Teucrium–commonly called germander–is a perennial subshrub that bears rose, blue, or purple flowers. Teucrium has small aromatic leaves that are gray-green on top and silvery beneath. The overall effect of Teucrium is a low silvery shrub with colorful blossoms. Teucrium’s dense foliage makes it a good choice to use as border edging or as a […] More
Solanum vines are members of the Solanum or Nightshade family. They are trailing and often twisting vines with clusters of white, blue, or purple flowers with yellow centers. Solanum vines can cover fences, arbors, trellises, or plants. They grow best where winters are mild. Solanum is a very large genus of about 1,400 species of annuals, […] More
Myoporum is a genus of more than 30 species of evergreen shrubs or small trees native to tropical East Asia. Myoporums are tough and fast-growing. Myoporum bear small five-petaled white flower. The leaves are notable for their near transparency; held to the light they display small glandular dots. Myopprum are ideal for shrub borders, informal hedges […] More
Michelia are evergreen shrubs and trees grown for their fruity fragrant, magnolia-like creamy or yellowish-white flowers and lustrous dark green leaves. Michelia is a subtropical plant that blooms on and off throughout the year. Michelia belongs to the Magnolia family. Michelia flowers are borne among the leaves rather than singly at the end of branches as […] More
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 […] More
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 […] More
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 […] More
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 […] More
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 […] More
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. […] More
Fremontodendron–commonly called flannel bush–is a fast-growing irregularly shaped evergreen shrub with brilliant yellow or orange saucerlike flowers in spring. Fremontodendron has dark green leathery leaves that are grayish and felt-like underneath. Fremontodendron, also called Fremontia, is drought-tolerant once established. It is a good choice for native western gardens. It should be planted where the spring […] More
Brunfelsia, commonly called Yesterday-today-and tomorrow, is grown for its handsome foliage and flowers that change color from the time they open until they drop. Blossoms open purple (“yesterday”), then fade to lavender (“today”), and then fade again to white (“tomorrow”). Brunfelsia can be grown indoors and out but they require some pampering. They want humus-rich soil […] More
Stephen Albert