Slow to establish. Pipe vine swallowtail butterfly larva feeds solely on aristolochia.

Dislikes excessive watering, fertilizing and pruning.

Compact forms available. Extremely fragrant flowers

Dormant in summer with no water.

Many varieties. Good as accent plants or small hedges.

Non-native species require more water, typically have dramatic foliage.

Single, pure-white flowers. Lovely accent shrub.

White, fragrant flowers, berry-like fruit. Good drainage

Spring flowers followed by long-lasting dramatic white berries.

Foliage resembles piggy-back plant.

Much variety within genus. Can be pruned as shrub or small tree. Flowers year-round. Part shade in hottest locations.

Remains evergreen in summer with irrigation.

Cut to ground in late winter.

More tree-like than Strawberry Tree (A. unedo) with prettier rose-pink flowers late summer to winter.

One of most garden tolerant manzanitas.

Cut to ground in late winter.

Some have berries in winter. Many attractive foliage colors such as lime and burgundy.

Evergreen.

Reddish flower heads in summer.

Prune to 6 inches from the ground in early spring to encourage bloom and control shape.

Slow growing. Classic hedge plant

Forms dramatic narrow clumps, attractive flowers.

Some varieties frost-tender.

Brown or green leaved varieties provide contrast in color and texture.

Needs good drainage.

Needs good drainage. Huge variety within genus. Generally short-lived.

Can be grown as a large shrub or small tree.

Fruit used for preserves. Flowers late winter.

Fragrant white flowers late winter/early spring. Part shade in hottest locations.

Yellow, pink, or orange winter flowers. May be hedged.

Can be pruned to control size and shape. Excellent fall color.

Old stalks will re-flower.

Can be pruned to control size and shape. Good screen or hedge.

Tough plant; withstands harsh conditions. Groundcovers and upright shrubs available.

Cut back in winter to renew; most flower year-round .

Edible fruit produced in abundance on E. japonica; E. deflexa is fruit-less.

Good hedge or screen. Long summer bloom. Can die back in hard freeze, generally recovers.

Huge variety, from groundcovers to large shrubs. Many landscape uses.

Some reseed but seedlings are easy to pull out. Huge size variation amongst species.

Good planted under native oaks

Small, low clumps need replacing every few years

Frost tender but will recover

Winter catkins dramatic. Can be pruned to control size and shape.

Willowy stems hold pink or white flowers; reseeds easily.

Plants in some shade require less water. Many cultivars available.

Huge variation in size and form. Needle-type leaved species are deer-proof.

Golden flower stalks contrast with blue foliage

Water requirements vary greatly by species. H. argutifolia, foetidus, lividus and sternii most drought-tolerant.

Large shrub. Excellent fall/winter interest.

Only hydrangea that tolerates sun and dry conditions. Dramatic flowers, interesting bark and good fall color.

Native types take full sun along coast, some shade inland.

Huge variety, from groundcovers to large shrubs. Many landscape uses. Tolerant of many conditions and useful in hot, sunny sites.

Beautiful flowers, lovely in woodland garden or shrub border

Attractive to hummingbirds; groom in spring to maintain appearance.

Remove stems in winter at ground level.

Beautiful bark, good hedge or screen or specimen plant.

Deciduous types are often called tulip trees for the shape of their white,yellow or pink flowers.

Striking foliage, good flower display and showy berries. Part shade in hottest locations.

Requires fast-draining soil; good in native or rock gardens.

Benefits from occasional summer irrigation

Good hedge or screen. Birds are attracted to berries.

Flowers, persistent red berries, less water if shaded.

Cut back in winter to renew.

Aromatic foliage shunned by deer; some types are variegated.

Large, feathery plumes; clumps enlarge each year

Showy spring display of yellow flowers. Wooly gray-green leaves.

Good drainage. Some varieties are huge, many different foliage colors available. Great accent plants.

Bright red new growth, spring flowers, fall berries. Can prune to control size and shape. Constant leaf drop.

Great hedge, screen or windbreak. Glossy foliage, tiny fragrant flowers in spring.

Long bloom period spring-fall. Many flower colors. Decorative.

Good screen or hedge. Compact version available.

Summer flowers followed by fall fruit.

