appendix c: plant pallete plant palette

The Plant Palette identifies shade, understory and small trees, shrubs, groundover, perennials and ornamental grasses appropriate for the projects identified within the Urban Greening Plan and consistent with the policy direction defined by the Urban Greening objectives. The Plants defined as part of this plant palette do not represent an exhaustive list of appropriate or approved plants; they were developed to identify context- sensitive plant recommendations for El Cerrito’s streets, parks, and open spaces. This palette may be used to provide plant guidance to private projects interested in achieving the benefits identified by this Plan. This Palette is a living document and may be updated over time to better reflect changing environmental conditions.

If the Plant Palette and the City’s current Master Tree List are in conflict, the current Master Tree List will take precedence. SHADE TREES Edible Native Evergreen Evergreen Water Use Water Litter Type Pollinators Deciduous/ Root Damage Landscape Use Creek Interpret Creek Drought Tolerant Drought Desirable Wildlife Biofiltration Planter Scientific Name Common Name Biogenic Emissions Acer macrophyllum Big Leaf Maple ü ü ü ü D M Riparian M High Dry Alnus rhombifolia White Alder ü ü D H Riparian ü High Dry Alnus rubra* Red Alder ü D H Riparian - ü High Dry Betula jaquemontii Birch D H Riparian - ü Mod Dry Screen, Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' Fastigiate Hornbeam D M Hedged Low Dry Castanea sativa European Chestnut ü D - - Low Dry Screen, Geijera parvifolia Australian Willow ü E M Lawn, M ü Low Dry Street Koelreuteria bipinnata Chinese Flame Tree D M Screen H Low Dry

Magnolia grandiflora Russet Southern Flowers, D M M High Dry, 'Russet' Magnolia Leaves Morus nigra Persian Mulberry ü D M ü High Wet Nyssa sylvatica Tupelo ü D M Riparian Low Dry Screen, Pinus edulus Pinyon Pine Dry ü ü ü E L Bonsai M ü Low Pistache chinensis Chinese Pistache ü D L M Low

Platanus acerifolia Dry, Columbia London Plane D M 'Columbia' Bark Platanus acerifolia Yarwood London Plane 'Yarwood' D M ü High Dry Platanus acerifolia Columbia Sycamore - 'Columbia' D M - - - - Dry, Leaves, Platanus racemosa California Sycamore ü ü ü D M Riparian H ü Mod Twigs, Bark Pinus canariensis Canary Island Pine ü E L M Mod Dry Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak ü ü ü E VL H ü Mod Dry Quercus engelmanii Engelman Oak ü ü E L H ü Mod Dry Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak ü D M Riparian ü Mod Dry Quercus suber Cork Oak ü ü ü E L H ü Dry Quercus virginiana Southern Live Oak E M H ü Mod Dry Tristania conferta Brisbane Box ü E M H Low Dry Tilia tomentosa 'Sterling Sterling Silver Linden Silver' ü D L Mod Dry *Certain trees were not evaluated as part of the recent City Master Tree List planning process; they have been identified for their environmental benefits and ability to achieve Urban Greening objectives; planting of these trees will require approval from the City Arborist UNDERSTORY & SMALL TREES Edible Native Evergreen Evergreen Water Use Water Litter Type Pollinators Deciduous/ Root Damage Landscape Use Creek Interpret Creek Drought Tolerant Drought Desirable Wildlife Biofiltration Planter Scientific Name Common Name Biogenic Emissions Screen, Acer campestre Hedge Maple D M Hedged Low Dry Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud ü ü ü D VL Screen L ü Low Dry Screen, Citrus*** Lemon ü E M Espalier, M ü Low Wet Hedged Screen, Citrus*** Orange ü E M Espalier, M ü Low Wet Hedged Fruit, Diospyros kaki*** Persimmon ü Container ü D L Low Leaves Ficus carica 'Brown Screen, Brown Turkey Fig Turkey'*** ü D M Espalier H ü Low Wet Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon ü ü ü ü E L Screen L ü Low Wet Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree ü D M Screen H Low Dry Screen, Lagerstroemia indica Muskogee Crape Myrtle ü D L Hedged L Low Dry Screen, Malus domestica*** Ashmead's Kernel ü D M Espalier, ü Low Wet Hedged Screen, Malus domestica*** Dorsett Golden ü D M Espalier, ü Low Wet Hedged Malus x 'Robinson' Robinson Crabapple ü D Prunus armeniaca Screen, Blenheim Apricot 'Blenheim'*** ü D L Espalier L Low Wet Screen, Prunus armeniaca 'Tilton'*** Tilton Apricot ü D L Espalier L Low Wet Screen, Prunus illicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry ü ü ü E L Hedged L ü Low Wet Prunus salicina 'Santa Santa Rosa Plum Screen Rosa'*,*** ü D L Low Wet Prunus salicina Satsuma Plum Screen 'Satsuma'**,**** ü D L Low Wet Screen, Punica granatum*** Pomegranate Tree ü ü ü D L Espalier, ü Low Wet Hedged Pyrus calleriana 'Aristocrat'* Aristocrat Pear ü D Screen Low ü Mod Dry Riparian, Sambucus mexicana Mexican Elderberry ü ü ü ü D L Screen L ü Low Wet

* Plant with the pollinator ‘Santa Rosa’ ** Partially self-fertile; better yields when planted with ‘Satsuma’ ***Fruit trees are not listed on the current City’s Approved Street Tree List; planting of fruit trees will require City Arborist approval and a maintenance and clean-up plan SHRUBS, GROUNDCOVER, PERENNIALS, & ORNAMENTAL GRASSES FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Drought Biofiltration Creek Deciduous/ Native Pollinators Edible Tolerant Planter Interpret Evergreen

Scientific Name Common Name SHRUBS & GROUNDCOVER Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King' Elfin King Strawberry Tree ü ü E Arbutus sp. Madrone sp. ü ü ü E Arctostaphylos sp. Manzanita sp. ü ü ü E Arctostaphylos d. 'Howard Howard McMinn Manzanita McMinn' ü ü E Baccharis pillularis Coyote Bush ü ü ü E Calycanthus occidentalis Spice Bush ü ü ü D Ceanothus spp. California Wild Lilac ü ü ü ü E Cornus sericea Red-Twig Dogwood ü ü ü D Corylus cornuta californica Western Hazelnut ü ü D Eriogonum fasciculatum California Buckwheat ü ü ü ü E Eriogonum giganteum St. Catherine's Lace ü ü ü E Eriogonum grande rubescens Red Buckwheat ü ü ü E Eriogonum latifolium Coast Buckwheat ü ü E Holodiscus discolor Cream Bush ü ü D Mahonia spp. Mahonia sp. ü ü ü E Punica granatum 'nana' Dwarf Pomegranite ü ü D Rhamnus californica 'Eve Case' Eve Case Coffeeberry ü ü ü ü E Rhamnus crocea Redberry ü ü ü E Ribes aureum Golden Current ü ü ü D Ribes sanguineum Red Flowering Current ü ü ü D Rosa californica California Wild Rose ü ü ü ü ü D Rosa sp. Rose (rose hips) ü ü D Rhus integrifolia Lemonade berry ü ü ü E Rosmarinus sp. Rosmary ü E Spiraea douglasii Western Spirea ü ü D Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry ü ü ü ü D Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue' Sunshine Blue Blueberry ü E Vaccinium vitus-idaea' Lingonberry ü E

VINES Myoporum parvifolium Creeping Myoporum ü E Polygonum aubertii Silver Lace Vine ü E Drought Biofiltration Creek Deciduous/ Native Pollinators Edible Tolerant Planter Interpret Evergreen Scientific Name Common Name PERENNIALS & ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow ü ü Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed ü ü ü Asclepias fascicularis Narrowleaf Milkweed ü ü ü Carex buchananii Leatherleaf Sedge ü Carex divulsa Berkeley Sedge ü ü Carex pansa Dune Sedge ü Carex praegracilis California Field Sedge ü ü Carex Testacea Orange Sedge ü Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile ü Chondropetalum tectorum Small Cape Rush ü ü Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair Grass ü ü ü Dietes bicolor Fortnight Lilly ü Epilobium canum California Fuschia ü ü ü Eschscholzia californica California Poppy ü ü ü Festuca Idahoensis 'Siskiyou Siskiyou Blue' Blue Grass Blue' ü Festuca rubra Red Fescue ü ü Helictotrichon sempervirens Blue Oat Grass ü Juncus effusus Soft Rush ü Juncus patens California Gray Rush ü Lantana cultivars Lantana ü Lavandula x intermedia Provence English Lavender 'Provence' ü ü ü Lavandula sp. Lavender ü ü Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Canyon Prince Wild Rye Prince' ü ü Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye ü ü Lotus scoparius Deer Weed ü ü Mimulus aurantiacus Monkey Flower ü ü ü ü Monardella villosa Coyote Mint ü ü Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass ü ü ü Nasella pulchra Purple Needlegrass ü ü ü Nepeta faassenii Catmint ü ü Oriaganum vulgare Oregano ü Polystichum munitum Western Sword Fern ü ü Salvia spp. Sage ü ü Salvia gregii Evergreen Sage ü ü Salvia 'Margarita BOP' Margarita BOP Sage ü ü Salvia mellifera Black Sage ü ü ü Salvia officinalis Sage ü ü Salvia sonomensis Sonoma Sage ü ü Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage ü ü ü California Golden-eyed Sisyrinchium californicum Grass ü Sisyrinchium bellum Western Blue-eyed Grass ü ü ü Stipa arundinacea New Zealand Wind Grass ü Wyethia angustifolia Narrowleaf Mules Ears ü ü PLANT PALETTE: STROLLING STREETS

Landscaping along strolling streets should compliment commercial uses and provide a pleasant sidewalk environment for pedestrians. Plants were selected for their foliage and size, and should be maintained so as to not block signs or impede pedestrian movement.

Scientific Name Common Name SHADE TREES Acer macrophyllum Big Leaf Maple Alnus rhombifolia White Alder

Figure 01. California Sycramore Nissa sylvatica Tupelo create pleasant shade for strolling Platanus acerifolia 'Columbia' Columbia Sycamore (SPA) streets Platanus racemosa California Sycamore Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak Quercus engelmanii Engelman Oak Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak Quercus suber Cork Oak Quercus virginiana Southern Live Oak Tilia tomentosa 'Sterling Silver' Sterling Silver Linden UNDERSTORY & SMALL TREES Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon Lagerstroemia indica 'Muskogee' Muskogee Crape Myrtle Malus x 'Robinson' Robinson Crabapple Figure 02. Aristocrat Pear are a Prunus illicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry smaller species also well-suited to Pyrus calleriana 'Aristocrat' Aristocrat Pear strolling streets Sambucus mexicana Mexican Elderberry

Figure 03. Big Leaf Maple Figure 05. Calif. Sycamore Figure 07. Coast Live Oak Figure 09. South. Live Oak

Figure 04. Toyon Figure 06. Western Redbud Figure 08. Crape Myrtle Figure 10. Hollyleaf Cherry PLANT PALETTE: CREEK INTERPRETATION STREETS AND PROJECTS

Creek Interpretation streets and projects make use of distinctive vegetation to identify underground creek channels and to highlight green infrastructure. These riparian trees, shrubs and groundcover were identified for their look and feel, as they’re often used near creek banks, and were selected for their environmental benefits.

