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.
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.
Trichostema lanatum (woolly blue curls) grows to three to five feet high and four to eight feet wide. The dark green leaves are pungent when bruised. The purple flowers are fuzzy and appear in spring. The plant will continue to bloom during summer and autumn if it is deadheaded. Trichostema takes full sun and needs…
Another diverse and useful genus is Salvia. The Clevelandii group includes ‘Allen Chickering’, ‘Whirly Blue’, ‘Pozo Blue’ and ‘Winifred Gilman’. In need of an attractive, drought tolerant ground cover? Try ‘Bee’s Bliss’. This salvia has gray green leaves with lavender flowers in spring; it will spread three to four feet wide or more. Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird sage) A…
Mimulus aurantiacus, or monkey flower, grows to about four feet and blooms in a wide range of colors from white to dark red. It likes sun or part shade, good drainage and little water.
![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.
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. …