Download Examples of Bay-Friendly Plants

EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
PERENNIALS
Achillea spp. – Apple Blossom Yarrow, Salmon
Beauty Yarrow
This perennial produces bright pink flower heads. It is
drought tolerant once established and can act as a fire
retardant. It is sometimes used for its herbal qualities.
Armeria maritima var. californica – Sea Thrift
This evergreen perennial grows in mounds and
produces small white to rose-pink flowers in round
clusters during the spring.
Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant
This evergreen perennial is extremely tolerant of
conditions that are adverse to other plants. It will grow
in dark shaded areas as well as in filtered sunlight. It
can tolerate some drought.
Dietes bicolora – African Iris
This evergreen perennial grows in two foot clumps.
The flowers are light yellow and are marked with
maroon splotching. This plant is drought tolerant once
established.
Height: 2–3 feet; Width: 2–3 feet (Low S)
Height: 2–3 feet; Width: 2–3 feet; Sun to Shade (Low S)
Diplacus hybrids – Monkey Flower
Also know as Mimulus, these drought tolerant
perennials have tubular flowers which bloom over a
long period during the late spring and early summer.
Many need sun, but some can tolerate the shade.
Eschscholzia californica – California Poppy
This perennial native is the official state flower of
California. Its leaves are finely branched and bluegreen in color. The flowers have satiny petals that
range in color from creamy white to deep red.
Gaura lindheimeri – Gaura
This two to four foot tall perennial produces branching
flower spikes that sport one inch white blossoms all
summer long. It requires little care and is fairly drought
tolerant.
Height: 2–3 feet; Width: 2–3 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 12”; Width: 12” (Very Low S)
Height: 3–4 feet; Width: 1–2 feet; Full Sun (Medium S)
Limonium perezii – Sea Lavender
This evergreen perennial has a rich green basal leaf
clump and produces purple flowers on 12 to 36 inch
tall stalks throughout the summer. It freezes at 25
degrees Fahrenheit but can reseed itself.
Nepeta faassenii – Cat Mint
This drought tolerant perennial mounds up to two feet
in height. It has aromatic leaves and lavender blue
flowers that appear in early summer. It is used for its
herbal qualities.
Phormium tenax – Dwarf New Zealand Flax
This large evergreen perennial can grow to be three to
four feet tall. Its flower stalks bear many dark red to
yellowish flowers. It thrives in any amount of sunlight.
Height: 2–3 feet ; Width: 2–3 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 3–4 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 1 foot; Width: 2 feet; Full Sun (Medium S)
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 2–3 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Dietes vegeta – Fortnight Lily
This evergreen perennial grows to be four feet tall. It is
very drought resistant and produces white flowers with
orange, brown and purple markings.
Height: 3–4 feet; Width: 2–3 feet; Sun to Shade (Low S)
Hemerocallis hybrids – Daylilies
These perennial tuberous lilies can grow to be one to
six feet tall and can produce flowers from May to
October which are yellow, pink, white or bicolored.
Some varieties are evergreen, while other die back.
They can grow in full sun or partial shade.
Height: 6’–8’ ; Width: 4’–5’; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 1–6 feet ; Width: 1–2 feet (Medium S)
Page 1 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
Salvia uliginosa – Sage
This wispy evergreen perennial can grow to be three
to four feet tall and produces foliage in a basal clump.
The tall flowers stalks bloom with light blue flowers in
late summer. This plant needs little care.
Scilla peruviana – Peruvian Scilla
This hearty perennial grows from a bulb and has rich
green, strap-like leaves. Fifty or more bluish-purple
flowers bloom in large dome-shaped clusters in May
and June.
Sedum telephium – Autumn Joy StoneCrop
This succulent perennial has upright or slightly
spreading stems which produce coppery-rose colored
blooms. If the stalks are not cut after the blooms fade,
seed pods will form on top of the bare stalks.
Height: 4–6 feet ; Width: 2–3 feet; Full Sun (Medium S)
Height: 1 feet ; Width: 1–2 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Height: 2–3 feet ; Width: 2-3 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Watsonia pyramidata – Watsonia
This deciduous perennial grows from corms and,
unlike some of its relatives, blooms from late spring to
early summer. The two and one-half inch long rosepink to rose-red flowers bloom in spike like clusters.
