Caifornia Flannelbush¹ Fremontodendron californicm

Yellow flowers put on attractive display in May and June as flowers bloom all at once. Leathery leaves are dark green above, fuzzy beneath. This shrub needs good drainage, and hillside planting is the best with staking when young. Needs no dry-season watering.

Plant size: 10-20' high x 20-25' wide

Toyon³ Heteromeles arbutifolia

This shrub benefits from trimming to keep its form. Thick, leathery leaves are a glossy green. Small clusters of white flowers bloom June to July. Birds are attracted to the bright red berries hat form in clusters, from November - January. Drought tolerant, but looks better with periodic watering.

Plant size: 8-20' high x 20' wide

Hollyleaf Cherry¹ Prunus ilicifolia

This shrub is usually broader than high. The mature foliage is a deep, rich green that resembles holly leaves and contrasts with new leaves that are a light green. Creamy white flower spikes appear in March and bear colorful edible fruits that attract birds and wildlife. Does best in coarse, well-drained soils and requires no summer irrigation in normal rainfall years once it is established.

Plant size: 3-20' high x 10' wide

Coast Silktassel¹Garrya elliptica

An excellent foliage plant, this shrub is dense with elliptical, wavy-edged leaves, dark green above, gray and woolly beneath. Clustered flower tassels bloom on both male and female plants from December to February. Both plants must be present to produce grapelike clusters of purple fruit from June to September. Does best with some summer watering.

Plant size: 20' high x 15' wide.

Photo Credit:
1 Br. Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College, 1995
3Beatrice F. Howitt, California Academy of Sciences, 1999

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