Thinking of...

Think again

Acacia longifolia

Such plants are unnecessary with the tough and handsome Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) and Nevin’s Barberry (Mahonia nevinii) available.

Cupania (Carrotwood)

For a clean, stately shade tree, look at California Bay Laurel.

Eucalyptus

Deliver us from Australia with California’s own texture and character trees: Catalina Ironwood, Madrone, and Western Sycamore

Gazania

Try some authentic color from Monkeyflower, Penstemons, Encelia, California Fuchsia

Ivy

Spare us the Ivy menace with lush carpets of Manzanita ‘Emerald Carpet’ or ‘Point Reyes’.

Junipers

Get out of the Juniper rut with the low-growing forms of Manzanita and Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’.

Privet

Quick! Flee to Sugarbush (Rhus ovata) and Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus illicifolia)

Myoporum

No excuse for this when we could enjoy Lemonadeberry and Pacific Wax Myrtle

Oleander

Californi’s color shrubs shine: Ceanothus, Mahonia and Summer Holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia)

Pines

Instead of the habitual choices, consider Torrey Pine as a large pine, Piñon Pine as a small one, Knobcone Pine for fast growth in heat.

Pittosporum

California Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica) is lush, dense, unfussy.

Flowering Cherry and Ornamental Pear

Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is stronger, flowers longer. Catalina Cherry makes a fine small canopy tree.

Pyracantha

Lush foliage, scarlet berries, minus Pyracantha’s thorns, diseases, pests: Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Rhaphiolepsis

Is this what you really want, or only a habit? Cure it with Manzanita ‘Howard McMinn’.

Star Jasmine

Non-intrusive, great under trees is the aromatic Catalina Perfume (Ribes viburnifolium); shiny and neat like Star Jasmine on less than one fourth the water.

Xylosma

Clean, reliable green: California Coffeeberry, Sugarbush.