

 

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Echinacea is fairly low in maintenance needs, however pruning is necessary to promote fuller blooms. In many cases, providing supplemental water for these plants, while they are becoming established, is the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Outside of maintaining an irrigation system for Echinacea, the plant can be sheared to promote fuller growth in spring.  The spent flowers should be removed throughout the summer to increase their bloom periods and promote additional flowering.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

 

Landscape Uses 

 

For landscape planting, Echinacea grows well in full sun and is useful as a border plant with eye catching blooms, or as eye catching shrubs within a rock garden. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for water-wise (drought tolerant) garden installations, of which Echinacea can be a welcome addition, however they do best with a little more supplemental irrigation. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

Romneya coulteri, commonly known as the Matilija Poppy, is a beautiful native plant of Soutern California. Its large flowers resemble a fried egg, sunny side up, however, regardless of how you feel about breakfast foods, this plant a visual stunner with its wrinkly flower petals.  Once established, their drought tolerant qualities make them an excellent choice for the water wise garden.

 

These beauties native range is Southern California (along the coastal ranges) and Northern Mexico. True locals that are made for our area. They are fast growing and have eye-catching, large yellow and white flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Once they are established in the landscape, after a year or so, turn the irrigation off for them. They tend to grow so well in our climate, along with their large size, that they have a tendency to take over planters, so plant with some degree of caution.

 

 

Landscape Planting – Romneya coulteri Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Romneya coulteri

Common Name: Matilija Poppy

Type: perennial shrub

Native Range: California, Northern Mexico

Size: 6 to 10 feet tall with a similar width

Bloom Time: Spring and summer

Bloom Color: White and yellow

Sun: Full sun

Growth Rate: Fast

Water & Soil: Once the plant is established, occasional supplemental irrigation. They require sandy, well draining soil

Maintenance: They are best when left alone. Moderate pruning can be done after flowering.

Suggested Use: Hedges, specimen plants, pollinator garden (butterflies and bees)

 

 

 

For landscape planting, Matilija grows needs full sun. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if Matilija’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Matilija makes an excellent addition to colorful gardens, with their eye-catching bright white and yellow flowers. They are known as one of the most beautiful native flowering plants. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Matilija has low water requirements once established. They are native to our region, thus their needs match the natural rhythms of our climate. They should be deeply watered about once a month once established. During the rainy season, their irrigation can be completely turned off. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet aloe’s needs.

 

Matilija needs well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California has. They also do not need nutrient fertilizers. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for Matilija in your landscape and make the necessary additions or changes.

 

 

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Matilija has low maintenance needs. It is mostly best to leave it alone, once it is established. Pruning, if absolutely necessary (such as removing broken branches) should be done in fall after the flowering season.

 

These plants are drought tolerant, however providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Matilija has very striking yellow and white flowers. They can fit within many different landscape aesthetics, from Mediterranean gardens, chaparral gardens, butterfly gardens, and even desert themed gardens as a focal point. They can grow quite large under ideal conditions, larger than most landscapes can accommodate, thus Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to discuss their potential in your garden. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which Matilija can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

 

The Santa Catalina mariposa lily is a stunning testament to nature’s artistry. With its graceful charm and delicate beauty, this native wildflower has captured the hearts of plant enthusiasts and gardeners alike. Its name, “mariposa lily,” is derived from the Spanish word for butterfly, which perfectly describes the butterfly-like appearance of its petals. It also attracts butterflies!

 

 

Botanical Name: Calochortus catalinae

Common Name: Santa Catalina mariposa lily

Type: perennial herb (bulb)

Native Range: California

Size: 1-2 feet in height

Bloom Time: March-May

Bloom Color: White, pink, purple, red

Sun: Full Sun

Water & Soil: Grows best in heavy soils

 

 

 

One of the most remarkable features of the Santa Catalina mariposa lily is its vibrant color palette. The petals can range from soft lavender and pale pink to deep purple and rich magenta. The combination of these hues creates a mesmerizing display, reminiscent of a painter’s brushstrokes on a canvas.

 

As for its physical characteristics, the Santa Catalina mariposa lily boasts three gracefully curved petals, each with a unique pattern of intricate markings. These markings, often in shades of yellow and maroon, add a touch of elegance to an already exquisite flower. Additionally, the lily’s consists of slender, grass-like leaves that gracefully frame its blooms.

