#15) Dryopteris erythrosora

In continued effort to find interesting shade loving plants, I was excited to find Dryopteris erythrosora, one of the few ferns with seasonal color.

(A) Dryopteris erythrosora displays seasonal color when young, then matures to a deep green. Inspired by its muted seasonal color, I've paired it here with (B) Carex albula ‘Frosty Curls’, (C) Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow Tree) and (D) Corylus avellana 'Contorta'. This plant palette was inspired by the austere riparian beauty of the Marin headlands. Dryopteris erythrosora is available at Devil Mountain Nursery.

Details:
Biological Name: Dryopteris erythrosora
Common Name: Autumn Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Origin: Japan (Asia)
Exposure: Partial to Full Shade
Irrigation: Medium Water Needs
Flower Time: Does not flower
Height: 1.5-3’
Width: 1.5-2’

#14) Farfugium japonicum

After covering 13 'full sun' plants, I thought I'd switch gears a bit and focus on shade plants. This beautiful planting is outside Flowerland in Berkeley. The broad leaf plant in the center is Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea'. It reaches 3-4' high and wide, likes cool sun/light shade, and medium amounts of water. Here it is paired with (left to right) Carex trifida 'Rekohu Sunrise', Gunnera spp., and Asparagus retrofractus, in a subtly Japanese-inspired palette.

Along with (A) Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea', there is also (B) Farfugium japonicum 'Aureo-maculata', with yellow spots on its leaves. These plants are dying to be reinterpretted in a modern landscape!

Details:
Biological Name: Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea'
Common Name: Giant Leopard Plant
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflowers)
Origin: Japan (Asia)
Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade
Irrigation: Medium Water Needs
Flower Time: Summer/Fall
Height: 3-4’
Width: 2-3’

#13) Melaleuca incana

While studying for our weekly shrub quiz, I came across this image of Melaleuca incana (left) and what looks to be Dicksia (right), shown here at Alsip Home and Nursery. Similar to Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' with Aloe, I love the pairing of a woodsy, fine textured plant with a broad leaf desert plant. Here, Australia meets Brazil in a combination that may be geographically illogical but, in terms of form, texture and color, they make perfect sense. Also, both require little water and full sun, suiting our California climate perfectly. 

Melaleuca incana can get quite large (10-12' high and wide), and has pale yellow flowers (above image, top left). Another interesting pairing could be with Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean Fan Palm), with its gray-green foliage and broad leaves. Melaleuca incana is available at Devil Mountain Nursery.

Details:

Biological Name: Melaleuca incana

Common Name: Gray Honey-myrtle

Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtles)

Origin: Australia (Australasia)

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring/Summer

Height: 6-10’

Width: 6-12’

#12) Agave 'Blue Glow'

Agave 'Blue Glow' is a beautiful succulent that stays low and compact. The prettiest thing about it is its yellow and red margins. It's especially beautiful when backlit by the sun.

This planting scheme is particularly successful for a few reasons. Instead of en massed in a tight grid, this single specimen succulent has a more informal effect. I like how it is grounded by the boulder, as well as the contrasting softness of the surrounding foliage. Tonally, it is also really nice – the blue of the Agave is complimented by the bright orange of the Carex testacea, and hues of silver (Helichrysum petiolare), gray green (Lavandula dentata and Festuca glauca), and bright green soften the contrast. Kudos to Verdance Design.

It's also worth noting that the Carex testacea is well placed directly behind the Agave 'Blue Glow', along the top edge of the burm. Its yellow coloring adds to the back lit effect, and distinguishes its spikey form. This plant is available at Devil Mountain Nursery.

Details:
Biological Name: Agave 'Blue Glow'
Common Name: Blue Glow Agave
Family: Agavaceae (Agaves)
Origin: Mexico (North America)
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation: Low Water Needs
Flower Time: Infrequent
Height: 1-2’
Width: 2-3’

#11) Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'

Earlier this year, I saw a landscape design that made me see Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in a new way. The installation is at Darien and San Benito in San Francisco. Within an angular planting bed (adjacent to lawn), they placed this specimen plant in between low-growing Aloe polyphylla (top image, left) and Agave attenuata 'Ray of Light' (bottom image, right), showing off its unique form.

