Salvia mellifera
Black Sage, Honey Sage
Black Sage is a common California native with a growth habit that can be upright to spreading. Plants can sometimes grow larger than the 5 x 5 feet noted if provided ideal conditions. Leaves are dark green above, grayish beneath, and are highly fragrant. Accepts almost any soil. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Sambucus mexicana
Mexican Elderberry
Leaf drop usually occurs in late summer and can be more complete with drought. Not refined in appearance, so avoid using close up to outdoor areas. Berries attract birds and can also be made into jelly or wine. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.
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Santolina chamaecyparis
Lavender Cotton
Lavender Cotton is a reliable small shrub or groundcover that lends its silvery gray leaves as bright contrast to green-foliaged plants. Its leaves are aromatic. Plantings are easy to control; keep neat by trimming away spent flower stems. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Santolina virens
Green Santolina
Presents a refined form with clusters of bright yellow button-shaped flowers. Also makes an excellent groundcover. Often combined with Lavender Cotton. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Senna artemisioides
Feathery Senna
Bright yellow flowers provide welcome color in early spring, although blooming periods can be variable. Foliage is distinctively feathery, and plant holds its refined form well following bloom. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Senna wislizenii
Shrubby Senna
Shrubby Senna has an upright, rounded growth habit. Bright yellow flowers bloom in clusters during summer. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Simmondsia chinensis
Jojoba
Jojoba is a native shrub that is well-suited to desert landscapes, accepting the toughest conditions. Female plants produce acorns that are highly valued for their oil. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Sophora secundiflora
Texas Mountain Laurel
This is a quality small tree or shrub with many desirable features. Fragrant, wisteria-like flowers are followed by interesting silvery bean pods. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Sophora secundiflora 'Silver Peso'
Silver Peso Mountain Laurel
Very similar tree as the species, Sophora secundiflora, but leaves are a distinctive silvery color. Grow as a small tree or shrub. Fragrant, wisteria-like flowers are followed by interesting silvery bean pods. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Tagetes lucida
Licorice Marigold
The common name Licorice Marigold is due to the fact that leaves emit a fragrance similar to anise. Appearance is similar to its cousin, Mountain Marigold, but growth is more compact. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Tecoma 'Orange Bells'
Orange Bells Tecoma
Orange Bells is similar to Yellow Bells, but with orange tubular flowers. Also consider the selection 'Orange Jubilee'. Semievergreen in cooler climates. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Tecoma 'Sunrise'
Sunrise Tecoma
This is a striking shrub with coppery orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. Blooms for a long period. Similar culture and overall appearance as Yellow Bells, Tecoma stans. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Tecoma capensis
Cape Honeysuckle
The sprawling growth of Cape Honeysuckle is almost vinelike, and it can be trained as a vine if given sturdy supports. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Tecoma stans
Yellow Bells
Yellow Bells can be semievergreen in cooler climates. Large, yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers are followed by interesting bean pods. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Teucrium fruticans
Silver Germander, Bush Germander
A shrub that accepts tough conditions. Blends into most landscape situations with ease. If plants become a little unruly, trim to maintain appearance. A dwarf form, 'Azureum', grows to about 4 feet high and as wide. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Thevetia peruviana
Lucky Nut
Most often grown as a shrub, but Lucky Nut can be trained to become a small tree in mild-winter regions. Dense foliage allows it to be a superior background plant. Yellow to peach-colored flowers are slightly fragrant. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Ungnadia speciosa
Mexican Buckeye
Mexican Buckeye can be grown as a small multitrunked tree or shrub. Rose-pink flowers are fragrant and appear before leaves emerge in spring. Yellow fall color. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Vauquelinia californica
Arizona Rosewood
Arizona Rosewood is an unassuming shrub or small tree that is easy to grow and excellent as a background plant to lower-growing flowering plants, or as a screen. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Viguiera stenoloba
Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye
Small shrub for foreground or blended with native perennials in a naturalistic setting. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet. Photo courtesy of Mountain States Wholesale Nursery.
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Vitex agnus-castus
Chaste Tree
Chaste Tree can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Makes a broad screen, although leaves drop in winter. Selections are available with pink or white flowers. Canopy coverage: 491 square feet.
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Xylosma congestum
Xylosma
A time-honored, versatile plant with many uses: screen, hedge, espalier or small tree. 'Compacta' reaches a mature size of about one-half the species. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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