#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.

#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

#16) Tellima grandiflora

Tellima grandiflora is a great native plant for the shade. It can be used on the north side of a house, and looks great en masse. However, it requires moderate water, and does not take full sun. Fringed tips on flowers start green and age to red.

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

Details:
Biological Name: Tellima grandiflora
Common Name: Fringe cups
Family: Saxifragaceae
Origin: Western North America
Exposure: Full shade to partial sun
Irrigation: Moderate Water Needs
Flower Time: April to May
Height: 1-2’
Width: 1-2’

#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’

#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'