Many spectacular trees and shrubs from mild regions around the world are well adapted to growing in our coastal Mediterranean climate. Nonetheless, when housing developments are originally landscaped, planners usually choose the most pedestrian trees and shrubs since they are non-controversial and easy to find in nurseries. When these original trees and shrubs die or are in need of replacement due to disease, invasive roots, or other problems, a unique opportunity arises to create a more exciting and colorful landscape.

Colorful trees and shrubs can be arranged in the landscape in a variety of ways. One can dot them throughout the landscape or, alternatively, create a more unified look by planting in drifts and choosing a specific tree variety for each street. We recommend a combination of these approaches to be accomplished by mixing shrubs on banks in attractive color schemes, using drifts in some areas, and gradually replacing street trees by planting solidly with one specific and different flowering tree chosen for each street. Thus you would have a white-flowered street, yellow-flowered street, purple-foliaged street, pink-flowered street, red-flowered, salmon-flowered street and so forth. The flowers also would occur at different times of year, thus lending color year-round.

Flowering subtropical trees and shrubs, once established, often become more drought resistant than the trees and shrubs they replace. Some of them are slow growing, others are fast, some take a few years to bloom, others bloom immediately and, in some cases, year-round. Flowering trees, once mature, can become a lasting gift of beauty and excitement for generations to come. It is with these ideas in mind that we offer the following plant lists and suggestions.

CURRENT GOALS:

o Replace trees such as carrotwood, pine, eucalyptus, camphor, liquidambar, and sycamore trees that need to be removed due to problems with invasive roots, height, or disease.

o Provide a list of alternative street trees as well as trees and shrubs for slopes.

o Recommend placement according to height and exposure.

o Take into consideration these factors:

• Low maintenance

• Drought tolerance

• Colorful flowers or foliage

• Pleasing appearance when seen from homes above

• Basic color scheme: Pink, blue, yellow, white, lavender, with splashes of red

PLAN FOR FIRST YEAR:

Replace plants in front yards with better choices.
SURVEY OF AREAS:

Here is a survey of the landscape trees and shrubs. Below this survey, you will also find lists for banks that can be used as guides for all areas, arranged according to the heights of banks and of plants.

Remove stump and plant Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus) or Indian Hawthorne Tree (Rhaphiolepis ‘Majestic Beauty’) one of the best small trees ever developed, but needs to be on tall enough trunk.

Shiny Xylosma (Xylosma congestum) Tall camellia-like hedge is –Repeat planting wherever a dense green screen is needed with neat foliage. This plant is well adapted to west end of lower streets to screen fence and main road.

Problems that can occur on slopes:

Over watering can cause irregular growth and weakened trunks on Pink Melaleuca (Melaleuca nesophila.) Improve their look by cutting one or two trunks from each clump every year and rounding off the foliage.

Suggestions for sunny places on slope: Dwarf Bottle Brush –(Callistemon citrinus ‘Perth Pink’), Dwarf Pohutukawa (Metrosideros villosa ‘Tahiti’) close to top of bank/slope, Dwarf Tea Trees (Leptospermum scoparium.) See list below for varieties.) and Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata ‘Royal Cape’),  Cherry Plum (Prunus ceracifera ‘Nigra’), an ornamental purple-leaved plum, bearing white flowers in spring followed by abundant small round plums, could be planted at base of the slope, as we discussed. However the best use for it would be as one of the chosen street trees. Reputed to be better inland than along the coast, there are nonetheless many beautiful specimens close to the ocean. A cold winter such as we just had makes this tree more eye-catching than usual. It is especially nice when seen against green backgrounds.

Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata), described in lists below, would make a good replacement for Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardiodes) as a street tree.

What to do about narrow spaces between buildings:

Hawaiian Wedding tree or Sweetshade (Hymenosporum flavum): Tall, narrow upright growth makes this good for narrow spaces, where it even can be planted in groves. A massive display of single, yellow, fragrant flowers covers the branch tips in spring and early summer. Though reputed not to grow in wind there are excellent specimens growing within a quarter mile of the ocean.

Plant Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’ ) on banks. Choose and place this very large shrub according to height requirement. Improved bottlebrush varieties are more shrubby with better flower color. They can be purchased or trained into single-trunked, highly colorful, trees or allowed to grow as massive multi-trunked shrubs. (Both uses are discussed below.)
Large, high slopes

Make sure irrigation pipes such as white PVC pipes are covered with a thick layer of rough-textured mulch such as tree trimmings to improve look and encourage growth of ground- covers.

