2. Water Wise Plants
for Santa Barbara
W
ould you like to have a beautiful lush landscape but use less water? In our semi-arid
climate, the water requirements of a plant are an important consideration. This list is
designed to give the homeowner suggestions for reliable, water wise plants that can
be used to create a beautiful landscape. These plants are adapted to our climate, reasonably
drought tolerant, locally available, fairly resistant to pests and diseases, grow well in varying
conditions and long-lived. We hope this gives you a good starting place for ideas for your
landscape.
Cercis occidentalis in the background along with Eriogonum giganteum and Artemesia ‘David’s Choice’ in the foreground make for a striking border along the pathway winding
throughout this garden.
1
3. Trees
Arbutus ‘Marina’ Dodonaea viscosa (Hopseed Bush) Landscape use: Specimen or background tree,
Description: Usually a single-trunked evergreen Description: Multi-trunked evergreen tree-like mass planting. Good patio tree. Non-invasive
tree to 40 ft. tall and wide, often smaller. shrub to 15 ft. tall and wide. Foliage is willow- roots make it a good candidate for paved
Oblong leathery deep green leaves, handsome like, green (popular cultivar D.v. ‘Purpurea’ areas.
reddish-brown shredded bark. Pink flowers in has bronze-colored leaves). Small flowers are Cultural conditions: Full sun. Tolerates consider-
fall. Medium growth rate. followed in summer by attractive clusters of able drought or regular watering. No fertilizer
Landscape use: Specimen tree, large screening papery winged seeds. Trunks are twisted, needed. Likes well-drained soil; otherwise
plant. shaggy-barked and interesting. Fast growing. tolerant of wide range of soils. No pests.
Cultural conditions: Plant in full sun. Can take Landscape use: Specimen tree, mass planting,
regular watering or very little once established. tall screening shrub. Can also be pruned as Jacaranda mimosifolia (Jacaranda)
No fertilizer. Tolerates a wide range of soils. a hedge or espalier. Not for high fire hazard Description: Single-trunked deciduous or semi-
No pests or diseases. areas. evergreen tree 25-40 ft. tall, 15-30 ft. wide.
Cultural conditions: Full sun or part shade. No Foliage is very fine-textured, light green,
water or fertilizer needed; will tolerate regular deciduous from February—March through
watering. Grows in almost any soil, as well May—June. Canopy is tall, open, casting very
as adapting well to wind, heat, seaside condi- light shade. Flowers are lavender, very showy,
tions. usually in June, but occurring any time from
April to September. Large circular brown seed
Eucalyptus ficifolia (Red-Flowering Gum) pods can be a nuisance when they drop.
Description: Evergreen, single-trunked tree to Landscape use: Specimen tree, massing.
40 ft. tall, with rounded crown. Leaves are Cultural conditions: Full sun. Water infrequently
oblong, leathery, 3-7 in. long, deep green. in summer. No fertilizer needed. Tolerates
Flowers in big clusters nearly all year, with many soils, best in a sandy loam. No pest
peak of bloom in July and August. Most problems. Resistant to oak root fungus. Best
bloom light red, but other colors occur in some away from immediate coast and out of very
trees, including salmon, orange, cream, or cold spots. Stake and prune young trees to
light pink. One-inch seed pods follow flower- develop good form.
ing. Medium fast growth rate. Special remarks: One of our showiest and best
Landscape use: Specimen tree, massing, color loved trees.
accent.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No watering need-
ed once established. Tolerant of a wide range
Arbutus ‘Marina’
of soils. May be susceptible to Eucalyptus
longhorn borer. Prune to control growth.
Brahea armata (Mexican Blue Palm) Remove clusters of seed pods from trees for
the first few years to avoid damage from their
Description: Single-trunked fan palm to 40 ft. weight. Do not plant in lawns. Best perfor-
tall with a crown 6-8 ft. wide. Leaves are large, mance is on coast, less successful inland.
pale bluish silver. Flower stalks are pendulous,
very showy, creamy white. Slow growing.
Eucalyptus torquata (Coral Gum)
Landscape use: Specimen palm tree. Plant sev-
Description: Evergreen, erect, usually single-
eral for a grove effect. Good near swimming
trunked tree to 20 ft. tall, with a narrow crown,
pools.
drooping branches. Leaves are light green,
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water or fertil- either long and narrow or roundish. Flowers
izer for established plants. Tolerates most soils, are coral and yellow, very showy, occur on and
heat, wind. No significant pests. off all year long. Seed pods are also attractive.
Bark is rough, peeling. Medium fast grower.
Cercis occidentalis (Western Redbud) Landscape use: Specimen tree or grove. Good
California Native Plant flowering tree for small area. Good cut flowers.
Description: Deciduous multi-trunked tree to Cultural conditions: Full sun. No watering Brahea armata
15-18 ft. tall, equally wide. Leaves are blue- needed. Tolerant of a wide range of soils. May
green, rounded, to 3 in. in diameter. Flowers be susceptible to Eucalyptus longhorn borer. Leptospermum laevigatum
are magenta and occur on bare branches in Prune to control growth. Staking and prun- (Australian Tea Tree)
early spring. Brownish seed pods accom- ing of young trees is advised to develop good
pany foliage in spring and summer. Medium Description: Single- or multi-trunked ever-
form. green tree or large shrub to 30 ft. tall, some-
growth rate.
times wider in age. Leaves are small, oval,
Landscape use: Specimen tree, hillside plant, Geijera parviflora (Australian Willow) olive-green. Canopy is dense, often weeping.
native garden plant. Description: Evergreen, usually single-trunked Flowers are white, single, 1/2 in. wide, occur in
Cultural conditions: Full sun best. No water or tree 25-30 ft. tall, 20 ft. wide. Leaves are nar- spring. Trunk is picturesquely twisted, with
fertilizer once established. Tolerates most soils. row, fine-textured, medium green, pendulous. great character. Bark is shaggy and brown.
Resistant to oak root fungus. Best planted in Flowers and fruit are insignificant. Overall Medium-fast growing.
fall. Flowers best inland or in low spots where effect is reminiscent of weeping willow, but
winter temperatures are cool. without its disadvantages. Medium fast growing.
2
4. Landscape use: Best as a specimen tree, but can but doesn’t need it. No fertilizer. Takes most
also be planted in groups or used as a screen- soils. No significant pests. Best along coast;
ing plant. The remarkable form of its trunk tolerates seashore conditions. Stake and prune
and branches make it the star of the garden young trees to develop good form.
when used as a focal point.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water or fertil- Olea ‘Swan Hill’ (Fruitless Olive)
izer. Likes well-drained soils; is chlorotic in Description: Single- or multi-trunked evergreen
alkaline soils. Subject to root rot in poorly- tree to 30 ft. tall and wide. Leaves are like
drained soils; otherwise pest-free. Grows well those of any other olive, narrow and leathery,
along seashore. but these are a deeper green. Flowers develop
little or no pollen, tree bears little or no fruit.
Trunks are smooth, gray, gnarled in age.
Medium growth rate.
Landscape use: Specimen tree, massing.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water or fertil-
izer. Tolerates most any soil. No pests. Thin
foliage to show off attractive branch structure.
Parkinsonia aculeata (Jerusalem Thorn,
Mexican Palo Verde)
Description: Usually a single-trunked decidu- Parkinsonia aculeata
ous tree to 30 ft. tall and wide. Leaves are
tiny and sparsely arrayed along spiny green them, then taper off. No fertilizer. Tolerates a
stems; open effect. Flowers are yellow and wide range of soils, preferring well-drained
Leptospermum laevigatum abundant in spring and also occur intermit- sandy loam. Subject to usually non-lethal
tently throughout the year. Fast growing when infestations of oak leaf caterpillar. Susceptible
young, slower in maturing trees. to oak root fungus, especially when watered
Melaleuca nesophila (Pink Melaleuca) Landscape use: Specimen tree, especially well- in summer.
Description: Single- or multi-trunked evergreen suited to Spanish, Mexican or desert gardens.
tree or large shrub to 20 or eventually even to Branches are attractive in flower arrange- Schinus molle (California Pepper)
30 ft. and equally wide. Leaves are roundish, ments.
Description: Usually a single-trunked evergreen
1 in. diameter, gray-green. Forms a natural Cultural conditions: Full sun. Do not water tree 25-40 ft. tall and equally wide. Foliage is
canopy and twisted, interesting branches. established plants in summer. No fertilizer feathery, bright green, fine-textured, weeping.
Flowers are mauve, fading to white, occur required. Tolerant of many soils; prefers an Tiny flowers in summer develop into pendu-
nearly year-round. Bark is thick and spongy, alkaline soil. Stake young trees. lous clusters of peppercorn-like fruits (they are
fun to poke at. Fast growing. not edible). Trunk becomes massive, gnarled
Landscape use: Specimen tree, mass planting, and fascinating in older trees. Bark is rough,
screening, sheared hedge. Good near the brown. Fast-growing.
ocean. Landscape use: Specimen tree for large areas.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water- Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water for estab-
ing or fertilizing. Tolerates poor soils as well as lished trees. No fertilizer. Tolerates many soils;
wind, heat, salt spray. poor drainage is OK. Susceptible to root rot,
especially if over-watered. Sometimes subject
Melaleuca quinquinervia (Cajeput Tree) to scale infestations. Can be messy, so consider
Description: Usually a single-trunked evergreen planting away from paved areas.
tree 20-40 ft. tall, upright habit. Leaves are
oval, leathery, glossy, light green. Flowers are Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm)
usually yellowish, sometimes purple or pink, Description: Single-trunked evergreen fan palm to
and occur in summer and fall. Bark is white or Melaleuca nesophila 100 ft. tall in age, canopy 6-8 ft. wide. Leaves
tan, spongy, and peels off in layers. Fast grow- fan-like, to 3 ft. wide. Trunk narrow; old leaves
ing. Often sold as M. leucadendra. remain on tree covering trunk unless removed.
Landscape use: Specimen tree or plant 8-10 ft. Fast growing.
apart to make a grove. Good along coast. Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) California
Landscape use: Specimen tree, or in groups.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water-
Native Plant
Good near swimming pools. Skyline tree.
ing or fertilizing. Tolerates poor soils as well as Description: Single- or multi-trunked evergreen
tree 20-70 ft. tall, often spreading wider. Cultural conditions: Full sun. Best with some
wind, heat, salt spray. watering, but tolerates very arid conditions.
Leaves are oval, 1-3 in. long, dark green, with
spiny margins. Flowers are tiny, in clusters; No fertilizer. Tolerates many soils; best in a
Metrosideros excelsus acorns ripen in fall. Trunk and branches are good loam. No pest problems.
(New Zealand Christmas Tree) muscular and heavy, with dark gray bark.
Description: Single-trunked evergreen tree to Medium fast growing.
30 ft., equally wide. Foliage is oval, leathery, Landscape use: Specimen tree, grove, sheared
dark green with woolly white undersides, hedge.
dense. Flowers are deep red, in terminal
clusters; blooms from May to July. Medium Cultural conditions: Full sun. Do not water exist-
growth rate. ing mature trees except in dry winters; trees
are especially sensitive to watering around
Landscape use: Specimen tree. trunks. Water newly-planted trees to establish
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Tolerates watering,
3
5. Large Shrubs (4–12 feet tall)
Arctostaphylos bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’
(Manzanita) California Native Plant
Description: Single- or multi-stemmed shrub to
5-6 ft. tall. Leaves are small, somewhat leath-
ery, gray-green. Flowers are pink, in clusters
in winter. Interesting branching and red, very
smooth bark. Medium growth rate.
Landscape use: Specimen, massing.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Needs little or no
supplemental watering, but is more tolerant of
regular watering than other manzanitas. No
fertilizer. Plant in a loose or rocky, fast-drain-
ing soil. Susceptible to branch dieback and
other fungus diseases, as are all manzanitas,
but less so than most.
Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’
(McMinn Manzanita)
California Native Plant
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub
5-6 ft. tall and up to 7 ft. wide. Leaves are Cassia
small, oval, pointed, dark olive green. Stems
are an attractive dark reddish brown. Flowers wide, or even more, depending on the variety. best planted on the east side of a building or
are pale pink and occur mostly in winter, Leaves are roundish, to 3 in., bright green otherwise protected from afternoon sun. Plant
though some can be found at any time of (a few varieties are variegated). At each leaf in an area that is sheltered from strong winds.
the year. The fruit is a small berry, hence the base is a large, wicked thorn. The flowers are Young plants require regular watering, but
common name, which means “little apple” in very showy, in a wide range of colors includ- established ones will do fine with little or no
Spanish. Medium growth rate. ing white, pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, supplemental water. Fertilize after bloom with
Landscape use: Good massed on a slope or in gold, apricot, bronze. The flowers themselves an acid fertilizer. Plant in a well-drained loam;
the background. are tiny; it is the papery bracts that attract avoid planting in alkaline or saline soils. Subject
Cultural conditions: Full sun to very light shade. attention. The growth habit of bougainvilleas to camellia petal blight, which causes flowers
Occasional summer watering; deep soak once varies from erect and shrubby to sprawling to fall off before they open; remove all fallen
a month (can tolerate much drought, especial- and viney; some kinds can be used as ground flowers and dispose of in trash, not on the
ly along the coast). Be careful not to overwater covers for very large areas. Fast growing. compost pile. A 4-5 in. thick organic mulch,
in heavy soils. Does not like overhead water- Landscape use: Background shrubs, climbing replaced annually, will help prevent this
ing; drip is best. No fertilizer. Tolerates a wide vines, slope cover. Give these plants plenty disease. Prune lightly after bloom to control
range of soils, but prefers a well-drained soil. of room, as they are very large, fast growing growth, remove weak or crossing branches.
Occasionally susceptible to branch dieback and not easy to prune. Plant away from traffic
fungus, disfiguring but harmless reddish leaf areas due to thorns. Cassia species (Senna)
galls, and root rot if overwatered in heavy Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water Description: Single- or multi-stemmed ever-
soils. (overwatered plants don’t bloom well). No green and deciduous shrubs from 3-30 ft. tall.
fertilizer. Thrives in most soils. No pests or Flowers are very showy, in many shades of
Bauhinia galpinii (Red Bauhinia) diseases. Can take heavy pruning if neces- yellow and gold, and bloom over much of the
Description: Single- or multi-stemmed ever- sary. Not for areas that get frost in winter. year. Fast growing. Try C. artemisioides,
green or partially deciduous shrub that grows Can become a fire hazard if dead material is C. leptophylla, C. splendida, C. surattensis
to 15 ft. tall and wide. Leaves are medium- allowed to build up. Plant in warm season. or C. tomentosa.
sized, roundish, lobed like a butterfly. Flowers Landscape use: Specimen shrub, background
are orange or orange-red, very showy, occur- Camellia japonica (Camellia) plant.
ring in summer, with some flowers all year. Description: Usually a single-trunked evergreen Cultural conditions: Full sun. Water deeply and
Habit is often loose and sprawling, sometimes shrub 6-12 ft. tall and wide (old plants infrequently, or not at all, depending on the
almost vine-like. Medium growth rate. to 20 ft. or even more). Leaves are oblong, species (C. excelsa needs regular watering).
Landscape use: Specimen plant, or espalier leathery, glossy. Flowers are large (3-5 in.) No fertilizer required. Not picky as to soil, but
against a wall or fence. and showy, in colors ranging from pure white would prefer good drainage. No pests or dis-
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Occasional water- through pink to very dark red, blooming from eases. Some varieties need little or no pruning,
ing in summer. Fertilize annually when grow- October through May, depending on the vari- but most need a hard pruning after the main
ing in poor soils. Tolerates most soils; prefers ety. Flowers come in many forms, including flowering season.
good drainage. No pests or diseases. Prune to single, semidouble, double, and others. Habit
control growth. is usually upright, somewhat formal, tidy- Coleonema species (Breath of Heaven)
looking. Medium-slow growing. Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub
Bougainvillea varieties (Bougainvillea) Landscape use: Specimen shrub, massing, back- to 5 ft. or more tall and as wide. Foliage is
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrubs ground planting. Good container plant. finely-textured, needle-like and very fragrant.
or woody vines, growing to 20 ft. tall and Cultural conditions: Prefers morning sun, so
4
6. desired. Can be cut back hard if necessary
to renew an old plant.
Special remarks: Versatile and underused.
Always looks good.
Leonotis leonurus (Lion’s Tail)
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub to
6 ft. tall and wide. Foliage is linear and toothed,
deep green. Flowers are tubular, rich orange,
arranged in stacked whorls at ends of stems,
very showy. Blooms in summer and fall.
Medium fast growth rate.
Landscape use: Specimen, mass planting.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water-
ing. No special fertilizer needs. Plant in almost
any soil, preferably with good drainage. No
pest or disease problems. Cut back after peak
bloom to renew plant.
Ligustrum species & cultivars (Privet)
Description: Single- or multi-stemmed decidu-
ous or evergreen shrubs or small trees 4-40
ft. tall and wide. Leaves 2-4 in. long, smooth,
Coleonema adds privacy to the front of this house. leathery (most species), deep green. Flowers
white, in clusters at ends of branches in spring
Flowers are small, white (C. album) or pink (C. Landscape use: Massing, slopes, native gardens. and summer. Flowers are fragrant (though
pulchrum), with peak of bloom occurring in Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water. No fertil- not everyone likes their smell), attract bees.
winter and spring and some flowers through- izer. Prefers a fast-draining, gravelly or sandy Medium growth rate. Leaves and berries are
out the year. Habit is rounded and graceful. soil. No pests or diseases. Replace when plants mildly poisonous. Most commonly planted
Medium growth rate. are leggy. Will naturalize freely. variety here is L. japonicum ‘Texanum.’
Landscape use: Plant along a path where the Landscape use: Most commonly used as
fragrance can be appreciated, or use on slopes Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) clipped hedge, though it can also easily be
or as a medium-height hedge. Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub or trained as a small patio tree. Will grow in con-
Cultural conditions: Full sun to light shade. small tree to 18-25 ft. tall and wide; size easily tainers. Windbreak.
Water regularly (every 10-15 days in loam). controlled by infrequent pruning. Leaves are Cultural conditions: Full sun to part shade.
Light fertilizing OK; will tolerate no fertilizing. oval, 2-3 in., green and shiny on top, silvery Occasional watering on coast, more inland.
Plant in humusy or sandy, fast-draining soil. white on the bottom. Flowers are white with No special fertilizing requirements. Tolerant
No pests or diseases. Shear lightly after main pale lavender tint and a large puff of showy of a wide variety of soils. No pest or disease
blooming period to encourage compactness. red stamens. Blooms in May and June. Fruit is problems.
1-4 in. long, oval, edible with creamy pineap-
Cordyline stricta ple-flavored flesh. Fruit ripens in October and
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen yucca- November on coast. Medium growth rate.
like shrub. Gracefully arching slender stems Landscape use:: Specimen, natural hedge,
to 15 ft. tall bear 1-2 ft. long strap-shaped dark screen planting, small tree.
green leaves. Clusters of attractive small laven- Cultural conditions: Full sun. Tolerates regular
der flowers in spring. Medium growth rate. watering and even grows near lawns, but will
Landscape use: Good for a tropical look with- do fine with little or no irrigation. No fertilizer
out a lot of water or care. Shade garden. needed. Takes most soils. No diseases. Prune
Containers. in early spring to shape or control growth.
Cultural conditions: Plant in sun on coast or
in shade anywhere. Needs little water in Grewia occidentalis (G. caffra)
cool coastal locations, but would appreciate (Lavender Starflower)
more frequent watering inland. No fertilizer. Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub to
Tolerant of many kinds of soils, but prefers a 10 ft. tall and wide, sometimes larger. Leaves Leonotis leonurus
rich, well-drained loam. Occasionally subject are oval, bright green, glossy. Flowers are
to scale infestations; control ants to reduce lavender with yellow centers, star-shaped, 1 in.
severity. Lower leaves are easily stripped off Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
wide. Peak of bloom is late spring, but flow-
to reveal handsome slender canes. ers are usually present at any time of year. Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen or par-
Medium growth rate. tially deciduous shrub to 8 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide.
Eriogonum giganteum Landscape use: Sheared or natural hedge,
Branches are slender and cane-like. Leaves are
small, green turning red in winter; new growth
(St. Catherine’s Lace) California Native Plant screen planting, slope planting, espalier is red. Flowers are white, tiny, in clusters
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub against a warm wall. near the tops of the branches, in spring and
to 5 ft. tall, somewhat wider. Foliage is gray- Cultural conditions: Full sun. Occasional water- summer (but some flowers occur nearly all
ish white, fuzzy, rounded, to 2-1/2 in. long. ing during summer. No special fertilizer year). Clusters of bright red berries follow the
Flowers are off-white to pinkish, tiny but needs, but can become chlorotic. Plant in any flowers and will hang on the plant for several
borne in huge, flat-topped umbels in spring. good soil; good drainage best. No pest or weeks. Medium fast growing. There are many
Flowers will dry on the plant to a deep choco- disease problems. Prune after peak of bloom cultivars of Nandina, including a number of
late brown. Bark is brown, shaggy. Fast growing. to encourage density and control shape if dwarf and compact forms.
5
7. Cultural conditions: Full sun or light shade.
Tolerates dry conditions or regular watering.
No fertilizer. Plant in almost any soil. Tolerates
heat. No pests or diseases. No need for regular
pruning, but will tolerate heavy pruning or
shearing if desired.
Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry) California
Native Plant
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub to
10 ft. tall and wide, sometimes to 30 ft. in great
age. Leaves are oval, leathery, to 2-1/2 in. long.
Flowers are creamy white to pale pink, in
Eriogonum giganteum clusters at the ends of branches in late winter Westringia fruticosa
and early spring. Fruits are clusters of reddish
pulpy berries that were used by Chumash to
Landscape use: Hedge or screen plantings, make a beverage. Medium growth rate. Landscape use: Screening, massing, natural
focal point or accent plant, massing. Not a hedge. Combine with red-foliage plants for
Landscape use: Screening plant, hillsides and good contrast.
bamboo; not invasive though occasionally erosion control, clipped hedge. Good at sea-
plants will develop some runners that are shore. Cultural conditions: Full sun. No watering. No
easily removed. fertilizer. Tolerates poor soils. No pests or dis-
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water. No fertil-
Cultural conditions: Sun or shade (foliage color izer. Plant in well-drained soil; otherwise not
eases. Prune in early spring if needed.
is more intense in sun). Takes regular watering particular. Tolerates rocky and alkaline soils.
or dry conditions. No special fertilizer needs. Tolerates seashore conditions. Susceptible to Westringia species & cultivars
Plant in most soils; best in rich loam. Tolerates verticillium wilt. Plant in fall. (Coast Rosemary)
oak root fungus and competition from tree Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrubs
roots. No pests or diseases. Prune out old Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Bush Marigold) 4-8 ft. tall, equally wide or wider. Foliage is
canes to renew plant or to control height. small, narrow like rosemary, green or gray-
green with whitish undersides. Flowers are
Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’ (Dwarf Olive) tubular, to 1/2 inch, white or lavender, abun-
Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub dant most of the year. Fast growing. W. fruti-
to 12 ft. tall and wide. Leaves are long and nar- cosa grows 3-4 ft. tall, somewhat wider, fairly
row, gray-green, leathery. Flowers are insig- compact habit, white flowers. W. ‘Wynyabbie
nificant. Bears very little fruit. Bark is smooth, Gem’ is larger, looser, has lavender flowers.
gray, attractive. Slow growing. Landscape use: Screening, mass planting,
Landscape use: Screen planting, hedge, back- slopes.
ground, massing. Can be kept to 3-4 ft. with Cultural conditions: Full sun to light shade. Little
occasional pruning. or no watering. No fertilizer (especially avoid
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water. No fertilizers containing phosphorous). Prefers
fertilizer. Plant in almost any soil, including sandy or loamy soils with good drainage. No
saline, alkaline or rocky soils. Tolerates heat. pests or diseases. Tolerates coastal conditions
No diseases. Tolerates heavy pruning. and wind.
Tagetes lemmonii
Pittosporum crassifolium Xylosma congestum
Description: Single- or multi-stemmed ever- Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub to Description: Single- or multi-stemmed ever-
green shrub or small tree to 25 ft., can be kept 6 ft. tall and as wide or wider. Leaves are fine- green shrub or small tree to 10-15 ft. tall and
much smaller with occasional pruning. Foliage ly-dissected, dark green, very aromatic with at least as wide. Leaves are oblong, pointed at
is rounded, 1-2 in., gray-green. Flowers are a complex citrus/mint/marigold fragrance. the tip, glossy yellow-green. Flowers are tiny,
small, maroon, clustered, in spring. Medium Flowers are bright yellow-orange, occuring in well-concealed. Plant grows quickly into a
growth rate. P.c. ‘Compactum’ grows to 3 ft. great quantities in winter, with light bloom graceful, loosely-rounded shrub if left alone;
tall and wide. throughout the year. Habit of the plant is loose can be trained as a tree with modest effort. X.c.
and sprawly. Fast-growing. ‘Compacta’ grows to 4-5 ft. tall and wide.
Landscape use: Hedge, screen planting, small
tree. Landscape use: Specimen, massing. Good for Landscape use: Screening, slopes, mass plant-
winter bloom. ing, background, small tree.
Cultural conditions: Full sun to light shade.
Best with occasional summer watering; with- Cultural conditions: Full sun. Dry conditions. No Cultural conditions: Full sun or light shade. Give
stands drought. Fertilize in spring in meager fertilizer. Takes any well-drained soil. No pests an occasional good soaking during summer
soils. Plant in any decent soil. Tolerates wind, or diseases. Cut back hard every few years months; will tolerate no irrigation. Apply a
seashore conditions. Occasionally subject to to renew plant and remove buildup of dead complete fertilizer once a year for best per-
aphids and scale. material. May be damaged by frost. formance. Grows well in most soils. Heat
tolerant. Scale and spider mites sometimes a
Rhamnus alaternus (Italian Buckthorn) Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) problem. Can become chlorotic in heavy soils;
Description: Single- or multi-stemmed ever- Description: Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub treat with iron supplement.
green shrub or small tree to 20 ft. tall and 4-8 ft. tall and wide. Leaves are 1-1/4 in., gray-
wide; easily kept smaller. Leaves are oval, green on top and silver on the bottom. Flowers
glossy green, to 2 in. long. Flowers are tiny, are lavender, at ends of branches, occurring
yellow-green, in spring. Fruit is a 1/4 in. black almost all year long. Branches are silver.
berry. Fast growing. Medium-fast growth. Variety T.f. ‘Azurea’ has
deep indigo flowers. T.f. ‘Compactum’ grows 3
Landscape use: Screen, sheared or natural ft. tall and wide, has darker flowers.
hedge or small tree.
6
8. Small Shrubs (2-4 feet tall)
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ Jasminum ligustrifolium
Description: Mounding evergreen shrub to 3
ft. tall, 6 ft. wide (wider in loose soils where it
(Shinyleaf Jasmine)
will often ground-layer). Leaves are finely dis- Description: Viney evergreen shrub to 15 ft.
sected and lacy, silver, aromatic when brushed if supported on a trellis; more often used as
against. Flowers are insignificant; rarely a low shrub to 2-3 ft. Leaves glossy green,
blooms in Santa Barbara. Very fast growing. smooth, oval with pointed tips. Flowers white,
tiny, mildly fragrant. Medium fast growing.
Landscape use: Tall ground cover, slopes, low Sometimes sold as J. leratii.
backdrop to perennial border. Give it room to
spread. Landscape use: Massing, slope cover, shade
garden, vine.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Best with occasion-
al watering; will tolerate much drought. No Cultural conditions: Sun to shade (not deepest
fertilizer. Performs best in loose, well-drained shade). Moderate to regular garden watering.
soil but tolerates many soil types. No pests or Fertilize once or twice a year with a complete
diseases. Can be left unpruned, but many gar- Cistus skanbergii fertilizer. Prefers a rich, well-drained loam. No
deners cut it back in spring to refresh the plant pests or diseases. Prune out viney growth to
and stimulate new growth. keep compact, or train on a trellis or wire.
Cistus species & cultivars (Rockrose)
Description: Mounding evergreen shrubs 2-5 ft. Lavandula species & cultivars (Lavender)
tall and as wide or wider. Leaves are small to Description: Evergreen shrubs or subshrubs
medium sized, usually dark green, often fuzzy usually 2-3 ft. tall and wide. Foliage is tiny,
or hairy, often fragrant. Flowers are showy, gray or gray-green, most kinds are fragrant.
white, pink, or purple depending on the vari- Flowers are tiny, tubular, in spikes, lavender,
ety. Most bloom strongly in spring with con- also often very fragrant, with some bloom
sistent bloom year-round in many varieties. almost all year. Medium fast growing.
Fast-growing. Of the many excellent varieties,
try C. hybridus (flowers white, 2-5 ft.), C. Landscape use: Small hedge or edging, mass-
ladanifer & varieties (flowers white, 3-5 ft.), ing, rock gardens, mixed Mediterranean plant-
C. skanbergii (flowers pink, 3 ft. x 8 ft. wide), ings.
C. ‘Sunset’ (flowers dark pink, 2 ft. x 6-8 ft. Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water.
wide) Little or no fertilizer. Likes any loose soil with
Landscape use: Slopes, massing, erosion control, good drainage. Can rot in wet situations;
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ otherwise no particular pests or diseases. Shear
background.
or prune lightly after main flowering period;
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water- most do not like heavy pruning.
ing. No fertilizer. Any well-drained soil; toler-
Baccharis pilularis cultivars (Dwarf Coyote ates poor soils. No pests or diseases. Little or
Brush) California Native Plant no pruning if given room. Tolerates wind, salt Maireana sedifolia (Pearl Bluebush)
Description: Mounding evergreen shrub to 4 ft. spray. Can be used in high fire hazard areas if Description: Evergreen shrub to 4 ft. tall and
tall and 6-8 ft. wide. Foliage is small, toothed, kept away from house. Some kinds are short- wide. Leaves are tiny, rounded, white. Flowers
bright green, forms a dense canopy. Flowers lived to 5-8 years. are tiny, white. Medium growth rate.
are tiny, white. Fast growing.
Landscape use: Ground cover, slopes, erosion
control.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water. No
fertilizer. Best in loose, well-drained soils, but
does well in almost any soil. Occasional beetle
infestation can defoliate the plant. Cut back
when plants become leggy.
Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’
(Bottlebrush)
Description: Dwarf evergreen shrub to 3 ft. tall
and wide. Foliage is long and narrow, bright
green, somewhat leathery. Flowers are clus-
ters of bright red stamens; blooms from fall
through spring. Fast growing.
Landscape use: Low background plant or small
hedge, mass planting.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Best with regular
watering. No fertilizer. Tolerates many soils,
including saline and alkaline soils. Sometimes
chlorotic in poor soils. Not tolerant of wind.
Lavandula ‘Provence’ with Achillea species in the foreground lend color and contrast in this landscape border.
7
9. Landscape use: Specimen, massing, low back- Landscape use: Background planting, low Cultural conditions: Full sun to light shade.
ground plant, gray garden. hedge, massing, foundation planting. Little or no water (varies with variety, growing
Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water. Cultural conditions: Sun or light shade. Tolerates conditions). Spring fertilizing OK but not nec-
Little or no fertilizer. Tolerates alkaline or drought or regular watering. Little or no fertil- essary. Takes any soil. Aphids occasionally a
heavy soils, as long as they are not kept wet. izer. Any soil. Fungal leaf spot occasionally a problem; easily treated with beneficial insects.
No pests or diseases. problem; plants usually outgrow it. Let plants Most varieties will appreciate being cut to the
grow naturally or prune to encourage com- ground once or twice a year to renew plant.
pactness. A. millefolium can be mowed to 3-4 in. tall.
Salvia leucophylla (Purple Sage)
California Native Plant
Description: Evergreen shrub to 3-4 ft. tall,
6-8 ft. wide. Leaves are white, furry, aromatic.
Flowers are lavender-pink, tubular, in whorls
on stems held above the plant, in summer. Fast
growing. Somewhat short-lived to 5-10 years
depending on conditions.
Landscape use: Native garden, erosion control,
slopes. S. ‘Point Sal’ is a lower-growing plant
good as a large-area ground cover.
Phlomis fruticosa Cultural conditions: Full sun. No watering. No
fertilizing. Any well-drained soil. No pests or
diseases. No pruning. Achillea ‘Salmon Beauty’
Phlomis species (Jerusalem Sage)
Description: Evergreen shrubby perennials to
4 ft. tall and wide. Foliage is furry or woolly,
green or gray-green, to 4 in.. Flowers are
Agapanthus cultivars (Lily-of-the-Nile)
yellow or lavender, tubular, in whorls, very Description: Evergreen clumping perennials to
showy. Most varieties produce blooms nearly 3 ft. tall (taller in bloom). Leaves are strap-
all year, sometimes in flushes. Medium fast shaped, wide, bright green, shiny. Flowers are
growing. tubular, blue or white, in large very showy
rounded clusters on long stems in summer.
Landscape use: Specimen, massing, mixed Fast growing.
Mediterranean planting.
Landscape use: Massing, perennial border,
Cultural conditions: Full sun (P. fruticosa will containers, near swimming pool.
take some shade). Occasional watering if nec-
essary in summer. Little or no fertilizer. Any Cultural conditions: Sun to moderate shade.
well-drained soil is OK. No pests or diseases. Regular watering best but will tolerate
Remove dead flowers and prune plant after drought. No fertilizer needed. Any soil OK;
bloom to encourage compactness. best in a rich loam. No pests or diseases.
Deadhead after bloom. Divide plants every
few years for best performance.
Rhamnus californica (California Coffeeberry)
California Native Plant Alstroemeria hybrids (Peruvian Lily)
Description: Evergreen shrub 4-15 ft. tall and
Description: Deciduous or evergreen perenni-
wide, depending on variety and growing
als 2-5 ft. tall, spreading but most kinds are
conditions. Foliage is glossy dark green, 1-3
not invasive. Leaves are long and narrow,
in. long, with lighter undersides. Flowers are
along stems, bright green, glossy. Flowers are
small, white, followed by attractive shiny red
Salvia leucophylla orchid-like, in many colors, extremely showy,
to black berries. Medium growth rate. R. ‘Eve
in spring and summer. Fast growing.
Case’ is smaller and more compact than the
species, growing 4-8 ft. tall and wide, with Landscape use: Perennial border, cutting gar-
Perennials
larger leaves. R. ‘Seaview’ is lower and wider, den. Superb cut flower.
spreading to 6-8 ft. Cultural conditions: Full sun best. Occasional
Landscape use: Massing, background, summer watering. No fertilizer needed. Best in
unclipped hedge, native garden. a good sandy loam. No pests or diseases. Cut
back withered foliage at end of season.
Cultural conditions: Sun to part shade. Tolerates
summer drought, but selected varieties will
do best with an occasional deep soaking. No Amaryllis belladonna (Naked Lady)
fertilizer. Any well-drained soil. No pests or Achillea cultivars (Yarrow) Description: Deciduous perennial bulb. Foliage
diseases. No pruning needed. Description: Evergreen perennials to 1 ft. tall, is strap-shaped, wide, to 2 ft. long, bright
some wide-spreading, others clumping. green, shiny. Leaves appear in winter and die
Rhaphiolepis cultivars (India Hawthorn) Leaves are fern-like, green or gray-green, often back in spring. Flowers are pink, fragrant, in
fragrant. Flowers are tiny, arranged in flat big clusters on stems to 3 ft. tall, appearing
Description: Evergreen shrubs 2-6 ft. tall and heads held above the foliage; many colors. dramatically out of bare ground. Fast growing.
wide, depending on the species. Leaves are Fast growing.
dark green, leathery, to 3 in.; new growth is Landscape use: Massing, mixed planting.
often reddish. Flowers are pink, fall through Landscape use: Perennial border, ground cover, Cultural conditions: Full sun best. No watering.
spring, with some bloom nearly all year. slopes, meadows, lawn substitute (A. millefo- No fertilizing. Any soil. No pests or diseases.
Attractive dark blue berries. Medium growth lium). No care other than removing spent blooms.
rate.
8
10. diseases. Can be cut back hard when plants
get shaggy.
Clivia miniata (Clivia)
Description: Evergreen tuberous perennial to
1-1/2 ft. tall and wide. Leaves are strap-shaped,
wide, thick and smooth, dark green. Flowers
are funnel-shaped, in clusters on erect stems,
usually orange, very showy, in winter and
spring. Slow growing.
Landscape use: Shade garden, massing,
containers.
Cultural conditions: Shade, no direct sun.
Regular watering or some drought. No fertiliz-
er needed. Best in a good loam, but will toler-
ate a wide range of soils. No pests or diseases.
Dietes cultivars (Fortnight Lily)
Description: Evergreen bulb-like perennials to
4 ft. tall. Leaves are sword-shaped, narrow,
leathery, medium green. Flowers are white,
yellow or orange depending on variety, iris-
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’ like, abundant spring through fall in flushes at
2-week intervals. Medium fast growing.
Anemone x hybrida (Japanese Anemone) Bergenia cultivars Landscape use: Massing, accent, rock garden,
Description: Perennial 2-4 ft. tall. Foliage to 4 in., Description: Evergreen perennials to 1 ft. tall, pools.
dark green, slightly hairy. Flowers are showy, spreading to 3-4 ft. but not invasive. Leaves Cultural conditions: Sun or part shade. Regular
white or pink, blooming spring through fall are 8-12 in. long, oval, shiny, very attractive. watering or drought. No fertilizer needed.
on erect stems held above the clump of basal Flowers are in clusters, white, pink, lilac, Takes almost any soil. No pests or diseases.
leaves. A slow starter but spreading quickly purple. Medium growth rate. Remove dead leaves occasionally; this can be
once it is established. All parts of the plant are Landscape use: Foliage accent, massing, shade laborious especially on D. vegeta. Or divide
poisonous. garden. plants every few years. Don’t remove flow-
Landscape use: Shade garden. ering stalks, as they live from year to year.
Cultural conditions: Full sun along coast, some Remove seed pods to prevent naturalizing.
Cultural conditions: Part shade. Regular water- shade inland. Regular watering best, but can
ing is best; will take some drought. No pests take occasional drought. Fertilize 1-3 times per
Erigeron glaucus cultivars (Seaside Daisy)
or diseases. year for best performance. Take poor soil but
prefer a good loam. Control snails and slugs. California Native Plant
Asparagus densiflorus cultivars Cut back wayward branches; divide clumps Description: Evergreen perennial to 6 in. tall,
when overgrown. spreading to 2 ft. wide. Foliage in basal clus-
(Asparagus Fern) ters, medium green. Flowers are lavender,
Description:: Evergreen perennials to 2-4 ft. tall daisy-like, in spring and summer. Fast grow-
and sometimes wider, depending on variety. Campanula poscharskyana
ing.
Foliage is medium green, ferny; stems are (Serbian Bellflower)
thorny on some kinds. Flowers are tiny, white, Description: Evergreen perennial to 6 in. tall Landscape use: Bedding plant, small area
followed by attractive berries. Medium fast (taller when in bloom), spreading but not ground cover, native garden, coastal garden.
growth rate. invasive. Leaves are heart-shaped, dark green, Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water-
Landscape use: Ground cover, massing, spill delicate-looking. Flowers are lavender, star- ing. No fertilizer. Most any soil. No pests or
over walls (A.d. ‘Sprengeri’), containers. shaped to 1 in., in summer. Fast growing. diseases. No pruning needed.
Cultural conditions: Sun or shade on coast, Landscape use: Shade garden, ground cover.
partial shade or shade in hot areas. Best with Cultural conditions: Sun along coast, some shade
regular watering but will take some drought. inland. Takes drought conditions on coast,
No fertilizer needed. Will grow in almost any likes a little summer water inland. Fertilize in
soil; loam is best. No pests or diseases. Needs spring for best performance. Takes many soils
no pruning but can be cut back hard if neces- but prefers a good loam. Protect from slugs
sary. Indestructible. and snails.
Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant) Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Description: Evergreen perennial to 2-1/2 ft. (Dwarf Plumbago)
tall. Leaves are wide, shiny deep green, tropi- Description: Evergreen perennial to 1 ft. tall.,
cal looking. Flowers are tiny, hidden. Medium spreading underground. Leaves are dark
growth rate. green, to 3 in. long, turning bronze in cold Erigeron karvinskianus
Landscape use: Shade garden, containers. Good weather. Flowers are an intense deep blue,
for difficult situations. round, 1/2 in., in summer and fall. Fast Erigeron karvinskianus
growing.
Cultural conditions: Part shade to deep shade. (Santa Barbara Daisy)
Regular to low watering. Fertilize in spring Landscape use: Ground cover. Description: Evergreen perennial to 2 ft. tall,
for best color. Takes any soil, but prefers a Cultural conditions: Sun or part shade. Regular often growing to 5 ft. wide. Foliage is fine-tex-
good garden loam. No pests or diseases. Clean watering or some drought. Little or no fertil- tured, medium green. Flowers are tiny daisies,
leaves off now and then for best appearance. izer needed. Takes most soils. No pests or white with pinkish tones, nearly all year. Fast
9
11. growing. E.k. ‘Moerheimii’ is more compact, Occasional watering in summer. Little or no
with somewhat larger foliage and darker fertilizer. Takes poor soils. No pests or diseas-
flowers. es. Remove spent plants. Can allow to reseed.
Landscape use: Ground cover, spiller, in con-
tainers. Neomarica caerulea (Fan Iris)
Cultural conditions: Sun or part shade. Regular Description: Evergreen bulb-like perennial to
watering or some drought. No fertilizer need- 4 ft. tall. Foliage is sword-shaped, wide, dark
ed. Takes almost any soil. No pests or diseases. green. Flowers are iris-like, to 4 in. across, blue
No pruning needed. or lilac with markings of brown, yellow, white,
in spring, very showy. Medium fast growing.
Eriogonum grande rubescens Landscape use: Specimen, vertical accent,
(Red Flowering Buckwheat) perennial border.
California Native Plant Cultural conditions: Full sun. Regular watering.
Description: Evergreen perennial to 1 ft. tall, Occasional fertilizing. Any good garden soil.
spreading to 2 ft., not invasive. Foliage is No pests or diseases.
small, dark gray-green. Flowers are dark rose
color, tiny, in ball-shaped clusters in summer.
Medium fast growing.
Landscape use: Native garden, small area
ground cover, rock gardens.
Cultural conditions: Full sun. No watering. No
fertilizer. Takes almost any well-drained soil.
No pests or diseases. Prune to keep dense or
replace plants every few years.
Salvia leucantha (foreground) with Lavatera bicolor.
Iris douglasiana & cultivars (Douglas Iris)
soils). Foliage is deeply cut, bluish gray-green,
along tall stems. Flower petals are white, crin-
kly like crepe paper, with a large tuft of yellow
stamens in the center; the effect is like
Romneya coulteri a fried egg. Blooms in summer and early fall.
Slow to establish, then fast growing.
Landscape use: Focal point plant, accent, native
Nepeta x faassenii (Catmint) garden, erosion control.
Description: Evergreen mounding perennial to Cultural conditions: Full sun. No water once
2 ft. tall, sprawling to 4 ft. wide. Foliage is established (will invade watered areas). No
small, gray-green. Flowers are lavender, mint- fertilizer. Takes almost any soil. No pests or
like, in small spikes in summer. Fast growing diseases. Cut to ground in fall.
Sometimes sold as N. mussinii..
Nepeta x faassenii Landscape use: Ground cover, spiller, perennial Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)
border. Description: Shrubby perennial to 3 ft., spread-
California Native Plant Cultural conditions: Sun to very light shade. Gets ing to 5 ft. or more. Foliage is long, slender,
by on little water; tolerates regular watering. fuzzy, medium green, along slender stems.
Description: Evergreen bulb-like perennial to
Little or no fertilizer. Most any good soil. No Flowers are lavender to deep purple (depend-
2 ft. tall and wide, often smaller. Leaves are
pests or diseases. Cut back hard when plant ing on variety), velvety, in spikes, nearly all
strap-shaped, leathery, dark green, to 1 1/2
is looking shaggy and new growth appears in year. Fast growing.
ft. Flowers are very showy, in many colors
center. Landscape use: Perennial border, massing,
including purple, blue, white, yellow, salmon,
brown, in spring. Medium growth rate. slopes.
Penstemon cultivars Cultural conditions: Full sun. Little or no water.
Landscape use: Perennial border, massing,
native garden. Description: Perennials to 4 ft., depending on No fertilizer. Most any soil. No pests or diseas-
species. Foliage varies, usually green, glossy, es. Cut old stems to the ground twice a year
Cultural conditions: Sun to part shade. Little or along erect stems. Flowers are tubular, in or as needed to renew plant and to encourage
no watering. No fertilizer. Any well-drained spikes, very showy, red, purple, other colors. repeat bloom.
soil. No pests or diseases, but susceptible to Fast growing.
root rot in poorly-drained or heavy soils. No
pruning. Landscape use: Perennial border, massing. Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’ (Stonecrop)
Cultural conditions: Full sun to light shade. Most Description: Deciduous perennial succulent
Lychnis coronaria kinds tolerate little watering. Little or no fertil- to 2-1/2 ft. Leaves are 2 in., oval, fleshy, light
izer (none for California natives). Soil require- green. Flowers are rosy pink, tiny, in clusters
(Crown Pink, Mullein Pink) ments vary with species. Occasionally infested in late summer, fall, turning to dark purple
Description: Evergreen, short-lived perennial with whitefly; most are susceptible to root rot seed clusters if not cut. Medium fast growing.
to 2-1/2 ft. tall, spreading but not invasive. in heavy soils with overwatering. Deadhead
Foliage is coarse-textured, white, fuzzy, Landscape use: Perennial border, succulent
old flowers, cut back plants to renew (varies garden.
good-looking. Flowers are red or magenta, in with species).
clusters above the basal foliage, in spring and Cultural conditions: Full sun to part shade. Little
early summer. Fast growing. water. Little or no fertilizer. Plant in almost
Romneya coulteri (Matilija Poppy) any soil. No pests or diseases. Cut to ground
Landscape use: Massing, perennial border. California Native Plant in late fall when plant looks shaggy.
Cultural conditions: Sun or partial shade. Description: Perennial to 8 ft. tall or more,
spreading (can be invasive, especially in sandy
10
12. Ground Covers
plants low to ground, or allow to develop Cultural conditions: Sun. Little or no water. No
natural shape. Allow plants room to grow, fertilizer. Grows in almost any well-drained
to avoid constant pruning. soil. No pests or diseases.
Pelargonium tomentosum
Dymondia margaretae (Peppermint-Scented Geranium)
Description: Evergreen perennial 2-3 in. tall,
Description: Evergreen trailing perennial to 1 ft.
spreading but not invasive. Forms a tight,
tall, spreading to 4 ft. but not invasive. Foliage
weed-resistant mat. Leaves are narrow, gray-
is coarse-textured, velvety, strongly pepper-
green, with edges rolled up. Flowers are small
mint-scented. Flowers are small, white. Fast
yellow daisies tucked into foliage, in summer.
growing.
Fast growing.
Landscape use: Ground cover for semi-shady
Landscape use: Low ground cover for small
situations, spiller over walls, containers.
areas, good for planting between flagstones or
pavers. Takes some foot traffic. Cultural conditions: Partial shade. Regular to
little watering. Little or no fertilizer. Takes
Cultural conditions: Sun. Drought or regular
most any well-drained soil. No pests or dis-
watering. No fertilizer. Almost any soil. No
eases. No pruning needed.
pests or diseases. No pruning.
Rosmarinus officinalis cultivars (Rosemary)
Lantana montevidensis
Description: Evergreen subshrub to 2 ft. tall
(Trailing Lantana) (depending on variety), spreading but not
Lantana montevidensis in the foreground. Description: Evergreen trailing shrub to 2-3 ft. invasive. Will sometimes ground-layer in
tall, spreading to 6-8 ft. (there are also taller loose soils. Leaves are small, needle-like, olive
Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ shrubby varieties). Foliage is medium-tex- green, fragrant. Flowers are tubular, to 1/2 in.,
tured, dark green, slightly fuzzy, aromatic.
(Bishop’s Weed) lavender or blue, most bloom is in winter and
spring but some throughout year, attractive
Description: Semi-deciduous creeping peren-
to bees, birds. Medium fast growing. Try R.o.
nial to 6 in. tall, spreading (may be somewhat
‘Lockwood DeForest,’ R.o. ‘Prostratus,’(both to
invasive in favorable situations). Leaves medi-
2 x 8 ft.). For shrub variety (6 ft. high or more)
um-textured, light green edged with creamy
try R.o. ‘Tuscan Blue,’ R.o. ‘Majorica Pink.’
white. Flowers insignificant. Fast growing.
Landscape use: Ground cover, slopes, erosion
Landscape use: Ground cover for shade, under
control, spill over walls.
trees.
Cultural conditions: Sun. Little or no water. Light
Cultural conditions: Partial to full shade.
feeding in spring, or none. Takes any soil if
Occasional watering in summer. Occasional
well-drained; tolerant of poor soils. Tolerates
fertilizing spring or fall. Plant in most any soil.
heat. Occasionally subject to infestation of
No pests or diseases. Cut to ground or mow
small caterpillars; treat with Bacillus thuringi-
whenever plant looks unkempt.
ensis or other spray. Subject to root-rot in
heavy soils. Shear occasionally to keep low
Coprosma pumila ‘Verde Vista’ Pelargonium tomentosum with P. ‘Chocolate Mint’. and compact and to stimulate new growth.