 

One of the most captivating aspects of the Santa Catalina mariposa lily is its natural habitat. Found exclusively on Santa Catalina Island, this flower is an endemic species, meaning it is native and unique to this particular geographic location. Its restricted range adds to its allure, making it a treasured gem for both conservationists and avid gardeners seeking to bring a touch of wilderness into their landscapes.

 

 

Pruning and maintenance

Pruning and maintenance are essential for the Santa Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae) and can all be done with Creative Concepts Landscape. After the flowering period,the stalks need to be cut at the base. This not only maintains a tidy appearance but also redirects the plant’s energy towards bulb development. Leave the foliage intact until it turns yellow and withers naturally, as the leaves play a crucial role in storing energy for the next season. Control weeds around the lily to prevent competition for nutrients and water. Our team of landscapers will apply a layer of mulch, keeping it a few inches away from the stems, to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Provide deep, infrequent watering during the active growth period, ensuring well-drained soil. Monitor for pests and diseases, and use organic methods if needed. By implementing these practices, it can promote the health, longevity, and beauty of the Santa Catalina mariposa lily in your garden.

 

 

Landscape Uses

 

 

Asclepias tuberosa , commonly known as butterfly weed, is known across the United States as one of the best plants to attract, you guessed it, butterflies! Also known for its beautiful flowers, butterfly weed is in the milkweed family. Milkweed, named for its milky sap, has long been planted in gardens throughout the US to bring beneficial pollinators through your landscape. Butterfly weed, unlike its other milkweed cousins, is not as caustic. Although butterfly weed is slightly toxic, if ingested, to humans and other mammals, its sap will not irrigation the skin like other milkweeds.

 

Butterfly weed comes in orange and yellow flowers

 

Landscape Planting – Asclepias tuberosa Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa

Common Name: Butterfly weed

Type: Herbaceous perennial shrub

Native Range: United States – Eastern and Southeastern regions

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall, 12 to 18 inches wide

Bloom Time: Spring

Bloom Color: Yellow, orange

Sun: Full sun

Water & Soil: Once established, minimal water needs. If can grow well in a variety of soil types, including rocky and sandy soil

Maintenance: Minimal maintenance needs. It can be cut down to ground level before winter

Suggested Use: Group planting, pollinator garden (butterflies and other beneficial pollinators)

 

 

The clustered structure of butterfly weed blooms

 

For landscape planting, butterfly weed grows best in full sun. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if butterfly weed’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Butterfly weed makes an excellent addition to colorful gardens, with their eye-catching bright flowers. Their clustered leaves and brilliant color make them a unique favorite in the landscape. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden that attracts gorgeous butterflies.

 

Butterfly weed has low water requirements once established. After they are established (at around one year after planting), they will need periodic watering, usually once a month. During the hottest times of summer, they may need more frequent watering. During the rainy season, the irrigation can be turned off completely.

 

Butterfly weed prefers well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California has. They don’t need nutrient fertilizers. In fact, adding fertilizer can actually harm the plant, or cause excessively leggy growth. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for yarrow in your landscape and make the necessary additions or changes.

 

 

A Monarch butterfly feeding on Butterfly weed

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Butterfly weed has low maintenance needs. In late fall you will notice the leaves begin to brown and the stalks yellow. This is a sign that the plant is entering winter dormancy. At this point you can cut the plant down to ground level. Make sure to do this with a clean pair of pruning shears. The plant will grow back in spring. This process helps to regenerate healthy new growth. These plants are drought tolerant, however providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

Butterfly weed sprouts. Often butterfly weed is grown from seed.

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Butterfly weed is beautiful, making a lovely addition to a colorful garden, however the true magic is in its attraction for butterflies and other healthy garden pollinators. Not only will you be providing food for butterflies, and enjoying their presence in the garden, but these insects will pollinate many blooms in your garden. It’s a great thing all around.

 

Butterfly weed can fit within many different landscape aesthetics, from Mediterranean gardens, chaparral gardens, butterfly gardens (of course), and even desert themed gardens. Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to discuss their potential in your garden. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which yarrow can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

Butterfly weed makes an excellent, and eye catching, addition to the water wise garden, pollinator garden

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

Achillea millefolium, commonly known yarrow, is a beautiful native plant of Eurasia and was introduced to North America in the 1700s. Its lacy leaves give it a distinct look. The leaves also cluster in an umbrella like shape. Once established, their drought tolerant qualities make them an excellent choice for the water wise garden. These plants tend to grow so well in our climate that they can be considered somewhat invasive outside of cultivation.

