Water Smart Plant Picker

Evergreen, clumping perennials from New Zealand with dramatic, strappy, sword-shaped leaves that can provide contrast to other plantings or be used effectively in containers. Provide room for plants to reach full size and give some shade in hotter locations. Numerous cultivars are recommended over straight species and provide a wide range of sizes and foliage colors that include green, yellow, and red—many with some type of variegation.

Lippia is a hardy, low-growing groundcover found in many regions worldwide including California. Small white and purple flowers bloom in spring, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Common lippia forms dense mats of trailing runners that make it a popular drought-tolerant alternative to conventional lawns. It stays low to the ground, tolerates foot traffic, and is dog-friendly. May be mowed to remove flowers if undesirable. With occasional deep watering — about every two weeks in summer — it can outcompete weeds while requiring far less water than traditional turfgrass. May die back some in winter in colder locations but recovers the following spring. Sun to light shade. Most soils.

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 (15-25 feet tall and wide) with leathery, glossy, dark green leaves with spiny margins. 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, 20-30’ x 15-20’) is native to the Channel Islands and has shiny soft leaves that are not spiny.

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 in the summer 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. Does best in full sun and well-drained soil.

Majestic evergreen California native oak tree that serves as a cornerstone for wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem and reaches 35-75 feet tall and 35-50 feet wide. Large, dense and broadly rounded with green, spiny margin leaves. Native along coast and coastal mountains from Northern California. Susceptible to Sudden Oak Death. Sun to part-shade, best in mild climates and young trees do best with part-shade.

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.