ORANGE, Calif. — As California’s drought continues, Village Nurseries is campaigning to help consumers gain a better understanding of how to enhance their outdoor environments by using low-water, low- maintenance plant materials. For many, this conjures up visions of arid landscapes with cactus and succulents, rocks and gravel, and the end of flowers and color.
“Not so,” said David House, Village Nurseries CEO. “Consumers shouldn’t be afraid to spruce up their yards and plant during the drought. In reality there is a wide array of colorful plant varieties including groundcovers, perennials and shrubs that bring vibrant color to any landscape. The secret is to know which plants to pick.”
Considered one of the most respected wholesale nurseries in the region, Village Nurseries is spearheading the effort to keep California landscapes green and colorful. As part of its Save Water – Stay Green™ campaign, the company is offering its perspective on excellent landscape plants that use less water and allow consumers and home gardeners to create dramatic environments. The following are a few examples.
Flowering perennials and grasses
Festival® Burgundy Cordyline
Prized for its eye-catching bright burgundy-red foliage, this hybrid Cordyline creates a dramatic grass-like effect with its long arching leaves and tiny white flowers appearing on dark red stems. Spectacular when paired with bright-colored foliage and flowers. Plant in drifts along walkway borders or in foundation plantings. A bold architectural form in container gardens. Evergreen.
Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara' P.P. #12949
A dwarf selection of the ever popular Mexican Bush Sage with the same rich purple flowers and long-blooming nature. Attracts hummingbirds. A great addition to a rock garden or mixed border.
Flowering groundcovers
Flower Carpet® Pink Supreme Ground Cover Rose Rosa x 'NOA250092' P.P. #16,276
Vibrant, hot pink blooms provide a non-stop show from spring to fall, without deadheading! Winner of the world's top honor for disease resistant roses, its glossy green foliage resists black spots and mildew better than the original Flower Carpet®, and tolerates heat, humidity and drought when established. This low growing, easy-care shrub is perfect for massing in the landscape or on gentle slopes. Deciduous.
Lantana sellowiana ‘Lavender Swirl’ patent #7626
Profusion of both pure white and solid purple flowers covers this widely spreading groundcover year round! Natural form makes a good bank cover, erosion control. Effective cascading over raised beds and hanging baskets. Makes a wonderful container specimen, trained into a clipped patio tree form.
Rosmarinus ‘Chef’s Choice’®
Part of the Sunset Western Garden Collection, it’s highly prized for its gracefully arching, yet compact and spreading habit. It features mid-green needle-like foliage with high oil count that’s great for cooking. Dark flowers bloom from early summer to fall.
Flowering shrubs
Rhaphiolepis umbellata ‘RutRhaph1′ P.P. #20730 Southern Moon® Yedda Hawthorn
An improved selection by Dr. John Ruter with the University of Georgia. Close to a decade of evaluation has shown this plant to exhibit exceptional disease resistance combined with a compact self-mounding habit remaining just five to six feet tall. Dark green glossy foliage and wavy margins add interest. Abundant white flower display appears in spring prior to emerging new growth. Excellent for foundation plantings.
Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope' P.P. #16,988
Bright, golden yellow variegation on medium green leaves along with brilliant red stems create a striking kaleidoscope of color. A low, compact selection for patio containers or massing as a ground cover. Evergreen.
A complete listing of low water use plants is available in Village Nurseries’ extensive plant library https://www.villagenurseries.com/product-category/low water use /.
About Village Nurseries
Founded in 1976, Village Nurseries currently has major wholesale sales offices in Orange and Sacramento, California and more than 950 acres under cultivation in growing facilities located strategically throughout Northern and Southern California. It serves markets throughout the western United States while maintaining four specialty Landscape Center locations to serve landscape professionals. For more information, visit http://www.villagenurseries.com
Source: Village Nurseries
