One of our favorite Junipers, we’ve been smitten by the Alligator Juniper since we first saw them growing in the sky islands of southern Arizona. Named for the scaly pattern the bark gets that looks like an alligator’s back. Very drought tolerant and somewhat slow growing, but it makes a sturdy evergreen tree with excellent texture and blue grey leaves that are nearly white on some trees. Extremely drought tolerant once established, but also accepting of some summer water

Latin Name: Juniperus deppeana
Site and Soil: Full to 1/2 day sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -20 F
Size at Maturity: 15 ft. in height
Pests & Diseases: None that we have seen
USDA Zone: 5

The post Alligator Juniper appeared first on One Green World.

Western Redbud is an excellent and underutilized Western Species that can be found growing throughout California and other areas of the West. It grows as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with beautiful heart shaped leaves and copious reddish pink flowers. As a member of the legume family it is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use and makes an excellent companion plant in the landscape. Western Redbud is very drought tolerant and easy to grow.

Latin Name: Cercis occidentalis 
Site and Soil: Half day to full sun
Size at Maturity: 15ft by 10ft
Flower Color: Reddish-pink
Bloom Time: Spring
Pests & Diseases: none that we have seen
USDA Zone: 6-9

The post Western Redbud appeared first on One Green World.

Latin Name: Asclepias fascicularis
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and a variety of soils. Can go the whole year without water or live in near wetland conditions.
Hardiness: Hardy to -10° F.
Size at Maturity: 2-3′ in height by 2′ feet wide.
Flower Color: Lavender/pink
Bloom Time: Late spring, long blooming
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland.
USDA Zone: 6

The post Mexican Whorled Milkweed appeared first on One Green World.

Looking to fill in a large area with an easy and drought tolerant but also beautiful plant? California Tree Poppy is a perfect candidate! Plants grow 6-8 feet tall and can spread seemingly forever via their underground rhizomes making it a great plant for semi-wild or naturalized plantings as well as the front yard xeric chaparral. Native to Southern California yet perfectly hardy and happy all the way up the West Coast. The flowers on these are GIANT and resemble fried eggs with their big white petals and yellow stamens in the center.

Latin Name: Romneya coulteri
Site and Soil: Full sun and well-drained soil. Very drought tolerant once established and will need little to no supplemental watering during the summer season.
Hardiness: Hardy to at least 10º F. and probably root hardy down to 0°F.
Size at Maturity: 6-8  ft. in height by 6-20 ft. wide
Bloom Time: Winter
Pests & Diseases: Not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 8

The post California Tree Poppy appeared first on One Green World.

Latin Name: Epilobium canum ‘Calistoga’
Site and Soil: Well draining, unamended soils in full sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about 0 F.
Size at Maturity: 1′ x 3′
Bloom Time: late summer into early fall
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 7b

The post Calistoga California Fuchsia appeared first on One Green World.