Plant Floss Silk Trees (Chorisia speciosa) and/or other colorful trees at the base of h ills, where height won’t destroy views. It is not necessary to purchase the grafted Floss Silk Trees.  Prominent thorns on green trunks of the species are ornamental conversation pieces.

Plant Tipu Trees (Tipuana tipu) on large slopes. Also plant a selection of colorful shrubs from list below.

Covering existing eyesores:

Plant Bottle Brush or Blue Plumbago (Plumbago ‘Royal Cape’) to cover stump of Pink Melaleuca (Melaleuca nesophila) which is good in coastal zones.
Replacing old woody plants that have been injured by improper pruning:

Remove Mirror plant (Coprosma) hedges and replace with Dwarf Indian Hawthorne (Rhaphiolepis ‘Ballerina’) on 3-foot centers. (Deadhead and fertilize after bloom. Pinch back tips after bloom, but do not sheer or heavily prune this plant until it spreads out and covers space. Do not allow gardeners to prune this plant into a round ball.) Retain the gray-foliaged Ballotta (Ballotta pseudodictamnus) and Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) but remove straggely plants that spoil the appearance.. Retain Pigmy Date Palms (Phoenix roebelenii). Feed these palms annually in May with Scotts Palm Food and cut off damaged fronds. Given proper care, these elegant palms should become more valuable and attractive with age. Replacement at this time would be expensive and is unnecessary.

NOTE: If it should in future be necessary to replace these palms due to unsightliness or disease, then at that time, replace each clump with 3 Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei), but this action is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. (Windmill palms are hardy, i.e.: they can go through colder winters than most other palms. They are attractive when grown in the corners of beds, but are currently more difficult to find and more expensive to purchase than Pygmy Date Palm. They do not look good when grown in windy locations.)

Replanting of slopes to improve appearance and stablilize soil:

Remove Hop Bush (Dodonia viscosa ‘Purpurea’) Plant a tall flowering tree Markhamia Tree (Markhamia lutea, M. hildebrandii)– in a location at base of high bank so it does not cut into views of houses higher on hill. Cover stumps such as ficus stumps from removed trees by planting Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Improved’ or ‘Splendens’) as the large-size screen here, or New Zealand Christmas Shrub (Metrosideros collina ‘Spring Fire’) or choose from list below according to height and size needed.  Replace Pink Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) Choose shrubs for bank from list below in order to fill smaller spaces and to screen bank and fence.

Beautifying intersections:

A prominent position such as an intersection might be a good place for planting a really spectacular tree, even if it took a few years to bloom.

In protected from wind, plant: Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense) Briefly deciduous, this stunning round-headed tree is magnificent in bloom but best out of wind. It can take as much as 5 years to bloom and needs regular water, but to plant this tree is to give a lasting gift to the landscape..
Care for existing bougainvilleas that are failing to thrive.

When bougainvilleas do not grow at am appropriate rate, cold weather in the previous winter might have slowed growth. If bougainvilleas do not grow well when the weather warms up, the cause might be that their needs have not been fulfilled. Certain specific varieties of Bougainvillea, (for example: ‘San Diego Red’, and Bougainvillea spectabilis )can become very drought-resistant once established in deep soils, but during the first three years they need plenty of irrigation plus periodic fertilizer to push roots down deep and get going. Good bougainvillea varieties for banks, besides the large selections above, include the more compact types such as ‘La Jolla’, ‘Crimson Jewel,’ and ‘Temple Fire. Large types include ‘Lavender Queen’, ‘Don Mario’, ‘James Walker’, and ‘Orange King.”  Bougainvilleas need a hot spot. Unfortunately, they often become infested with roof rats whereas most shrubs do not.

When replacing diseased pine trees I an area of low irrigation, consider Naked Coral Tree (Erythina coralloides). This coral tree, naked in winter, has often been used on banks and tends to keep everyone happy since it offers two different looks during the year. It is covered with large, light green leaves in summer, thus creating a screen and offering shade. These go yellow and drop in fall revealing a bizarre branch structure bearing black thorns, and bearing spectacular, spiky, brilliant-red blossoms at the tips of branches for a long season in spring. These eye-catching blossoms attract hummingbirds and orioles. Good on banks where its flowers can be admired but the thorns not encountered. Eventual size is 30 feet, but easily controlled by pruning. Take out any unwanted branches after bloom.

