Common name:Japanese Maple
Botanical name:Acer palmatum

This magnificient plant can used as a small tree or shrub. It is deciduous with graceful leaves which have a scarlet color in spring as it leafs out. Leaves later turn orange or yellow in fall. It is slow growing to 20', and requires shelter from the hot sun. The leaves of this tree are small, light green in color, and deeply lobed. It should also be noted that this tree remains spectacular throughout all seasons. (2nd photo courtesy of Steve Mullany)

Common name:Long John Grevillea
Botanical name:Grevillea 'Long John'

This delicate looking shrub will reach about 8'-10' tall and wide. It has thick, sturdy brown stems with small, bright green, needle-like leaves and elegant red and orange flowers that bloom in spring. This shrub looks like a beautiful pine with gorgeous flowers. It has low watering needs once it's established. It prefers full to part sun with well draining soil. This makes a great hedge or screen. Hummingbirds love this shrub too.

Common name:Bearberry, Kinnikinnick
Botanical name:Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

A hardy, creeping evergreen shrub, it grows 6-12" high and spreads as much as 10-12'. It has glossy green, leathery leaves attached to dark brown branches. Its flowers are white to light pink in late winter and early spring; berries are bright red. This groundcover makes a great lawn substitute but will need a medium amount of watering. It does well in coastal areas and inland warm valleys.

Common name:Catalina Cherry
Botanical name:Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii

The Catalina Cherry is an evergreen shrub that grows 15'-25' high and 10'-15' wide. It has a tree-like habit. It develops showy white flowers in the spring and red changing to black fruit in the summer. It is resistant to oak root fungus. The Catalina Cherry is native to CA with low water needs, a beneficial insect plant, and attracts butterflies. New foliage is apple green in color, turning to dark green. Catalina Cherry is great for privacy hedges because of the dense foliage.

Common name:Butterfly Iris or 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 to 3' tall, appearing spring through fall. This variety has stiffer, darker foiliage than the bicolor form. It requires sun to part shade with little or no summer watering when established. This is a very reliable plant. Divide every 3-5 years to keep it looking fresh.

Common name:Star Magnolia
Botanical name:Magnolia stellata

This slow-growing, shrubby, deciduous Magnolia has narrow leaves about 4" long and 1" wide. These fragrant flowers, borne in the early spring before leaves, are white, with 19-21 star-shaped petals. It needs a moderate amount of water once it's established.