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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Monday - May 20, 2013
From: Paso Robles, CA
Region: California
Topic: Shrubs, Trees
Title: Replacement for running bamboo in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We currently have running bamboo planted next to the side our house facing West, which has provided wonderful shade in front of two large windows. However, because it is running bamboo we are afraid it may damage the foundation or pool and want to remove it. I'd like to replace it with something else - could be potted - that will grow quickly and stand up to the extreme afternoon sun and offer the same type of shade as bamboo. We live in zip code 93446, with cold winters and very hot summers.ANSWER:
It is a good thing you are doing removing the running bamboo. For one thing, bamboos are not native to North America and what we are all about here at the Wildflower Center are native North American plants. The running bamboos also tend to invade and take over and are difficult to control.
As a replacement, I am assuming that you want something evergreen. All of the plants listed below are native to your area and are evergreen. I've listed several sites for information on each plant so that you can make your own decision about which one to use.
Prunus ilicifolia (Hollyleaf cherry) Theodore Payne Organization says that it is slow to establish, but then fast to grow. California Flora Nursery says that it is tolerant of heat, drought, wind and oak root fungus.
Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon) is evergreen with showy red berries. According to bewaterwise.com it tolerates "full sun or partial shade, heat, smog, wind and heavy or light soils." Theodore Payne Organization says that it is fast-growing. See more information and photos from Las Pilitas Nursery.
Ceanothus cuneatus (Buckbrush) is evergreen with showy blossoms, but attractive foliage without blooms. Theodore Payne Organization reports that it has moderate growth and it dense. Here is information from Las Pilitas Nursery.
Juniperus californica (California juniper) is evergreen and withstands heat and drought. Theodore Payne Organization says that its growth rate is slow. Here are photos and more information from Las Pilitas Nursery.
Quercus durata (Leather oak) grows 3 to 10 feet and forms dense thickets. It is, however, slow-growing. Here is more information from Las Pilitas Nursery and photos from CalPhotos, University of California-Berkeley.
Frangula californica [synonym=Rhamnus californica] (California buckthorn of Coffeeberry) Here is more information from Las Pilitas Nursery and more information from Theodore Payne Organization. Note that there are several varieties listed for sale. Here are photos from CalPhotos.
Las Pilitas Nursery, located in Escondido and Santa Margarita, has a list, Plants for Central Oak Woodland, with plants native to your area that you can check for other choices.
More Shrubs Questions
Evergreen shrub with fall color in Round Rock, TX
September 21, 2009 - I am looking for a shrub that has fall color much like the burning bush euonymus, but needs to be evergreen the rest of the year since it will be used as a foundation plant. Are there any plants that...
view the full question and answer
Native sun shrubs and perennials to replace St. Augustine
June 06, 2008 - Hi, I live in Austin and I'm removing the St. Augustine from the southwest side of our house. This area gets intense sun all afternoon, and I'd really like to use a combination of native shrubs and...
view the full question and answer
Japanese maple in New York
August 15, 2008 - I have a few questions: Do you know what zone Brooklyn, NY. is in? If I plant a Japanese Maple in my backyard, do you think it can tolerate almost full shade (1-2 hours of sun per day)? Also, is it...
view the full question and answer
Trimming Butterfly Plants
February 11, 2013 - I am looking for detailed information on trimming common butterfly plants: crucita, cenizo, sweet-stem, whitebrush, Mexican trixis, skeleton-leaf goldeneye, white plumbago, turk's cap, desert lantana...
view the full question and answer
Perennial summer blooming plant for Livonia, MI
May 22, 2009 - I want to find a plant that I can cut back in the fall, will come back in the spring, flower throughout the summer, be a medium size plant, no taller than 48", about 36" in diameter. It would get f...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |