Justicia californica
Chuparosa
Chuparosa may be semievergreen in colder climates. Brightly colored flowers are appreciated as winter turns to spring. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Justicia spicigera
Mexican Honeysuckle
Accepts morning sun in hot-summer areas but best with filtered sun such as beneath canopy trees. Large, soft leaves evoke a subtropical effect. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Keckiella antirrhinoides
Yellow Bush Snapdragon, Yellow Bush Penstemon
An arching, evergreen shrub that goes drought deciduous (drops leaves) during dry summers. Plant in well draining soil; water only occasionally in summer. Flowers are large, to 4 inches long, fragrant, and attract many forms of wildlife. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Lagerstroemia indica
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle can be successfully grown as a tree or shrub. It offers interest all year—flowers summer into to fall, fall color, and interesting sculptural branches during winter after leaves fall. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.
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Larrea tridentata
Creosote Bush
Creosote Bush is truly a shrub that speaks of the desert. It emits that unique desert sense of place scent after a rain. Use as a character plant for the toughest conditions. Highly drought tolerant but better appearance with occasional summer irrigations. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Laurus nobilis
Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay
The leaf of this plant is the classic bay leaf used in cooking. It can be grown as a tree or shrub. Adapts well to container culture, helpful when below-freezing temperatures are forecast. Simply move plants to a protected location. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
English Lavender
English Lavender is the most common Lavender and considered to be one of the easiest to grow. Flowers are highly fragrant. The species is shrublike and reaches 3 feet high and as wide. 'Munstead' is a dwarf form that grows to 1-1/2 feet high and as wide. Also look for 'Hidcote', with deep purple flowers. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Lavatera maritima
Tree Mallow, Sea Mallow
A fast-growing, mounding shrub that fills in nicely at a rapid rate. However, plants are shortlived and typically require replacement after five years or so. The large, 2- to 3-inch flowers are profuse and bloom practically year-round. Accepts pruning and shaping. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Leonotis leonurus
Lion's Tail
Lion's Tail is a widely adapted shrubby perennial. Care depends on region where it is grown. If damaged by winter cold, plants are treated as large perennials and usually regrow from the crown. Prune plants back after flowering to renew flowering wood. Accepts dry summer conditions. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Leptospermum scoparium
Tea Tree
This Australian native can be grown as a shrub or tree. Plant in soil that has good drainage. Needlelike leaves are aromatic and accept pruning and shaping. Flowers are profuse and bloom in bright colors of pink, red, burgundy and white. Many selections of this species are available, including dwarf and compact plants—check locally. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Leucophyllum x 'Heavenly Cloud'
Heavenly Cloud Texas Ranger
This selection is a hybrid of 'Green Cloud' and the species Leucophyllum laevigatum. It is reputed to be a fast grower with profuse flowers in summer with heat and humidity. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Leucophyllum candidum 'Thundercloud'
Violet Silverleaf
Violet Silverleaf is an excellent, low-growing shrub for small spaces. Silvery leaves contrast nicely against its violet-purple flowers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Leucophyllum frutescens
Texas Ranger
This is the original Texas Ranger, which has grayish leaves. Look for improved selection 'Green Cloud' with light green leaves. 'White Cloud' produces white flowers. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Leucophyllum frutescens 'Compacta'
Compact Texas Ranger
The original Texas Ranger has grayish leaves. 'Compacta' is a smaller version, and grows to 3 feet high. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Leucophyllum frutescens 'Green Cloud'
Green Cloud Texas Ranger
The original Texas Ranger has grayish leaves. Look for improved selection 'Green Cloud' with light green leaves. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Leucophyllum frutescens 'Silver Cloud'
Silver Cloud Texas Ranger
The original Texas Ranger has grayish leaves. Look for improved selection 'Silver Cloud' with silvery gray leaves. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Leucophyllum frutescens 'White Cloud'
White Cloud Texas Ranger
The original Texas Ranger has grayish leaves. Look for improved selection 'White Cloud', which produces white flowers. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Leucophyllum laevigatum
Chihuahuan Rain Sage
Chihuahuan Sage is a rounded, wide-spreading shrub. Flowers are fragrant. Avoid heavy pruning to get more flowers. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Leucophyllum langmaniae
Cinnamon Sage
Cinnamon Sage has a rounded form that is evergreen and similar to other Texas Rangers, but this species tends to be more dense. 'Rio Bravo' is an improved selection. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Leucophyllum langmaniae 'Lynn's Legacy'
Lynn's Legacy Texas Ranger
This Texas Ranger produces a dense, rounded evergreen shrub. It is reported that it doesn't require changes in humidity to prompt flowering, so expect more flowers during summer. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Lonicera x heckrottii
Goldflame Honeysuckle
Goldflame Honeysuckle grows as a twisting form that can be semievergreen or deciduous and grown as a vine or small shrub. Flowers are fragrant. 'Goldflame' is an improved selection. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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