Livermore Demonstration Garden

Never posted Dec Plant of the Month- Heteromeles arbutifolia- Toyon or Ca Holly Evergreen Native shrub. White blooms mid summer Red berries late fall into Winter. Great winter food for the birds. Usually grown to 6-8'H 4-5'W but can grow much taller in the wild. Prefers full sun but tolerates being an understory plant.... Is prone to fireblight in coastal areas but can tolerate regular watering inland. Host to several moths and butterflies as well as bees and birds. This plant is on our More Outstanding Plants of Alameda County Brochure http://ucanr.org/sites/MG_Alameda/files/163312.pdf #POM

Not so Thirsty Thursday - Low water plants that do well in our area. Marie Simon CA Lilac - Ceanothus x pallidus 'Marie Simon' Such a gorgeous, useful and har...dy shrub, and yet hardly known! An East/West Coast hybrid, ‘Marie’ is easygoing, cold hardy, tough and adaptable to both poor CLAY soil as well as rich, loamy soil. How great that it blooms repeatedly Summer thru Fall with an amazing profusion of fluffy scented light pink 3 panicles on contrasting wine-red stems. With a nice, bushy habit, it’s great in a mixed bed, dry bed or as filler in a rose garden. Can reach 5’ x 5’, but you can cut it back hard anytime for a shorter silhouette. Bees and butterflies! Deer resistant ! Hardy to 5 degrees F. See more