Abelia x grandiflora

Glossy Abelia

Many selections of Glossy Abelia are available in a range of different flower colors. May be semievergreen in cold climates at 15F. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.

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Abutilon palmerii

Desert Abutilon, Indian Mallow

The open, casual form of Superstition Mallow lends itself to a naturalistic, subtropical effect. Velvety leaves are soft to the touch. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.

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Acacia constricta

White Thorn Acacia

White Thorn Acacia can be grown as a tree or shrub—often with multiple trunks. Casual growth habit works well in naturalistic landscapes. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Acacia covenyi

Blue Bush

Use Blue Bush as a small tree or large screen. You'll like the distinctive, bluish gray foliage color and 3-inch, rounded leaves. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Bright yellow flowers are fragrant and bloom early in the season. Avoid overwatering, especially in summer. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Acacia craspedocarpa

Leatherleaf Acacia

The shrubby tree form of Leatherleaf Acacia works well as a dense screen. Leaves are thick with a rounded shape. Bloom is sporadic from spring through summer. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.

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Acacia cultriformis

Knife Acacia, Knife-leaf Wattle

A sprawling shrub that can be trained to become a small tree, Knife Acacia has distinctive triangular-shaped leaves. Yellow to cream, puffball flowers are profuse in early to midspring. Makes a good barrier or screen. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Acacia greggii

Cat-claw Acacia

Cat-claw Acacia is easy to maintain as a shrub form. Requires little water. However, additional irrigation increases growth, which allows pruning to create a small tree. Curved thorns are the reason behind its common name, making it an excellent barrier plant. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.

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Acca sellowiana

Pineapple Guava

Pineapple Guava can be grown as small tree, hedge or screen. Unusual fleshy fruit are edible. Gray-green leaves are woolly white underneath. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.

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Aesculus californica

California Buckeye

This California native appears almost subtropical in appearance with large palmate leaves. Use as a dense shrub or small tree. Normal height and width is 20 to 25 feet, but trees sometimes get much larger. Plumes of showy fragrant flowers adorn plants in spring. Note that the large, ornamental plant seeds are reported to be poisonous; pollen is poisonous to bees. Canopy coverage: 491 square feet.

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Alyogyne huegelii

Blue Hibiscus

This flowering shrub is better with afternoon shade in hot-summer regions. Hibiscus-like flowers are large—up to 4 inches across. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.

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Amelanchier alnifolia

Saskatoon, Western Serviceberry

Grown as a upright, multistemmed shrub or small tree, Saskatoon is a desirable plant, with fragrant flowers, edible berries and brilliant, yellow and red fall color. Improved selections are available that are preferred if the primary goal is to harvest the edible berries. 'Regent' is a compact selection, reaching just 6 feet high when mature. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.

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Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii

Flame Honeysuckle

The growth habit of Flame Honeysuckle can range from rounded to irregular. 'Mexican Fire' is an improved selection, producing deep red flowers. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.

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Anisodontea x hypomandarum

Cape Mallow

Cape Mallow is appreciated for its fast growth and almost year-round flowers. May be shortlived. Sometimes available at nurseries as a "patio tree" form. Prune lightly to maintain appearance. Selections to look for include 'Tara's Pink', 'Tara's Wonder' and 'Slightly Strawberry'. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Arbutus unedo

Strawberry Tree

An adaptable tree or shrub, known to do well in lawns. Best with some sun protection (afternoon shade) in hot desert and inland areas. Becomes an attractive tree with age, with interesting form and rugged brown bark. Edible, ball-shaped fruit follow flowers in late winter. They can be messy on pavement. Smaller selections include 'Elfin King' and 'Compacta'. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.

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Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet'

Emerald Carpet Manzanita

this Manzanita is admired for its general good looks throughout the year. The dense, compact growth due to its tightly packed, small, glossy dark green leaves make it a fine choice as a groundcover or small shrub. Best with afternoon shade in hot inland regions. Prune only to remove dead branches. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.

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Arctostaphylos 'Sunset'

Sunset Manzanita

This is an easy-to-grow, dense, mounding shrub. New growth of Sunset Manzanita is coppery red, turning bright green. Attractions include the shredding bark, with contrasting light brown (mature) and rich brown (new) shades. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn'

Howard McMinn Manzanita

Provide this shrub with soil that has good drainage. Accepts low summer water but slow, deep infrequent irrigations are recommended. Striking bark color is mahogany with a purplish hue. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.

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Arctostaphylos edmundsii

Little Sur Manzanita

Little Sur Manzanita is a California native that grows as a mounding groundcover or small shrub. It requires little summer water after it is established. Flowers of light pink and white are borne in clusters in late winter and early spring. Prefers afternoon shade in hot inland regions. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

Powis Castle Wormwood

A prime back of the border or background plant, 'Powis Castle' Wormwood sets the stage for flowering plants in the foreground. Foliage is fragrant. Easy to prune to control size. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.

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Artemisia absinthium

Common Wormwood

Use as a blending element with brightly colored flowers in the border or in combination. Leaves produce a pungent scent. Requires well-drained soil. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.

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Artemisia californica

California Sagebrush

A fine-textured shrub that is utilitarian in its use. Accepts tough conditions and little water once established; avoid watering during summer. Makes a fine habitat for wildlife, particularly birds. Foliage is aromatic when crushed. Flowers are inconspicuous. Canopy coverage: 38 square feet.

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