It fits an interesting use case, where you would want something showy and sculptural, yet low and wide, such as outside a window. Here, it's used in a modern context, with equally as interesting plant forms. What I find particularly interesting is the pairing of this woodsy plant with succulents – who would have thought! But, it really works.

Details:
Biological Name: Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'
Common Name: Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: [unknown]
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation: Low Water Needs
Flower Time: Does not bloom
Height: 15-20’, slow growing
Width: 15-20’, slow growing

If anyone knows the origin of this plant, or the landscape designer, please let me know. Thanks!

#10) Echeveria subrigida

Came across this image while trolling the web and was happily surprised to see a succulent I haven't really seen before. It is as if an Agave (with its pointed leaves) and an Echeveria (with its low rosette form) had a baby. After seeing the same succulents used over and over, this is refreshingly different! Here it is seen with a stubby version of Senecio serpens 'Blue Chalksticks' (another nice diversion from the common). Kudos to Garden Proganda for sharing (http://gardenpropaganda.com/tag/agave-celsii-var-albicans-ucb/).

Devil Mountain Nursery carries 2 kinds of Echeveria subrigida: The cultivar A) 'Fire and Ice' and B) the straight species. I could see both being useful depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.

Details:

Biological Name: Echeveria subrigida

Common Name: Echeveria

Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops)

Origin: Mexico (North America)

Exposure: Sun or Shade

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring/Summer

Height: 1’

Width: 1-2’

#9) Banksia speciosa

I came across Banksia speciosa at San Francisco Botanical Garden earlier this month. And, I was happy to see it on the Devil Mountain Nursery website, so I'm hoping it is somewhat available. It has gorgeous gray green leaves, with zigzagging serrated edges. At the ends of each branch, in the center of its radiating leaves, this plant produces a cone-shaped flower. Together, the geometries are something to marvel at and from which to derive architectural inspiration, much like Frank Lloyd Wright would have done.

Like the other plants in the Proteaceae family, this plant can get very large (20' h x 15' w), which is much too big for most residential gardens (wouldn't it be great if there were a smaller cultivar??). The irony is that this would make a great freeway screening plant, but I feel its beauty is only fully appreciated close-up.

Mixing things up a bit, this planting scheme is based more on form than color. This could be a part of a mature garden, for the hypothetical 'Banksia House'. A) Banksia speciosa, can be accompanied by other thin leafed plants such as C) Yucca rostrata, and E) Butia capitata, as well as broad leaved plants such as B) Agave celsii var. albicans 'UCB' (seen on San Marcos Growers website),  D) Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pon', and F) Aloe plicatilis. Assuming the Banksia House is on plenty of land, these plants would look amazing massed together, basking in the hot Southern California sun.

Details:

Biological Name: Banksia speciosa

Common Name: Showy Banksia

Family: Proteaceae (Proteas)

Origin: Australia (Australasia)

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Summer/Fall

Height: 12-20’

Width: 10-15’

#8) Oscularia deltoides

I first encountered this interesting groundcover within a container planting in a strip mall in Los Angeles. It seems tough as nails and yet kinda sophisticated due to its complex geometrical form and gray green coloring (though, like the picture above, I've also seen it bright green. Are these two different varieties of the same plant? Please let me know if you know!). I also like its reddish stems, and the flowers are tolerable. This particular time, I spotted a flat of it at Flowerland Nursery in Berkeley.

I really like it in the planting scheme above, along with Agave angustifolia 'Marginata' (left), Agave desmettiana (right) and what looks like Senecio cylindricus (just peaking out on the top right corner). There are some groundcovers that just don't look quite right growing in between succulents (too delicate? Too prostrate?) But, this one integrates in just beautifully. It is sprawling, yet upright, and just fine grained enough to contrast nicely with the broad blades. And, the consistent gray green tone of the palette really allows the red stems and the varigation of the agaves to pop. Quite brilliant. Kudos to Hoover Boo (http://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-foliage.html).

