Plants


This is the main plant page for shrubs and perennials


You can click on any of the links below to see more specific categories and/or articles. You can comment at the bottom of the page to discuss any plants in this list or others that you have had success with to help spread the word.

This page is categorized by >
Large Shrubs/Perennials
Medium Shrubs/Perennials
Small Shrubs/Perennials
Groundcover

These plants are to give you some ideas of varieties available, those that do well in our climate, and can handle the occasional deer grazing. Since availability of some specialty varieties may change at the time of planting, further plant discussion may take place at the time of ordering. For us, your landscape contractor, just let us know your likes or dislikes and we will do the rest. Some considerations when selecting Shrubs and Perennials are as follows:

  • The main criteria for making plant selections comes down to plants you like and plants you dislike, “to each his/her own” as they say
  • Size and flower/leaf color might be the first things to consider when choosing your favorite plants
  • Other criteria for consideration is sun exposure and water requirements

Don’t forget about the trees to get some height and/or screening started. The sooner you plant them, the faster the benefits since trees can take years to really enhance your yard.

Here are some pages about trees >

Large Trees Fall Color Trees Small Trees

Larger shrubs (see the first category below) get your bed area started and build the foundation of your planting areas. Just like trees, you want to get them stared sooner than later. “Filler” plants (and some small trees) will get your planter bed and any screening started, leaving room for additional ornamental/accent plants later.

Keep in mind, plants typically follow this growth cycle:
Year 1 > sleep, not much growth
Year 2 > creep, noticeable growth
Year 3 > leap, substantial growth
Year 5 > most shrubs, excluding trees, have reached mature size

It’s an exhaustive list and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to actual availability.

Enjoy!

More plant categories and information >

Planting Zones Grasses Privacy Hedges & Screening Vines Edibles & Herbs Annuals Bulbs Plant Problems More Articles

If you would like to take it a step further, spend some time perusing the following brochures from UC Davis. They are full of unique, drought tolerant, and native CA plants.

UC Davis All Stars

Open up the following pdf document and click on the included links for further details about each item.

Shrubs and Perennials (click HERE to open pdf)


Here are some plant prices for reference. Some plant prices are listed below (none of the prices listed include labor) >
Standard, common 1gal plant – $8-10each
Premium 1 and 2gal plants (e.g., Azalea, Camellia) – $10-45each
Standard, common 5gal plant – $25-45each
Premium 5gal plants – $50-75each
Tree, 15gal – $75-150each
Tree, 24inch box tree – $300-450each

Large Shrubs (“core” filler plants and screening)
*mature size greater than 3ft wide x 3ft tall


Medium Shrubs (filler and accent plants)
*mature size up to 3ft wide x 3ft tall


Small Shrubs and Groundcover (ornamental and accent plants, as well as groundcover and erosion control plants)
*mature size approx. 2ft wide x 2ft tall

Some considerations when selecting Groundcover:

  • Will the area get heavy foot traffic?
  • Do you want flowering or non-flowering?
  • Do you need infill around stepping stones or erosion control for a hillside?
  • Mature size will typically be multiple feet wide by no more than 12 inches tall
  • For more information, click this link to view and/or download the included pdf >> Groundcover (click HERE to open pdf)

Groundcover

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