911 – Sunset Magazine emergency make over

I spent a few days restoring a sloping garden bed outside the kitchen that wraps around the porch. Over the years, the dogs have stomped out the original plants that came with the house. The plants I used are a combination of heirloom plants, specimens from Armstrong Nursery in Thousand Oaks and some plants from the Dome Hepot.

About 25 years ago, my mom bought some cacti from a garage sale, which have lived in terra cotta pots their whole lives. I put these along the bottom of the slopping mound. I’m hoping they will help control the erosion once they fill in.

Hymenoxys acaulis, ‘Sundancer Daisy’

Sundancer daisy is native to Arizona and the southwest. The long, top-heavy, flower stems sway in the wind. The grassy-looking blades of leaves add a nice texture. These plants grow to about three feet in diameter.

Salvia x ‘Heatwave Glimmer’ (white)

This salvia is native to Australia and attracts butterflies and humming birds.

Correa pulchella, ‘Pink Flamingo’

At the top of the mound is this beauty, Correa pulchella–a fuchsia and another native plant of Australia. The leaves are heart-shaped and blue-green. The flowers are smaller and a soft bubble gum pink. This plant reminds me a bit of Cape fuchsia. This is one of my favorite plants on Earth – highly recommended.

Bougainvillea x buttiana, ‘Orange King’

Around the corner is a pair of beautiful peach-colored Bougainvillea.

Myoporum parvifolium

I filled in the gaps with this sturdy ground cover, Myoporum. I was told it’s OK to walk on this plant.

July 31, 2023 UPDATE:

Here is what the Bougainvillea looks like almost five years later–‘Orange King,’ ‘California Gold’ and ‘Thai Delight.’

2018 daylilies

Our daylilies are ready to go.

Crimson red color. Large-sized, 6-7″, flower.  BR

Crimson red color. Small-sized, 3-4″ flower.  SR

Orange petals with red center. Double-petaled. Large-sized, 6-7″ flower. ORA

Tri-color–peach, burgundy, ruffled, petals with yellow center. Large-sized, 6-7″, flower.  MOF

Salmon color. Large-sized, 6-7″ flower.  SAL

Pink color with yellow center. Large-sized, 6-7″, flower.

Double-petaled with ruffled edges; peach color. Small-sized, 3-4″, flower.  PEA

Green color. Large-sized, 6-7″, flower.

Color varies from antique pink to rich purple. Small-sized, 3-4″ flower.  PUR

Burgundy color with yellow center. Small-sized, 3-4″, flower.

White petals with purple, ruffled, edges and purple center. Medium-sized, 4-6″, flower.

Cream-colored petals outlined in yellow; pink center. Medium-sized, 4-6″ flower.

Buttermilk color. Small-sized, 3-4″, flower.

Cream color. Medium-sized, 4-6″ flower.  WH