Heteromeles arbutifolia, or toyon, is an evergreen native shrub with thick, leathery leaves. The flat heads of white flowers in spring attract bees and the bright red berries that follow are favored by birds. Toyon usually grows as a dense shrub to six to ten feet tall and wide, but can also be trained as a small tree. It does well in sun or part shade and can tolerate drought, but looks better with moderate water.
Tops on the list of desirable shrubs is Arctostaphylos, commonly called manzanita. Again, there are many choices in this genus. Handsome and tree-like are ‘Dr. Hurd’, ‘Hood Mountain’ and ‘Austin Griffiths’. ‘Sentinel’ is one of the more upright varieties, eventually reaching five to six feet. Medium sized Manzanitas are ‘Howard McMinn,’ ‘Sunset,’ ‘John Dourley’ and ‘Wayside,’…
![Catalina Cherry Flowers [Prunus ilicifolia]](https://baylaurelgardencenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Catalina-Cherry-Flowers-Prunus-ilicifolia-425x290.jpg)
Prunus lyonii (Catalina Cherry) and Prunus ilicifolia (Holly leaf Cherry) are two evergreen shrubs that are extremely useful as screens or background plants. They both have red berries in late summer which the birds find very desirable.
The Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) is one of the most spectacular California native plants. Getting it started can be difficult, but once established, it requires no irrigation and may, in fact, need to be watched so as not to take over your garden.
Carpenteria californica (bush anemone) does best with afternoon shade. Clusters of white, anemone shaped flowers cover this evergreen shrub in early summer.
Buckwheats provide color spring and summer. Eriogonum umbellatum (sulphur buckwheat) sports bright yellow flowers in spring. Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine’s Lace) is topped with creamy clusters of flower sprays reaching as high as five feet. The star of the genus, Eriogonum grande var. rubescens (rosy buckwheat) displays rosy buttons atop rounded gray-green leaves for most of…
Ceanothus, ‘California wild lilac’, is known for its wonderful spring floral display. Flower colors are either white or shades of purple-blue, while height can range from a foot or two to twenty feet. ‘Ray Hartman’ and ‘Cliff Schmidt’ are among the tallest of the Ceanothus, attaining heights of twelve to twenty feet. ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Concha’ are among the varieties…