Details:

Biological Name: Oscularia deltoides 

Common Name: Pink Iceplant

Family: Aizoaceae (Ice Plants)

Origin: South Africa

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring

Height: <1’

Width: 2-3’

#7) Leucadendron linifolium

Berkeley Horticultural Nursery has quite a few Leucadendron linifolium, with delicate silvery green upright branching arms and fine needle-like foliage (top left image). Overall, there isn't much information online about this rare plant. Apparently, after they get older, they loose their delicateness and get a bit stiffer (bottom image). I also found a picture of the plant with bright orange foliage, but I don't know too much about the conditions in which it would do this. It also produces silver cone-like flowers.

To enhance its silver tones, A) Leucadendron linifolium could go nicely with B) Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls', C) Leucospermum cordifolium 'Yellow Bird' (also with silvery green foliage), D) Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus,' E) Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter' (for some contrast), and F) Leucophyta brownii. This could be lovely in front of a celadon green Berkeley bungalow. 

Details:

Biological Name: Leucadendron linifolium

Common Name: NCN

Family: Proteaceae (Proteas)

Origin: South Africa

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low to Moderate Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring

Height: 4’

Width: 4’

#6) Grevillea 'Long John'

I was drawn to this shrub at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery and attracted to its long upright branches, thin needle-like foliage, and cinnamon colored bark. And, I can't say I'm surprised to find out that this is a huge shrub (8-10' h x w). If I was ever at a loss for screening plants that take full sun, I am no longer.

To me, this shrub has kind of a woodsy vibe, and I thought it would be fun to pair it with woodsy plants that also like some sun.

A) Grevillea 'Long John' could be paired with plants that bring out its blue hues, such as B) Cupressus cashmeriana, D) Juniperus horizontalis 'BlueChip', and F) Nolina nelsonii, as well as green plants such as C) Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn' (which shares its bark color) and E) Ribes sanguineum (which brings a broader and more delicate leaf to the mix). Woodsy, sun-loving and I love the blue-green hues. I want to do this!

Details:
Biological Name: Grevillea 'Long John'
Common Name: NCN
Family: Proteaceae (Proteas)
Origin: Australia (Australasia)
Exposure: Full Sun to Light Shade
Irrigation: Low Water Needs
Flower Time: Spring
Height: 8-10’
Width: 8-12’

#5) Beschorneria yuccoides

When I saw this plant many years ago in Los Angeles, it struck me as a cross between Agave americana and Phormium tenax. It had the structural form of the first, with the soft, cascading blades of the second. It was grouped en masse, completely blanketing a hillside, making a subdued yet undeniable statement. The bold design perfectly set off, and yet at the same time blended in, the new modern house on the block with its surroundings. At that time, I had no idea what this plant was. Since then, I've seen it lightly sprinkled around the East Bay and its nurseries. 

In terms of behavior, Beschorneria yuccoides clumps over time, sending out pups at the center to eventually become a rounded mass. It sends out red flowering stalks, that contrast its gray green leaves beautifully. Thankfully, when the stalk withers, the plant itself stays intact. 

At the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, they have a Beschorneria yuccoides by the front gate, which is the best application that I've seen in these parts. It sits at the corner of the planting bed, surrounded by a towering Otatea acuminata aztecorum (on its right), and a stunning Agave whipplei (on its left). Learning from this example, this broad-leafed plant pairs well with fine leafed plants, in a roomy spot that can show off its form. Another great perk is that it won't poke anybody's eye out.

Details:

Biological Name: Beschorneria yuccoides

Common Name: Amole

Family: Agavaceae (Agaves)

Origin: Mexico (North America)

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Summer

Height: 4-6’

Width: 4-6’

#4) Cussonia spicata

I've admired this plant for many years, and have thoughts several times how nice it could look in my garden. I love it's broad gray green leaves, with their complex geometric form.

I assumed it was a small or medium sized shrub, but as it turns out, it's a tree! In its native country (South Africa), it can get incredibly large, branching off into a candelabra shape. I'd imagine that it would take many decades for this to happen. Branches can also fall off older trees, and produce cone-like flower stalks.