Zauschneria californica – California
Fuchsia/Hummingbird Flower
A perennial California native, this plant can withstand
dry, hot summers and enjoys full sun. From summer
through fall it produces pretty red flowers.
Height: 4–6 feet ; Width: 2–3 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 1 feet ; Width: 2 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Tulbaghia violacea – Sliver Lace Society Garlic
This perennial produces leaves and flower stems that
smell of garlic when crushed. Eight to 20 rosylavender flowers bloom on one to two foot long stems.
Height: 1–3 feet ; Width: 1-2 feet; Sun or Shade (Medium S)
GROUNDCOVER
Acacia redolens – Prostrate Acacia
This robust evergreen ground cover can spread to 20
feet and does well in poor soils. Its grey-green leaves
are long and narrow while its yellow flowers bloom in
small puffy balls during the spring. It is very drought
and heat tolerant.
Baccharis pilularis – Dwarf Coyote Bush
This dense ground cover grows to be eight to 24
inches high and spreads to six feet wide. The small
oval leaves are thick and bright green. The flowers are
off-white and fuzzy. This plant is drought tolerant and
can grow in a wide range of ecosystems.
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis – Yankee Point
Ceanothus (California Wild Lilac)
This ceanothus makes an excellent ground cover. It
can grow to be three feet tall and can spread to eight
feet in just two seasons. Its profuse sea blue flowers
appear in April and May.
Height: <1 foot ; Width: 10–15 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Height: 1 foot ; Width: 3–10 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 4–5 feet ; Width: 8–10 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Cerastium tomentosum – Snow-in-Summer
This low growing perennial can be planted as a
ground cover or used to fill in spaces between rocks
or stepping stones. It needs little water once
established.
Height: 6–12 inches; Width: 12 inches; Sun to Shade
(Medium S)
Page 2 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – Dwarf Plumbago
This perennial, wiry-stemmed ground cover has
bronze to dark green leaves that turn red with frost.
The one-half inch wide, intense blue flowers bloom
from July until the first frost.
Cistus salvifolius – Sageleaf Rockrose
This sun-loving, fast growing, drought resistant shrub
can grow to be two feet high and six feet wide. Its
white and yellow-spotted flowers emerge in late
spring. This plant makes a good ground cover.
Cotoneaster dammeri – Bearberry Cotoneaster
The white flowers of this prostrate evergreen ground
cover bloom in sun or shade. It can grow to be three
to six inches high and 10 feet wide and produces red
berries.
Mahonia repens – Creeping Mahonia
This ground cover, which enjoys full sun or partial
shade, spreads by underground stems and grows to
be three feet high. Its spine-toothed leaves have a
blue-green tint and turn bronzy in winter.
Height: 6–12 inches; Width: 4–5 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 4–6 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 1 feet; Width: 8–12 feet; Full Sun (Low S/Medium S)
Height: 1–3 feet; Width: 3 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Myoporum parvifolium var. prostratum – Prostrate
Myoporum
This fire retardant ground cover has small green
leaves and produces white flowers which bloom
during the summer. It grows to three inches high and
can spread to nine feet.
Nandina compacta – Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo
This bamboo is similar to "Harbour Dwarf," except that
it turns a purplish color in winter.
Nandina domestica – Harbour Dwarf Heavenly
Bamboo
The delicate foliage of this compact evergreen shrub
is green in summer and reddish-orange to bronzy-red
in winter. This ground cover provides nice color in the
winter. It is drought tolerant once established.
Oenothera berlandieri – Mexican Evening
Primrose
This is a good perennial ground cover for dry slopes. It
grows to be 10 to 12 inches high and produces rose
pink or white flowers. It can be invasive if not
controlled and is susceptible to powdery mildew.
Height: 6–8 feet; Width: 4–5 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 8–15 inches; Width: 3–4 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 4–6 feet; Width: 4 feet; Sun to Partial Sun (Low S)
Height: <1 foot; Width: 9 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Rosmarinus officinalis var. prostratus Huntington
– Blue Rosemary
This fast-spreading, evergreen ground cover has
small aromatic leaves. It produces deep blue flowers
in late winter and early spring and again in the fall.
Once established it needs little or no watering.
Height: 18 inches; Width: 3 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Salvia leucantha – Mexican Sage
This drought tolerant shrub grows to be three to four
feet tall. The small white flowers bloom in the summer
and fall on velvety-purple or rose colored spikes.
Height: 3–4 feet; Width: 3–4 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Thymus vulgaris – Thyme
This perennial, prostrate, evergreen herb is a hardy
ground cover that attracts bees and needs only
periodic watering in the heat of summer. It grows well
in full sun or partial shade. The aromatic leaves are
prized for their herbal qualities.
Height: 12 inches; Width: 12 inches; Full Sun to Light
Shade (Medium S)
Page 3 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
GRASSES
Festuca californica – California Fescue
This ornamental grass is bluish in color and grows in
clumps.
Height: 4 feet; Width: 5 feet; Part Shade (Low S)
Helictrichon sempervirens – Blue Oat Grass
The foliage of this arching grass is bluish in color. It
grows to be two feet tall and prefers full sun, but will
tolerate partial shade.
Pennisetum cupreum – Fountain Grass
This perennial grass grows in dense rounded clumps
up to four feet tall. It is drought resistant, can tolerate
any type of soil and will grow in full sun.
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 1–2 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 2–4 feet; Width: 2–4 feet; Full Sun to Light Shade
(Low S)
Arctostaphylos densiflora – Howard McMinn
Manzanita
A Sonoma County native, this evergreen shrub grows
in mounds and produces whitish-pink flowers. It can
spread up to seven feet and reach five to six feet in
height, becoming very dense.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – Bearberry
This small shrub grows to be 14 inches tall and
produces dense, bright green vegetation. The leaves
are elliptical and shiny. The pale pink, urn-shaped
flowers appear in March.
SHRUBS
Agapanthus africanus – Lily of the Nile
The flower stalks of this evergreen shrub can stand
two to three feet high and produce white or blue
blooms. It is adaptable and drought tolerant when
established.
Height: 2–3 feet; Width: 2–3 feet; Full Sun to Part Shade
(Medium S)
Aster frikartii – Wonder of Staffa Aster
This perennial flowering shrub can grow to be two feet
tall. It produces abundant, lavender to violet blue
fragrant flowers from May through October. It will
bloom almost all year if dead flower heads are
removed regularly.
Height: 5–6 feet; Width: 7 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Height: 6–14 inches; Width: 15 inches; Full Sun to Part
Shade (Low S)
Aucuba japonica – Japanese Aucuba
This evergreen shrub, which can grow to be six to 10
feet tall, has distinctive yellow splotching on its leaves.
It produces minute, dark maroon flowers in March.
Berberis thunbergii – Japanese Barberry
This deciduous shrub has spiny, arching branches
which produce bright red berries from fall through
winter.
Carpenteria californica – Bush Anemone
This native evergreen shrub can tolerate sun, but
does best in partial shade. The white flowers bloom
from May through August.
Ceanothus spp. – Blue Jeans Ceanothus (Wild
Lilac)
This drought tolerant, evergreen shrub produces pale
blue flower clusters in the early spring.
Height: 6–10 feet; Width: 4–6 feet; Shade (Medium S)
Height: 4–6 feet; Width: 3–6 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 3–6 feet; Width: 3 feet; Sun and Shade (Low S)
Height: 7–9 feet; Width: 7–9 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Height: 5–6 feet; Width: 7 feet; Full Sun (Medium S)
Page 4 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
Ceanothus spp. – Joyce Coulter Ceanothus (Wild
Lilac)
This evergreen shrub produces three to five inch
spikes of blue flowers. It is a fast grower, always looks
lush and tolerates shearing.
Height: 2–5 feet; Width: 10–12 feet; Full Sun to Part Sun
(Low S)
Ceanothus gloriosus – Anchor Bay Ceanothus
(California Wild Lilac)
This ceanothus can grow as a very dense shrub, small
tree or ground cover. It lives for five to 10 years and
produces deep blue flowers in the spring. It should be
planted out of reach of sprinklers and should be
watered with a hose through the first dry season.
Ceanothus rigidus – Snowball Ceanothus
This evergreen shrub boasts profuse white flower
clusters that appear in early spring. It grows to be six
to 10 feet tall and eight to 12 feet wide and can be
trimmed as a small garden tree.
