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
Tree for South Dakota
April 24, 2012 - Sir, I am looking for suggestions on a backyard tree, nice shade tree 60-80' height to complement a split foyer house and a flowering crab that is currently there. Low maintenance, with no seeds or c...
view the full question and answer
Vines to Cover Brush Pile in Maryland
April 29, 2013 - We have a large brush pile on our property that we'd intended to burn, but it is big enough now that it would require the help of the fire department! I'm thinking I'd like to cover it with native ...
view the full question and answer
Native Plants for Year Round Interest
February 16, 2015 - I'm involved in a paradigm shift from traditional bedding plants (petunias, zinnias, begonias, etc.) to native plants. I realize that native plants have natural life cycles where they look pretty bad...
view the full question and answer
Butterfly Plants for D.C. Garden
July 16, 2015 - I have one half of the side of the house face NE and the other half faces NW. The front of the house faces east. The back of the house faces west which is woody with native trees of Rock Creek Park of...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping with water garden from Pendleton SC
August 15, 2012 - Searching for native plants in SC. Your results miss some plants listed on your site. I noticed this reading the Mr. Smarty Plants response to "Edible Plants for North GA" We aren't far apart.
...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |