#25) Cupressus macrocarpa 'Saligna Aurea'

While researching the cultivar 'Aurea' for class, I stumbled upon this beauty – a Golden Weeping Monterey Cypress. Apparently, it looks a little gangly when it is young, but with time, it becomes quite the specimen. There is one on Colusa Avenue that I've admired, and now I finally know what it is!

I was afraid that it might be a slow grower, but it's not – it's fast. It likes full sun, is drought-tolerant, and fits into my new favorite category of woodsy, sun-loving plants. I could see it as a background specimen, nestled between darker plants in back, and shorter broad-leafed plants in front. Agaves, aloes and yuccas could work nicely.

Devil Mountain carries the straight species, 'Saligna Aurea' (A), as well as 'Fine Gold' (B), which I've included here in case you were curious about it. 

Details:

Biological Name: Cupressus macrocarpa 'Aurea Saligna'

Common Name: Golden Weeping Monterey Cypress

Family: Cupressaceae

Origin: California (U.S.A.)

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Insignificant

Height: Over 40’

Width: 20’

#24) Epilobium canum

I saw this wonder of a plant at The San Francisco Botanical Garden this past October. It is Epilobium canum and thankfully, it is very much widely available. I was attracted to the drama of its bright red flowers against its silver foliage, as well as its soft form and wonderful application (in the middle of paving, anchoring 2 different levels). It demanded to be noticed!

At the two opposite ends of the spectrum, the straight species (A) has gray green foliage, while 'Catalina' (D) has silver foliage. Cultivars 'Bert's Bluff (B) and 'UC Hybrid' (C) are varying shades in between. These shades could prove useful in different plant palettes.

Hummingbirds love this plant. And, it can be used in California Native plant palettes. And, since this plant likes a cooler sun, I think it'll do great in Berkeley.

Details:
Biological Name: Epilobium canum or Zauschneria californica
Common Name: California Fuchsia
Family: Onagraceae
Origin: California (U.S.A.)
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation: Low Water Needs
Flower Time: Summer/Fall
Height: 1-2’
Width: 4-5’

#20) Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze'

Unlike the more common Libertia peregrinans (bottom right image), Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' (P.P.#18,486), has bright green and orange-yellow blades. Similarly, it produces white flowers mid-spring to summer. And, they both offer fantastic winter foliage color to the shady garden.

As an alternate palette to the 'Parade of Shade' palette, you can also pair (B) Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' with (A) Melianthus major and (C) Stachys byzantina.

Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' P.P.#18,486
Common Name: Taupo Blaze New Zealand Iris
Family: Iridaceae (Irises)
Origin: New Zealand (Australasia)
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Irrigation: Regular water
Flower Time: Mid-spring to summer
Height: 2’
Width: 2’

#19) Zamia spp.

I was drawn to this species for its upright habit, strong form, and cardboard-like leaves. It adds textural and structural interest to the shade garden. I used to see Zamia furfuracea frequently in Los Angeles nurseries, and I feel this plant could be more widely used in the Bay Area, as it is versatile to both sun or shade. Zamia pumila (top and bottom left images) has narrower leaflets than Zamia furfuracea (lower right image) and similarly, females produce orange cones. 

However, this species does not seem to be widely available here. Zamia pumila can be found on the Monrovia website, but otherwise seems hard to find. Devil Mountain Nursery carries Zamia floridana ‘North Strain' (though it does not have an image), and San Marcos Growers USED to carry Zamia furfuracea. Therefore, I'm not filled with confidence that I could acquire these if I wanted to. Perhaps they can be swapped with the more common Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm).

Zamia spp. is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:

Biological Name: Zamia spp.

Common Name: Coontie

Family: Zamiaceae

Origin: West Indies and Cuba

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade*

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Prized for foliage

* Devil Mountain and San Marcos suggest it can also handle full shade.

#18) Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' is a shade-loving plant that offers a bright splash in a potentially dark spot, as well as pattern interest with its varigated leaves. Like its straight species, it also produces blue star-shaped flowers followed by blue berries.

Monrovia suggests that it can be paired with broad-leafed and bronze-colored shade-loving plants, which sounded so lovely that I'd like to offer an alternative palette. Plants include A) Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea', B) Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata', and C) Heuchera villosa 'Bronze Wave'. What a sophisticated combination!

Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:

Biological Name: Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Common Name: Variegated Flax Lily

Family: Phormiaceae

Origin: Australia (Australasia)

Exposure: Full shade to partial sun

Irrigation: Moderate Water Needs*

Flower Time: Summer

Height: 3-4’

Width: 3-4’

*Monrovia suggests it needs constant moisture, but other sites specify moderate watering.

#17) Woodwardia fimbriata

I was attracted to Woodwardia fimbriata for its fine, delicate foliage. It also adds height and texture to a shady garden. It got its name Giant Chain Fern for the chain-like spore pattern underneath its fronds.

Woodwardia fimbriata is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Woodwardia fimbriata
Common Name: Giant Chain Fern
Family: Blechnaceae
Origin: Western North America
Exposure: Full shade to partial sun
Irrigation: Regular to ample water
Flower Time: Inconspicuous/none
Height: 3-6’*
Width: 3-6’*
* Typically 4 x 4’ in garden setting

#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’

#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’

#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’