Leaves emerge in beautiful pinkish hues in spring, mature bright green, and turn yellow-orange in fall.

Excellent hedge, screen or specimen. Prune to control size and shape. Some varieties have showy berries.

Long bloom period spring-fall. Flowers pink or white.

Can be frost-tender inland, spring flowers, summer red fruit.

Attractive foliage, good form.

Flowers pink, yellow or white in spring; attracts hummingbirds.

Huge genus with much variation. Virtually all suitable for Bay Area.

Fast growing but short-lived. Trim after flowering, cut back in spring.

Huge genus with much variation. Virtually all suitable for Bay Area.

Classic dusty miller foliage; renew by shearing annually.

Palest white of Dusty Millers; pinch stem tips to encourage compactness.

Yellow seed heads contrast with pale green foliage

Several cultivars available, some variegated.

Blue or white flowers, long summer bloom. Cut back to renew.

Beautiful sprays of white or pink bloom in spring. Dwarf forms available.

Many cultivars. Heavy rains in winter can shorten life. Foliage has beautiful color and texture.

Intensely fragrant foliage; cheerful golden-yellow flowers; prune annually.

Some are large and shrubby, others much smaller.

Genus includes ground-covers and upright or mounding perennials.

Fragrant white flowers, good fall/winter foliage.

Some cultivars require more water. Most short (ex V. bonariensis up to 6').

Many have striking fall color and dramatic spring bloom. Many large cultivars, compact forms available.

Named cultivars available, brilliant fall color.

Prune back after bloom to control size and encourage flowering. Aggressive but beautiful.

Prune lower branches to train as small tree.

Flowers in a wide range of colors.

Compact forms available. White flowers, red, orange, gold berries. Decorative peeling bark.

Evergreen.

Cut to ground in late winter.

Tough plant - withstands harsh conditions. Groundcovers and upright shrubs available.

Cut just above ground in early spring.

A tough, summer-flowering tree for difficult sites.

Cedars need plenty of space; weeping forms need training.

Flowers in summer; foliage attractive year-round.

Clear blue flower in summer followed by red foliage in fall.

Choose 'Pink Dawn' or white blooming 'Morning Cloud'

Needs good drainage.

Dwarf varieties available for containers or patios

Spring flowers, fall color, winter berries.

Scale-like foliage similar to juniper.

Needs excellent drainage

Rugged; tolerates heat, wind, drought, salt spray.

Grown for dramatic foliage and showy bracts around flower heads.

Native has orange flowers. Cultivars available with pink, white, cream, salmon flowers.

Easy-care and long-flowering.

Fast-growing, bright golden flowers in summer. Leaf drop can be messy.

Brilliant flower display. Should be sheared afterwards to showcase evergreen foliage. Many different flower colors.

Red-spotted yellow flowers in summer followed by rose-colored papery seed capsules.

Yellow flowers in summer followed by lantern-shaped seed capsules.

Decorative bark, summer flowers, and striking fall color.

Can be grown as a tree or shrub.

Cut back in winter to renew - plants generally need replacing in 4-6 years.

Cut back in winter to renew - may not survive particularly cold, wet winters.

Protect from hard frost. Dramatic bloom in white, pink or red.

One of the most well-behaved Miscanthus.

Native; dramatic accent grass, cut back every few years to freshen

All parts of plant toxic. Good hedge or screen. Tolerant of many conditions and useful in hot, sunny sites.

Fruitless and dwarf varieties available.

Cut back in winter to renew.

Cut back in winter to renew; native species require lean soil and little water.

Cut back in early spring to renew.

Fall color bright orange/red.

Brilliant fall color; some species spread by suckering.

Varies from groundcover to upright or trailing shrubs. Blue flowers in winter attract butterflies and bees.

Cut to ground in late winter.

Pink flowers. Cut to ground and allow to go dormant in summer.

Cut to ground in early spring; little to no summer water only.

Faint aroma of garlic; long bloom period spring through fall.

Many cultivars. Short-lived but re-seeds. Dramatic shape and foliage.

Blue, white or pink flowers bloom in late summer when most other plants are past their prime.

White or pale blue flowers. Tolerates harsh conditions. Good drainage.

Some species form woody trunks.

Cut back after bloom to renew. Attractive to pollinators.