Photinia

Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet), Ligustrum texanum (Texas privet) and Ligustrum ‘Nobili’ (Noble privet) are all excellent evergreen shrubs.  If desired, they can be pruned as a hedge or into shapes for use as topiaries.

Feijoa, or pineapple guava, grows to eighteen to twenty-five feet, usually as a multi-trunked shrub.  It can, however, take considerable pruning, making it ideal for hedges, espaliering or training as a small tree.  The leaves are grey-green on top and silvery underneath.  Flowers are white with red stamens and are edible.  Feijoa can produce fruit…

Rhamnus alaternus and Rhamnus alaternus variegata(Italian Buckthorn) These shrubs grow twelve to fifteen feet high. They are evergreen and very dought tolerant once established. They can be pruned regularly to maintain a neat appearance.  

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…