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Shrubs
California has a vast array of native shrub species to choose from. This section features almost exclusively native species aligned with local ecosystems and sustainability best practices.
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California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
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Chaparral Mallow
Malacothamnus fasciculatus
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California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
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Bush Monkeyflower
Diplacus aurantiacus
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Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
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Island Bush Poppy
Dendromecon harfordii
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Bush Sunflower
Encelia californica
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Bush Anemone
Carpenteria californica
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Woolly Bluecurls
Trichostema lanatum
Shrubs Species Table
Scientific Name | Common Name | Family | Sunset Zones | Coastal | Basin | Inland | Height | Spread | Accent | Screen | Water | Leaves | Origin | California Native | Flower | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Achillea spp. | Yarrow | Asteraceae | 24-Jan | Y | Y | Y | 1’-3’ | 6”-18” | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | All | Spring-Summer | |
Achillea millefolium | Common Yarrow | Asteraceae | 24-Jan | Y | Y | Y | 1’-3’ | 6”-18” | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White | Spring-Summer | |
Acmispon glaber | Deerweed | Leguminosae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 1’-3’ | 2’-3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Yellow | Spring, Summer | |
Adenostoma fasciculatum | Chamise | Rosaceae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-13’ | 1’-8’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White | Spring, Summer | |
Arbutus unedo compacta | Dwarf Strawberry Tree | Ericaceae | 24-Apr | Y | Y | Y | 8’-12’ | 8’-12’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | Europe | White | Fall, Winter | ||
Artemesia californica | California Sagebrush | Asteraceae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 1’-8’ | ~4’ | Full | Partial | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | White | Spring, Fall |
Artemisia pycnocephala | Dune Sagewort | Asteraceae | 4-5, 7-9, 14-17, 19-24 | Y | Y | ~2’ | ~3’ | Full | Med | Evergreen | California | Y | White | Spring, Summer | ||
Baccharis pilularis | Coyote Bush | Compositae | 5, 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-10’ | ~12’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White | All | |
Baccharis salicifolia | Mulefat | Compositae | 1-10, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 6’-12’ | 3’-9’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White | All | |
Berberis aquilifolium ‘Compacta’ | Compact Oregon Grape | Berberidaceae | 2-12, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-3’ | 3’-4’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Yellow | Spring | |
Calliandra eriophylla | Baja Fairy Duster | Fabaceae | 24-Oct | Y | Y | Y | 1’-3’ | ~3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Purple, Pink | Spring, Winter | |
Carpenteria californica | Bush Anemone | Hydrangeaceae | 5-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 6’-10’ | ~10’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White | Spring, Summer | |
Ceanothus spp. * | California Lilacs | Rhamnaceae | Varied | Y | Y | Y | Varied | Varied | Partial | Partial | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Varied | Spring, Summer |
Cistus spp. * | Rockroses | Cistaceae | Varied | Y | Y | Y | Varied | Varied | Full | Full | Low | Evergreen | Mediterranean | Varied | Spring, Summer | |
Condea emoryi | Desert Lavender | Lamiaceae | 8-17, 19-24 | Y | Y | Y | 6’-12’ | ~8’ | Partial | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Purple | Winter, Spring |
Convolvulus cneorum | Bush Morning Glory | Convolvulaceae | 7-9, 12-24 | Y | Y | Y | 1’-2’ | 2’-4’ | Full | Low | Evergeen | Italy | White | Spring-Fall | ||
Dendromecon rigida | Island Bush Poppy | Papaveraceae | 4-12, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-10’ | 2’-8’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Yellow | Winter, Spring | |
Diplacus aurantiacus | Bush Monkey Flower | Phrymaceae | 4-5, 7-9,14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 4’-5’ | ~5’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Orange | Spring, Summer | |
Encelia californica | Bush Sunflower | Asteraceae | 7-12, 14-16, 18-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-5’ | 3’-7’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Yellow | Winter, Spring | |
Encelia farinosa | Brittlebush | Asteraceae | 24-Aug | Y | Y | Y | 1’-5’ | ~4’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Yellow | Winter, Spring | |
Epilobium canum | California Fuschia | Onagraceae | 2-11, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 1’-2’ | 2’-3’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Red | Summer, Fall | |