A colorful planting for a large slope at intersection

Add color on large slope with drifts of Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), Lantana ‘Radiation’, and red Bougainvillea ‘La Jolla’.
Replacing pine trees

Marina Strawberry Tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), is an evergreen, drought-resistant, Mediterranean tree that is appropriate for replacing pine trees that have died from beetle attack. It provides color from red bark, pink flowers, and ornamental red fruit. Rounded shape will make a good screen and compliment any surviving pine trees.
Another slope:

Replace dead trees with Tipu Tree

When choosing street trees, pick one that will work for an entire

street: Good choices: New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa) or Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus)

Plant colorful shrubs as large ground covers on slopes – Use Echium, tea trees, euryops, plumbago, and smaller bottle brushes from lists below.

Street and slope:

Plant Street trees, one for each property: Cherry Plums (Prunus ceracifera ‘Nigra’) . Trim hedges behind walls to 1’ higher than walls.

Slope: Screen with colorful plants from list below.

NOTE: “Spiral ginger” with red flowers died from frost. Judging by description, this was Lobster Claw (Heliconia pendula) Possible source: Kartuz Greenhouses in Vista or look on Internet by Googling the botanical name as cited above. In future protect from expected frost by covering with sheet on cold nights, remove in morning before sun strikes plant.

Excellent choice of vine to grow over sunny walls: Lavender Trumpet Vine (Clytostoma callistegioides).

REPLACEMENTS FOR REMOVED STREET TREES:

(Highly recommended choices are marked with asterisk. Those without asterisk are additional possibilities.)

SMALL TREES:

• *Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’): Purchase specimens pruned as a single-trunked tree.

• *Bronze Loquat (Eriobotra deflexa): Small, tough, evergreen tree with bronze new foliage and white flowers in spring.  Try to get single-trunked specimens for use as street trees. Easy to grow.

• *Cherry Plum (Prunus ceracifera ‘Nigra’): Ornamental purple plum with deep red, almost black foliage, briefly deciduous, bearing white flowers in spring followed by abundant small round plums. Though reputed to be better inland, beautiful examples of this tree are growing along the coast, especially handsome when seen against green foliage.

• Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana ‘Coolidge’): Self fruiting pineapple guava that can occasionally be found pruned up as a tree. Fragrant flowers with sweet, edible petals, are followed by good-tasting fruits. Beloved by most homeowners and brings birds. This tree is usually sold as a large multi-trunked shrub but occasionally one can find single-trunked specimens which make good small street trees, which will gradually grow larger and seldom if ever require replacement.

• *Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Magestic Beauty’ is the best choice when a very small street tree is needed. See this tree growing at the Lumber Yard, an upscale shopping mall on the right hand side of Old 101 going north through Encinitas. These specimens in the Lumber Yard shopping mall are 20 years old, and have a beautiful umbrella shape, covered with bright pink blossoms in spring. Sheer tops removing all spent blossoms and a little foliage once a year, after blooms fade, never before bloom.

• Sky Flower (Duranta erecta) Stunning blue flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies are followed by colorful show of yellow-gold, poisonous but very attractive fruits. Average to low water requirement. (Usually sold as multi-trunked shrub, but sometimes as single-trunked tree.)

• String of Pearls (Duranta stenostachya’Sarasota’) Larger leaves and flower clusters, are followed by long strings of attractive, hanging, golden “pearls”. Eye-catching conversation piece. Flowers are sweetly scented, but the highly ornamental fruits are poisonous. (Usually sold as multi-trunked shrub, but sometimes as single-trunked tree.)

MID-SIZE TO LARGER STREET TREES

(Variable situations of soil and space tend to influence size of trees. Eventual sizes do not differ hugely from that of the trees they are replacing, and in many cases are much smaller. Camphor tree, for example, that is being replaced, has an eventual size of 50 feet high and 60 feet wide, whereas the eventual size of Chinese Fringe Tree is only 20 feet.)

• *Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ and C. citrinus ‘Improved’): A thick, compact head of foliage and plentiful masses of bright-red, bottle-brush-shaped flowers, blooming in waves several times a year make this a stunning street tree when pruned as a single-trunked tree. Brings birds. (Grows to 20 feet.)

