Teucrium fruticans

This plant has loosely-branching silvery stems, gray-green leaves, and lavender flowers for most of the year.

Trachelospermum asiaticum

Evergreen, vining groundcover up to 20 feet across. Has glossy, dark green leaves and pale yellow, pinwheel-shaped flowers with a jasmine scent.

Rubus pentalobus

Forms a highly textured, evergreen ground cover that supresses weeds. Foliage can turn a beautiful scarlet color in fall. Yellow, raspberry-like fruit is edible fresh or in preserves.

Salvia leucophylla

A California native with graceful silvery-green leaves, arching branches, and whorls of purple flowers in the spring and summer.

Teucrium chamaedrys or lucidrys

This plant can be sheared into a neat groundcover or allowed to grow to full height (about one foot), and produces lavender flowers in the spring. Compact cultivars are available. Deer resistant.

Osteospermum fruticosum

Produces copious cheerful flowers, even under the harshest conditions. Grows well along the coast.

Pachysandra terminalis

Grows more slowly than Vinca spp. and Hedera spp., but has a crisp, neat growth form. New foliage is bright green, changing to dark green with age. Small white flowers on 1-2 inch spikes. Withstands shade and is widely used under trees. Variegated cultivars are available. Deer resistant.

Drosanthemum floribundum

A succulent with silver-gray leaves and an abundance of pink flowers. Tolerates some salt spray.

Helleborus foetidus

Unusual foliage and delicate, complex flowers. The intriguing pale green and purple flowers often have a pleasant fragrance.

Heuchera maxima

This evergreen groundcover has heart-shaped leaves and thin, bell-shaped, pink and white flowers that hang gracefully from thin stalks. Fire resistant.

Campanula poscharskyana

Produces a profusion of lilac-blue, star-shaped flowers spring to fall. Grows quickly and easily, but could overwhelm a carefully manicured garden. Deer resistant.

Delosperma cooperi

A non-invasive iceplant with smaller, succulent leaves and brilliant violet-pink flowers May through October. Salt tolerant. Fire resistant.

‘Powis Castle’ Artemisia

This handsome plant has finely divided, gray foliage that grows to three feet tall. Lush and quick growing, it is best for an informal garden.

Asarum caudatum

A California native, this evergreen groundcover has heart-shaped leaves and unusual maroon flowers.

Bergenia cordifolia

An evergreen groundcover, with large, dark green leaves, and clusters of bright, deep pink flowers.

Muhlenbergia lindheimeri

This large, dependable, and showy ornamental grass has blue-gray foliage and flowering spikes in the fall and winter. Good in poor soils, it grows up to five feet tall. Works well as a specimen plant or massed into an attractive border.

Nolina bigelovii

This agave can be mistaken for a large bunchgrass. Grows up to six feet tall, producing large, striking, white flowers in summer.

Carex spissa

This large sedge has a form similar to that of an ornamental grass. Produces gray leaves to five feet tall and yellow, grass-like flowers in the spring. Deer resistant.

Chondropetalum tectorum

This decorative, "grass-like" plant produces attractive flowers that are ideal in cut flower arrangements. Grows three to four feet tall.

Viburnum suspensum

This evergreen shrub produces tight clusters of small, waxy, pinkish-white flowers that give way to bright red berries. Several compact varieties are available. Deer resistant.

Rhamnus crocea

Medium evergreen California native shrub. Grows 4 to 10 feet tall, as wide as it is tall. Tight clusters of small, waxy, pinkish-white flowers give way to beautiful red berries in springtime. Several compact varieties are available.

Ribes aureum

A California native, this shrub has a profusion of bright yellow flowers that turn into edible berries suitable for jams and jellies. Birds and butterflies love this plant. Deer resistant. Fire resistant.

Phlomis fruticosa

A dependable, silvery-leaved shrub with whorls of yellow flowers that will thrive in any well-drained soil. Deer resistant.

Jasminum nudiflorum

Arching green stems and bright yellow flowers that bloom in winter characterize this deciduous shrub. Deer resistant.

Kerria japonica

Golden yellow flowers first appear in spring on this graceful shrub, and continue into summer. Stems remain bright green in winter after leaves fall. Deer resistant.

Eriogonum giganteum

A California native, this freely branching, grayish-white shrub has white flowers that attract butterflies. Could overwhelm a carefully maicured garden.

Feijoa sellowiana

This evergreen shrub has scarlet and white flowers, as delicious as they are beautiful, and waxy blue-green fruits with a minty-pineapple flavor. It is easily shaped into a small tree. Deer resistant.

Forsythia

Often the first plant to bloom in the spring, forsythia produces an astounding display of bright yellow flowers. Dozens of cultivars are available. Grows quickly.

