Eleagnus ‘Gilt Edge’
This is an evergreen shrub that adds color all year round. It can reach up to ten feet and has an upright growth habit It can take sun or partial shade and does best with regular water.
Caryopteris
Caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’
The most commonly available species is Caryopteris x clandonensis. There are several named varieties, all of which grow to about two feet. They are known for their lovely purple flowers, much loved by bees. Caryopteris loses its leaves in winter, prefers full sun and moderate water.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus syriacus
Hibiscus syriacus, or Rose of Sharon, is a deciduous shrub that grows to about ten feet tall and six feet wide. It sports very showy, two to three inch flowers from summer until frost. It is easy to grow, actually likes heat and can tolerate some drought. Flower colors include white, pink, red and shades of purple.
Hibiscus moscheutos is a perennial form that dies to the ground in winter. Bloom starts in late spring or early summer and continues until frost. The flowers can be white, pink or red and are very large, reaching almost a foot wide. The plant grows to six to eight feet high and three feet wide. This one needs regular water.
Rhamnus californica
Rhamnus californica
Rhamnus californica, or coffeeberry, is an evergreen shrub that can grow from three to fifteen feet, depending on the variety and the climate in which it is planted. The common name comes from the berries that turn black once they have ripened. It is not particular about soil and can take sun or partial shade. Established plants need no irrigation, but will look better with at least some water.
Ribes
Ribes sanguineum
There are many species of Ribes, both evergreen and deciduous. A very nice evergreen species is Ribes viburnifolium with roundish, dark green leaves and dark red stems. It needs no irrigation, making it ideal for planting under oaks. It grows three to six feet tall and can spread to twelve feet.
A lovely deciduous species is Ribes sanguineum. It has dark green maple-like leaves and clusters of white, pink or red flowers in spring. It requires little water.
Nandina domestica
Nandina domestica
Nandina, or heavenly bamboo, is a versatile shrub that can take sun or shade. In our climate, it appreciates some shade in the afternoon. Growth rate is moderate up to eight feet tall, depending on the variety. ‘Fire Power’ is a nice small plant that only grows to about two feet high and wide and turns bright red in winter, as do most Nandinas. Clusters of white flowers appear in spring, followed by red berries on most varieties. Nandinas make good hedges or screens and will do well in pots. One variety, ‘Harbor Dwarf’, spreads by rhizomes and makes a good ground cover.
Nerium oleander
Nerium oleander
This plant, commonly called oleander, is a beautiful shrub that can range in size from three to twenty feet, depending upon the variety. ‘Sister Agnes’ is white and can grow to twenty feet. ‘Little Red’ grows from three to four feet and makes a nice informal hedge. Oleanders need little water once established. The primary thing to remember about them is that all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous, so use caution in choosing a planting location.
Ilex
Ilex
Ilex is, of course, holly. There are many species, all of which will need shade in the north county. Some species have few spines while other are very pokey indeed. Hollies prefer slightly acidic soil, so some soil amendment is required. There are green leaved and variegated versions.
Sarcococca ruscifolia
Sarcococca ruscifolia
Sarcococca is an evergreen shrub with dark green leaves and very fragrant tiny white flowers that bloom in late winter and early spring. It is a slow grower that will eventually reach four to six feet. It can grow even in very deep shade and needs moderate to regular water.
Pittosporum tobira
Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’
Pittosporum tobira is an evergreen shrub with either all green or variegated foliage. The species can grow six to fifteen feet, but “Wheeler’s Dwarf’ gets only to three feet and about five feet wide. There are also variegated dwarf forms, ‘Turner’s’ that is the same size as ‘Wheeler’s”, and ‘Cream de Mint’ that grows to about two and half feet high and wide. Fragrant white flowers appear in the spring. This plant can take some sun, but does better with afternoon shade.