• *Flamegold (Koelreuteria elegans, K. formosa): A virtuous, deeply rooted, 20-30 foot tall tree, adapted to growing in lawns or as a street tree, best bloom where protected from wind. May be evergreen, but usually drops leaves briefly in winter. (A similar variety, Chinese Flame Tree [K. bipinnata] is equally as beautiful but larger.) On both trees, insignificant panicles of yellow flowers in June are followed in fall by a magnificent, long-lasting show of orange to salmon-pink seed pods that look as if a bougainvillea had gotten tangled up into the tree and then suddenly burst into bloom. (It is very important not to get K. paniculata, which is a worthy, hardy tree in cold-winter areas of the Southwest, but lacks the fall beauty of K. bipinnata or K. elegans, since its seed pods turn an ugly brown, though one variety, called ‘Rose Lantern’ has pods tinged with pink.)

• *Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus): Clusters of  fringelike white flowers cover branches of this stunning, small—to 20 –feet-tall)—tree in spring. In fall leaves turn bright yellow before falling. (Reputed to flower better inland, but the parking lot of Salk institute is planted solidly with this tree, a breathtaking sight in spring.)

• *Evergreen Pear (Pyrus kawakamii):Though this tree is very subject to occasional die-back of branches due to fire blight, in recent years it seems to have been less prone to damage and has bloomed exceptionally well in our area. Leaves may hang on year-round but sometimes drop off just before the tree bursts into a glorious show of shining white flowers in February. Needs little pruning and stays small for many years. 15 to 30 feet high at most, usually smaller for many years. Best show of bloom when winters are dry.

• * Gold Medallion Tree, Crown of Gold Tree,  (Cassia leptophylla, Senna spectabilis): Round bunches of blooms on rounded, briefly-deciduous tree over a long period, spring to fall. A popular tree in our area, quite drought resistant, eventually to 20 feet tall but well-adapted as street tree and used as such in some areas.

• *Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana): Strong fall into winter color from brilliant orchid-pink to rosy purple orchid-shaped flowers on a natural umbrella-shaped tree. Kidney-shaped gray-green leaves drop briefly just prior to bloom. Needs good drainage. 20 feet high and wide but tends to stay small for a long time making it a better street tree for Brisas Del Mar than the equally spectacular purple orchid tree (B. variegata), which is larger (to 30 feet) and blooms in spring. The latter however is the one most frequently planted as a street tree and it is glorious where springs are reliably warm. Prune bauhinias after bloom by trimming out crowded growth. Never prune before bloom.

• * New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa ‘Gala’): New foliage is gray green against dark evergreen tree with red summer flowers. This variety, if available, has bright yellow in center of each leaf and dark red flowers have bright yellow stamens. Good street tree, but not for crowded spots. The species itself is also good and often sold as a street tree. (To 30 feet.)

• *Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia impetiginosa ‘Pink Cloud’): Once this tree has matured it gives an incredible display of pink flowers in spring. Planted in center front of Scripps Hospital. Fast growing to about 15 feet, then slower growing to 20 or 30 feet. Leaves briefly drop just before the tree flowers in spring on bare wood.  The older it grows the more beautiful this tree becomes.

• *Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’): Purple foliage catches the sunlight in a stunning way. Deciduous in winter, followed by an early spring show of purple-pink, pea-shaped flowers that emerge straight from the bark, sometimes even from the trunk. Drought-resistant once established but can accept garden water. Slow growing to 20 or 30 feet.

• *Weeping Bottle Brush Hybrid (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’) Waves of flowers year-round bring mockingbirds, orioles, and flocks of hummingbirds for their nectar.  Improved varieties, such as this one, are bushy with brilliantly colorful flowers. Though sold as shrubs, they can also be purchased as trees. These have been pruned up on a single trunk to become very attractive street or garden trees, that are not nearly as tall as the species.  Drought-resistant once established but adapted to garden water. Needs good drainage. Grows to 20 feet.

CHOICE TREE FOR GRADUAL REPLACEMENT OF PINES

• Marina Strawberry Tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’): Evergreen tree with pink flowers in fall followed by decorative, round, red, edible (though tasteless) fruits providing food for birds and year-round color. Drought-resistant tree with stunning red bark that peels like a madrone. (This fairly new tree might be suitable as a street tree but is untried. It may grow to 40 feet but probably much smaller.)