Galvezia speciosa

A California native, this shrub has arching branches that increase in height up to eight feet tall. Produces copious red flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds.

Heteromeles arbutifolia

This California native is an evergreen shrub that produces delicate white flowers and large clusters of brilliant red berries that birds love. Can be pruned into a small tree. Deer resistant. Fire resistant.

Hypericum rowallane

This shrub produces bright yellow flowers through summer and fall. Tolerates poor soil. Deer resistant.

Citrus mitus

A natural hybrid between the tangerine and kumquat. Evergreen with shiny green leaves, and small, fragrant, waxy white flowers followed by long-lasting, bright orange fruits that make great marmalade.

Arbutus unedo

A gorgeous, evergreen tree available in compact, shrub-like varieties that are easy to grow. It produces masses of beautiful white flowers and textured, strawberry-like fruits. Can be managed as either a shrub, with screening ability if left unpruned, or a tree.

Tristaniopsis laurina

Formal plant; can be trained as a single or multistemmed tree. Mahogany-colored bark peels, revealing new, satiny white bark beneath. Yellow flowers produce a good show. Can be slow-growing. Damaged by very cold winters. Try cultivar 'Elegant'. Evergreen. Zones: 15-24. Height: To 45 ft. Width: 5-30 ft.

Quercus macrocarpa

Rugged-looking tree with flaky grayish bark. Long, deeply-lobed leaves are glossy green. Large, distinctive acorns covered in fringed cap. Tolerant of poor conditions. Acorns can be a trip hazard. Deciduous. Zones: 1-11, 14-23. Height: 60-75 ft., equally wide when mature.

Styrax japonicus

Slender, graceful trunk. Broad crown. Leaves may turn red or yellow in fall. Delicate, fragrant, white flowers hang below leaves, creating a layered effect. Deciduous. Zones: 4-9, 14-21. Height: 30 ft., narrow in youth, wide in maturity.

Taxodium distichum

Delicate, feathery foliage sprays turn reddish-brown before dropping in the fall. Tolerates drought or very wet conditions, and any but the most alkaline soil. Trunk can be buttressed at the base. No pests or diseases. Easy to plant and care for. Tolerates any amount of water. Deciduous. Zones: 2-10, 12-24. Height: 50-70 ft. Width: 20-30 ft.

Michelia doltsopa

Prune to create a narrow, upright tree. Furry brown buds open to cream or white blossoms. Thin, leathery, dark green leaves are red underneath. Evergreen. Zones 15-24. Height: To 25 ft.

Lagerstroemia spp.

Stunning tree; great in a hot area. Showy summer flowers in hot pink, white, lavender, and other colors typically give way to brilliant fall foliage. Somewhat susceptible to aphids. Not the best choice for coastal locations. Deciduous. Zones: Varies by hybrid. Height: 8-25 ft., varies by hybrid.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Straight, columnar trunk with a tall, pyramidal crown. Unique lyre-shaped leaves. Foliage starts bright green, turns bright yellow in fall. Tulip-shaped flowers in late spring are interesting but not showy. Beautiful large shade or lawn tree. Likes slightly acidic, well-drained soil and plenty of room. Deciduous. Zones: 2-12, 14-24. Height: 60-80 ft. Width: To 40 ft.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Soft, pale green needles turn reddish-brown before falling in autumn, leaving a beautiful winter silhouette. Grows very fast when young. Older trees have fluted trunks. Resistant to oak root fungus. Not suitable for very arid regions or the coast. Deciduous. Zones: 3-10, 14-24. Height: To 90 ft. Width: To 20 ft.

Elaeocarpus decipiens

New leaves rusty and hairy, turning smooth and bright green. Old leaves turn red before dropping. Blooms with tiny, scented, white flowers in clusters followed by small, blue-black, edible fruits. Likes rich, well-drained soil. Needs little pruning. Evergreen. Zones: 8-9, 14-24. Height: 30-60 ft. Width: 20-30 ft.

Eriobotrya deflexa

Fast-growing and easily trained. New leaves emerge bright copper before turning green. Bunches of creamy white flowers in spring. Easy to plant and care for. Requires well-drained soil. Can be subject to fireblight. Evergreen. Zones: 8-24. Height: 12-30 ft. Width: 15-30 ft.

Eucalyptus nicholii

One of the cleanest, most graceful eucalyptus, with weeping branches and not too much litter. Crushed leaves smell a bit like peppermint. Furrowed, rich, reddish-brown bark. Damaged by very cold winters. Evergreen. Zones: 5, 6, 8-24. Height: 36-48 ft. Width: 15-36 ft.

Calliandra tweedii

A small tree or shrub with leaves similar to scarlet wisteria and bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds and bloom all summer.

Cassia leptophylla

Brilliant yellow flowers grace this tree throughout the summer, becoming attractive seed pods similar to those of scarlet wisteria. Larger than Sesbania, up to 25 feet tall.

Chionanthus retusus

Blooms like clouds of the whitest, feathery flowers. Handsome bark provides winter interest. Will grow in most central California environments. The olive-like fruits can be a litter problem. May produce a significant amount of pollen. Deciduous. Zones: 3-9, 14-24. Height: To 20 ft., not quite as wide.

Cornus mas

A small tree that produces bright yellow flowers, which become bright red, edible berries that birds enjoy. Leaves may turn red and purple in fall.

Sagittaria spp.

Pond Margin or Bog . Striking arrow-shaped leaves and white flowers. Grows in moist soil or water 6 inches or more deep. S. latifolia grows 12 to 20 inches; S. montevidensis to 4 feet. Also try S. lancifolia (white swan or red swan) for a specimen plant with green or red stems and a 7-foot flower spike.

Mimulus aquatics

Pond Margin or Bog. Annual or perennial. Fills out a 4 feet x 4 feet space in spring and summer. May die back then return the next year. Yellow flowers with reddish spots resemble snapdragons. Hummingbirds like it; deer don't. Also try M. cardinalis for red flowers.

Nuphar polysepalum

Floating or Rooted Emergent Plants. A native plant with a dramatic yellow flower and round leaves up to a foot in diameter. Foliage is submerged in winter and emerges in spring. May take more effort to find for sale.

Polygonum amphibium

Submerged Plants. A versatile, creeping plant that does well in water depths ranging from moist soil to 4 feet of water over the crown. Long, narrow, floating leaves, and bright-pink flowers.

Pontedaria cordata

Pond Margins. Heart-shaped leaves surround dramatic flower spikes. Excellent filtration ability. Place in containers in 1 foot of water. 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 2 1/2 feet wide.

Iris ensata

Pond Margin or Bog

Iris laevigata

Pond Margin or Bog. A true water-loving iris that will do well in 6 inches of water. Flowers in white, purple, lavender, and pink. Yellow-blooming varieties are available, but rare. Leaves to 18 inches tall.

Iris missouriensis

Pond Margins. A native iris with flowers ranging from white to blue to lavender. Leaves to 2 feet tall. Likes open, sunny, moist areas. Smaller in scale than yellowflag iris.

Iris sibirica

Pond Margin or Bog.

Juncus effusus

Ligularia wilsoniana

Pond Margin or Bog. A tall and showy wetland perennial with spikes of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. Stems grow to six feet tall.

Lobelia spp

Pond Margin Plants. A spectacular blooming bog plant. Tubular flowers resemble honeysuckle or salvia and attract hummingbirds. L. cardinalis and L. fulgens to 6 feet with red flowers; L. siphilica grows 2 to 3 feet with blue flowers.

Lysochiton americanum

Pond Margin or Bog

Marsilea spp.

Floating or Rooted Emergent Plants.

Elodea canadensis

Submerged Plants. One of the best oxygenating plants. Has dark green leaves and provides food and shelter for fish. Dies back in winter. Grows best in fine sand but may need to be controlled in small ponds. (Sometimes also sold under the name anacharis.)

Brasenia schreberi

Floating or Rooted Emergent Plants.

Ceratophyllum demersum

Submerged Plants. A rootless, deciduous perennial with slender stems and forked leaves. Tolerates shade and hard water. Good oxygenator.

Chondropetalum aquatics

Cornus sericea

Pond Margin or Bog. Brilliant red or yellow foliage and colorful winter twigs. Provide good screens where water is present. to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Cut roots to control spread.

Alisma plantago-aquatica

Pond Margin or Bog. Herbaceous perennial with flowers heads arranged in whorls of white, pink, or lavender. Blooms form a pyramid-like shape. Suitable for medium to large ponds, but may overwhelm a small one. 12 to 36 inches tall and up to 18 inches spread.

Aponogeton distachyon

Floating or Rooted Emergent Plants. Crisp white flowers with a vanilla scent are held on the water surface. Prefers cool water. May overwhelm a small pond.

Azolla filiculoides

Floating or Rooted Emergent Plants. Tiny, free-floating perennial fern. Excellent pond cover for fish and other wildlife. Turns reddish-purple in the fall. To 1/2 inch high, with a spreading habit. May overwhelm a small pond.

Baccharis salicifolia

Pond Margin or Bog.

Bambusa aquatics

Pond Margin or Bog. Useful as a hedge or screen. Rhizomes of clumping species stay close to the plant and will not invade surrounding soil. Height varies by cultivar, up to 35 feet. Do not plant running bamboos, which spread aggressively.