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Two Ducks in the Garden
Santa Barbara Daisy
Spiny Rush
Santa Barbara Daisy

Common name:Santa Barbara Daisy
Botanical name:Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion'

This herbacious perennial grows to 1' tall and 3' wide. White daisy-like flowers bloom heavily in spring and fall in the low desert but in higher elevations, bloomtime is only during the summer. The foliage is bright green and finely textured. This plant is fairly short-lived but will reseed if pruned in winter and given moderate irrigation all year. It does better in light shade if planted in the low desert.

Spiny Rush

Common name:Spiny Rush
Botanical name:Juncus acutus

This native Rush grows naturally in moist alkaline soils especially in coastal salt marshes. As one of the larger native Rushes, growing to 3'-4' tall and 3'-4' wide, it can provide interest through form and structure in a natural garden setting. It is carefree-looking. The tips of the leaves are sharp so care should be taken when designing the landscape not to place this species close to walkways, etc. Tall grasses are highly combustible.

Designer: Geoff Sarkissian

Two Ducks in the Garden

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

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