Ornamental plants are an important part of any garden blueprint . Not only do they provide visual interest and ghost , but they can also help improve your other plants ’ wellness . cosmetic plant help to add social organisation to a garden , and their unlike form and sizes can render a miscellany of habitats for other creatures . In addition , their leaves can aid to suppress weed growth , and their roots can help to keep the filth in station . That being said , there are unlike industrial plant that can thrive in unlike neck of the woods . Here are the most suitable decorative plant to grow in Northern California .
Evergreen Pear ( Pyrus kawakamii )
The evergreen pear is a fruit tree that belong to the roseate family . It is native to East Asia and grows in semitropic region . The evergreen pear is a small-scale tree diagram that get through a height of 15 - 20 foot . It has a round crown and heavy foliation , seduce it an splendid choice for screen and duck . The leaves are dark greenish and glossy , with a finely serrate edge . In spring , the tree bring forth small clean peak follow by green fruit that mature to a yellowish - brownness in fall . The Evergreen Pear is aboriginal to Japan and Korea but has been introduced to many other parts of the human race . It is adaptable to a wide range of climates and soil type and is relatively pest- and disease - free . Because of its attractive appearance and hardiness , the Evergreen Pear is a pop ornamental plant life . It can be used as a solo specimen or imbed in groupings for great impact . It is also well suited for foundation plantings , shrub boundary line , and naturalized areas .
California Buckeye ( Aesculus californica )
The California buckeye is a deciduous shrub or humble tree native to the westerly United States . It typically grows to 15 - 30 feet , with a spread canopy of branches . The leaves are tumid and palm - influence , with 5 - 7 lobe . The flowers are small and white , borne in clump on the tips of the branches . The fruit is a leathery capsule containing 2 - 3 glistening brownish seed . The California Aesculus hippocastanum is an ornamental plant often maturate in garden and parks . It prefers full sun and moist , well - drained soil . It is relatively drought tolerant once set up . It can be propagated from seed , but it is easy to produce from cuttings . The California buckeye can be susceptible to foliage spots and powdery mould diseases . It is also a favorite food of cervid and other browse animals . Take care to protect young industrial plant if you are growing them in an area where deer are present .
California Ash ( Fraxinus dipetala )
California ash tree ( Fraxinus dipetala ) is a species of ash tree tree aboriginal to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico . The Californian ash is a small to medium - sized tree , growing to 2–8 m magniloquent with a trunk up to 1 metre in diam . The bark is light Lady Jane Grey to whitened , smooth or light fissured , with a distinct diamond - form pattern . The leaves are paired , pinnately compound , 6–13 cm long , with 5–11 pamphlet ; the leaflet are ovate - lancelike , 2–4 cm long , and 1–2 centimetre broad , with a serrated gross profit . The flowers are bear in panicles 6–12 atomic number 96 long , each flower with four petals ; bee pollinate them . The fruit is a samara 2–3 curium foresighted and 1.5 cm broad , check a single ejaculate . Fraxinus dipetala is widely distributed in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico at altitudes of 600–3,000 m ; it come about on both sides of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range . It is common in the Coast Ranges of central and northern California but rare in the Mojave Desert . It grow in chaparral and oak woodland habitats . The wood of Fraxinus dipetala is difficult and dense ; it is used for fuel wood and for making furniture , handgrip , and tool handles . It is also used in landscaping for ornamental planting .
Creek Dogwood ( Cornus sericea )
The Creek Dogwood ( Cornus sericea ) is a deciduous bush that is native to North America . It typically develop to be between six and twelve feet tall , with a spread of four to eight feet . The farewell are ovate - shaped and have a showy green texture . In the evenfall , the leaves wrick a deep reddish or violet colour . The flowers of the Creek Dogwood are diminished and white , and they flower in cluster in early outpouring . The shrub ’s fruit are round pitch-dark drupes about half an inch in diameter . The Creek Dogwood is a pop decorative industrial plant due to its attractive foliage and prime . It is also a relatively low - sustainment plant and is liberal of poor soil conditions . Creek Dogwood is an excellent choice for gardener looking for an easy - to - deal - for plant that will add dish to their landscape .
Norfolk Island Hibiscus ( Lagunaria patersonii )
The Norfolk Island Hibiscus , Lagunaria patersonii , is a wide train ornamental plant esteem for its heavy and showy flowers . The mintage is native to Norfolk Island and the nearby Kermadec Islands , where it turn in forested areas . The Norfolk Island Hibiscus is a tree that typically reaches a height of 5 - 8 meter . It has a stalwart trunk and sag branches covered in coloured green , leathery leaves . The bloom of the Norfolk Island Hibiscus are lily-white with a crimson core and can achieve up to 20 curium in diameter . They are borne singly or in clusters at the ends of the branches and bloom from spring to fall . The Norfolk Island Hibiscus is an easy plant to grow and makes an fantabulous summation to any garden . It permit most soil types and photo levels and is relatively drought - resistant once established . In addition , the plant is comparatively unmoved by pests and diseases , cause it a crushed - care choice for gardener . This lay down it an ideal choice for an attractive and trouble - free decorative works .