Description: Evergreen low shrub to 2-3 ft. tall,
spreading to 6-8 ft. wide, not invasive. Foliage
small, glossy bright green, very attractive. Flowers are small, in rounded clusters, in
Flowers insignificant. Medium fast growing. many colors including purple, white, yellow
Landscape use: Ground cover, slopes, seashore and mixed colors, blooming year-round. Fast
gardens, high fire hazard areas. growing. Often sold as L. sellowiana.
Cultural conditions: Sun to part shade. Landscape use: Ground cover, slopes, erosion
Occasional watering or drought. Little or no control.
fertilizer needed. Tolerates most soils, ocean Cultural conditions: Sun. Occasional deep soak-
winds, salt spray. No pests or diseases. Prune ing in summer. Occasional or no fertilizer.
out upright branches to keep low to ground. Grows in most soils. No pests or diseases.
Heavy pruning in spring stimulates growth,
Cotoneaster cultivars keeps plants compact.
Description: Evergreen, semi-deciduous or
deciduous shrubs 1-3 ft. tall, 4-15 ft. wide Lessingia filaginifolia ‘Silver Carpet’
(depending on variety). Foliage is generally California Native Plant
small, deep green, not shiny. Flowers are Description: Evergreen perennial to 1 ft. tall,
small, white, followed by attractive red ber- 4-5 ft. wide. Leaves are fine-textured, white,
ries. Medium growth rate. woolly. Flowers are lavender-pink daisies to
Landscape use: Ground cover, slopes. 1 in. wide. Fast growing.
Cultural conditions: Sun to light shade. Little or Landscape use: Ground cover, slopes, native
no watering. Little or no fertilizer. Any soil, garden.
especially poor or infertile soils. No pests or
diseases. Prune out erect branches to keep Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ cascading.
11
13. Thymus
Teucrium chaemadrys (Germander)
Description: Evergreen subshrub to 1 ft. tall,
spreading to 3 ft. wide. Leaves are small,
toothed, dark green. Flowers are small, red-
dish-purple, in summer. Fast growing. T.c.
Juncus patens
‘Prostratum’ grows 4-6 in. tall.
Landscape use: Ground cover for small areas.
Cultural conditions: Sun. Occasional watering. Chondropetalum tectorum Muhlenbergia species
Little or no fertilizer. Most well-drained soils. Description: Evergreen perennial grasses (M.
No pests or diseases. Cut back 1-2 times a year capillaris is winter-dormant), growing 2-6 ft.
to keep compact. Juncus species & cultivars (Rush) tall depending on species. Foliage is generally
Description: Evergreen perennials 2-4 ft. tall, fine-textured, gray-green (M. dumosa is bright
Thymus cultivars (Creeping Thyme) 1-3 ft. wide. Foliage is long, slender grass-like green). Flowers are pink, purple or gray,
stems without true leaves, bright green to olive usually held high above the foliage, usually
Description: Evergreen perennials or subshrubs green depending on variety. Forms a stiff or showy. Fast growing.
to 12 in. tall, spreading but not invasive (size arching clump. Flowers are small, brown, in
and habit vary with species). Foliage is very Landscape use: Massing, grass garden, back-
clusters on stems. Medium fast growing. ground (tall varieties). Versatile, interesting
tiny, dark green most species, all are scented.
Flowers are tiny, white or pinkish, bloom Landscape use: Accent, specimen, massing, grasses with attractive flowers. Try M. capil-
nearly all year. Fast growing. near pool or stream, in containers. laris (2-3 ft., pink flowers), M. dumosa (4-6 ft.,
Landscape use: Ground cover, herb garden, Cultural conditions: Sun or part shade. Constant looks like bamboo), M. lindheimeri (3-4 ft.,
watering to drought, depending on species purple flowers), M. pubescens (2 ft., velvety
between stepping stones, lawn substitute for
and other growing conditions. Most will grow foliage), M. rigens (4-5 ft., California native).
low-traffic areas.
in standing water. No fertilizer. Almost any Cultural conditions: Sun. Most tolerate regular
Cultural conditions: Sun to part shade. Little soil. No pests or diseases. No pruning. watering to none at all. Little or no fertilizer.
or no watering. Little or no fertilizing. Any
Grow in a wide variety of soils. No pests or
well-drained, open-textured soil. No pests or
diseases. Can be clipped or sheared, but will Leymus ‘Canyon Prince’ (Lyme Grass) diseases. Cut back M. capillaris as it begins
do fine with no pruning. California Native Plant to go dormant; other species need little or no
pruning.
Description: Evergreen perennial grass to 2
ft. tall, often wider. Plant forms an attractive
Otatea aztecorum
Grasses
rounded clump. Leaves are wide, powdery
blue-gray. Flowers are bluish, on stems to 3 ft. (Mexican Weeping Bamboo)
tall. Fast growing. Sometimes sold as Elymus Description: Evergreen clumping (non-
‘C.P.’ invasive) bamboo 8-10 ft. (to 20 ft. in some
Landscape use: Accent, massing, gray garden. conditions), not as wide. Foliage is very fine-
textured, weeping, lacy, bright green. Fast
Cultural conditions: Sun to light shade. Little or
Chondropetalum tectorum (Cape Rush) no watering. No fertilizer. Tolerates most soils.
growing. Sometimes sold as Yushania a.
Description: Evergreen rush-like perennial to No pests or diseases. Can be cut to ground if Landscape use: Massing, background,
3-4 ft. tall, sometimes wider. Stems are long, plants need rejuvenating. unclipped hedge, specimen.
slender, somewhat like a horse-tail plant, with- Cultural conditions: Sun to medium shade.
out leaves, olive green. Forms an arching mass Lomandra longifolia Regular to occasional watering. Little or no
of stems. Flowers are tiny, brown, on joints of fertilizer. Tolerates most soils. No pests or dis-
stems. Medium fast growing. Description: Evergreen perennial to 4-5 ft. tall
and wide. Leaves are strap-shaped, 1 in. wide eases. Can be pruned to control height or left
Landscape use: Specimen, massing, near swim- by 4 ft. long, olive green, leathery. Flowers to grow naturally.
ming pools, ponds or streambeds, in contain- are cream-colored, in spiny spikes held above
ers. the foliage, in spring, fragrant. Medium fast Pennisetum orientale (Fountain Grass)
Cultural conditions: Sun to part shade. Little growing. Description: Evergreen clumping perennial
water to constant watering. No fertilizer. Takes Landscape use: Massing, specimen, difficult grass to 18 in. tall and wide. Foliage is medi-
most soil conditions. No pests or diseases. No conditions. um green, fine-textured. Flowers are pink,
pruning. spring through fall. Fast growing.
Cultural conditions: Sun or shade. Wet to com-
pletely dry. No fertilizer. Any soil. No pests Landscape use: Massing, grass garden, peren-
or diseases. Deadhead old flowers if desired. nial border.
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