(Madrone, Madronio)

Madrone is a large round-headed tree with amazing smooth cinnamon-colored bark that flakes from the trunk. Small white or pink flowers emerge in early summer on this tree native to the Pacific coast in the western United States. Red and orange fruits develop over the next year, ripening that second autumn. Bees pollinate the flowers.

Madrone is best suited to climates matching its native habitat. Acidic, well-drained soils in a climate that is cool and dry in summer and cool and wet in winter...

(Strawberry Tree)

The elegant strawberry tree is best distinguished by its highly ornamental fruits that turn from gold to red. It is a broad, upright large shrub or small tree native to southern European and the eastern Mediterranean with an adjunct population in Ireland. Like many members of the heath family (Ericaceae), it favors moist, rich, slightly acid soil but will also tolerate summer drought. Mature specimens adopt an appealing vase-shaped habit and gnarled branches.

Fully evergreen, ovate leaves of...

(Compact Strawberry Tree, Strawberry Tree)

The Compacta strawberry tree is a large shrub or small tree with white flowers that lead to ornamental red fruits. It is identical to the species except it will only reach one-half the mature size. The bark is gray and peeling, revealing a nice cinnamon brown layer on this southern European and eastern Mediterranean native plant. Often blooming in autumn, the urn-shaped flowers give rise to the gold and then red "strawberry" fruits the following autumn. Over time the trunk becomes gnarled and more...

(Arbutus)

The stately hybrid strawberry tree has pretty white flowers and colorful, flaky bark. It is a large, broad, upright shrub or small tree that is a naturally occurring hybrid between the Mediterranean natives, strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) and Grecian strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne).

Mature specimens adopt a roughly rounded habit and have beautiful serpent-like branches. Fully evergreen, ovate leaves of dark green cover the tree. These have a leathery texture and may be...

(Lady's Leg, Manzanita, Texas Madrone)

This picturesque small tree is grown for its early blooms, colorful bark and berries, and handsome evergreen foliage. It is native to rocky slopes and ledges from southern Texas and New Mexico to Guatemala.

The leathery oval leaves of Texas madrone are bluish- to olive-green with paler undersides. Erect clusters of small, urn-shaped, creamy-white to pinkish flowers open at the branch tips from late winter to early spring. Bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators visit the blooms. Round, warty...

(Bangalow Palm, King Palm, Piccabeen Palm)

King palm is a tall evergreen with bright green leaves, sometimes having brown scales on the paler green undersides. The trunk is straight and slender with interesting rings. Lavender-purple flowers occur on cream-colored stalks; fruits are round and bright red when mature.

The graceful king palm thrives in full sun with ample water or in partial shade. It is fast growing, but tender to prolonged modestly sub-freezing temperatures. It is best sheltered from strong winds and is most attractive...

(Bearberry, Emerald Carpet Bearberry, Kinnikinnick)

Many lawns in the American West were abandoned and replanted with this creeping, evergreen shrub to conserve water, and it has proven itself over the long term. It is a hybrid selection of Arctostaphylos uva ursi, which is native to a large range in Eurasia. The small, round green leaves of ‘Emerald Carpet’ are bone densely on twigs with characteristic sepia-colored, smooth bark that peels periodically as the plant ages. Growth is low and spreading, and becomes quite dense and uniform with...

(Manzanita, Vine Hill Manzanita)

Drought tolerant and attractive, vine hill manzanita is a mounding evergreen shrub native to California. Its spreading branches are covered with small, glossy, dark to light green leaves all season. In spring, it bears many drooping clusters of tiny, white tubular flowers, followed by small, bright red berries. Its flowers attract bees and its fruits are eaten by birds.

This California native is highly drought tolerant and can survive in poor soils if perfectly drained. It requires full to partial...

(Howard McMinn Manzanita, Manzanita)

Beautiful and reliable, the manzanita cultivar ‘Howard Mcminn’ is a mounding, medium-sized, evergreen shrub that originates from California. Its spreading branches are covered with small, glossy, rich green leaves all season. In spring, it bears many drooping clusters of tiny, bright white tubular flowers, followed by small, bright red berries. Its flowers attract bees and its fruits are eaten by birds. This selection is noted for its particularly beautiful flowers and marked adaptability.

Manzanita...

(Manzanita)

This incredible native shrub is the hallmark of California’s most beautiful wildlands. It is without question one of the most drought resistant broadleaf shrubs of the West. Named from the Spanish for “little-apple” or manza-nita, this shrub or small tree is native to most of the north state mountains, but only on sites moderately sloping to near vertical. Since no rain may fall from spring to late fall, these shrubs are incredibly tolerant of dry conditions and will not abide supplemental watering....