Shrubs for Small Spaces in California

Mark Weathington , conductor of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University in Raleigh , North Carolina , talk over several small shrub varieties that provide big stake in a petite package as well as the benefit of selecting the proper - size of it industrial plant for a sure space :

“ Rest assured , even if space is limited there are many thick shrub that will provide color , involvement , and exhilaration . Selecting the right - size of it plant will insure that you do n’t have surplus work trying to keep them from flood their neighbors . Consider each plant a vital piece of the whole , and do n’t hesitate to move something around or polish off it entirely if it is n’t fulfilling its office . ”

Aside from picking a shrub you jazz will stay small and turn over how it will fit among its neighbors , it is also significant to know whether a certain bush grow well in your part . Find four small but mighty bush for the California below , and break more compact shrubs in Mark ’s articleCompact Shrubs That supply Color , Interest , and Excitement .

California Plant Picks

Additional gardening information for California

Mark Weathington articles

See the bestcompact shrub for the other regions

1. ‘Marble Queen’ mirror plant

Name:Coprosma repens‘Marble Queen’

Zones:9–11

Size:3 to 5 ft marvelous and 4 to 6 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to fond subtlety ; medium to well - run out dirt

aboriginal range : New Zealand

Mirror plant are recognize for their incredible foliage , and ‘ Marble Queen ’ , with its adorable variegation , is no exception . This evergreen bush is the perfect choice for dry shade in inland country , although it can deal full Sunday in coastal regions . It ’s also quite table salt broad for gardener in beachside locations or those using recycled water . If you have limited space , you may lightly prune it on a even groundwork to keep it a certain size of it . hard pruning cuts should be done p.a. in winter . In more rural locations , ‘ Marble Queen ’ mirror plant should be plant in area protected from wildlife , as it can be democratic with cervid .

2. ‘Blush’ willow cone bush

Name:Leucadendron salignum‘Blush’

Height:3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet all-inclusive

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drain stain

Native range : South Africa

‘ Blush ’ willow tree cone cell bush is one of my all - time favourite low - sustenance shrubs . The novel foliage growth is bright reddish and looks wild in a vase , put up color with no need for deadheading . Full sun increases the intensity of the color , although partial shade allows for a more vertical growth drug abuse . Drainage is key for this shrub , which can thrive in misfortunate soil but resents having pissed feet . Avoid fleshy fertilisation ; if fecundation is needed , apply compost without manure or anotherlow - phosphorus fertilizer . yearly pruning after efflorescence keep this bush compact , but if you like a more uprightlook , avoid pruning .

3. ‘Claremont’ blood currant

Name: Ribes sanguineumvar.glutinosum‘Claremont’

Zones:6–10

Size:6 to 8 foot grandiloquent and 4 to 5 feet panoptic

Conditions : Full Lord’s Day to partial shade ; well - drained filth

aboriginal range : North American Pacific Coast

‘ Claremont ’ pedigree currant has all the seasonal glamour of a cherry tree diagram ( Prunusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) or flowering quince ( Chaenomelesspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) but none of the fuss . A California - aboriginal bush , it postulate little maintenance or water . pinkish clusters of flower emerge in early springtime or recent winter and sometimes appear on bare wood , before fuzzy , lobate leafage emerge . Although this shrub can get tall , it tends to quell vertical and narrow . The flowers are democratic with hummingbirds , and the leave of absence are deciduous , falling off the shrub after it produces berries in summertime . Cut it back to up to 4 feet tall in summer if you need to control for sizing .

4. ‘John Dourley’ manzanita

Name:Arctostaphylos‘John Dourley’

Zones:7–10

Height:1 to 3 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide

Native range : crossbreed

Like most manzanita , ‘ John Dourley ’ is very slow growing , which makes it perfect for small spaces . This bush is a ternary threat : it has beautiful crimson bark , bronze - colour raw leaves , and adorable pink flowers and fruit . As it slowly ripen , the looking at transmute from that of a earth cover song to that of a bonsai tree with twisted , sculptural branches . To encourage this variety of ontogeny , dispatch small limb and twigs near the floor in teetotal summertime months ; however , resist pruning any live wood larger than a pocket-sized twig , as it may kill the entire tree branch . Although manzanitas can be difficult to get found , ‘ John Dourley ’ is a try - and - true cultivar and prove easily as long as it only draw infrequent water in summer .

Rachel Young superintend parkland and landscapes as the public landscape decision maker for the city of Santa Monica .

Fine Gardening advocate Products

Shrubs for Small Spaces in California

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Buffalo - Style Gardens : make a Quirky , One - of - a - form Private Garden with Eye - contagious Designs

hunky-dory Gardening receives a commission for detail purchased through link on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising program .

Black and Decker 22 - inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

‘Marble Queen’ mirror plant

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Get our recent tip , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Shrubs for Small Spaces in the South

Shrubs for Small Spaces in the Midwest

Shrubs for Small Spaces in the Northern Plains

Shrubs for Small Spaces in the Northwest

bring together okay Gardening for a free occupy live webinar sport Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned works diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I spotted a particular sand one dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in difficulty . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritize plants we want over flora our landscape needs , each season is fill with a never - terminate list of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , better , and fertilizing , with …

‘Blush’ willow cone bush

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be deliberate when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip up on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …