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.
Hydrangeas come in many sizes and forms. The two most well-known types are mophead, the old-fashioned large flower with a rounded flower head, and lacecap, in which the small fertile flowers are surrounded by large, colorful flowers. With some varieties, flower color is determined by the soil pH, with acidity causing blue flowers and alkalinity resulting in pink flowers. Other varieties…
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…
Abutilon (flowering maple) Abutilons display flowers of white, yellow, pink, red, orange and apricot along with frequently bold foliage. Dwarf varieties are only three feet tall while others can grow to six feet or more. The flowering maples are just a bit marginal for the North County, but will survive most winters with some protection. Even if they die to…
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.
Grown strictly for its foliage, Fatsia adds a very tropical look to the shade garden. It will have white puffy flowers in late autumn and winter, but they are not particularly showy, just interesting and unexpected. Fatsia can take deep shade and is very suited to containers.
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…