Drought Tolerant

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Cupressaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  Southern California and Mexico
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  15'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Green needles.
Notes:  Surviving in a few isolated locations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties as well as northern Baja.  Formerly classified as Cupressus forbesii

Pot size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Iridaceae
Zone:  4 - 9
Natural Range:  Oregon, California
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  part shade, Sun
Height:  8"- 14" tall
Bloom Time:  April to June
Attributes:  Slender green leaves with reddish base.  1-2 flowers with creamy white arching sepals with dark purple-blue veining and yellow center.
Notes:  Native to west side of Cascades in meadows, oak savannas and open coniferous forests.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 3 - 9
Natural Range:  Eastern United States
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 8"
Bloom Time: April to May
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Low growing, spreading rhizome. Small blue flowers with white falls and contrasting violet marking.
Notes: When a large drift is in full flower it is a  spectacular show.  When planted in shade is drought tolerant but when planted in sun needs regular watering.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 3 - 9
Natural Range:  Eastern United States
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 8"
Bloom Time: April to May
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Low growing, spreading rhizome.  Large pale blue flowers with dark contrasting violet markings and yellow and white falls.
Notes: When a large drift is in full flower it is a  spectacular show.  When planted in shade is drought tolerant but when planted in sun needs regular watering.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Iridaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 12" - 18"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Evergreen, fans of foliage.  Blue-purple flowers.
Notes: Easy and drought tolerant species.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot Very Full!

Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  PNW; Washington, Oregon, Northern California
Soil:  moist, well drained
Light:  part shade, Sun
Height:  8"- 14" tall
Attributes:  Semievergreen, deciduous. Blooms late spring.  Flower stem holds 2 blue - purple with yellow and white centered flowers.  Grass like foliage.
Notes:  Grows in meadows and open forest.  One of the prettiest native Iris.  When established Iris tenax produces abundant flowers that open consecutively for weeks. Plant with other rock garden plants in a sunny perennial garden or on the edge of a shady garden.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Cupressaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  British Columbia to N Mexico
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  15' - 30'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Conical becoming rounded with age.  Blue-green needles with feathery look.
Notes:  In the wild Juniperus scopulorum grows in Juniper-Oak woodlands.
 
Pot size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Asphodelaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun
Height:  30"
Bloom Time:  July to September
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Clumping.  Mango orange blooms.  Grassy foliage.
Notes:  Blooms over a longer period during the summer months.

Pot Size:  Quart Pot

Family:  Asphodelaceae
Zone: 5-9
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun
Height:  24" - 48"
Bloom Time: July to September
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies, bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Coral orange flowers open creamy white on tall, spiky stems.  Re-blooming.  Grass-like foliage. 
Notes: Tropical looking and bred to be winter hardy in cooler climates.  

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Liliaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: PNW; Washington, Oregon, California
Soil: moist, summer dry, well drained
Light: part shade, Sun
Height: 12" - 36" tall
Attributes: Deciduous. Blooms early summer.  Yellow blooms spotted dark purple.  Bulb goes summer dormant.
Notes:  A great plant for a hummingbird and butterfly garden.  Will not need supplemental water and should be allowed to go mostly dry in summer.  Plant in a rock garden or wildflower meadow, or along a shady border.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-sun
Height: 18'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Attributes:  Deciduous, woody twining vine.  Opposite elliptic leaves to four inches long. Orange - yellow to orange - red flowers in clusters from late spring to mid summer.  Orange fruit in fall.
Notes:  Let this climber grow up a tall tree, trellis or fence.  Hummingbirds go mad for the flowers.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:  Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 5"
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Attributes:  Evergreen, dainty, glossy, rounded foliage.  Numerous, small rosy red buds tipped in chartreuse-turning orange as the flowers mature.  Small dark blue-black fruit.
Notes: Works well in containers or scrambling over rocks and stumps.  .  Clinging to the face of a mossy cliff face.

