(Marina Strawberry Tree, Strawberry Tree)

The parents of this small ornamental tree come from Mediterranean regions where winters are mild and rainy and summers long, hot and dry. ‘Marina’, which is a cross between Arbutus unedo and A. andrachne, has exceptional tolerance to summer drought making it the perfect evergreen for arid western gardens.

This ericaceous tree is noted for its beautiful cinnamon-colored bark that sheds periodically helping it maintain good color. The branches bear large, dark green, serrated...

(Cyprian Strawberry Tree, Eastern Strawberry Tree, Greek Strawberry Tree)

This large shrub or small tree is grown for its colorful bark, handsome evergreen foliage, white spring flowers, and orange-red fruits. Mature specimens have picturesque, gnarled branches and a vase-shaped to rounded habit. Arubutus andrachne is native to rocky slopes and outcroppings from southeastern Europe to northern Iraq.

The lustrous, leathery, oval leaves of Greek strawberry tree are dark green with pale green undersides. They are borne on sinuous, upright to spreading branches...

(Arizona Madrone)

A picturesque tree, the Arizona madrone develops a rounded crown of leathery foliage atop a twisting frame of branches. Clusters of tiny white flowers are followed by edible reddish fruits. This evergreen is native to the forested foothills and lower mountains of southern Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico.

The satiny oval leaves are long, narrow and persist on the tree for about one year before being shed. Each leaf is medium to deep green with a paler green underside. Leaf edges may...

(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...

(Alex Palm, Alexandra Palm, Princess Alexandra Palm)

Stately, tall, beautiful and fast growing, Alexandra palm, named in honor of Princess Alexandra of Denmark, lends a tropical look to the landscape. It is native to the coastal rainforest of northeastern Australia and is much planted in tropical regions around the world. The solitary palm has a slender, gray trunk, swollen base and ringed with leaf scars. The large, feather-like leaves are light green above, distinctively silver-white below with many, pointed leaflets which clasp together to form...

(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...