Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Saturday - November 28, 2009
From: Santee, CA
Region: California
Topic: Trees
Title: Evergreen for inland San Diego, California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm looking for an evergreen tree for my inland San Diego residence, 30 foot max height, growth speed is not important. I had decided on the carrotwood until I found your site and discovered the problems that come with it. Thank you.ANSWER:
Here are several native evergreen trees that should do well in your area:
Cercocarpus montanus (alderleaf mountain mahogany) grows to 20 feet
Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress) with a maximum height of 30-40 feet
Cupressus forbesii (tecate cypress) grows to 20 feet and here is a photo and more information
Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius (Catalina ironwood) grows to 30-50 feet and here are photos
Morella californica (California wax myrtle) grows to 25 feet and here are photos and more information
Here are photos of the first two from our Image Gallery:
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I have several clusters of native scrub oaks in my yard. I planted Asian jasmine under them many years ago. The trees look fine, but an arborist has told me that the Asian ...
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Is Goldenball leadtree really evergreen, as we state?
January 17, 2016 - Please would you confirm that Goldenball leadtree Leucaena retusa is evergreen as stated on this website and not deciduous as stated by Wasowski in Native Texas Plants? Thanks
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August 31, 2012 - i just read your response to someone regarding Red Tip shrubs. You just saved me thousands of dollars ! I was getting ready to order over 250 of these to line my 2.5 acre fence line. What shrub would ...
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