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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Friday - June 01, 2012
From: Lake Forest, CA
Region: California
Topic: Plant Lists, Drought Tolerant, Trees
Title: Small to medium drought-tolerant trees for Southern California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for drought tolerant trees to line one side of our 70 foot driveway. We live in Southern California. Currently, we have queen palms, but I would like something more native or drought tolerant that doesn't get too big.ANSWER:
Here are a variety of drought-tolerant trees that grow in Orange County. I am not sure exactly what size you are looking for, but I have included a variety of sizes.
Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Hollyleaf cherry) grows 10 to 40 ft. high. Here are more photos and information from Theodore Payne Foundation.
Dodonaea viscosa (Florida hopbush) grows to 12 ft. high. Here are more photo and information from HorticultureUnlimitedInc.com.
Frangula californica [syn. = Rhamnus californica](California buckthorn) grows 6 to 15 ft. high. Here are photos and more information from Santa Barbara City College and Las Pilitas Nursery.
Fraxinus velutina (Arizona ash) grows 30 to 50 ft. Here are more photos and information from University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension Service and Las Pilitas Nursery.
Juniperus californica (California juniper) grows 10 to 15 ft. high. Here are photos and more information from Las Pilitas Nursery and BirdandHike.com.
Prosopis velutina (Velvet mesquite) grows 30 to 40 ft. high. Here are more photos and information from AridZoneTrees.com and the University of Arizona.
Quercus agrifolia (California live oak) generally grow 20 to 50 ft. high. Here are more photos and information from Las Pilitas Nursery and Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Lists Questions
Deer Resistant Evergreens for Pennsylvania Woods
March 12, 2015 - We are looking for evergreens that will grow in a partially shaded/wooded area and are ideally deer resistant. Hemlocks are out because of a parasite infestation in our area of Pennsylvania.
view the full question and answer
Aquatic Plants for a Small Pond in Missouri
June 11, 2015 - We have a small backyard pond (4' x 5' x 2' deep) with a shelf for marginal plants, and a pump that feeds a nice little creek and waterfall into the pond. We don't really want fish, but we'd lik...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrub for northwest-facing wall
June 09, 2012 - Can you suggest a tall (8-10') evergreen shrub for a site against a northwest-facing wall which gets no sun in the winter but full sun in the summer? Texas sage got too leggy and viburnum will be to...
view the full question and answer
Plant to trail down concrete block retaining wall in Maryland
September 15, 2012 - Hello,
Your website is an excellent resource. Thank you very much!
My girlfriend recently bought a house that has a concrete block retaining wall in the front yard. We want to improve the app...
view the full question and answer
Plants beneficial to honey bees in Indiana
August 30, 2014 - I am searching for a list of shrubs, vines, low growing plants that would benefit, specifically honeybees in southeast Indiana. My Soil & Water Conservation District would like to offer these plants f...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |