Grewia–commonly called lavender starflower–is an evergreen shrub that bears small star-shaped mauve flowers. It is cultivated for its adaptability to a wide variety of uses. Grewia can be grown in shrub plantings. It can be trained in a tree-like shape or as an espalier. It can be trained horizontally as a ground cover. It can be grown to cover…
Leptospermum–commonly called tea tree–is a shrub or small tree with profuse colorful spring blooms. Leptospermum blooms can be white, pink, or red. The small blossoms resemble miniature roses and cover long graceful stems. Leptospermum has small lance-shaped often prickly leaves that are aromatic. The common name, tea tree, comes from Captain James Cook’s brewing of the leaves to…
Heteromeles–commonly called Toyon or California holly–is a dense evergreen shrub that can grow to tree height. Heteromeles produces clusters of white flowers in summer. Flowers are followed by bright red berries in autumn. Berries hang on the plant well into winter. Heteromeles has glossy, leathery dark green leaves that are sharply toothed. The leaves besides…
Coprosma–sometimes called mirror plant–are evergreen shrubs and trees grown for their attractive glossy foliage and ability to thrive in difficult situations. Coprosma is relatively drought tolerant. It tolerates heat and cold and seaside locations. There are many Coprosma hybrids. Some are small shrubs grown as groundcovers to about 12 inches tall; others are medium to…
Arctostaphylos, commonly called manzanita, are mostly evergreen shrubs and small trees. They have lustrous green leaves and bear small, urn-shaped flowers and attractive berries. There are low-growing, ground-hugging species suited as ground covers and there are large shrubby varieties that can be used as informal hedges or windbreaks. Arctostaphylos are well-suited for challenging sites. They…
Baccharis is a tough evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with glossy deep green leathery leaves. It bears insignificant flowers. Baccharis can tolerate poor, sandy, or salty soil. It can tolerate heat, wind, and salt spray. Baccharis is a genus of more than 300 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials; all are native to North and South America….
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