Common name:Purple or Pink Trumpet Tree
Botanical name:Handroanthus impetiginosa

This semi-evergreen tree will grow 25'-50' tall and has small, dark green leaves with white to light pink and purple flowers that bloom in late winter and spring.

Common name:Western Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis occidentalis

This deciduous shrub or small tree ranges from 6'-10' tall and wide. It is desirable for its magenta spring flowers, yellow to red fall color, and dangling winter seed pods. It is tolerant of many soil types, drought and oak root fungus. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The Western Redbud can be found statewide in CA in the foothills below 4500' elevations in chaparral and woodland communities.

Maintenance Tips

Cercis occidentalis is a very popular California native deciduous tree. The natural form of this plant is that of a multi-branching shrub; however, it is often shaped to be a single trunk so it can be used in many garden spaces. The best way to keep the maintenance low with this tree is to plant it in a sunny location that has well-drained soil and give it the room it needs to reach its mature size. It is fairly pest and disease-resistant and performs very well as a specimen tree in native gardens. The pruning recommendations will depend on the shape of the specimen. If the tree has the multi-trunk, shrub form, the mature height can be 6-10' tall and wide and will naturally grow into a round, compact form. These forms benefit greatly from the thinning method, removing cross-branching or the longer branches to manage the plant's size. The cuts should be made towards the center of the plant, allowing sunlight into the interior. The single trunk form should be pruned the same way, but it will mature much larger and eventually should be pruned by a licensed arborist. Both forms will lose their leaves in the winter, so this is usually the easiest time to prune since the foliage is out of the way.

Common name:Purple Smoke Tree
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Purpureus'

A deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 10' tall, the 'Purpureus' is grown for its wispy, thread-like flower clusters and outstanding fall color. Its foliage has a reddish purple color that turns somewhat green in summer. The plant requires sun to part shade, with little or no summer water.

Common name:Butterfly-Iris, Fortnight Lily
Botanical name:Dietes iridioides

This clumping evergreen Iris bears tall, narrow leaves to 30" tall and white flowers marked purple in the center on stalks up to 3' tall. This variety has stiffer, darker foliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established.

Common name:Red Fringe Flower
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinese 'Rubrum'

Red Fringe Flower is a 6'-12' shrub with arching branches and light green and reddish leaves .

Common name:White Flower Chinese Wisteria
Botanical name:Wisteria sinensis 'Alba'

While the sinensis is similar to the floribunda, it bears more rounded, full clusters of strongly fragrant flowers which open more or less, all at once. There are usually 13-15 leaflets per leaf, and they require full sun and average to little watering. This is a white flower variety.

Common name:White Baccopa
Botanical name:Sutera cordata

White Baccopa is a prostrate ground cover with white flowers. It stays under 12" in height.

Common name:Star Jasmine, Maile Haole
Botanical name:Trachelospermum jasminoides

Star Jasmine is an evergreen vine that grows 20' tall or a ground cover that reaches 1'-2' tall and 4'-5' wide. It has white fragrant flowers in the summer and can tolerate sun or partial shade. The star jasmine needs regular watering. Leaves are dark green, oval, thick, about 2" long. This is a great plant on a trellis, in containers or in a parking strip.

Common name:Eureka Lemon
Botanical name:Citrus limon cv.

This tree produces bright yellow lemons that have an exceptionally 'bitter' taste. The lemons have a high juice and acid content and are nearly seedless.

Common name:Red Fringe Flower
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinese 'Rubrum'

Red Fringe Flower is a 6'-12' shrub with arching branches and light green and reddish leaves .

Common name:Felt Plant or Bush, Velvetleaf
Botanical name:Kalanchoe beharensis

This unusual succulent perennial will grow 4'-5' tall and wide. It has thick, fuzzy, gray green to golden leaves with inconspicuous flowers. Although tender to frost, it makes an excellent accent for rock gardens or desert themed landscapes.