COLORFUL TREES TO PLANT AT THE BASE OF TALL BANKS

• African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata): Reputed to have fast growth but yellow ones are slower and are being used as street trees in some areas. It has moderate water needs combined with bunches of large, spectacular flowers over a long season. Best out of strong winds. Choose either yellow-orange or red specimens, red being the most spectacular but perhaps larger and faster growing. The red variety could become invasive after a few years, so is better on open ground away from houses.

• Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense): Handsome dark green foliage may be briefly deciduous or may hang on through winter on this very showy, round-headed tree, that is magnificent in bloom and best out of wind. It can take 5 years after planting for this tree to bloom, which is why it is not often enough planted. It needs regular water but can survive on less. To plant this tree is to give a lasting gift to the Del Mar landscape. (Great example near flamingo pool, San Diego Zoo.) Flowers are feathery and arise in panicles as big as baseballs,  rosy-lilac to pink in color. They drench the entire top of this neatly shaped, rounded tree in early spring or summer.

• Floss Silk Tree (Chorisia speciosa): Spectacular fall bloom, orchid-colored flowers all over the top of the tree after leaves briefly drop, especially good bloom if you can let it go dry in late summer. Seed pods and flowers bring hummingbirds. Highly recommended on the tall banks. Grafted specimens have no thorns but thorny trunks are ornamental and these trees usually bloom young.

• Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): One of our best flowering trees. Likes reflected heat.

• Lemon Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ or ‘Improved’): The blooms are more upright than weeping. This selection is sold pruned up as a tree or it can be grown as a very large, multi-stemmed shrub or screen.

• Markhamia or African Trumpet Tree (Markhamia lutea, M. hildebrandii): Evergreen tree that is fast-growing, tall and narrow for 10 years, then spreading and slow-growing. Profusion of golden-yellow trumpet blooms from July to December followed by prominent hanging pods. Gaining popularity as street tree due to upright shape. Blooms best after dry winter. Likes well-drained soil.

• Weeping Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis): Evergreen, weeping tree that is drought resistant and brings hummingbirds, orioles and mockingbirds. Waves of bloom year round.

COLORFUL SHRUBS AND TREES FOR BANKS:

VERY LOW SHRUBS: (Up to 3 feet tall, not higher than 4 feet.)

Use these as fillers on banks or at the tops of banks.

(Sensitive to frost, but if you place these high on banks they should be in a frost-drained site, thus safe from frost.)

• Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’) 3 feet tall and wide. Very colorful waves of flowers fall, winter and spring, on superior dwarf bottlebrush with weeping habit.

• Dwarf New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Nanum Ruru’): 2 feet tall and wide. Dense growth. Dark-pink single flowers in winter, spring,  into summer.

• Dwarf New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Pink Cascade’): 1 foot tall and 3-to 4-feet wide. Single pink flowers,  sprawling, weeping, cascading growth.

• Dwarf Pohutukawa (Metrosideros villosa ‘Tahiti’) (to 3-feet tall and wide): No pruning needed. Gray-green leaves and clusters of orange-red flowers in spring, with sporadic rebloom. (Sensitive to frost, but high on banks should be a frost-drained site.)

• Groundcover New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Horizontalis’): 3 to 4-feet tall, 12 feet wide. Profuse show of white blossoms on drooping branchlets, spreading plant, makes good bank cover.

• Groundcover New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Snow White’): 2 to 4-feet tall, 4 to 5-feet wide. Double white flowers with green centers on compact, spreading plant

• Shrubby New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros collina ‘Fiji’): is even smaller, just 2 feet tall and wide.  Available from Monrovia Nursery. Red powder-puff flowers, winter and spring, bring butterflies.

LOW SHRUBS: (3 to 5 feet tall)

(Use these on low banks and at the top of tall banks so that they create a screen but do not hide views.)

• Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Compacta’): Mounded plant to 4 feet wide and high.

• California Lilac (Ceonothus ‘Concha’): Good blue color. This one can take garden irrigation without dying

• Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri): Superior, drought-resistant yellow-centered white poppy flower for banks. Gray foliage should be cut down in November if possible and will spring again from ground to bloom in spring through summer.

• Radiation Lantana (Lantana ‘Radiation’): 3 to 5 feet high and wide and one of the better and most colorful lantana’s for banks. Drought-resistant with long bloom season. Flowers are yellow, orange, and pink. Looks good when mixed with blue plumbago and red bougainvillea.

• Yellow Bush Daisy (Euryops pectinatus ‘Viridis’ or ‘Green Gold’): Long-lived woody, drought-resistant, evergreen shrub, native to South Africa,  3-to 6-feet tall and wide bears yellow daisies over a long season, mainly in winter. Shear off faded flowers and a little of the green growth once a year in June.  (Provides good yellow color to go near blue Pride of Madeira and pink and white dwarf tea trees.)

MID-HEIGHT SHRUBS:  (5 to 10 feet tall)

• Bottle Brush ( Callistemon  ‘Canes Hybrid’): 10 feet tall, 15 feet wide. A big screen, measure so eventual height hits at the right level to see over. Narrow leaves and arching branches with pink-tinged foliage, soft pink bottle-brush flowers in late spring, early summer. Easily pruned to a tree shape. Can be kept smaller by pruning but why have that problem? Instead plant where it can grow to full size.

• Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’): Dense, rounded plant to 6 feet tall and wide.  For border, hedge, or screen. (‘Red Cascade’ is similar with large abundant rosy red blooms.)

• Geraldton Waxflower (Chamaelaucium unicatum ‘Vista’): Pink flowers for long season from fall to summer on rounded drought-resistant shrub, to 6 feet tall, for full sun. Cut back after bloom.

• New Zealand Tea Tree ((Leptospermum scoparium ‘Silver and Rose’): Dense growth habit to 4-to 5-feet tall and wide. Rose-pink, green-centered flowers with bright gray-green foliage. Excellent plant to use as screen high on bank.

• New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Gaiety Girl’): Slow growing to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Double flowers are pink with a dash of lilac.

• New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Pink Damask’): Dense growth habit to 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5  feet wide. Double ruby-red flowers red tinged leaves. Particularly good screen plant.

• Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata ‘Royal Cape’): Makes a mounding shrub 6 feet tall, 8 to 10 feet wide with large rounded deep blue flowers blooming over a long season. Excellent bank cover when placed away from paths. Give it room to spread. Named varieties are not invasive like the older unnamed type. Good mixed with lantana.

• Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans): (5 to 6 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide.) Blue spiky blooms on a gray woody shrub. Dot these around on banks. They will spread from seeds.

TALLER SHRUBS: (8 to 12 feet tall, including one to 20 feet high.)

• Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Pink Perth’): 8 to 10 feet tall, 5 to 8 feet wide. Weeping foliage, pink flowers in spring. Use low on banks as big, colorful screen.

• Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ and C. citrinus ‘Improved’):

Massive shrub, 10 to 15 feet tall and wide. Use low on banks as big, colorful screen. Brings birds.

• New Zealand Christmas Shrub (Metrosideros collina ‘Spring Fire’): 8 to 12-feet high, 6 to 10-feet wide. Gray-green foliage with a profusion of showy flowers in late spring to early summer bringing butterflies and birds. Makes attractive hedge, but is sensitive to frost. Use high on banks, thus safe from frost.

• Weeping Bottle Brush, (largest shrub form) (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’): 20 feet tall, 15 to 20 feet wide. Flowers bring mockingbirds, orioles, and flocks of hummingbirds for their nectar.  Improved varieties, such as this one, tend to be thickly bushy with brightly colorful flowers. Drought-resistant once established but adapted to garden water.

Many spectacular trees and shrubs from mild regions around the world are well adapted to growing in our coastal Mediterranean climate. Nonetheless, when housing developments are originally landscaped, planners usually choose the most pedestrian trees and shrubs since they are non-controversial and easy to find in nurseries. When these original trees and shrubs die or are in need of replacement due to disease, invasive roots, or other problems, a unique opportunity arises to create a more exciting and colorful landscape.

Colorful trees and shrubs can be arranged in the landscape in a variety of ways. One can dot them throughout the landscape or, alternatively, create a more unified look by planting in drifts and choosing a specific tree variety for each street. We recommend a combination of these approaches to be accomplished by mixing shrubs on banks in attractive color schemes, using drifts in some areas, and gradually replacing street trees by planting solidly with one specific and different flowering tree chosen for each street. Thus you would have a white-flowered street, yellow-flowered street, purple-foliaged street, pink-flowered street, red-flowered, salmon-flowered street and so forth. The flowers also would occur at different times of year, thus lending color year-round.

