Cercocarpus ledifolius

Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany

Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany makes a suitable background plant. It can be trained to become a small tree to show off its rich, reddish brown bark. The small white flowers remind one of roses. Plant in well drained soil. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Chaenomeles speciosa

Flowering Quince

Flowering Quince produces dramatic flowers early in spring but cold temperatures can damage them. Form is a rounded, broad-spreading shrub that can be variable in size, peaking at about 10 feet high and 10 feet wide. Fruit is edible and valued for preserves. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Chilopsis linearis

Desert Willow

Desert Willow is a bulletproof tree for hot-summer regions. Weeping form is appealing, as are the spring flowers. Long brown to tan seedpods add interest in winter. Many selections are available in a range of colors. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.

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Chionanthus virginicus

Fringe Tree

Fringe Tree can be grown as a small tree or shrub. Its name stems from the delicate, somewhat fragrant flowers that are borne in airy clusters late in spring. Yellow fall color. Birds enjoy the olivelike fruits in late summer. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.

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Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Sticky Rabbitbush

A somewhat weedy small shrub, Sticky Rabbitbrush typically remains smaller than the maximum height listed here. It gets its name from its sticky flowers. Commonly used to revegetate disturbed areas. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.

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Cistus x purpureus

Orchid Rock Rose

Leaves of Orchid Rock Rose are dark green above, grayish beneath. The large flowers have a distinctive red spot on each petal. Its casual growth habit is a good choice for naturalistic landscapes. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.

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Cistus x skanbergii

Pink Rock Rose

Pink Rock Rose is a dense, compact, sun-loving shrub that produces profuse amounts of small, light pink flowers during spring and into summer. Soft gray-green leaves provide an ideal backdrop. Cut back late in summer for more flowers during fall. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.

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Citrus species

Citrus

Citrus comprise an extremely wide range of fruiting trees and shrubs. Each species has its own unique size, fruiting periods, cold hardiness and climate adaptations. There is not enough space here to provide complete information. Generally cold hardy from 25F to 32F, with limes being the most cold sensitive to frost. Oranges, mandarins and kumquats are among the most cold hardy. When irrigating Citrus, water away from the trunk and apply near the tree's dripline. See photo. Maintain regular irrigations for fruit production. Average canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Cleome isomeris

Bladderpod

Bladderpod is a tough, small shrub that can be grown from seed to revegetate disturbed areas. Interesting inflated green capsules follow the snapdragonlike flowers. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Comarostaphylis diversifolia

Summer Holly

An uncommon California native grown as a low maintenance tree or shrub. Known to have a very slow growth rate. Spring flowers that look like tiny white bells are followed by bumpy, red fruit. Accepts full sun only along the coast; in hotter locations provide afternoon shade. Requires zero summer watering after plants live through their first year. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Condea emoryi

Desert Lavender

All parts of this shrub emit a lavender scent that is more noticeable when brushed. Plant form is open and upright, the silvery gray foliage blending well with other desert-adapted plants. Flowers most profuse in spring and may bloom sporadically during summer and fall. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.

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Coprosma x kirkii

Coprosma

Grown primarily as a mounding shrub but also useful as a groundcover or bank cover. Provide with some shade in hot summer regions. Small, 1-inch leaves blanket the plant. Maintain dense foliage by pruning plants regularly. 'Variegata' has gray-green leaves trimmed in white. Its mature height is lower, to 2 feet high. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Cordia boissieri

Texas Olive

Large leaves and showy flowers provide a subtropical appearance. Semievergreen in cold climates. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Cordia parvifolia

Little Leaf Cordia

The small white flowers of Little Leaf Cordia are borne in clusters. Semievergreen in cold climates. Makes an effective casual screen. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Cordyline australis

Giant Dracaena

This yuccalike plant can serve just about any landscape function, depending on its age and how it is maintained. Young plants present as a fountain of long, straplike leaves. Tiny fragrant flowers bloom in clusters in late spring. With time, it can become a tree form with tall, slender, upright trunks. Selections are available in a wide range of dramatic foliage colors. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.

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Cotinus coggygria

Smoke Tree

Smoke Tree is a tree or shrub grown for its colorful foliage rather than flowers. The interesting "flower puffs" are actually faded flowers. Fall color in shades of yellow and orange is an attraction. 'Royal Purple' is a popular selection; additional selections are available with foliage in different colors. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Cotoneaster apiculatus

Cranberry Cotoneaster

Grow Cranberry Cotoneaster as a shrub, mounding groundcover or bank cover. Leaves are small and round, dark green, turning deep red in fall. Reddish orange fruit that look similar to large cranberries appear in fall. Accepts most any soil, even poor soil, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Cotoneaster dammeri

Bearberry Cotoneaster

Bearberry Cotoneaster is a reliable groundcover, remaining low to the ground while spreading wide. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Orange-red berries adorn plants in late summer. Reddish bronze fall color. Popular selections are 'Coral Beauty' and 'Lowfast'. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Cotoneaster divaricatus

Spreading Cotoneaster

Spreading Cotoneaster is a shrub with wide-spreading, arching, upright branches. The shiny, oval, dark green leaves are attractive. Dark red berries in profusion follow the late spring flowers. Accepts most any soil, even poor soil, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.

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Cotoneaster multiflorus

Many Flowered Cotoneaster

This is a broad, rounded shrub that spreads wider than its height. The large oval leaves transition from blue-green to shades of yellow, red and orange in fall. Bright red fruit are an attractive feature in summer. Accepts almost any soil, even poor soil, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Crassula ovata

Jade Plant

Jade Plant is a popular and easy to grow succulent that can reach medium-sized shrub proportions. Also grown as a easy-care houseplant in regions with freezing temperatures. A fine candidate for container culture outdoors, then move to shelter before winter cold comes on. Easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Supply with well-draining soil and do not overwater. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.

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