 

 

Landscape Planting – Achillea millefolium Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Common Name: Yarrow

Type: perennial shrub

Native Range: Eurasia, but naturalized in North America

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide

Bloom Time: Spring, summer, and fall

Bloom Color: White, yellow, pink, red, purple, orange

Sun: Full sun

Water & Soil: Once the plant is established, minimal supplemental irrigation. They require well-draining soil, however the soil can be poor quality

Maintenance: Yarrow needs somewhat continual maintenance, especially periodic pruning off of dead flowers

Suggested Use: Group planting, pollinator garden (butterflies and bees)

 

 

The umbrella like structure of yarrow blooms

 

For landscape planting, yarrow grows needs full sun. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if yarrow’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Yarrow (which comes in a wide variety of colors) makes an excellent addition to colorful gardens, with their eye-catching bright flowers. Their clustered leaves and umbrella like shape on the top of long stocks makes them a unique favorite in the landscape. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Yarrow has low water requirements once established. After they are established (at around one year after planting), they will still need periodic watering, usually once a week. The soil around their roots should dry out between waterings, or you run the very real risk of overwatering. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes in yarrow care. They are naturalized to much of our region, thus their needs match the natural rhythms of our climate.

 

Yarrow needs well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California has. They generally don’t need nutrient fertilizers. Some gardeners prefer to add a basic fertilizer, or compost, in early spring, however many skip the fertilization altogether because it can potentially encourage invasive spreading. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for yarrow in your landscape and make the necessary additions or changes.

 

 

Yarrow group planting

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Yarrow has maintenance needs. It is best to remove spent flowers after they die and trim back long stocks are blooming. This will encourage healthy, renewed growth. These plants are drought tolerant, however providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition. Again, and we cannot stress this enough, once flannel bush is established, do not water them.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

Yarrow attracts beneficial pollinators to your garden

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Yarrow is known for its unique flower clusters.  They can fit within many different landscape aesthetics, from Mediterranean gardens, chaparral gardens, butterfly gardens, and even desert themed gardens as a focal point. Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to discuss their potential in your garden and recommend various cultivars. There are many different kinds of yarrow. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which yarrow can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

Yarrow makes an excellent, and eye catching, addition to the water wise garden.

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

Fremontodendron californicum, commonly known as flannel bush, is a beautiful native plant of Soutern California. Its fuzzy leaves give it its name, flannel, but don’t let that homey name fool you – not only is this plant a visual stunner, but those fuzzy leaves will also irritate the skin and eyes. Look, but only touch if you know what you’re doing. Once established, their drought tolerant qualities make them an excellent choice for the water wise garden. In fact, summer watering will often even kill this plant, so make sure that irrigation zone if off when the heat rolls around.

 

These beauties natural range is in the foothills of the Sierras, the Coastal Ranges, and in our local Transverse Ranges. True locals that are made for our area. They are fast growing and have eye-catching, large yellow flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Once they are established in the landscape, after a year or so, turn the irrigation off for them.

 

The striking yellow flowers of Fremontodendron californicum, the Flannel Bush 

 

Landscape Planting – Fremontodendron californicum Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Fremontodendron californicum

Common Name: Flannel Bush

Type: perennial shrub

Native Range: California

Size: 6 to 20 feet tall, up to 20 feet wide – there are cultivars with smaller sizes that fit well in various landscapes

Bloom Time: Spring and summer

Bloom Color: Yellow and sometimes orange

Sun: Full sun

Growth Rate: Fast

Water & Soil: Once the plant is established, no supplemental irrigation. They require sandy, well draining soil

Maintenance: They are best when left alone. Moderate pruning can be done after flowering. Do not cut into the woody sections of the plant.

Suggested Use: Hedges, specimen plants, pollinator garden (butterflies and bees)

 

 

Flannel bush’s approximate natural range

 

For landscape planting, flannel bush grows needs full sun. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if flannel bush’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Flannel bush makes an excellent addition to colorful gardens, with their eye-catching bright yellow flowers. They are known as one of the most beautiful native flowering plants. Their fuzzy leaves, while visually inviting, will irritate the skin and eyes, thus it is best to avoid planting them near walkways and high foot traffic areas. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Flannel bush has low water requirements once established. In fact, they should not receive any supplemental irrigation once they are fully established (usually about a year after planting). They are native to our region, thus their needs match the natural rhythms of our climate. Although it might seem counterintuitive, watering them during the heat of summer can actually kill them, so make sure there is no irrigation in their area.

