Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for California

In an episode ofFine Gardening‘s podcast , Let ’s Argue About Plants , the hosts talk about the importance of evergreen plants , and the particular perks of broadleaf evergreen :

“ The key to any successfulfour - seasongarden is evergreens . Conifers are great , but they can be high-priced and slow to bulk up . Broadleaf evergreen , on the other manus , bulk up quickly and are generally low-priced . The only drawback is they can be boring . In fact , most gardeners think only of rhodies and hollies when it comes to this classification of plant . ”

Do n’t be fooled by the coarse multifariousness , there is much more to this plant category than one might think while walking around the local garden center . To help shed light on some fabulous , underappreciated broadleaf evergreen plant , we had regional expert pick their top four . Below , you ’ll find great weft for California . To happen upon more fantastic evergreen , check outLAAP Episode 26 : Broadleaf Evergreens .

Find broadleaf evergreens for other regions:Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for Your Region

1. ‘Jelly Bean Orange’ monkeyflower

Name:Mimulus aurantiacus‘Jelly Bean Orange’

Zones:9–11

Size:2 feet marvellous and wide

consideration : Full Dominicus to partial shade ; ironic , well - drained soil

aboriginal range : Southern Oregon , California , Baja California

‘ Jelly Bean Orange ’ monkeyflower is a small nativar with an upright , rounded , and compendious riding habit . This riotous - growingplant has dreary fleeceable , glossy leaves that are somewhat sticky , and legion dark-skinned orange , ruffled blossom that bloom intimately year - orotund . It can take full sun on the glide but prefers partial shade inland . ‘ Jelly Bean Orange ’ is reliably showy in infertile soil and is double-dyed for rock garden as well as containers . It ’s cervid and attack resistant and attracts many hummingbirds , butterfly , and other pollinator . Once established , monkeyflower does salutary with an occasional deep watering in summer . Pinch itback occasionally to help it form a good branching structure to support the flowers .

2. ‘Paradise’ manzanita

Name:Arctostaphylospajaroensis‘Paradise’

Zones:8–10

Size:6 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 10 invertebrate foot full

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; well - drain soil

aboriginal reach : California

A great selection for a small tree in a body of water - wisegarden , ‘ nirvana ’ madrona forms pendulous bunch of urn - shaped bloom that variegate from ashen to pink andthat bloom in late wintertime , ply pollen for overwintering hummingbirds and bee . The red Charles Edward Berry thatfollow are feed by many bird coinage . The bark isalso a sorry red , set up against blue - green , cervid - resistantfoliage . ‘ Eden ’ madrono favour well - drain , acidic grime and demand little water once demonstrate . yearly pruning in belated autumn to former winter will improvelooks and execution .

3. ‘Concha’ California lilac

Name:Ceanothus‘Concha’

Zones:7–10

Size:6 to 8 feet marvellous and 8 to 12 feet broad

Conditions : Full Dominicus to partial shade ; average to dry , well - drained soil

Native scope : Hybrid of California aboriginal specie

‘ Concha ’ California lilac is one of the most strikingCalifornia nativars to use as an accent industrial plant or a smallgarden tree . It ’s very tolerant of sun and heat but can also be used in dry , mottled shade . In former bound , ‘ Concha ’ blooms with cryptical ultramarine - dark flowers . you could practice it in background areas for screening , where its seasonal flower show will transmute it intoa focal characteristic . Once established , this shrub want measured summerwatering to stay well-chosen . ‘ Concha’is a magnet for birds , butterflies , and hummingbird but is deer resistant .

4. ‘Tiger Eye’ flowering maple

Name:Abutilon‘Tiger Eye’

Size:8 to 10 feet magniloquent and 4 to 5 foot wide

stipulation : Full sun to fond shade ; moist , well - drained soil

aboriginal ambit : Hybrid

Flowering maple are also sometimes called Chinese lantern for the flowers ’ unequaled shape and the fact that they pay heed straight down from the branches . ‘ Tiger Eye ’ can bloom almost nonstop throughout the class if it has tax shelter from wintertime frost or rough direct afternoon sun . If you live in a cold zona , you may easily get it indoors for wintertime as long as you render lots of ignitor . ‘ Tiger Eye ’ can take some heavy pruning in spring to operate the sizing of the plant life or to decline legginess . I have even retrieve that some light pruning throughout the season make the plant peak more .

Shireen Ziais the owner of EcoGardens Landscape Design in Los Altos , California .

Click here to find plant life picks , garden tips , and more for Northern California .

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‘Concha’ California lilac

Photo: Bill Johnson

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‘Jelly Bean Orange’ monkeyflower

Photo: courtesy of Shireen Zia

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