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50 GREAT PLANTS FOR CENTRAL VALLEY GARDENS

Are you baffl ed when you visit a nursery or plant sale, unsure which plant to choose? Have you bought plants and watched them wither and die in your home landscape because they were just not suited to your garden conditions? Don’t Recommended despair—help is on the way for Central Valley gardeners! for Central Valley The horticultural staff of the UC Davis Arboretum have identifi ed 50 tough, Gardens reliable plants that have been tested in the Arboretum, are easy to grow, don’t • Adapted to Central need a lot of water, have few problems with pests or diseases, and have outstand- Valley conditions ing qualities in the garden. Many of them are California native plants and/or • Tested in the UC Davis support native birds and insects. We are pleased to recommend these Arboretum Arboretum All-Stars, and over the course of the year we will introduce several new ways for you to learn about these great plants. • Easy to grow • Attractive for most of the SIGNS IN THE year GARDENS • Drought tolerant • Attractive to birds, When you visit the Arboretum butterfl ies, or benefi cial demonstration gardens, you will see insects a series of beautiful, brightly-colored signs (right) identifying the Arbo- retum All-Stars, each with a photo Learn More About of the plant in bloom, a list of its out- Arboretum All-Stars standing features, and information • Look for All-Star about how to grow it. Also look for information signs in the metal plant labels with the All-Star Ruth Storer Garden, logo at the Arboretum Terrace and White Flower Garden, the Mary Wattis Brown Garden. Mary Wattis Brown SEARCHABLE Garden, and Arboretum Terrace Garden. DATABASE • Find searchable Look for the new Central Valley California native plants, and other topics database and articles Gardening section on the Arbore- at the Arboretum website. Each article to download at the tum’s website (arboretum.ucdavis. includes descriptions and color photo- Arboretum website, edu/AllStars). There you will fi nd a graphs of recommended All-Star plants. arboretum.ucdavis.edu/ searchable database of the All-Star AllStars. plants, with color images and infor- PLANT SALES • Pick up All-Star mation on the plant and its require- Many of the All-Star plants will be information sheets at the ments. The easy search feature for sale at the Plant Faire on Oct. 1, and Terrace and Arboretum allows you to look for plants that we plan to have most of them available Headquarters. meet the criteria you specify—for by next spring. Look for the All-Star example, plants that grow in shade, symbol on the plant tag. Arboretum vol- • Visit the demonstration or that have white fl owers in June, or unteers have planted a beautiful dem- plantings at the that attract hummingbirds. onstration garden at the Orchard Park Arboretum Nursery at Nursery, featuring many All-Star plants, Orchard Park. PUBLICATIONS and all the sales assistants at the Plant • Shop for All-Stars at You can download and print Faire will be able to direct you to the All- Arboretum plant sales. out information on water-saving Stars and help you choose the very best gardens, wildlife gardening, growing plants for your garden conditions.