 

It is best to plant them some ten feet or so away from an area of the landscape that does receive regular water. Their roots will spread out to the moist soil and supply enough water for them to thrive. Until they are established, and their roots have spread, they will need occasional supplemental water. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet aloe’s needs.

 

Flannel bush needs well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California has. They also do not need nutrient fertilizers. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for flannel bush in your landscape and make the necessary additions or changes.

 

 

An orange flowered variety of flannel bush. The hairs on the leaves and stems act as irritants to the skin and eyes. Look, but be careful when touching.

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Flannel bush has low maintenance needs. It is mostly best to leave it alone, once it is established. Pruning, if absolutely necessary (such as removing broken branches) should be done in fall after the flowering season. Again, flannel bush’s leaves have small fuzzy hairs that cause irritation. The hairs will even collect on your clothes and cause irritation after you walk away from the bush. Cover up and be careful when pruning.

 

These plants are drought tolerant, however providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition. Again, and we cannot stress this enough, once flannel bush is established, do not water them.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

Flannel bush can grow quite tall – up to 20 feet. Some cultivars have smaller growth habits. Creative Concepts Landscape will happily determine what would work in your landscape.

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Flannel bush has some of the most striking yellow flowers under the sun. They can fit within many different landscape aesthetics, from Mediterranean gardens, chaparral gardens, butterfly gardens, and even desert themed gardens as a focal point. They can grow quite large under ideal conditions, larger than most landscapes can accommodate, thus Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to discuss their potential in your garden and recommend a smaller cultivar of flannel bush is necessary. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which flannel bush can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

Stunning flowers in full bloom. Flannel bush will make an beautiful centerpiece in your garden.

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

Bougainvillea spectabilis, commonly known as bougainvillea, is one of the most common, and spectacular, plants in cultivated landscapes throughout Southern California. A shrub or vine, depending on the species type and cultivation practice, bougainvillea is well known for its strikingly colorful bracts (often confused for flowers). Once established, their drought tolerant qualities make them an excellent choice for the water wise garden.

 

Depending on whom you ask, bougainvillea has up to a couple dozen different species within its genus. These range in bract flower, size, growth habit, and care needs. Bougainvillea spectabilis is perhaps the most common in California. Their native climate is somewhat mixed, from tropical to arid (much like Southern California) making them an excellent choice for our gardens. Their water needs are low once established, but they do best with periodic irrigation.

 

The true flower of bougainvillea is small and usually white or cream. They are inconspicuous. Bougainvillea has what are called bracts, which are specialized leaves. These bracts come is a variety of eye-catching colors (red, white, purple, yellow, orange, pink, magenta) and are commonly mistaken for flowers.

 

The striking bracts (often mistaken for flowers) of bougainvillea come in many different colors. If you look closely you can see the true flowers of bougainvillea – the small white dots.

 

 

Landscape Planting – Bougainvillea spectabilis Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Bougainvillea spectabilis

Common Name: Bougainvillea

Type: perennial vine and shrub

Native Range: Brazil, Argentina, Peru

Size: 15 to 40 feet tall, 15 to 40 feet wide – some species and cultivars are significantly smaller

Bloom Time: Spring, summer, fall

Bloom Color: White and cream

Bract Color: Red, white, purple, yellow, orange, pink, magenta

Sun: Full sun

Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

Water & Soil: Low water needs once established. They prefer well draining soil, with moderate moisture, however they can endure drought and low water conditions

Maintenance: Depending on species and cultivar, bougainvillea needs periodic trimming. Fast growing, vining, and large species will need periodic heavy trimming to contain their size. These thorny plants can be labor intensive to trim.

Suggested Use: Hedges, vines, group planting

 

 

Bougainvillea thorns make them somewhat tricking to prune. One needs thick pruning gloves.

 

For landscape planting, bougainvillea grows best in full sun. With full bright sun you will find the colors of your bougainvillea more brilliant. They can grow in partial shade, however they will become leggy with thin foliage. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if bougainvillea’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Bougainvillea makes an excellent addition to colorful gardens, with their eye-catching arrays of deeply vibrant bracts. Their dark green, sprawling branches and leaves can be incorporated into many different design types. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Bougainvillea has low water requirements once established. Their irrigation can be turned off for long periods of time if there is sufficient rainwater. They have drought tolerant abilities, however, to look their best, they will need occasional supplemental water. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet aloe’s needs.

