Water Smart Plant Picker

Deciduous shrub native to western North America, including California, that resembles spirea with small clusters of white flowers. Reaches 5-10 feet tall and wide, with lobed, maple-like, green leaves on arching stems and colorful, multi-layered, peeling bark. Prefers light shade and some moisture while getting established. Good choice for a rain garden as it accepts seasonal flooding.

Together with crape myrtle, Chinese pistache is a ubiquitous street tree in Sonoma and Marin counties due to its modest size, attractive foliage, fall color, and ability to withstand heat and drought. P. c. ‘Keith Davey’ is a male cultivar that will not produce seeds.

Dependable, evergreen shrubs that can provide an effective screen or background plant. While some require moderate amounts of water in Sonoma and Marin counties, mock orange (P. tobira, 6-15’ x 6-15’) and (P. tenuifolium) are drought-tolerant. Mock orange has a mounding form with whorls of oval leaves. Available in several sizes and with variegated leaves.

Examples: P. t. ‘Creme de Mint’ (2-3’ x 2-3’) is a compact form with white margined leaves; P. t. ‘Variegata’ (5-10’ x 5-10’) is a larger form with variegated leaves; and P. t. ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’ (3-4’ x 4-6’) is a low-growing groundcover form.

Woody evergreen shrub or small tree (20-30’ x 15-20’) with narrowly oval, leathery, evergreen leaves. Small fragrant white flowers in the winter, that attracts bees, and blue-black fruit in early spring. Native to southeastern North America and west to eastern Texas. Best near the coast and in well-drained acidic soils.

• P. caroliniana ‘Compacta’ (10-15’ x 6-8’) is a popular smaller form.

Evergreen shrub, or small tree, with leathery, glossy, dark green leaves. Creamy white flower spikes in spring to early summer. In fall, there are reddish to purple fruits that attract many species of birds. California Native from central California to Baja California coastal mountains and foothills. Can be used as a hedge or screen, as well as for erosion control.

• Catalina cherry (P. ilicifolia spp. Lyonii, 30-45’ x 20-30’) is native to the Channel Islands.

Large group of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees that includes many ornamental species as well as others that produce edible fruit.

Examples:

• Apricot, nectarine, peach, and plum trees are all classified as having low-water use in Sonoma and Marin counties. Consult local nurseries for available types and specific growing requirements.

Deciduous shrub or small tree with striking trumpet-shaped, red or orange flowers followed by edible fruit. Low-fruiting cultivars are available to grow pomegranates for ornamental reasons, but fruiting varieties provide a delicious addition to the garden bounty. Consult local nurseries for available cultivars.

Woody perennial, evergreen tree. Large, dense and broadly rounded with green, spiny margin leaves. Native along coast and coastal mountains from Northern California. One of the best local natives for large properties. Susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Deciduous tree. Slow growing local native with blue tinted foliage. Native to dry, rocky slopes in foothills. Not susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Woody perennial, deciduous tree. Large slow growing native with beautiful spring foliage. Large, glossy, green leaves with bristly tipped lobes. Large acorns within tree. Susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Woody perennial, deciduous tree. Fast growing and one of the best local natives for large properties. Dark green leaves and dark brown to pale gray, ridged bark. Not susceptible to Sudden Oak Death.

Quercus suber is an evergreen tree with unique bark characteristics. The bark contains high amounts of suberin, which is a waxy substance that is waterproof. With that, the bark has been used to produce corks for wine bottles for years. The trees’ average growth is around 40-70 feet tall and wide. They can grow bigger, but it’s not very common.