UC DAVIS ARBORETUM REVIEW FALL 2005 1 WINTER DAPHNE 50 GREAT Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ This evergreen shrub stands out in the PLANTS FOR winter garden with fragrant pink and ENTRAL white fl owers. The shiny variegated leaves C are attractive year-round. This variety is VALLEY hardier and easier to grow and requires less GARDENS maintenance than the species. CALIFORNIA FUCHSIA Epilobium canum Spreading ground cover, somewhat SERPENTINE COLUMBINE SNOW-IN-SUMMER invasive, good for low water landscapes. Aquilegia eximia Cerastium tomentosum Beautiful red fl owers produced profusely, This native perennial is a striking addition Silvery foliage and profuse white fl owers attract hummingbirds. to a shady garden. Much larger than the give a cool, fresh look to hot Central Val- common columbine, it may reach 4-5 feet ley gardens. This vigorous, low-growing tall. The large, boxy red and yellow fl owers groundcover is adaptable--it will grow in are attractive to hummingbirds. sun or part shade, and thrives with little water or regular garden irrigation. VINE HILL MANZANITA Arctostaphylos densifl ora ‘Howard McMinn’ WESTERN REDBUD Beautiful dark red, smooth bark, glossy Cercis occidentalis green leaves, and charming clusters of bell- This graceful, small multi-trunked tree or shaped, pinkish-white fl owers in winter add large shrub produces a spectacular cloud year-round interest to this evergreen native of magenta-pink blossoms in early spring, shrub. It is one of the few manzanitas that followed by attractive dark seed pods. Na- will tolerate heavy garden soils. tive to our nearby foothills, it thrives with minimal water and provides nectar for na- OREGON GRAPE tive pollinators. Berberis aquifolium ‘Compacta’ This tough, adaptable, evergreen native ISLAND MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY shrub will grow in full sun, part shade, or Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae full shade. The attractive, edible, blue-black This fast-growing tree will form an upright fruits resemble grapes and can be used to evergreen screen in full sun and dry soil. make preserves. The attractive silvery bark contrasts nicely Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium ʻCompactaʼ) with the light and dark green foliage. has bright yellow fl owers in early spring and BLUE GRAMA GRASS beautiful shiny blue-black fruit. Bouteloua gracilis CHINESE FRINGE TREE This warm season grass is a tidy accent Chionanthus retusus plant for the perennial border. It has a neat, Fragrant, pure white fl owers in lacy clus- WAYNE RODERICK SEASIDE DAISY upright form and soft texture with unusual ters, deep yellow fall color, and attractive Erigeron ‘Wayne Roderick’ reddish fl owers in summer that bleach to grooved or peeling bark make this mid- The native perennial sports cheerful laven- white over the season. It retains its attrac- sized tree a good choice for a patio or other der fl owers over a long bloom season, pro- tive shape even when dormant. prominent site. It requires minimal pruning and has no known diseases. viding food for butterfl ies and benefi cial BERKELEY SEDGE insects in spring, summer, and into the fall. Carex tumulicola WASHINGTON HAWTHORN SANTA BARBARA DAISY This low, mounding, grass-like native sedge Crataegus phaenopyrum Erigeron karvinskianus is a good ground cover and works well in This mid-sized deciduous tree offers many This tough, adaptable perennial blooms containers. Its shiny dark green leaves have seasons of interest with profuse white spring over a long period with dainty, 3/4 in. a lush appearance with little water. It is easy fl owers, ornamental fruit clusters, and bril- pinkish-white fl owers. Good in contain- to grow and can be used to create a nice liant orange, scarlet, or purplish foliage in ers or for trailing over a wall, it spreads by shady meadow. fall. Its graceful open limb structure makes it an attractive patio specimen. seed in the garden. RAY HARTMAN CALIFORNIA LILAC LENTEN ROSE Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ CHILEAN LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY TREE Helleborus x hybridus Early spring brings a spectacular fl ush of Crinodendron patagua Winter blooming perennial adds color in bright blue, honey-scented fl owers to this Masses of delicate white bell-shaped fl owers shady areas with pink, maroon or white to evergreen native shrub. One of the best cover this small tree in spring. It makes green tinted fl owers. Naturalizes in suit- ceanothus for garden use, it can tolerate a good screen or patio tree with its up- able climates. summer irrigation and can be trained as a right form and narrow profi le, and is very small tree. Its fl owers are a nectar source drought tolerant. for benefi cial insects.