Height: 6–10 feet; Width: 8–12 feet; Sun to Partial Sun
(Low S)
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 6–8 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Cercocarpus betuloides – Mountain Mahogany
This evergreen shrub or tree can grow to be five to 20
feet tall. Its distinguishing feature is a long-lasting,
small fruit topped by a long, twisted, feathery, tail-like
plume that "sparkles" in the sunlight.
Height: 8 feet; Width: 6 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Echium fastuosum – Pride of Madeira
This perennial shrub grows to be three to six feet in
height. Its fuzzy grey-green leaves form dense foliage.
The purple flowers bloom in spectacular large spikes.
Height: 3–6 feet; Width: 6 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Chaenomeles spp. – Red Flowering Quince
This deciduous shrub has large red, ruffled flowers
appear in early spring. It is drought tolerant once
established.
Height: 6–10 feet; Width: 6–12 feet; Partial Shade to Full
Sun (Low S)
Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum – Sulfur
Buckwheat
This perennial shrub forms broad mats four to 12
inches high. As the leaves and yellow flowers age
they turn rust-colored. It grows best in full sun with
little or no water.
Ceratostigma willmottianum – Chinese Plumbago
This semi-evergreen shrub produces deep green
leaves which turn yellow or red after a frost. The bright
blue, one-half inch wide flowers bloom from June
through November. Stems should be cut back in the
early spring. It provides good garden color.
Height: 2–4 feet; Width: 4–5 feet; Sun or Partial Shade
(Medium S)
Chaenomeles cultivai – Toyo Nishiki Flowering
Quince
This quince is similar to the red flowering quince,
except that it produces pink, white, red and pink and
white bicolored flowers in the early spring.
Cistus purpureus – Purple Rockrose
This compact evergreen shrub has dark green leaves
which are hairy on the underside. The large purplepink flowers, which have a red spot at the base of
each petal, appear in June and July.
Height: 8 feet; Width: 8 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 4–6 feet; Width: 4–6 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Fremontodendron spp. – Flannel Bush
This fast growing, very drought tolerant shrub can
grow to be six to 20 feet tall. It has very hairy leaves
and is covered in large yellow flowers in May and
June.
Galvezia speciosa – Island Bush Snapdragon
This shrub can grow to be three to four feet tall and
five feet wide. Its bright tubular flowers bloom all year
long.
Height: 3–4 feet; Width: 4–5 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 6–20 feet; Width: 10–15 feet; Full Sun (Very Low S)
Height: 1 foot; Width: 3 feet; Full Sun to Part Sun (Low S)
Page 5 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
Grevillea noellii – Grevillea
Producing red and pink flowers that bloom in clusters
all year long, this shrub has a rounded shape and long
graceful branches. It prefers good drainage.
Heteromeles arbutifolia – Toyon
This evergreen shrub produces small white flower
clusters which attract bees. It does well in full sun or
partial shade, and although drought tolerant, it
benefits from some summer water.
Juniperus horizontalis – Prince of Wales Juniper
This drought tolerant, evergreen shrub produces
bright green feathery foliage. It can grow to be six
inches tall and makes a good rock garden foundation
plant.
Height: 6–10 feet; Width: 6–10 feet; Sun or Shade
(Very Low S)
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 4–8 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon Grape
This evergreen shrub has spiny, glossy green leaves
that may turn purplish or bronzy in the winter. It can
grow to be two to five feet tall and does best in light
shade.
Nerium oleander – Petite Salmon Oleander
This evergreen shrub has elongated dark green
leaves and aromatic clusters of flowers which range in
color from white to shades of pink and red. The
flowers bloom from early summer to mid-autumn.
Plumbago auriculata – Cape Plumbago
This fast growing shrub can reach two to six feet in
height and four to 10 feet in width. The small flowers
bloom in clusters during the summer and virtually
cover the entire bush in a blue or white canopy.
Height: 2–5 feet; Width: 2–5 feet; Sun or Shade (Medium S)
Height: 3–20 feet; Width: 3–12 feet; Full Sun to Light Shade
(Low S)
Height: 2–6 feet; Width: 4–10 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Rhamnus californica – Eve Case Coffeeberry
This evergreen shrub can be low and spreading or
can grow upright to four to eight feet. It enjoys full sun
or partial shade and is drought tolerant, although it
likes a bit of summer water.
Ribes sanguineum – Pink Winter Currant
This deciduous shrub produces drooping clusters of
deep pink to red flowers which are followed by bluishblack berries. It prefers full sunlight or light shade and
is fairly drought tolerant. Hummingbirds like this plant.
Ribes speciosum – Fuchsia Flowering Gooseberry
From January to May, this deciduous shrub produces
deep crimson to cherry red drooping flowers that
resemble the blooms of the fuchsia. It is an excellent
barrier planting.
Sollya heterophylla – Australian Blue Bell Creeper
Climbing to six to eight feet, this evergreen shrub or
vine likes partial shade. It produces clusters of onehalf inch long, brilliant blue, bell-shaped flowers
throughout most of the summer.
Height: 6–8 feet; Width: 6–8 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 6–12 feet; Width: 6–12 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 6 feet; Width: 6 feet; Full Sun to Partial Shade
(Low S)
Height: 6–8 feet; Width: 5 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 4 feet; Width: 5 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Leptospermum laevigatum – Australian Tea Tree
This large shrub or small tree produces white flowers
in the spring. It needs little care if planted in welldrained, slightly acidic soil. Solitary plants can grow to
be 30 feet high. If grown close together, these plants
will grow to be only one and one-half to six feet tall.
Height: 20–30 feet; Width: 20–30 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Lagerstroemia f. var. tuscarora – Crape Myrtle
This slow growing deciduous shrub has a high
resistance to powdery mildew. It has smooth grey or
light brown bark. Spring foliage is light green tinged
with a bronzy red, while in the fall it may turn yellow,
orange or red.
Height: 10–30 feet; Width: 15–25 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Page 6 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
BULBS, FERNS, VINES, ETC.
Crocosmia hybrids – Montbretia
This corm has long, one-half inch wide, sword-shaped
leaves and produces orange crimson flowers. It
should be planted in partial shade and is drought
tolerant once established.
Dryopteris erythrosora – Autumn Fern
This fern is drought tolerant and prefers partial shade.
It is one of the few ferns that shows a seasonal color
change - new fronds start out reddish and slowly turn
green as spring progresses to summer.
Iris douglasiana – Pacific Coast Iris
This evergreen plant has long slender leaves and
flowers that can vary in color from creamy white to
blue and deep purple. It does well in both shade and
sun but prefers well-cultivated soil.
Lupinus arboreus – Lupine
This five to eight inch tall plant has palmate leaves
and pea-shaped flowers that occur in dense spikes.
Flowers vary in color from yellow to blue to bluishwhite and bloom from March to June.
Height: 2–3 feet; Width: 1–2 feet; Sun to Part Sun (Low S)
Height: 1.5–2 feet; Width: 1.5–2 feet; Shade (Medium S)
Height: 1–2 feet; Width: 2–3 feet; Sun or Shade (Low S)
Height: 3–6 feet; Width: 3–6 feet; Part Shade to Full Sun
(Low S)
Pinus mugo – Mugho Pine
This very hardy dwarf pine can grow to be four feet
tall. Young specimens are compact and symmetrical,
while older ones have spreading branches. This pine
is a good rock garden specimen.
Solanum jasminoides – PotatoVine
This evergreen is related to the potato. It has delicate
foliage which can climb to 30 feet. The pure white
flowers bloom almost perpetually. It can tolerate full
sunlight or partial shade and should be cut back
severely to promote new growth. Because the pollen
is poisonous to bees, it makes a good pool side
planting.
Height: 2–4 feet; Width: 5–6 feet; Full Sun to Part Sun
(Low S)
Height: Climbing; Width: Spreading; Sun or Shade
(Medium S)
Page 7 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
TREES
Aesculus californica – California Buckeye
This deciduous tree needs a lot of room. The fragrant
flowers bloom in spear-shaped clusters in April and
May. The leaves fall in July to expose silvery bark and
round pods.
Arbutus menziesii – Madrone
This California native can grow to be 20 to over 100
feet tall. It has broad, deep green leaves and reddish
bark. It grows well in full sun and requires deep but
infrequent watering.
Arbutus unedo var. compacta – Strawberry Tree
This tree, which can grow to be eight to 35 feet tall,
needs little water once established. It has shredding,
reddish-brown bark and dark green oblong leaves.
The flowers are white and the fruit is strawberry-like.
