Remains evergreen in summer with irrigation.

Flowers in a wide range of colors.

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

A tough, summer-flowering tree for difficult sites.

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

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

Needs good drainage.

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

Spring flowers, fall color, winter berries.

Needs excellent drainage

Old stalks will re-flower.

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

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.

Good planted under native oaks

Easy-care and long-flowering.

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

Large shrub. Excellent fall/winter interest.

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

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

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

Remove stems in winter at ground level.

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

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.

Cut back in winter to renew.

Cut back in early spring to renew.

Good screen or hedge. Compact version available.

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

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

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

Several cultivars available, some variegated.

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

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

Some species form woody trunks.

Cut back after bloom to renew. Attractive to pollinators.

Prune lower branches to train as small tree.

Cut to ground in late winter.

Evergreen.

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

Cedars need plenty of space; weeping forms need training.

Can be grown as a large shrub or small tree.

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

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

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

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

Willowy stems hold pink or white flowers; reseeds easily.

Attractive to hummingbirds; groom in spring to maintain appearance.

Decorative bark, summer flowers, and striking fall color.

Can be grown as a tree or shrub.

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

Aromatic foliage shunned by deer; some types are variegated.

Large, feathery plumes; clumps enlarge each year

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. Flowers pink or white.

Brilliant fall color; some species spread by suckering.

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

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

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

Yellow seed heads contrast with pale green foliage

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.

Some are large and shrubby, others much smaller.

Genus includes ground-covers and upright or mounding perennials.

Fragrant white flowers, good fall/winter foliage.

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

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

Cut to ground in late winter.

Cut to ground in late winter.

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.

Cut just above ground in early spring.

Flowers in summer; foliage attractive year-round.

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

Dwarf varieties available for containers or patios

Dislikes excessive watering, fertilizing and pruning.

Compact forms available. Extremely fragrant flowers

Dormant in summer with no water.

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.

Small, low clumps need replacing every few years

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

Many varieties. Good as accent plants or small hedges.

Golden flower stalks contrast with blue foliage

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

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

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

Beautiful flowers, lovely in woodland garden or shrub border

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

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

Beautiful bark, good hedge or screen or specimen plant.

One of the most well-behaved Miscanthus.

Good hedge or screen. Birds are attracted to berries.

Cut back in winter to renew.

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

Single, pure-white flowers. Lovely accent shrub.

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

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

Summer flowers followed by fall fruit.

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

Cut to ground in late winter.

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

Foliage resembles piggy-back plant.

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

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

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

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

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

One of most garden tolerant manzanitas.

Fruit used for preserves. Flowers late winter.

Scale-like foliage similar to juniper.

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

Frost tender but will recover

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

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

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

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

Flowers, persistent red berries, less water if shaded.

Fruitless and dwarf varieties available.

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

Fall color bright orange/red.

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

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

Attractive foliage, good form.

Classic dusty miller foliage; renew by shearing annually.

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

Spring flowers followed by long-lasting dramatic white berries.

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

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

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

Named cultivars available, brilliant fall color.

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