Common name:Fern Pine
Botanical name:Afrocarpus gracilior

Soft, narrow, pointed leaves on graceful arching branches characterize this plant. The foliage is gray green, and the plant can be used as an individual specimen, screen, or even a small tree.

Common name:Glossy Abelia
Botanical name:Abelia X grandiflora

Abelia X grandiflora is a semi-evergreen shrub of medium size. It has small, white, fragrant flowers that bloom from spring through the fall season. Bracts add a bronzy tint to the flowers. Abelia makes a good sheared hedge or screen. When unsheared, it is naturally arching.

Common name:Brisbane Box
Botanical name:Lophostemon confertus

Brisbane Box (Tristania conferta) is a very fast-growing evergreen tree that is native to Australia. It is a common tree to use in parkways and residential gardens because it is low-water-use, low maintenance, and resistant to pests, disease, and smog conditions. This is a great selection to be used in a medium garden to screen neighboring houses or undesirable views, as the tree is fast-growing and has a dense, upright canopy, maturing at 50’ tall and up to 30’ wide. This tree can take most soil and water conditions, so it can be used in almost all styles of gardens. It is very drought-tolerant, but its larger, dark green leaves make it look lush. When it starts to reach its mature height, the tree can thin out, giving it a more arid look. If the desired effect in the garden is to have a full, dense canopy, it is best to leave the pruning and care to a licensed arborist. There is no need to fertilize this tree as it already has a fast-growth habit, and the supplemental nutrients will only encourage more growth. This tree should be planted at least three feet away from any hardscape areas, eight feet from structures such as houses and buildings, and not near any powerlines. Shrubs and perennials should be planted about two feet away from this tree. It should be irrigated for about 45 minutes once a week when using most in-line drip irrigation systems.