Scientific Name Common Name SHADE TREES

Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf Maple Figure 11. White Alder are an Alnus rhombifolia White Alder excellent street choice when water is Platanus racemosa California Sycamore nearby Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak UNDERSTORY & SMALL TREES Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud Sambucus mexicana Mexican Elderberry SHRUBS Calycanthus occidentalis Spice Bush Cornus sericea Red-Twig Dogwood Corylus cornuta californica Western Hazelnut Ribes aureum Golden Current Ribes sanguineum Pink Flowering Currant Spiraea douglasii Western Spirea GROUNDCOVERS & VINES Figure 12. Red-twig dogwood is a Rosa californica Wild Rose colorful addition to any landscape Symphorocarpus albus Snowberry PERENNIALS & ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair Grass Mimulus aurantiacus Monkey Flower Nasella pulchra Purple Needlegrass Polystichum munitum Western Sword Fern Wyethia angustifolia Narrowleaf Mules Ears

Figure 13. Mexican Elderberry Figure 14. Monkey Flower Figure 15. Tufted Hair Grass Figure 16. W. Sword Fern PLANT PALETTE: ARTERIAL STREETS

Plants along major arterial streets should help buffer pedestrians from automobiles, providing a pleasant walking environment. Trees were identified for their ability to filter air pollutants and improve environmental air quality, without creating significant tripping hazards or conflicts with utilities.

Scientific Name Common Name SHADE TREES Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' Fastigiate Hornbeam Figure 17. San Pablo Avenue Nissa sylvatica Tupelo Streetscape Median Plantings Pinus canariensis Canary Island Pine Platanus acerifolia 'Columbia' Columbia Sycamore Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak Tilia tomentosa 'Sterling Silver' Sterling Silver Linden UNDERSTORY & SMALL TREES Acer campestre Hedge Maple Lagerstroemia indica Crape Myrtle Pyrus calleriana 'Aristocrat' Aristocrat Pear

Figure 18. San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Median Plantings

Figure 20. Tupelo Figure 22. Canary Island Pine

Figure 19. Fastigiate Figure 24. Sterling Silver Hornbeam Figure 21. Hedge Maple Figure 23. Crape Myrtle Linden PLANT PALETTE: BIOFILTRATION

Biofiltration plants are commonly used in green infrastructure projects to filter stormwater runoff and improve water quality; they can help spread, sink and store water to reduce erosion and water demand. Biofiltration plants are generally drought tolerant and provide additional environmental benefits, such as pollination services or wildlife habitat.

Scientific Name Common Name SHADE TREES Acer macrophyullum Big Leaf Maple Alnus rubra Red Alder Figure 25. Rain gardens at City Hall Platanus racemosa California Sycamore UNDERSTORY & SMALL TREES Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon Myrica californica California Wax Myrtle Sambucus mexicana Mexican Elderberry SHRUBS Baccharis pilularis Coyote Brush Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita Ceanothus spp. California Lilac Cornus sericea Red-twig Dogwood Eriogonum spp. Buckwheat Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry Figure 26. Rain gardens on San Rosa californica Wild Rose Pablo Avenue Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry

Figure 27. Coyote Brush Figure 29. Manzanita Figure 31. California Lilac

Figure 28. Buckwheat Figure 30. Coffeeberry Figure 32. Wild Rose Figure 33. Red Alder PLANT PALETTE: BIOFILTRATION (CONTINUED) Scientific Name Common Name PERENNIALS & ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Achillea millefolium Yarrow Carex buchananii Leatherleaf Sedge Carex divulsa Berkeley Sedge Carex pansa Dune Sedge Carex praegracilis California Field Sedge Carex Testacea Orange Sedge Chondropetalum tectorum Small Cape Rush Dietes bicolor Fortnight Lily Figure 34. Ohlone Greenway Natural Area Festuca rubra Red Fescue Juncus effusus Soft Rush Juncus patens California Gray Rush Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Canyon Prince Wild Rye Prince' Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye Mimulus aurantiacus Monkey Flower Lotus scoparius Deer Weed Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass Stipa arundinacea New Zealand Wind Grass Sisyrichium bellum Western Blue-eyed Grass

Figure 35. Fortnight lily in the rain gardens on San Pablo Avenue

Figure 36. Yarrow Figure 38. Leatherleaf Figure 40. Berkeley Sedge Sedge

Figure 42. Creeping Wild Figure 37. Small Cape Rush Figure 39. Deer Weed Figure 41. Deer Grass Rye PLANT PALETTE: POLLINATORS

