Water Smart Plant Picker

Woody perennial, evergreen tree. Large, dense and broadly rounded with green, spiny margin leaves. Native along coast and coastal mountains from Northern California. One of the best local natives for large properties. Susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Deciduous tree. Slow growing local native with blue tinted foliage. Native to dry, rocky slopes in foothills. Not susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Woody perennial, deciduous tree. Large slow growing native with beautiful spring foliage. Large, glossy, green leaves with bristly tipped lobes. Large acorns within tree. Susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Woody perennial, deciduous tree. Fast growing and one of the best local natives for large properties. Dark green leaves and dark brown to pale gray, ridged bark. Not susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Quercus suber is an evergreen tree with unique bark characteristics. The bark contains high amounts of suberin, which is a waxy substance that is waterproof and has been used to produce corks for wine bottles. Native to the western Mediterranean region, 40-70 feet tall and wide. Sun, most well-drained soils.

Group of shrubs typically grown for their foliage as background plantings, hedges, or screens. Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus)—a large, evergreen shrub that grows 12-15’ tall and wide from the Mediterranean region—is the most widely available of the buckthorns. Italian buckthorn is adapted to coastal and inland environments and tolerates clipping and pruning well. R. a. ‘Variegata’ has leaves with cream edges.

Two species of Rhaphiolepis and many cultivars are widely available in California. These evergreen, flowering shrubs and small trees provide attractive foliage and clusters of pink or white flowers from spring into fall followed by dark blue fruits.

• Indian hawthorn (R. indica, 4-5’ x 5-6’) has a mounding growth habit and is available in many cultivars at local nurseries offering a range of size and flower variations.
• Yeddo hawthorn (R. umbellata, 4-8’ x 4-8’) has white flowers and more leathery leaves than Indian hawthorn.

Diverse group of resilient shrubs and small trees, including several that are native to California, that provide form, foliage, and habitat value.

• Lemonade berry (R. integrifolia, 4-20‘ x 4-20’) is native to coastal Southern California and Baja California. This evergreen shrub provides white-to-pink clusters of flowers in late winter and early spring followed by sticky, reddish fruits. Lemonade berry is more suitable for coastal climates, whereas sugar bush will also grow in hotter areas.
• Sugar bush (R. ovata, 4-10’ x 4-10’) is native to dry slopes away from the coast in Southern California and Baja California. Similar to lemonade berry with more reddish flowers and leaves that are often folded down the center.

Currants (without spines) and gooseberries (with spines) are grown for their graceful growth habit, attractive foliage, wonderful displays of pendulous flowers in winter-spring that are attractive to hummingbirds, and colorful fruit that provides a food source for birds. Most of the species listed are deciduous, going dormant in the summer months.

Examples: Some of the species suitable for California gardens, preferably with partial shade, are native to the Western United States:

• R. aureum, golden currant (5-10’ x 3-6’), deciduous with small clusters of delicate yellow flowers and sprawling habit.
• R. malvaceum, chaparral currant (4-8’ x 4-6’), deciduous with early clusters of pink flowers, a slightly vase-shaped habit, and more drought-tolerant than most species.
• R. sanguineum var. glutinosum, pink-flowering currant (5-12’ x 5-12’), deciduous with maple-like leaves, a vase-shaped habit, and long pendulous clusters of pink, reddish, or white flowers in the spring; many available cultivars such as ‘Claremont’ and ‘White Icicle’.
• R. speciosum, fuchsia-flowered gooseberry (4-8’ x 6-10’), deciduous with spiny, arching stems and bright red fuchsia-like flowers along the stems in the spring that are attractive to hummingbirds.
• R. viburnifolium, evergreen currant or Catalina perfume (2-4’ x 5-7’), evergreen groundcover that works well under oaks and can provide erosion control to slopes.

The Matilija poppy is a very large species of California poppy. Its flowers alone can grow to 7 inches in diameter. The shrub itself can be 6-10 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. Plant near other shrubs that can outcompete it for space, such as Ceanothus, Coffeeberry, Sugarbush, or Flannel bush. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and water regularly until established. Once established, the shrub is easy to grow and requires no watering at all. Semi-dormant in late summer if grown dry. Can be cut back hard in late fall.  Can be cut back hard in late fall.

A native, perennial, deciduous shrub with dark green leaves divided into coarsely toothed leaflets. Rose to pink colored flowers containing yellow seeds and grows abundantly in moist soils. Natural habitat for birds and pollinator insects. Easy to grow, it can tolerate low-water conditions but benefits from some supplemental irrigation, especially during summer.

Classic Mediterranean flowering shrub with aromatic foliage, small blue-lavender flowers in late winter and spring that attract butterflies and bees. Thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and makes a good container plant. Rosemary is an excellent plant to have in the garden for harvesting fresh springs for use in cooking. Cuttings root readily, making it relatively easy to propagate new plants. Many named cultivars provide variation in size, growth form, flavor, and fragrance.

Examples: R. o. ‘Barbeque’ (3-5’ x 2-3’) has tall, upright stems that can be used as skewers for grilling; R. o. ‘Blue Spires’ (4-5’ x 2-3’); R. o. ‘Collingwood Ingram’ (2-3’ x 3-6’) is lower-growing with arching branches; R. o. ‘Huntington Carpet’ (1-2’ x 4-8’) is very low-growing; R. o. ‘Irene’ (1-2’ x 2-3’) has a mounding habit; R. o. ‘Prostratus’ (2’ x 4-8’) has a trailing habit that works well cascading over a retaining wall.

Salvia rosmarinus was formerly classified as Rosmarinus officinalis and still commonly labeled with that name.