For landscape purposes, I've only seen this tree with a single trunk, which doesn't initially appeal to me. But, after giving this a little more thought, A) Cussonia spicata can be used much like a palm tree... in groupings, with trees differing in height/ages. And, one could underplant with other South African plants, such as B) Zamia furfuracea, C) Melianthus major, and D) Aloe ferox. The trees could look especially appealing along both sides of a walk, or against a prominent wall.

Details:
Biological Name: Cussonia spicata
Common Name: Cabbage-tree
Family: Araliaceae (Ginsengs)
Origin: South Africa (Africa)
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Irrigation: Medium Water Needs
Flower Time: Spring/Summer
Height: 25-40’
Width: 15-30’

#3) Berberis thunbergii and cultivars

There was a plant that caught my eye at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery that seemed so wonderfully fall-like, and it turned out to be Berberis thunbergii 'Anderson.' For whatever reason, there isn't a lot of information online about this cultivar.

This piqued my interest in Berberis thunbergii and how beautiful it can be, especially as an indicator of the seasons. Through all its seasonal changes, from its vibrant yellow blooms, to it's twiggy/red berry stage, and sending out bright new shoots, it's always beautiful and interesting. Perhaps I'm late to this party, but I think I'm in love.

Behold the glory of the Barberry: A) Berberis thunbergii (love the green with the yellow), (B) Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow', (C) Berberis thunbergii, (D) Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Nana'.

It is even quite shade-tolerant and deer resistant. There's nothing that I don't like about these plants. The thorns are even manageable as long as they are kept away from paths. Perhaps the only fact that I find troubling is that it is considered invasive on the East Coast. Something to keep an eye on.

Berberis thunbergii, such as (A) 'Green Carpet' would look great in a Napa-like planting scheme, with (B) Vitis 'Roger's Red', Platanus racemosa, (D) Olea europaea, and (E) Muhlenbergia rigens, celebrating the seasons and the dry California landscape.

#2) Tibouchina heteromalla

I've admired this plant in a Marin garden, as well as at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery, and I've only ever seen it really small. So, it surprises me that this plant can get 10' tall! And those silvery, velvet leaves can get 6" long! It turns out, this is a massive shrub. Regardless, it can make a wonderful specimen plant, or background plant. Plants with thinner leaves (like Miscanthus) would layer nicely in front.

In the garden in Marin, (A) Tibouchina heteromalla was part of a beautifully green, drought tolerant/California Native plant palette, along with (B) Berberis thunbergii, (C) Coleonema pulchellum, (D) Artemesia 'Powis Castle' and (E) Arctostaphylos 'Dr. Hurd'. The garden looked so fresh, yet natural, covered in a thick blanket of (F) mulch and Marin fog. It was magical.

Details:
Biological Name: Tibouchina heteromalla
Common Name: Silver leafed Princess Flower
Family: Melastomataceae
Origin: Brazil (South America)
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation: Medium Water Needs
Flower Color: Violet
Flower Time: Summer/Fall
Height: 8-10’
Width: 4-6'

#1) Grevillea petrophiloides 'Big Bird'

At Flowerland Nursery, I was drawn to this plants fine linear foliage and lime green color. After doing a little bit more digging online, I discovered that its flowers protrude high above the plant mass, on long leafless branches, terminating in bristley pink puffs. What a nice surprise! I also love that this plant is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds.

This plant would look great as a background plant, with plenty of room to grow full size (6-10' high and 5-8' wide). To compliment it's finer foliage, it would be well-paired with broad leaf plants, such as Leucadendrons, Leucospermums, Aloes and Agaves (see below). Behind it, a darker colored shrub or fence could set it off nicely. It can serve as a nice green backdrop to a drought tolerant landscape design or add whimsey to a children's garden.

However, it needs full sun, perfect drainage conditions, and hates hot, humid, tropical conditions (which isn't a problem in California).

Details:
Biological Name: Grevillea petrophiloides
Common Name: Pink Pokers
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Western Australia
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation: Drought tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained, alkaline, light to heavy
Flower Color: Pink
Flower Time: Winter-spring-summer
Height: 6-10' Variable
Width: 5-8'