Pot Size:4" Band Pot

Family:  Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 4 - 10
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-sun
Height: 10'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and birds.
Attributes:  Deciduous shrub.  Yellow flowers with red flower bracts.  Black fruit.
Notes:  Versatile shrub that is great for wildlife.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Myrtaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: Central Andes
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light: sun
Height: 15'
Bloom Time:  August to September
Attributes:  Smooth bark with grey and orange-brown mottling.  Peeling bark.  Small, evergreen fragrant leaves.  Profuse white flowers in midsummer.  Black-blue fruit.
Notes:  Once established it is fairly drought and frost tolerant

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  May to June, September to November
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: A shorter growing, multi-branched Mahonia.  Unlike most Mahonia this hybrid has both flowers and fruit at the same time.  Hybrid named after Ozzie Johnson.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun, shade
Height: 8'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: February to April
Attributes: Evergreen.  Creamy yellow flowers on short spikes.
Notes: These are open pollinated seedlings.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time: December to March
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow to orange flowers.  Mat like texture with sharp lobes.
Notes: An exciting hybrid bred by Andy Navage director of horticulture at the Bloedel reserve.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  China
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light:  Part shade
Height:  4'
Bloom Time:  Fall and Spring
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Feathery foliage with short spikes of yellow flowers.
Notes:  Spineless Mahonia perfect for containers and planted in the lightly shaded garden.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time: December to March
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers on short spikes.  Dazzling new growth is bright silvery, maturing to a deep green with a silver sheen.
Notes: One of the best Mahonia species for foliage.  These are open pollinated, seed grown plants with a bit of variation in foliage.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers.  Compound leaves with fern-like appearance.
Notes: Cistus Nursery introduction. Bronze new growth.  Gives the garden a tropical texture.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers.  Compound leaves with fern-like appearance.
Notes: Bronze new growth.  Gives the garden a tropical texture.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil: Average
Light: Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Height: 3'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Suckering shrub forming a loose groundcover.  Dark green leaves with yellow flowers and blue fruit.
Notes:  This selection has orange-red flower buds and tends to grow a bit taller.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil: Average
Light: Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Height: 3'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Suckering shrub forming a loose ground-cover.  Dark green leaves with yellow flowers and blue fruit.
Notes:  This is the standard low selection with purplish winter foliage.  One of the best evergreen shrubs for the temperate garden.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: Channel Islands
Soil: Average
Light: Part sun
Height: 6' - 10'
Bloom Time: March to April
Attributes: Evergreen.  Upright, rounded shrub with smooth, glossy pinnate leaves.  Yellow flowers with blue fruit.
Notes:  A unique spineless species native to southern Oregon to Southern California but this particular cultivar is only found on the Channel Islands of California.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Oregon, California
Soil:  Average-dry, humus rich, Well drained
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 6" - 12"
Attributes: Evergreen suckering shrub.  Brilliant purple, red, blue green foliage when planted in at least half a days worth of sun.  Yellow flowers early summer, blue fruit in fall.
Notes:  I can't say enough about this small Mahonia species.  The color is better than any other of the native Mahonia species and each leaf is ringed with a light colored line.  Rarely taller than 6" and forms a loose low clump of foliage.  It often grows in association with Arctostaphylos species.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 5 - 10
Natural Range: Western and Central North America
Soil: Average, dry
Light: Part sun, sun
Height: 1' - 2'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Evergreen, spreading, stoloniferous shrub.  Upright shrub with pinnate, glossy green leaves.  Yellow flowers with blue fruit.
Notes:  A sturdy low growing species.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4' - 8'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: 'Charity' has longer and wider leaves than 'Winter Sun' and also start flowering later.  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes:  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Asparagaceae
Zone:  3 - 9
Natural Range: North America
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Shade-sun
Height: 6" - 12"
Attributes:  Deciduous.  creeping rhizome.  single stem with alternate, lanceolate leaves to 6" long.  Small white star shaped flowers.  Red fruit in late summer-fall.
Notes:  Native to deep forests.

Pot Size: 4" Pot

Family: Oleaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: Turkey
Soil:  average, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Evergreen shrub.  Small, fragrant white flowers.
Notes:  Roy Lancaster collection from Turkey.  Also known as Phillyrea vilmoriniana, Phillyrea decora.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Pot Size: Medium Band Pot

Family:  Oxalidaceae
Zone: 6 - 10
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light: Shade, part sun
Height:  6"
Bloom Time: May to June
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Dark green leaves with silver mottling.  Deep pink flowers.
Notes: This form was introduced form northern California.  Growing beneath old growth Redwoods in deep rich duff.  Darker pink flowers and rich mottling.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Hydrangeaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: PP34,296; CBRAF
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height:  3' - 4'
Bloom Time: May to June
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Fragrant creamy white flowers.  Green foliage with yellow variegation.
Notes: Great foliage texture.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Hydrangeaceae
Zone: 4 - 10
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height:  6' - 8'
Bloom Time: May to June
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Fragrant creamy white, double flowers.
Notes: Discovered near the Smith River in Del Norte County.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot