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Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a very simple landscape feature that traps rain water runoff  from streets, walkways and parking lots.  The purpose is to increase the value of rain water by  allowing the water from excess rainfall to percolate down into the soil where it can be used by plants, and then flow into the local water table, where it has a valuable use, versus running into the city drainage system.

You can see that the construction of a rain garden is very simple.  Some soil modification and drains may be necessary in very clay soil types.

Rain Garden Cross Section View
Rain Garden Cross Section View

No curbs in a parking lot allow the rain water to flow into the rain garden.

A Berkely CA parking lot with no curbs and pervious paving.
A Berkely CA parking lot with no curbs and pervious paving.

This rain garden is typical of landscpaing around the country. The use of ground cover, perennials and trees can easily handle most rain events.

parking-lot-no-curbs-berkeleyrain-garden-perennials-trees

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Shrubs- Compact and Low Maintenance

Rhaphiolepis indica is one of my favorite low maintenance shrubs. Their are several compact varieties that if used appropriately, will require little to no trimming over the plants lifetime.

Pinkie and Ballerina are just two of these varieties.

Rhaphiolepis indica 'Pinkie"- Indian hawthorne
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Pinkie"- Indian hawthorne


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Grasses Used In A Formal Landscape

Grasses can be used in both formal and informal landscape settings.  Here is an excellent example of grasses being used in a “planned informality” setting.
The grasses add structure and texture as they soften the edges of the hardscape. Note how the grasses are used formally above the steps and more informally at the bottom of the picture.
Grasses are easy to work with, but they are not maintenance free.  Being perennials, they have to be cut back every year to allow the newer fresher growth to come in.  Also be be careful in the placement of the various varieties that are available.  A small #01 pot can look cute when planted but you may find that it quickly grows to six feet tall.
Grass Along Steps
Grass Along Steps
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We are Moving, Building a New Website and Name Change.

Our new web site is on the way while we are trying to set up our new store location. I thank all of our friends, clients and vendors for their patience while we move forward.

Neighborhood Nursery is undergoing a name change from it previously being Las Tunas Nursery. We decided on an easier name for newcomers to remember us since we are no longer on Las Tunas Dr. Our number has also changed. Our new, temporary, number is 626-872-4537 and ask for the nursery or the landscaping division.

Suddenly losing our lease for the nursery at 1155 E Las Tunas after 15 years in business was a shock to us. We want to stay in the San Gabriel Valley to support all those who helped us grow from an undeveloped piece of land under the Edison Right of Way, to the thriving business we built.

We are searching out properties in Pasadena at this time.

Thank you for your continued support.
Frank