Flowering subtropical trees and shrubs, once established, often become more drought resistant than the trees and shrubs they replace. Some of them are slow growing, others are fast, some take a few years to bloom, others bloom immediately and, in some cases, year-round. Flowering trees, once mature, can become a lasting gift of beauty and excitement for generations to come. It is with these ideas in mind that we offer the following plant lists and suggestions.

CURRENT GOALS:

• Replace trees such as carrotwood, pine, eucalyptus, camphor, liquidambar, and sycamore trees that need to be removed due to problems with invasive roots, height, or disease.
• Provide a list of alternative street trees as well as trees and shrubs for slopes.
• Recommend placement according to height and exposure.
• Take into consideration these factors:
  • Low maintenance
  • Drought tolerance
  • Colorful flowers or foliage
  • Pleasing appearance when seen from homes above
  • Basic color scheme: Pink, blue, yellow, white, lavender, with splashes of red

PLAN FOR FIRST YEAR:

Replace plants in front yards with better choices.

SURVEY OF AREAS:

Here is a survey of the landscape trees and shrubs. Below this survey, you will also find lists for banks that can be used as guides for all areas, arranged according to the heights of banks and of plants.

Remove stump and plant Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus) or Indian Hawthorne Tree (Rhaphiolepis ‘Majestic Beauty’) one of the best small trees ever developed, but needs to be on tall enough trunk.

Shiny Xylosma (Xylosma congestum) Tall camellia-like hedge is –Repeat planting wherever a dense green screen is needed with neat foliage. This plant is well adapted to west end of lower streets to screen fence and main road.

Problems that can occur on slopes:

Over watering can cause irregular growth and weakened trunks on Pink Melaleuca (Melaleuca nesophila.) Improve their look by cutting one or two trunks from each clump every year and rounding off the foliage.

Suggestions for sunny places on slope: Dwarf Bottle Brush –(Callistemon citrinus ‘Perth Pink’), Dwarf Pohutukawa (Metrosideros villosa ‘Tahiti’) close to top of bank/slope, Dwarf Tea Trees (Leptospermum scoparium.) See list below for varieties.) and Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata ‘Royal Cape’),  Cherry Plum (Prunus ceracifera ‘Nigra’), an ornamental purple-leaved plum, bearing white flowers in spring followed by abundant small round plums, could be planted at base of the slope, as we discussed. However the best use for it would be as one of the chosen street trees. Reputed to be better inland than along the coast, there are nonetheless many beautiful specimens close to the ocean. A cold winter such as we just had makes this tree more eye-catching than usual. It is especially nice when seen against green backgrounds.

Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata), described in lists below, would make a good replacement for Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardiodes) as a street tree.

What to do about narrow spaces between buildings:

Hawaiian Wedding tree or Sweetshade (Hymenosporum flavum): Tall, narrow upright growth makes this good for narrow spaces, where it even can be planted in groves. A massive display of single, yellow, fragrant flowers covers the branch tips in spring and early summer. Though reputed not to grow in wind there are excellent specimens growing within a quarter mile of the ocean.

Plant Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’ ) on banks. Choose and place this very large shrub according to height requirement. Improved bottlebrush varieties are more shrubby with better flower color. They can be purchased or trained into single-trunked, highly colorful, trees or allowed to grow as massive multi-trunked shrubs. (Both uses are discussed below.)

Large, high slopes

Make sure irrigation pipes such as white PVC pipes are covered with a thick layer of rough-textured mulch such as tree trimmings to improve look and encourage growth of ground- covers.

Plant Floss Silk Trees (Chorisia speciosa) and/or other colorful trees at the base of h ills, where height won’t destroy views. It is not necessary to purchase the grafted Floss Silk Trees.  Prominent thorns on green trunks of the species are ornamental conversation pieces.

Plant Tipu Trees (Tipuana tipu) on large slopes. Also plant a selection of colorful shrubs from list below.

Covering existing eyesores:

Plant Bottle Brush or Blue Plumbago (Plumbago ‘Royal Cape’) to cover stump of Pink Melaleuca (Melaleuca nesophila) which is good in coastal zones.