 

Bougainvillea prefers well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California has. They can grow without too trouble in nutrient poor soils, however they do best with occasional nutrient fertilizers, in which case they will produce more flowers. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for aloe in your landscape and make the necessary additions or changes.

 

 

The orangish-yellow bracts of bougainvillea. One of the many color varieties these plants offer.

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Bougainvillea has maintenance needs. It’s possible to leave them alone, mostly, however you might not care for the results. Larger and vining species need periodic pruning to manage their size, unless you want them to dominate an entire area. Pruning should be done in fall after the growing season. This way they will sprout new, often colorful growth in spring.  Pruning before fall will remove some, if not most, of the color that bougainvillea is prized for. Smaller species and varieties will also need occasional trimming to maintain their shape/size. Bougainvillea is thorny. Whomever does your maintenance will need thick pruning gloves to handle these plants. Vining bougainvillea, which is most species, will need to be trained to maintain and control their growth pattern.

 

These plants are drought tolerant, although they look their best with occasional irrigation. Providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

Some bougainvillea have multiple colors within the same plant and can even change their colors over time.

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Bougainvillea have such striking colors, that they can fit within many different landscape aesthetics, from cottage gardens (certain smaller species) to Mediterranean gardens. Their vining qualities make them excellent against walls for an established look, or large shrubs can be used as formidable, yet beautiful, hedges. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which aloes can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

There are multiple species and varieties of bougainvillea that can fit well in various locations of the landscape. These compact bougainvillea make for a more manageable, yet still absolutely eye-catching, landscape plant.

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

Aloe barbadensis ‘Blue Elf’, commonly known as Blue Elf aloe, is a variety of beautiful, blue tinted aloe (a succulent) native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Blue Elf aloe’s bluish gray leaves make a striking contrast with their blazing orange blooms. Once established, their drought tolerant qualities make them a favorite in the cultivated landscapes of Southern California.

 

Aloe is well known as a low maintenance plant, and Blue Elf is no different in that regard. There are hundreds of species of Aloe with the genus. In our humble opinion, Blue Elf is one of the more striking varieties. Their native climate is fairly arid, much like Southern California in that sense, making them an excellent choice for our gardens. Their water needs are low once established, but they do best with periodic irrigation.

 

‘Blue Elf’ aloes mostly bloom in winter and spring, however one can occasionally find a single flower at any time of the year. These plants prefer full sun, but they can handle being planted in shady locations, although they will be a paler color, won’t grow as tall, and will rarely bloom.

 

Aloe ‘Blue Elf’ is known for its brilliant orange bloom and blue/gray/green leaves

 

 

Landscape Planting – Aloe ‘Blue Elf’Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis var ‘Blue Elf’

Common Name: Blue Elf, Aloe

Type: perennial succulent shrub

Native Range: Madagascar, Eastern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula

Size: 12 to 36 inches tall, 6 – 12 inches wide

Bloom Time: Winter and spring

Bloom Color: Orange, yellow, red

Sun: Full sun, partial shade

Growth Rate: Moderate

Water & Soil: Low water needs once established. Well-draining soil is a must, but they can grow well in soil with low organic material/nutrient content

Maintenance: Low maintenance requirements – occasionally remove dead/damage leaves

Suggested Use: Group planting, border plants, specimen planting

 

 

The tubular flowers of Aloe ‘Blue Elf’

 

For landscape planting, ‘Blue Elf’ grows best in full sun. They can grow in shady environments, but you will miss out on their most brilliant colors. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if Aloe ‘Blue Elf’s’ needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. ‘Blue Elf’ aloes make an excellent addition to colorful spring gardens (even winter) with their eye-catching orange blooms. Their long succulent gray/blue leaves can be incorporated into many different design types. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Aloes have low water requirements and prefer to stay in well-draining soil.  To look their best, they will need occasional supplemental water, but the soil should be completely dried out between waterings. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet aloe’s needs.

 

‘Blue Elf’s’ need well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California is. They can grow without trouble in nutrient poor soils. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for aloe in your landscape and make the necessary additions or changes.

 

 

Aloe in a sidewalk planter in Soutern California. Aloes make great additions to water wise gardens.