2 CORAL YUCCA CANYON SNOW PACIFIC IRIS OTTO QUAST SPANISH LAVENDER Hesperaloe parvifl ora Iris ‘Canyon Snow’ Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’ This striking plant adds a strong archi- This is the toughtest hybrid of the native This variety is the best of the Spanish lav- tectural note to the garden with its spiky Pacifi c coast iris--it grows with virtually enders for this area, with a more compact leaves and long stalks of dark coral-pink no maintenance and thrives in sun or dry form, larger fl owers, and a darker fl ower fl owers. It is especially heat and drought shade. Its beautiful white fl owers with yel- color. The gray foliage is attractive all year, tolerant and can take full sun, even re- low markings are good for cutting.The nar- and the fragrant fl owers can be used for fl ected heat. The fl owers are attractive to row leaves form an attractive, evergreen, sachets, perfumes, or soaps. It is a good hummingbirds. grass-like clump. container plant for a sunny location. TOYON SILVER CARPET Heteromeles arbutifolia CALIFORNIA-ASTER This evergreen native shrub has attractive Lessingia fi laginifolia dark green leaves, large sprays of fragrant var. californica ‘Silver white fl owers in spring, and profuse Carpet’ clusters of brilliant red berries all winter. This California native The berries are favorites of migrating cedar is an excellent ground- waxwings and other local birds. cover or container plant; it looks good ROSADA CORAL BELLS spilling over low walls Heuchera ‘Rosada’ or down steps. It is This tough and beautiful perennial, a covered with light hybrid of two native species, is an attrac- purple fl owers in sum- tive mounding groundcover and produces mer and the fl owers a showy display of creamy pink fl owers attract butterfl ies and benefi cial insects. CENIZO Leucophyllum frutescens This southwestern shrub is very heat CRAPE MYRTLE and drought tolerant and striking in the Lagerstroemia spp. garden, with silvery foliage and a profuse This deciduous shrub show of bell-shaped lavender fl owers. It or small tree provides requires little pruning as a shrub but can year-round interest be successful as a hedge if sheared. in the garden with showy summer fl ow- JAPANESE SILVER GRASS ers, fall color, graceful Miscanthus sinensis (dwarf varieties) form and handsome Many varieites of this highly ornamental ornamental bark in grass are available, with different parrterns winter, and bronzy of leaf variegation and a range of sizes. It new growth in is easy to divide and propagate, and the spring. Select your fl owers are good for arrangements fresh or plant in bloom to The fruits of Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum, above left) are dried. The leaves turn vivid reds, oranges choose from white, and yellows in fall. a favorite food for birds. The iceberg rose (Rosa ʻIceberg,ʼ above right) is lavender, pink, or covered all season with clusters of pure white fl owers. red fl owering variet- MEXICAN DEERGRASS ies. Muhlenbergia dubia A striking accent plant for a low-water on 24-36 inch stems over a long bloom GOODWIN CREEK LAVENDER garden, this clump-forming grass has dense period in spring. One of the best fl ower- Lavandula ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’ tufts of light green, fi ne-textured leaves. It ing plants for dry shade, it is a UC Davis This lavender variety stands out for its requires little maintenance other than cut- introduction. silvery-gray foliage and tall spikes of ting to the ground in winter. fragrant, dark violet fl owers. It has a long ISLAND ALUMROOT bloom season, is more resistant to heat and DEERGRASS Heuchera maxima humidity than English lavenders, and is Muhlenbergia rigens Sprays of frothy, greenish-white fl owers easier to prune back to renew when it gets This large-scale grass makes a good tower over the attractive mounding foliage woody than other lavenders. informal screen and adds structure to the of this native perennial in spring. A good garden. It produces fl owering stalks up to casual groundcover for dry shade. fi ve feet tall that remain upright through the winter. Tough and drought tolerant, it needs little maintenance.