Eriodictyon californicum | California Yerba Santa | Boraginaceae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-10’ | ~3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Varied | Spring | |
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium | Thick Leaved Yerba Santa | Boraginaceae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-10’ | ~3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Varied | Spring | |
Eriogonum spp. * | Buckwheat | Polygonaceae | Varied | Y | Y | Y | 6'-8' | ~6' | Partial | Partial | Low | Evergeen | California | Y | Varied | Spring, Fall |
Eriogonum fasiculatum | California Buckwheat | Polygonaceae | 5, 7, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 1’-7’ | ~3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Cream, Pink | Spring-Fall | |
Eriogonum giganteum | St. Catherine’s Lace | Polygonaceae | 5, 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-5’ | 4’-10’ | Full | Low | Semi-Deciduous | California | Y | Cream, Pink | Spring-Fall | |
Eriophyllum confertiflorum | Golden Yarrow | Asteraceae | 5, 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | ~2’ | ~2’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Yellow | Spring-Winter | |
Eriophyllum staechadifolium | Lizard Tail | Asteraceae | 5, 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-5’ | 4’-5’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Yellow | Spring, Summer | |
Fallugia paradoxa | Apache Plume | Rosaceae | 23-Feb | Y | Y | 4’-5’ | 4’-5’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Purple/White | Spring | ||
Frangula californica | Coffeeberry | Rhamnaceae | 3-10, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 6’-15’ | 5’-15’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White | Spring, Summer | |
Gambelia speciosa ‘Firecracker’ | Island Snapdragon | Plantaginaceae | 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-4’ | 4’-6 | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Red | Spring | |
Lavandula spp. * | Lavender | Lamiaceae | 24-Feb | Y | Y | Y | Varied | Varied | Partial | Partial | Low | Evergeen | Mediterranean | Purple | Summer | |
Limonium perezii | Sea Lavender | Plumbaginaceae | 13, 15-17, 20-24 | Y | Y | 2’-3’ | 2’-3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | Canary Islands | Purple | All | |||
Lupinus albifrons | Silver Lupine | Leguminosae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-5’ | 2’-3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Blue, Purple | Spring - Winter | |
Lupinus arboreus | Coastal Bush Lupine | Leguminosae | 4-5, 14-17, 19, 21-24 | Y | Y | 4’-7’ | ~4’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Yellow | Spring | ||
Malacothamnus fasciculatus | Chaparral Mallow | Malvaceae | 18-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-16’ | ~10’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Pink | Spring - Summer | |
Penstemon centranthifolius | Scarlet Bugler | Plantaginaceae | 23-Jul | Y | Y | 2’-4’ | ~1’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Red | Spring, Summer | ||
Penstemon heterophyllus | Foothill Penstemon | Plantaginaceae | 24-Jul | Y | Y | Y | 3’-5’ | ~5’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Purple | Spring - Winter | |
Penstemon spectabilis | Showy Penstemon | Plantaginaceae | 7, 14-23 | Y | Y | 2’-4’ | 3’-4’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Purple | Spring, Winter | ||
Prunus caroliniana ‘Compacta’ | Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry | Rosaceae | 24-May | Y | Y | Y | 6’-10’ | 4’-6’ | Full | Med | Evergreen | N. America | White | Spring, Winter | ||
Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry | Anacardiaceae | 8-9, 14-17, 19-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-30’ | 3’-20’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Pink | Winter - Spring | |
Rhus ovata | Sugar Bush | Anacardiaceae | 9-12, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 7’-33’ | ~30’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | White/Pink | Spring, Winter | |
Ribes viburnifolium | Catalina Currant | Grossulariaceae | 5, 7-9, 14-17, 19-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-3’ | ~8’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Purple, Red, Pink | Spring, Winter | |
Romneya coulteri | Matilija Poppy | Papaveraceae | 4-12, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 7’-10’ | ~20’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | White/Yellow | Spring - Summer | |
Salvia apiana | White Sage | Lamiaceae | 7-9, 11, 13-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-5’ | 3’-8’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | White | Spring - Winter | |
Salvia leucophylla | Purple Sage | Lamiaceae | 8-9, 14-17, 19-24 | Y | Y | Y | 2’-5’ | 3’-10’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Purple | Spring - Summer | |
Salvia mellifera | Black Sage | Lamiaceae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 3’-6’ | 3’-10’ | Full | Low | Deciduous | California | Y | Purple | Spring - Winter | |
Salvia spathacea | Hummingbird Sage | Lamiaceae | 7-9, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | 1’-3’ | ~3’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Pink, Red | Winter - Summer | |
Trichostema lanatum | Wooly Blue Curls | Lamiaceae | 10, 14-24 | Y | Y | Y | ~5’ | ~10’ | Full | Low | Evergreen | California | Y | Purple | Fall - Spring |
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