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Aloes have low maintenance needs. Any damaged, dead, or dried out leaves should be removed from the plant. These plants are drought tolerant, although they look their best with occasional irrigation. Providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

A look inside the bloom of Aloe ‘Blue Elf’

 

Landscape Uses 

 

‘Blue Elf’ aloes have such striking orange flowers next their bluesish leaves, that they can fit within many different landscape aesthetics, from desert themes to Mediterranean gardens. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which aloes can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

Aloe ‘Blue Elf’ makes a beautiful addition to many different garden aesthetics

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

Alstroemeria, commonly known as Peruvian lily, is a genus of beautiful, tuberous plants from Argentina and Chile (the Peruvian moniker is a misnomer, technically). These beauties are not true lilies (but they share resemblance), and although they have a mild toxicity to humans, they lack the potentially verry harmful toxicity of true lilies to humans and pets alike.

 

Peruvian lilies are often used in vase flower arrangements for their beauty and long lasting blooms, but their beauty is equally notable in the cultivated landscape. Their native climate is somewhat similar to Southern California, making them an excellent choice for our gardens. Their water needs are moderate, however, so they work best with weekly supplemental irrigation, unless we get another seasonal downpour like 2023, in which case the irrigation should be turned off completely while the rains last.

 

Peruvian lilies, which have around 200 different cultivars, feature many markings and colors, including white, yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple, and various lavenders. Many cultivars bloom in summer, however due to various experimental cross breading techniques, there are varieties that bloom almost throughout the year.

 

Peruvian lilies come in many different colors, including white, yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple, and various lavenders

 

 

Landscape Planting – Alstroemeria Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Alstroemeria spp.

Common Name: Peruvian Lilies

Type: perennial shrub

Native Range: Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. They are now common throughout South America and have become naturalized in many climates throughout the world.

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1 – 2 feet wide

Bloom Time: Summer is most common, some cultivars bloom in spring and fall as well

Bloom Color: White, yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple, and various lavenders

Sun: Full and partial sun

Growth Rate: Moderate

Water & Soil: Moderate water needs. Roughly 1” per week with more in intense heat. Keep soil mosit but well draining

Maintenance: Cut the plant back after blooming to prevent the plant from putting growth potential into seed production

Suggested Use: Group planting, border plants, specimen planting

 

 

Stippled leaves, brilliant colors, and spear shaped leaves give Peruvian lilies a striking appearance

 

For landscape planting, Peruvian lilies grow best in full sun. They tend to need six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily but in particularly hot climates (inland valleys in Southern California) they perform best with some shade from afternoon sun. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if Peruvian lily’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Peruvian lilies makes an excellent addition to colorful spring gardens with their eye-catching blooms. Their spear shaped green leaves and beautiful, spotted flowers can be incorporated into many different design types. Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Peruvian lilies have moderate water requirements and prefer to stay in moist, but well-draining soil.  To look their best, they will need irrigation systems or regular hand watering, often once a week if it is not raining regularly (at which time the irrigation can be turned off), however they may need irrigation more than once a week at the peak of summer. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet Peruvian lily’s needs.

 

Peruvian lilies need well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California is. They also prefer organically rich soil, so you will want to add potting soil to increase the organic content of the soil. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for hyacinth in your landscape and make the necessary additions and changes.

 

 

Peruvian lilies have long been a common vase flower. The blooms tend to last longer than many other plant types, making it a favorite for flower arrangements.

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Peruvian lilies have maintenance needs, from occasional pruning (after the blooming period), to making sure they have adequate water. These plants are not drought tolerant. Providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is often the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Outside of maintaining an irrigation system for Peruvian lilies, they will need some pruning when their flowers begin to fade. The blooms, stalks, and leaves can be trimmed back after the flowers have faded. Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

Peruvian lily flower bud before blossoming

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Peruvian lilies have such striking flowers, in many different color varieties, that they can fit within many different landscape aesthetics. Their spotted colors make them all the more alluring. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which Peruvian lilies can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

Whether it’s Argentina, Australia, or La Crescenta, Ca – Peruvian lily makes a beautiful addition to many different garden aesthetics

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape

 

 

Anigozanthos, commonly known as kangaroo paw, is widely regarded for their gorgeous, showy flowers. Native to Australia, these plants have many varieties and bloom colors to choose from, and their low water needs make them perfect for the water wise garden in Southern California.  Their unusual tubular-like flowers look almost like animal paws, kangaroo paws to be more precise, as they are also covered with a gentle fuzz. Kangaroo paws are fast becoming one of the more popular plants in the landscape.

