Buddleja

Commonly called butterfly bush, buddleja can reach fifteen feet and flowers in shades of purple, lavender, pink, white or yellow.  It is also available in an increasing number of dwarf varieties, most of which grow to three to five feet.  The flowers are a favorite of butterflies, hence the common name.  All the Buddlejas perform best if they are pruned severely before spring growth begins. The flowers are fragrant and contain an unusual bright orange eye.

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia (crape myrtle)

These shrubs are a great favorite in our area as they adapt so well to heat, bloom in the summer and require little water once established. The plants naturally grow as multi-trunked shrubs, but are often trained as standard trees. 

The height varies greatly from three to twenty feet, so be sure to choose the right variety for the situation. Colors range from light pink, dark and true pink, lavender, purple, watermelon red, white and red. Crape myrtles need only minimal water after they are well established. An added bonus with many varieties is great fall color.

Syringa – Common Lilac

Syringa (lilac) is loved for its wonderful fragrance and glorious, showy blooms.  Lilacs are a good match for our north county climate as the low winter temperatures encourage blooming.  In the south county, grow the Descanso hybrids such as ‘Lavender Lady’ and ‘Angel White’ which have been bred for warmer climates. An unusual and charming lilac, a Korean type, is ‘Miss Kim’.  This plant reaches only five to six feet, the flowers are more delicate and tend to bloom later. Lilacs do best with full sun and regular water.  Prune right after blooming to ensure flowers for the next season..

Philadelphus Belle

Philadelphus is an old fashioned shrub with wonderfully fragrant white blossoms. It is a deciduous shrub growing four to six feet tall, making it a very good foundation plant.  It is also very effective in lawns and as a background plant.  Shade in the afternoon is preferred and good drainage is essential.

Cistus salvifolius

Cistus (rockrose)

These are understandably popular in the North County. Some outstanding characteristics include drought tolerance, relative deer resistance and a prolific spring bloom. Flower colors are white and many shades of pink.

The lowest growing variety is Cistus salvifolius, a white flowered variety that grows two by six feet. Cistus ‘Sunset’ is a hybrid with vivid neon pink flowers that makes a great ground cover, growing about three feet high and up to ten feet wide. ‘Bennett’s White’ is a handsome white flowered variety with a particularly attractive leaf.  It grows five to six feet tall.  The giant of the genus is ‘Blanche’, growing to ten feet.

Viburnum opulus

Viburnum is a genus that contains many species, both evergreen and deciduous, and there are several good varieties for our area. Viburnum tinus ‘Robustum’ and Viburnum ‘Spring Bouquet’ are among the earliest spring blooming shrubs. They both have flat heads of pink buds opening to white blossoms which in turn form dark blue berries. The former can grow to ten to twelve feet, the latter four to six feet. They are both evergreen and require regular water.

Another very popular species is V. opulus ‘Roseum’ or snowball bush.  It is deciduous with dark green lobed leaves and snowball-like clusters of white flowers.  ‘Roseum’ is sterile and so does not produce berries, but the flowers are lovely.  It does well in sun or partial shade and likes regular water.