UC DAVIS ARBORETUM REVIEW FALL 2005 3 FRUITLESS OLIVE MINT BUSH SAGE Olea europaea ‘Swan Hill’ Salvia microphylla This slow-growing, evergreen This large, shrubby perennial has red or pink Mediterranean tree has soft gray- fl owers in spring and fall, tolerates full sun or green willow-like foliage, beautiful part shade, and is a good choice for use under smooth gray bark, and attractively native oaks. The foliage has a fruity aroma gnarled branches. It is adaptable, when brushed. drought tolerant, requires little HUMMINGBIRD SAGE maintenannce, and can be trained Salvia spathacea to a single or multiple trunks. This tough, drough-tolerant, native evergreen HYBRID TEA OLIVE perennial has striking spikes of red fl owers Osmanthus x fortunei in spring and fall. The leaves have a pleasant This tough evergreen shrub, good fruity fragrance. It is an excellent ground- for shady spots in the garden, is cover for dry shade. notable for its very fragrant fl ow- GIANT FEATHER GRASS ers over a long bloom period. Stipa gigantea SANTA MARGARITA This dramatic large grass is an excellent FOOTHILL PENSTEMON garden accent, with open sprays of yellowish Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita fl owers that turn into a golden cloud above B.O.P.’ the plant and last through summer. The tall, This semi-evergreen native peren- Chilean lily-of-the-valley tree (Crinodendron patagua) is narrow arching leaves add movement to the nial has showy fl owers that start as covered with delicate white bell-shaped fl owers in spring. garden. yellow buds, bloom sky blue and CUT LEAF LILAC age to purple-pink. It is easy to ICEBERG ROSE Syringa x laciniata grow and thrives in a wide range of garden Rosa ‘Iceberg’ This showy deciduous shrub has attractive, conditions. This classic rose is covered with clusters of lacy foliage and produces a profuse bloom of PURPLE SPOT MOCK ORANGE white blossoms over a long bloom period lavender-pink fl owers in spring. One of the Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ in summer and fall. It is disease resistant few lilacs that thrives in the Central Valley. The delicious fragrance of its white fl owers and tolerates some shade. BUSH GERMANDER make this tough evergreen shrub a good GOLDEN PEARL POLYANTHA ROSE Teucrium fruticans choice for the back of a perennial border. Rosa ‘Perle d’Or’ This tough, drought-tolerant shrub has sil- VALLEY OAK A fi ne shrub rose for Central Valley very evergreen foliage and profuse pale blue Quercus lobata gardens, with showy, fragrant fl owers in fl owers over a long season. With its loose, The signature tree of the Central Val- constant bloom from spring until frost. It arching branches it makes a nice low informal ley, this majestic oak tolerates high heat, has few prickles and is disease-free. hedge, drought, and alkaline soil. Beloved for the BUTTERFLY ROSE GIANT CHAIN FERN dramatic form of its bare branches in win- Rosa x odoratus ‘Mutabilis’ Woodwardia fi mbriata ter, its tender green new leaves in spring This large shrub rose has beautiful, showy, This native fern has large, showy divided and dense shade in summer. single fl owers nearly all year long. The fronds, looks lush in shady gardens, and can GOLDEN CURRANT fl owers emerge creamy pink and fade tolerate neglect once established. Ribes aureum through tangerine orange to deep rose red. ARGENTINE RAIN LILY This deciduous native shrub has beautiful CALIFORNIA WHITE SAGE Zephyranthes candida golden fl owers with spicy fragrance in late Salvia apiana This charming little plant grows from bulbs, winter and early spring. A good choice to This large evergreen native sage has bright forming clumps of shiny, grassy leaves plant under native oaks. white foliage with a pungent scent evoking crowned by cheerful white tulip-shaped fl ow- EVERGREEN CURRANT the California chaparral. Flower stalks ers marked with yellow. A good edging plant, Ribes viburnifolium rise three feet above the foliage in spring. it can remain undisturbed for many years. This evergreen native perennial has attrac- It is a strking accent plant for a low-water tive, shiny foliage, Good shade-tolerant garden. groundcover for use under native oaks. AUTUMN SAGE Arboretum All-Star signs, publications, and website development were made GRUSS AN AACHEN FLORIBUNDA ROSE Salvia greggii and Salvia x jamensis Rosa ‘Gruss an Aachen’ This tough, adaptable evergreen shrub possible by a grant from the Slosson Fund This rose has beautiful, showy, fragrant produces showy red fl owers from spring for Ornamental Horticulture. pink fl owers in clusters followed by attrac- through fall. The foliage has a pleasant Project workgroup: Education tive ornamental fruits. It requires afternoon citrusy scent. Director Carmia Feldman (lead), shade to protect the fl owers from sunburn. Director of Horticulture Ellen Zagory, Horticultural Curator Emily Griswold, Nursery Manager Ryan Deering, and Communications Director Diane Cary.

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