Cuphea hyssopifolia
False Heather, Mexican Heather
The needlelike leaves of this subshrub create a compact plant that is similar in appearance to true Heather. Flowers bloom through the warm season. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Dalea frutescens
Black Dalea
Rounded form. Flowers bloom in winter when they are more appreciated. Needs well drained soil; do not overwater. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Dalea pulchra
Pink Indigo Bush
Admired for its appealing, upright, open form. Small purple flowers bloom at tips of stems. Needs well drained soil; do not overwater. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Dendromecon harfordii
Island Bush Poppy
This is a popular California native shrub, grown for its dense, blue-green leaves and large yellow flowers that are most profuse in spring. Can grow tall to become treelike with time. Requires well draining soil. Roots are delicate; handle carefully when planting. Be judicious with summer watering. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Dendromecon rigida
Tree Poppy, Bush Poppy
Similar to its cousin, Island Bush Poppy, Tree Poppy is also a native California shrub. Flowers are similar but tend to be a bit smaller. Also requires well draining soil with no summer irrigation. Plants are evergreen but become deciduous (drop leaves) with drought conditions. Roots are delicate; handle carefully when planting. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Deutzia gracilis
Slender Deutzia
Slender Deutzia is a subshrub, or small shrub, that grows in a dense, rounded form. Flowers are fragrant and bloom in clusters during late spring and early summer. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Diplacus longiflorus
Southern Monkey Flower
Large flowers of this Monkey Flower are an attraction. Flower color is variable. Better with some afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Also see Mimulus aurantiacus. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Dodonaea viscosa
Hop Bush
Hopbush makes an excellent dense screen in a short time. It can also be trained to become a small tree. Plants can be shortlived. Also consider Purple Hopseed Bush, which has striking bronze-colored leaves. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Dorycnium hirsutum
Ice Alpine
This subshrub produces clusters of white flowers veined with pink from summer into fall. It is extremely drought tolerant. Cut plants back before new spring growth to renew. Often used as a "spiller" plant, draping over rocks, ledges or along the edges of paths. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Duranta erecta
Skyflower
Form is sprawling, allowing plant stems to mingle easily with other nearby plants. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Fruit that look like golden beads follow the late spring, wisterialike flowers are poisonous to people but loved by birds. 'Sweet Memory' is an improved selection that is thornless. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Echium candicans
Pride of Maderia
A fast-growing shrub with dramatic flowers, Pride of Madeira is an easy choice for the landscape. Excellent on slopes. Plants can be shortlived, so be aware of the need to replace plants after about 5 years, maybe longer. It is known to reseed and can be invasive in certain situations. Remove spent flowers to help prevent unwanted plants. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Encelia californica
Coastal Encelia, California Bush Sunflower
A mounding shrub that remains small in stature, enabling its use in multiple landscape situations. Accepts full sun but best to provide afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Daisylike flowers are most profuse in spring and bloom sporadically the rest of the year. Plants are evergreen but drop their leaves under drought conditions. Summer irrigations can help prevent. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Encelia farinosa
Brittlebush
Excellent for natural landscapes, but can be short-lived. Accepts the toughest conditions. Silvery gray leaves provide contrast to green-foliaged plants. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Ephedra viridis
Mormon Tea
A shrub for tough conditions, accepting of drought and rocky soils. Well-suited to a naturalistic garden. Leafless stems present a unique look to the landscape. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Epilobium canum garrettii
Hummingbird Trumpet
Hummingbird Trumpet is a colorful, low-growing subshrub (small shrub) that can also serve as a groundcover. Ideal for a naturalistic garden. Strong blooming period comes on late in the season when color is not as common so it is more appreciated. It may be sold as Zauschneria. 'Orange Carpet' is an improved selection. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Epilobium latifolia johnstonii
Bush California Fuchsia
Bush California Fuchsia is one of those plants who's name (genus and species) has been in a constant state of change. May be sold as Zauschneria. Extremely profuse flowering produces a red-orange carpet of color. Strong blooming period comes on late in the season when color is not as common. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Eremophila maculata var. brevifolia
Red Eremophila
The rounded form of Red Eremophila works well as a small shrub or tall groundcover. Red, tubular-shaped flowers are loved by hummingbirds and provide welcome winter color. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Ericameria laricifolia
Turpentine Bush
Mounding, low-growing form allows use as small shrub or groundcover. Small daisylike flowers borne in clusters are profuse late summer into winter. Foliage emits distinctive scent when brushed. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat
This is common Buckwheat, which is highly drought tolerant. Grows larger than Arizona Buckwheat, also described here. Form is variable, from open when grown inland to more dense and compact along the coast. White, pink or cream flowers age to an attractive rusty red. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Dana Point'
Dana Point Buckwheat
This California native grows as dense, mounding shrub-groundcover. Leaves are bright green, bringing a bright spot to the landscape. After new plants are established, reduce or eliminate summer watering. Accepts almost any soil. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Euryops pectinatus 'Viridis'
Green Gold
This easy-to-grow flowering perennial can do double duty as a small shrub. Best with afternoon shade in hot-summer regions. 'Viridis' is an improved selection with yellow daisylike flowers to 2 inches across. Leaves are a darker green color compared to the species. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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