Cercis occidentalis – Western Redbud
This fast growing, deciduous tree can reach six to 18
feet in height. It needs a lot of water until it is
established. A member of the pea family, it produces
bright pink and red flowers in the spring.
Height: 10–30 feet; Width: 30–40 feet; Full Sun
(Very Low S)
Height: 20–100 feet; Width: 50 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 8–35 feet; Width: 15–30 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Height: 6–18 feet; Width: 10 feet; Full Sun to Part Sun
(Very Low S)
Eucalyptus sideroxylon var. rosea – Eucalyptus
This fast growing tree can reach 100 feet in height and
needs little or no water once established. It has
reddish-brown bark and its leaves are quite aromatic.
Pistacia chinensis – Chinese Pistache
The wispy deciduous leaves of this tree provide
brilliant fall color. It grows to be 60 feet tall and does
best in well drained soils.
Height: 50–100 feet; Width: 25 feet; Full Sun to Part Sun
(Low S)
Height: 30–60 feet; Width: 30–60 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Prunus ilicifolia – Holly Leaf Cherry or Islay
This small tree has slightly serrated leaves, similar to
holly. It produces light pink blossoms in early spring
before the leaves appear. The blossoms scatter like a
snowfall as the leaves begin to grow.
Quercus agrifolia – Coast Live Oak
This majestic California native is a common sight in
many yards and open spaces. The limbs often spread
to create a crown that is wider than the tree is tall.
This evergreen has a rounded form.
Height: 15–25 feet; Width: 10–15 feet; Sun or Shade
(Low S)
Height: 40–60 feet; Width: 40–50 feet; Full Sun
(Very Low S)
Page 8 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
Rhus lancea – African Sumac
This slow growing evergreen tree is drought tolerant
but can also withstand lawn watering. The yellow or
red berry-like fruit grows in clusters on the female
trees.
Height: 20–30 feet; Width: 20–35 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Robinia ambigua var. idahoensis – Idaho Locust
This deciduous tree can grow to be 40 feet tall. It is
one of the showiest locust trees because of its bright
magenta flower clusters.
Height: 40 feet; Width: 30 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Sambucus caerulea – Blue Elderberry
As a shrub, blue elderberry can grow to be four to 10
feet in height; as a tree, up to 50 feet. Its white flowers
bloom in rounded clusters in the spring. The edible
blue berries will attract many species of birds to your
yard.
Height: 10–50 feet; Width: 8–20 feet; Full Sun (Low S)
Schinus molle – California Pepper
This tree grows to be 25 to 40 feet tall. Its long slender
leaves and drooping branches give it a willowy
appearance. It produces inedible, reddish-pink
peppercorns.
Height: 25–40 feet; Width: 25–40 feet; Full Sun
(Very Low S)
Page 9 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
INVASIVE PLANTS TO BE AVOIDED
Carpobrotus edulis – Iceplant or Hottentot Fig
Cotraderia selloana – Pampasgrass
Cotoneaster lacteus, Cotoneaster pannosus –
Cotoneaster
Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus striatus, Spartium
junceum, Genista monspessulana – Scotch,
Portuguese, Spanish, or French Broom
Hedera helix, Hedera canariensis – English Ivy,
Algerian Ivy
Vinca major – Periwinkle
Helichrysum petiolare – Licorice Plant
Sesbania punicea – Scarlet Wisteria
Page 10 of 12
EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
PERENNIALS
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Achillea spp. – Apple Blossom Yarrow, Salmon Beauty Yarrow
Armeria maritima var. californica – Sea Thrift
Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant
Dietes bicolora – African Iris
Dietes vegeta – Fortnight Lily
Diplacus hybrids – Monkey Flower
Eschscholzia californica – California Poppy
Gaura lindheimeri – Gaura
Hemerocallis hybrids – Daylilies
Limonium perezii – Sea Lavender
Nepeta faassenii – Cat Mint
Phormium tenax – Dwarf New Zealand Flax
Salvia uliginosa – Sage
Scilla peruviana – Peruvian Scilla
Sedum telephium – Autumn Joy StoneCrop
Tulbaghia violacea – Sliver Lace Society Garlic
Watsonia pyramidata – Watsonia