Western Redbud ( Cercis occidentalis )
Western Redbud ( Cercis occidentalis ) is a deciduous bush or small-scale Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with a spreading , rounded crown . It typically matures to 20 - 30′ tall with a similar spread but can on occasion grow taller . It is noted for its somewhat pinkish flowers bloom in early outpouring ( April - May ) on naked stems before the foliage appears . The flowers are comply by narrow , flat cod ( 3″ long ) , which mature in late summer and often hang in into wintertime . foliation is varying in shape but is typically ovate to heart - shaped with slightly toothed margin . It emerges cherry-red purpleness in spring , matures to green in summer , and finally turns yellow to red - purpleness in fall . Trunks and branches are cover with smooth gray bark . Western Redbud is native to hillside , canyons , and humble mountain slopes from central California to Baja California Sur , Mexico , where it typically occurs in chaparral and oak woodlands . It was introduce into refinement in 1852 by Charles Lewis Lesquereux ( 1806 - 89 ) , a Swiss phytologist who became the first prof of geology and paleobotany at the University of Pennsylvania . The Western Redbud is a popular decorative plant due to its attractive flowers and foliation . It is also a comparatively low-spirited - maintenance tree , take it an ideal alternative for gardener who are face for an easy - to - worry - for plant .
Desert Peach ( Prunus andersonii )
Desert peach ( Prunus andersonii ) is a small deciduous tree or large shrub that is aboriginal to the westerly United States . It typically grow to 15 - 20 feet improbable , with a spreading crown of dense , drooping limb . The foliage are dark unripened and elliptical , with little tart teeth along the edges . In bound , the tree is covered in white-hot or pink blossoms , which give way to small red or orange fruit in early summertime . Desert peach is conform to dry , flaxen soils and full sun exposure . It is fairly drouth tolerant once established but will produce more flowers and yield if given regular water during the grow season .
Desert Peaches are comparatively easy to get and can be propagate from seed or cuttings . To propagate from seed , seed the seeds in fall or winter . To circulate from cuttings , take 6 - 8 inch cuttings from new growth in previous spring or former summertime . Rooting hormone can promote better root development . set the cut in well - drain soil , and keep them moist until they are make .
Golden Rain Tree ( Koelreuteria paniculata )
The Golden Rain Tree , also known as Koelreuteria paniculata , is a beautiful deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree aboriginal to Asia . It is most unremarkably find in China and Korea , but it can also be found in Japan , Vietnam , and Nepal . The Golden Rain Tree is a fast - growing tree diagram that can reach a height of 30 - 40 feet and a breadth of 20 - 30 feet . The leaves are alternate , simple , oblong - shape , and have serrated margins . The leave are light-green in the summertime and work yellow or red in the fall . The bloom are yellow and seem in cluster at the end of the branches . The blossom are followed by orange or yellow-bellied fruit that resemble mini pumpkins . The fruit is poisonous to mankind but is eat by birds . The Golden Rain Tree is drought resistant and can thrive in northern California . It does not need much water or fertilizer and can tolerate some Strategic Arms Limitation Talks . The Golden Rain Tree make an splendid ghost tree diagram and can be planted in urban areas . It is also a democratic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for bonsai .
Marina Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus marina )
The Marina Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus marina ) is a species of an evergreen tree diagram that is native to the Mediterranean region . The tree gets its name from the modest , strawberry mark - like fruit that it produces . The Marina Strawberry Tree grows to be 15 - 25 metrical unit magniloquent , with a trunk that is typically 2 - 3 feet in diameter . The tree diagram has dreary green , leathery leaves that are 4 - 8 inch long and 2 - 3 column inch wide-cut . The flowers of the Marina Strawberry Tree are clean or pink , and they flower in the springtime . The fruits of the tree diagram are red or orange , and they ripen in the capitulation . The tree diagram is an important food root for hoot and other animal . Marina Strawberry Trees are relatively scummy - maintenance and are comparatively pest- and disease - tolerant . These shrubs can be propagated by seeded player , cutting , or division , and they make an splendid gain to any landscape . For best results , irrigate your Marina Strawberry Tree regularly during the rise time of year and mulch around the base of the plant to avail retain wet .
Blue Elderberry ( Sambucus nigra ssp . Caerulea )
grim elderberry ( Sambucus nigra ssp . Caerulea ) is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 10 - 15 feet tall and 6 - 10 feet wide . It has a profusion of small , snowy flowers that look in former summer , stick to by dark blue Chuck Berry in former summertime . The berries are quite sweet and can be eaten fresh or used for making pies or jam . The leafage is a deep unripe color and turns yellow in drop . Blue elderberry is native to westerly North America and prefers full sun to fond shade and well - drained soil . It is comparatively drought - tolerant once established and large-minded of a wide image of pH levels . This shrub is also deer - repellent and attract butterflies , bee , and birds . Blue elderberry is an splendid option for naturalizing an area or create informal hedges . Other than its ornamental uses , it can also be planted as a specimen shrub or used in foundation planting .
Australian Tea Tree ( Leptospermum laevigatum )
Australian Tea Tree ( Leptospermum laevigatum ) is an evergreen shrub that is native to Australia . It grows to a elevation of 15 feet and has leaves that are 2 - 3 inch long . The flowers are white and flower from May to June . The fruit is a modest , black Charles Edward Berry that mature in September . Tea trees grow best in full sun and well - drained soil . They are resistant of drought and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks atomizer . Australian Tea trees can be propagate from seed or cut . To circularise from seed , sow the seeds in a moist peat moss mix and rank them in a lovesome locating . Keep the soil moist but not soggy . Seeds will germinate in 3 - 4 calendar week . To propagate from cuttings , take 4 - 6 column inch cuttings from new growth in previous spring or early summer . Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the press cutting and dip the end in rooting internal secretion powder . Stick the cutting in a wad filled with moistened perlite or Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin . Place the pot in a plastic bag to create a humid surroundings . Keep the film editing moist and place it in a bright , collateral light location . New root will form in 4 - 8 week .
