Photinia serratifolia

Chinese Photinia

A versatile tree or perhaps more commonly grown as a large, spreading shrub. Prune to maintain desired size and form. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. New growth is light green to coppery bronze, then turns dark to medium green. Showy red berries follow spring flowers and adorn the plant for a long time. Susceptible to mildew along the coast. Canopy coverage (tree form): 707 square feet.

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Photinia x fraseri

Redtip Photinia

Redtip Photinia makes an excellent screen or background planting. New growth in early spring is bright coppery red, which gradually turns medium green. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.

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Pinus mugo 'Slowmound'

Slowmound Mugo Pine

Mugo Pine is a highly variable species. Best to select known cultivars such as 'Slowmound' to get the size and shape you want. Avoid the temptation to prune or shape plants; allow the natural mounding form to shine through. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Pinus mugo mugus

Mugo Pine

Mugo Pine is a highly variable species. Select from among the dozens of named varieties and cultivars. Popular selections include 'Mops', 'Big Tuna' and 'Tannenbaum'. Avoid the temptation to prune or shape plants and allow the natural mounding form to shine through. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Pistacia lentiscus

Mastic Tree

Well adapted as a large shrub or screen with its wide spreading form, or train into a small tree. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.

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Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf'

Wheeler's Dwarf

Pittosporum tobira, Mock Orange, grows as a large shrub to several feet high. 'Wheeler's Dwarf' is much smaller—to just 2 feet high. It prefers filtered shade such as beneath a canopy tree. Dense growth and small stature make it a good choice as a foreground plant. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.

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Platycladus orientalis 'Aureus'

Golden Arborvitae

Golden Arborvitae is an evergreen shrub often seen in older gardens. Plants can become quite large. Dwarf selections to 3 feet high are available. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Platycladus orientalis

Oriental Arborvitae

This is a popular evergreen grown as a tree or shrub. The Oriental Arborvitae species produces an open, pyramidal habit. Soft, scalelike leaves present in flat, fanlike sections. 'Aurea Nana' features yellow-gold foliage, growing as a globe-shaped shrub to 5 feet high or more. Accepts sandy to heavy clay soils, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Plumbago auriculata

Cape Plumbago, Cape Leadwort

The slender, vining branches of Cape Plumbago create a mounding shrub or groundcover. It is cold hardy to about 15F although foliage is damaged at 25F. However, plant regrows quickly the following spring. Sometimes grown as a houseplant that vacations outdoors during summer. Attractive flowers are in bloom for a long period. Select a cultivar such as 'Royal Cape' or 'Imperial Blue' for deeper blue blooms. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Plumbago scandens

White Desert Plumbago

White Desert Plumbago is a sprawling shrub or groundcover that prefers some afternoon shade in hot-summer regions. Flowers are white and profuse in summer, lending a cooling effect. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet. Photo courtesy Mountain States Wholesale Nursery.

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Poliomintha maderensis

Lavender Spice

Leaves offer seasoning taste and fragrance of oregano. Flowers change colors with time, going from lavender, to purple to white. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.

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Potentilla fruticosa

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Shrub Cinquefoil is available in a wide range of selections with many flower colors and bloom periods to choose from, although most flowers come in shades of yellow. Somewhat irregular branches form an open, rounded shrub. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.

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Prosopis pubescens

Screwbean Mesquite

Screwbean Mesquite can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree. Thorny—prune with caution. Very low water use but improved appearance with additional water. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.

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Psorothamnus spinosus

Desert Smoke Tree

The natural habitat of Desert Smoke Tree is along desert washes. Accepts low water, but occasional deep irrigations will improve plant appearance. May be hard to find plants but worth the search. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Punica granatum

Pomegranate

Pomegranate can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Edible fruit is a primary attraction. If fruit is the goal provide more water during summer. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.

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Punica granatum 'Nana'

Dwarf Pomegranate

Nana' is a dwarf selection ideal for small spaces, growing to 3 feet high and as wide. Unlike the species, the fruit is not edible. Bright red to orange flowers add color in spring. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.

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Purshia mexicana

Mexican Cliffrose

Mexican Cliffrose makes a nice evergreen background for smaller flowering plants. Roselike flowers are fragrant. Plumed seedheads add interest in summer. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Pyracantha angustifolia

Narrowleaf Firethorn

A large shrub with thorny branches, Narrowleaf Firethorn works well as a screen or barrier plant. White flowers in late spring are followed by clusters of orange berries. They remain on the plant into winter. 'Yukon Belle' is a superior selection. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.

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Pyracantha crenatoserrata

Pyracantha

Pyracantha is a triple-threat shrub, with attractive evergreen leaves, clusters of white spring flowers, and long-lasting orange-red berries in fall and winter. Be aware of its large thorns, which can serve nicely as a security barrier; avoid locating near traffic areas. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Pyracantha koidzumii

Formosa Pyracantha

Its casual growth habit requires some pruning to keep within bounds. Red berries are profuse in fall and are loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Quercus ilex

Holly Oak

Holly Oak can be grown as a tree or shrub, and actually makes a nice screen or hedge when planted close together. Canopy coverage: 1,963 square feet.

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