 

Kangaroo paws, which have many different varieties and flower color, are often found in blooms of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white. They bloom in spring, summer, and fall making them an almost year-round, eye-catching addition to your garden.

 

Kangaroo Paw comes in many colors, including this deep red

 

 

Landscape Planting – Hyacinthus orientalis Basics 

 

Botanical Name: Anigozanthos spp.

Common Name: Kangaroo Paw

Type: perennial shrub

Native Range: Australia

Size: 6 to 12 inches tall, 3 to 6 inches wide

Bloom Time: Spring

Bloom Color: White, red, pink, purple, and blue

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Growth Rate: Moderate

Water & Soil: Low water needs once established, soil should be well draining but moist for best results

Maintenance: Cut entire plant down to 6 inches after bloom

Suggested Use: Group planting, border plants, specimen planting

 

 

Fuzzy, tubular flowers give Kangaroo Paw its name

 

For landscape planting, kangaroo paws grow best in full sun. They tend to need six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily and tend to take intense afternoon sun well. Our landscape designers at Creative Concepts Landscape will be happy to look over your property and determine areas that are optimal for these types of plants.

 

Our designers can take a look at your property and see if hyacinth’s needs can be met. We create a design plan for all of our consultations to determine what plants and needs match each individual property. Kangaroo paw makes an excellent addition to colorful spring gardens with their eye-catching blooms. Their long light green leaves and beautiful flowers can be incorporated into many different design types. Again, Creative Concepts Landscape will help to determine the best location on your property, or create the conditions to promote a healthy, beautiful garden.

 

Kangaroo paws have moderate water requirements and prefer to stay in somewhat moist, but well-draining soil. Once they are established, they are somewhat drought tolerant, although they will show signs of drought stress if water is too low for long periods in intense heat. To look their best, they will need irrigation systems or regular hand watering, often up to twice a week if it is not raining regularly. Creative Concepts Landscape has installed many irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler), and we would be happy to take a look at your property to come up with a design that could meet kangaroo paws’ needs.

 

Kangaroo paws need well-draining soils, which much of the soil in Southern California is. Often, you will want to add potting soil to increase the organic content of the soil. Creative Concepts Landscape will determine what conditions would be best for hyacinth in your landscape and make the necessary additions and changes.

 

 

A close up of Kangaroo Paw bloom. These plants bloom in spring through fall, making them a colorful addition to the garden almost year-round.

 

Pruning & Maintenance 

 

Kangaroo paws have maintenance needs, from occasional heavy pruning, to making sure they have adequate water (but not too much). In many cases, providing supplemental water for these plants, especially while they are becoming established in the landscape, is the highest maintenance requirement. Creative Concepts Landscape has been installing irrigation systems for over twenty years. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and come up with an irrigation system plan and install it. Creative Concepts landscape also repairs and refurbishes existing irrigation systems, so they are in optimal, efficient condition.

 

Outside of maintaining an irrigation system for kangaroo paws, they will need some pruning when their flowers begin to fade. The blooms, stalks, and leaves can be severely trimmed back (leave around 6 inches of growth) after the flowers have faded. Creative Concepts Landscape has options for maintenance schedules. Many of our clients have us maintain their property weekly or two times a month, however we also offer periodic cleanups. These cleanups range from four times a year, twice a year, and sometimes once a year. We will be happy to talk with you and determine a maintenance/cleanup schedule that fits your property needs.

 

Botanical engraving of Anigozanthos rufus (red kangaroo paw), from Voyage in Search of La Pérouse by Jacques Labillardière, 1800

 

Landscape Uses 

 

Kangaroo paws have such unique, striking flowers that they are becoming a cultivated landscape favorite in Southern California. Their many different color choices make them all the more alluring. Creative Concepts Landscape gets many requests for garden installations, of which kangaroo paw can be a beautiful addition. Our team of designers and technicians has decades of experience designing and installing gardens.

 

Creative Concepts Landscape creates a landscape plan and design for your specific property characteristics along with your wants. Our highly experienced designers will be able to see what plant types and layout will complement your landscape’s existing features to come up with a planting design plan.

 

Whether it’s Australia, or La Canada, Ca – Kangaroo Paw is at home in many gardens

 

 

Thank you for joining us again in this week’s horticultural adventures. Please come back next Wednesday for out next blog post, and as always, contact us for all your landscape needs!

 

By Daniel Williams

Client Liaison for Creative Concepts Landscape