Ongoing research

Lygeum spartum already showing striking flower heads in June 2017. Photo: SK Reid, False esparto grass is the common name for this very interesting Mediterranean native. Its leaves stay green throughout the winter which means no end of season pruning was necessary.

Muhlenbergia White Cloud on 80% ETo in Sept. 2017. Photo: SK Reid. The southeastern U.S. origin of this cultivar of hairy awn muhly grass is likely responsible for its poor performance in this trial in our hot, dry location.

Muhlenbergia reverchonii Undaunted on 20% ET0 Oct. 2017. Photo: SK Reid. Undaunted was a handsome ruby muhly grass on every irrigation treatment, consistently scoring very good overall appearance ratings throughout the growing season (Table 10a).

Nandina Lemon-Lime on 50% ETo in May 2017. Photo: SK Reid. This cultivar of heavenly bamboo is an extremely diminutive form with pale green leaves as its name suggests. This put on very little growth in two years time.

Rosa Dark Desire at peak bloom on 20% ETo in May 2017 before treatment effects. Photo: SK Reid.

Rosa Plum Perfect in full bloom in May 2017 on 20% ETo. Photo: SK Reid. Plum Perfect is a shrub rose on the small side that performed far from perfectly in our trial.

Vitex Flip Side blooming on low water in July 2019 in Davis. Photo: SK Reid. The trade name Flip Side was derived from this Vitex cultivars foliage, where the upper side of the leaf is green while the underside is silvery lavender.

Distylium Vintage Jade on low water under 50% shade in Davis in July 2019. Photo: SK Reid. Vintage Jade is a low-growing plant used as a foliage or foundation shrub.

Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Strawberry on low water in Davis in July 2019. Photo: SK Reid. Vanilla Strawberry gets its name from its blooms starting out white and fading to light pink, eventually turning deep pink with a sepia tinge.

Mahonia Marvel on low water in 50% shade in May in Davis. Photo: SK Reid. Mahonia Marvel is a shrub composed of layers of stiff green leaves with a prickle at each tip. These are arranged along upright, unbranching stems.