Common name:Pine, Canary Island Pine
Botanical name:Pinus canariensis

This graceful, slender-growing pine has a pyramidal form, reaching 50'-70' tall. Its needles are 12" long and drooping in bundles of 3. The foliage is a blue-green color, maturing to a dark green shade. Needles do drop periodically, creating litter. Flowers are insignificant. Cones appear in the spring. This plant is fire-prone! Please use caution when planting near your home.

Common name:Elm, Chinese Evergreen
Botanical name:Ulmus parvifolia

Chinese Elm quickly reaches 50' tall and 60' wide with an upright habit and spreading pendulous branches with age. Chinese Elm has small, dark green leaves. Foliage turns yellow or orange in fall. Small, greenish yellow flower appear in summer but are considered insignificant. Small light brown fruit appear in fall. Bark is brown gray but with maturity, exfoliates to reveal orange patterns.

Common name:Pacific Wax Myrtle
Botanical name:Myrica californica

This large shrub can reach 10'-30' tall and has glossy, apple green leaves that turn dark green with maturity. Tiny yellow insignificant flowers appear in summer, followed by purple berries that attract birds. Used very effectively as a screen and is wind and ocean spray tolerant. Leaves are aromatic.

Common name:Crape Myrtle
Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica

The new leaves of this species are 2" long, bright green, and tinged with bronze. Some cultivars have spectacular fall color. When it has a bare outline, its rounded seed capsules add interest. Its delicate flowers bloom in 6"-12" long clusters. The flower colors could be shades of red, rose, pink, purple, and white, blooming in summer. It thrives on heat, and new cultivars have been created that resist mildew. This tree prefers full sun and has low watering needs once it's established.

Solving Runoff Problems

Importance of Watershed

A watershed is a land area that drains rain and other water into a creek, river, lake, wetland, or groundwater aquifer. Water from your neighborhood also enters the watershed through the storm drain system and flows directly to local creeks without any treatment. It often is contaminated by pollutants that can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and people.

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