Urban environments are reducing the quality and quantity of pollinating plants, making it difficult for wildlife species, such as birds, bees and butterflies, to find food. Creating contiguous pollinator-friendly landscaped areas can begin to address this issue, bringing these species back into our urban environments. Scientific Name Common Name SHADE TREES Acer macrophyllum Big Leaf Maple Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak Quercus engelmanii Engelman Oak Quercus suber Cork Oak UNDERSTORY & SMALL TREES Figure 43. Persimmon Tree Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon Malus x 'Robinson' Robinson Crabapple Prunus illicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry Sambucus mexicana Mexican Elderberry FRUIT TREES Apple Malus domestica Ashmead's Kernel Malus domestica Dorsett Golden Citrus Citrus limon Lemon Citrus sinensis Orange Stone Fruits Prunus armeniaca ‘Blenheim’ Blenheim Apricot Prunus armeniaca ‘Tilton’ Tilton Apricot Prunus salicina ‘Santa Rosa’ Santa Rosa Plum Prunus salicina ‘Satsuma’ Satsuma Plum Other Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’ Brown Turkey Fig Diospyros kaki Persimmon

Figure 44. Robinson Crabapple Figure 45. Apple Figure 46. Lemon Figure 47. Brown Turkey Fig PLANT PALETTE: POLLINATORS (CONTINUED)

Scientific Name Common Name SHRUBS Arbutus sp. Madrone sp. Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King' Elfin King Strawberry Tree Arctostaphylos sp. Manzanita sp. Baccharis pillularis Coyote Bush Ceonothus spp. California Wild Lilac Eriogonum fasciculatum California Buckwheat Eriogonum giganteum St. Catherine's Lace Eriogonum grande rubescens Red Buckwheat Eriogonum latifolium Coast Buckwheat Holodiscus discolor Cream Bush Figure 48. Elfin King Strawberry Tree Mahonia spp. Mahonia sp. Punica granatum 'nana' Dwarf Pomegranite Rhamnus californica 'Eve Case' Eve Case Coffeeberry Rhamnus crocea Redberry Ribes sanguineum Red Flowering Current Rosa sp. Rose (rose hips) Rosa californica California Wild Rose Rosmarinus sp. Rosemary Rhus integrifolia Lemonade berry Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue' Sunshine Blue Blueberry Vaccinium vitus-idaea' Lingonberry

Figure 49. California Figure 51. Cream Bush Figure 53. Mahonia Figure 55. Coyote Bush Buckwheat

Figure 50. Wild Rose Figure 52. Buckwheat Figure 54. Lingonberry Figure 56. Rosemary PLANT PALETTE: POLLINATORS (CONTINUED) Scientific Name Common Name VINES Myoporum parvifolium Creeping Myoporum Polyganum aubertii Silver Lace Vine PERENNIALS & ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed Asclepias fascicularis Narrowleaf Milkweed Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile Epilobium canum California Fuschia Eschscholzia californica California Poppy Festuca rubra Red Fescue Festuca Idahoensis 'Siskiyou Blue' Siskiyou Blue' Blue Grass Figure 57. A butterfly drinks from a Milkweed plant Helictotrichon sempervirens Blue Oat Grass Lantana cultivars Lantana Lavandula sp. Lavender Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence' Provence Englis Lavender Mimulus aurantiacus Monkey Flower Monardella villosa Coyote Mint Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass Nepeta faassenii Catmint Oriaganum vulgare Oregano Salvia spp. Sage Salvia gregii Evergreen Sage Salvia 'Margarita BOP' Margarita BOP Sage Salvia mellifera Black Sage Salvia officinalis Sage Salvia sonomensis Sonoma Sage Figure 58. A bee feeds from the Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage flower of a Coyote Mint plant Sisyrinchium californicum California Yellow-eyed Grass Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry

Figure 60. Hummingbird Figure 61. Yellow-eyed Figure 59. Chamomile Figure 62. Snowberry Sage grass