Zauschneria californica – California Fuchsia/Hummingbird Flower
GROUNDCOVER
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Acacia redolens – Prostrate AcaciaBaccharis pilularis – Dwarf Coyote Bush
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis – Yankee Point Ceanothus (California Wild Lilac)
Cerastium tomentosum – Snow-in-Summer
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – Dwarf Plumbago
Cistus salvifolius – Sageleaf Rockrose
Cotoneaster dammeri – Bearberry Cotoneaster
Mahonia repens – Creeping Mahonia
Myoporum parvifolium var. prostratum – Prostrate Myoporum
Nandina compacta – Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica – Harbour Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo
Oenothera berlandieri – Mexican Evening Primrose
Rosmarinus officinalis var. prostratus Huntington Blue Rosemary
Salvia leucantha Mexican Sage
Thymus vulgaris Thyme
GRASSES
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q Helictrichon sempervirens – Blue Oat Grass
q Pennisetum cupreum – Fountain Grass
SHRUBS
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Agapanthus africanus – Lily of the Nile
Arctostaphylos densiflora – Howard McMinn Manzanita
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – Bearberry
Aster frikartii – Wonder of Staffa Aster
Aucuba japonica – Japanese Aucuba
Berberis thunbergii – Japanese Barberry
Carpenteria californica – Bush Anemone
Ceanothus spp. – Blue Jeans Ceanothus (Wild Lilac)
Ceanothus spp. – Joyce Coulter Ceanothus (Wild Lilac)
Ceanothus gloriosus – Anchor Bay Ceanothus (California Wild Lilac)
Ceanothus rigidus – Snowball Ceanothus
Ceratostigma willmottianum – Chinese Plumbago
Cercocarpus betuloides – Mountain Mahogany
Chaenomeles spp. – Red Flowering Quince
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EXAMPLES OF BAY-FRIENDLY PLANT SPECIES
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Chaenomeles cultivai – Toyo Nishiki Flowering Quince
Cistus purpureus – Purple Rockrose
Echium fastuosum – Pride of Madeira
Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum – Sulfur Buckwheat
Fremontodendron spp. – Flannel Bush
Galvezia speciosa – Island Bush Snapdragon
Grevillea noellii – Grevillea
Heteromeles arbutifolia – Toyon
Juniperus horizontalis – Prince of Wales Juniper
Lagerstroemia f. var. tuscarora – Crape Myrtle
Leptospermum laevigatum – Australian Tea Tree
Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon Grape
Nerium oleander – Petite Salmon Oleander
Plumbago auriculata – Cape Plumbago
Rhamnus californica – Eve Case Coffeeberry
Ribes sanguineum – Pink Winter Currant
Ribes speciosum – Fuchsia Flowering Gooseberry
Sollya heterophylla – Australian Blue Bell Creeper
BULBS, FERNS, VINES, ETC.
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Crocosmia hybrids Montbretia
Dryopteris erythrosora – Autumn Fern
Iris douglasiana – Pacific Coast Iris
Lupinus arboreus – Lupine
Pinus mugo – Mugho Pine
Solanum jasminoides – PotatoVine
TREES
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Aesculus californica – California Buckeye
Arbutus menziesii – Madrone
Arbutus unedo var. compacta – Strawberry Tree
Cercis occidentalis – Western Redbud
Eucalyptus sideroxylon var. rosea – Eucalyptus
Pistacia chinensis – Chinese Pistache
Prunus ilicifolia – Holly Leaf Cherry or Islay
Quercus agrifolia – Coast Live Oak
Rhus lancea – African Sumac
Robinia ambigua var. idahoensis – Idaho Locust
Sambucus caerulea – Blue Elderberry
Schinus molle – California Pepper
INVASIVE PLANTS TO BE AVOIDED
Carpobrotus edulis – Iceplant or Hottentot Fig
Cotraderia selloana – Pampasgrass
Cotoneaster lacteus, Cotoneaster pannosus – Cotoneaster
Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus striatus, Spartium junceum, Genista monspessulana – Scotch, Portuguese, Spanish, or French
Broom
Hedera helix, Hedera canariensis – English Ivy, Algerian Ivy
Vinca major – Periwinkle
Helichrysum petiolare – Licorice Plant
Sesbania punicea – Scarlet Wisteria
Additional Resources:
1. East Bay MUD’s Plants and Landscapes for Summer Dry Climates, visit www.ebmud.com
2. Sunset Magazine’s Western Garden Book (watering standard designation of 1 or 2)
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