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Broad View of Patio
Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks
Catmint
Aeonium
Whale's Tongue Agave
Oriental Fountain Grass
Mundi Rosemary
Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks

Common name:Carnation, Clove Pink, Pinks
Botanical name:Dianthus caryophyllus

Dianthus caryophyllus is a perennial. Produces double flowers, bluish green leaves, and leafy stems that often become woody at the base.

Catmint

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, grey-green, undulating mounds to 1' tall in bloom, spreading 3'-4' wide. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in summer. Catmint can be planted in sun or shade and needs medium amount of water. Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Aeonium

Common name:Aeonium
Botanical name:Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'

Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' is a succulent perennial that is used for accenting effect. Aeonium arboreum grows 3 ft. tall and wide. Each branch has a 6-8 in. wide rosette of dark green, fleshy leaves.The flowers are yellow in clusters. The flowers are yellow in clusters.

Whale's Tongue Agave

Common name:Whale's Tongue Agave
Botanical name:Agave ovatifolia

This versatile Agave is a solitary plant, growing quite large, with rosettes that can reach 7' across. Leaves are grayish white color with small marginal teeth. The leaf blade is short, wide and distinctively cupped, thus the common name, Whale's Tongue. This Agave looks great in a pot on a patio, under trees, with large boulders or planted with other succulents. It can take intense heat and cold. It grows moderately fast but prefers well drained soil.

Oriental Fountain Grass

Common name:Oriental Fountain Grass
Botanical name:Pennisetum orientale

Oriental Fountain Grass is a clumping warm-season grass with spectacular pink flowers.

Mundi Rosemary

Common name:Mundi Rosemary
Botanical name:Westringia fruticosa 'Mundi'

A great groundcover form of coastal rosemary. Used as a specimen or in mass, Mundi is great for tough roadsides and residential gardens alike. Best suited to Zones 9-11 in arid climates although Mundi continues to show potential for low water gardens in humid regions. Mundi's super short height and infrequent pruning requirement distinguish it from other Westringia currently on the market. Coastal rosemary, so named for its rosemary-like leaves, is a drought and salt tolerant shrub that works well in coastal plantings. Some Westringia varieties, including Mundi, are also proving to be adapt to humid, subtropical climates of the southeastern US. So while Westringia are best suited to Mediterranean climates. Established plants quickly grow to 1-2 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. It can tolerate full sun in coastal areas but afternoon shade in warm inland areas. Small white flowers dot the plant from winter to late spring but may bloom year round in coastal areas.

Designer: Susan Morrison

Broad View of Patio
Image: 10 of 15

Photographer: Vicki Anderson

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Integrated Pest Management:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.