Replacing old woody plants that have been injured by improper pruning:

Remove Mirror plant (Coprosma) hedges and replace with Dwarf Indian Hawthorne (Rhaphiolepis ‘Ballerina’) on 3-foot centers. (Deadhead and fertilize after bloom. Pinch back tips after bloom, but do not sheer or heavily prune this plant until it spreads out and covers space. Do not allow gardeners to prune this plant into a round ball.) Retain the gray-foliaged Ballotta (Ballotta pseudodictamnus) and Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) but remove straggely plants that spoil the appearance.. Retain Pigmy Date Palms (Phoenix roebelenii). Feed these palms annually in May with Scotts Palm Food and cut off damaged fronds. Given proper care, these elegant palms should become more valuable and attractive with age. Replacement at this time would be expensive and is unnecessary.

NOTE: If it should in future be necessary to replace these palms due to unsightliness or disease, then at that time, replace each clump with 3 Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei), but this action is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. (Windmill palms are hardy, i.e.: they can go through colder winters than most other palms. They are attractive when grown in the corners of beds, but are currently more difficult to find and more expensive to purchase than Pygmy Date Palm. They do not look good when grown in windy locations.)

Replanting of slopes to improve appearance and stablilize soil:

Remove Hop Bush (Dodonia viscosa ‘Purpurea’) Plant a tall flowering tree Markhamia Tree (Markhamia lutea, M. hildebrandii)– in a location at base of high bank so it does not cut into views of houses higher on hill. Cover stumps such as ficus stumps from removed trees by planting Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Improved’ or ‘Splendens’) as the large-size screen here, or New Zealand Christmas Shrub (Metrosideros collina ‘Spring Fire’) or choose from list below according to height and size needed.  Replace Pink Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) Choose shrubs for bank from list below in order to fill smaller spaces and to screen bank and fence.

Beautifying intersections:

A prominent position such as an intersection might be a good place for planting a really spectacular tree, even if it took a few years to bloom.

In protected from wind, plant: Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense) Briefly deciduous, this stunning round-headed tree is magnificent in bloom but best out of wind. It can take as much as 5 years to bloom and needs regular water, but to plant this tree is to give a lasting gift to the landscape..

Care for existing bougainvilleas that are failing to thrive.

When bougainvilleas do not grow at am appropriate rate, cold weather in the previous winter might have slowed growth. If bougainvilleas do not grow well when the weather warms up, the cause might be that their needs have not been fulfilled. Certain specific varieties of Bougainvillea, (for example: ‘San Diego Red’, and Bougainvillea spectabilis )can become very drought-resistant once established in deep soils, but during the first three years they need plenty of irrigation plus periodic fertilizer to push roots down deep and get going. Good bougainvillea varieties for banks, besides the large selections above, include the more compact types such as ‘La Jolla’, ‘Crimson Jewel,’ and ‘Temple Fire. Large types include ‘Lavender Queen’, ‘Don Mario’, ‘James Walker’, and ‘Orange King.”  Bougainvilleas need a hot spot. Unfortunately, they often become infested with roof rats whereas most shrubs do not.

When replacing diseased pine trees I an area of low irrigation, consider Naked Coral Tree (Erythina coralloides). This coral tree, naked in winter, has often been used on banks and tends to keep everyone happy since it offers two different looks during the year. It is covered with large, light green leaves in summer, thus creating a screen and offering shade. These go yellow and drop in fall revealing a bizarre branch structure bearing black thorns, and bearing spectacular, spiky, brilliant-red blossoms at the tips of branches for a long season in spring. These eye-catching blossoms attract hummingbirds and orioles. Good on banks where its flowers can be admired but the thorns not encountered. Eventual size is 30 feet, but easily controlled by pruning. Take out any unwanted branches after bloom.

A colorful planting for a large slope at intersection

Add color on large slope with drifts of Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), Lantana ‘Radiation’, and red Bougainvillea ‘La Jolla’.

Replacing pine trees

Marina Strawberry Tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), is an evergreen, drought-resistant, Mediterranean tree that is appropriate for replacing pine trees that have died from beetle attack. It provides color from red bark, pink flowers, and ornamental red fruit. Rounded shape will make a good screen and compliment any surviving pine trees.

Another slope:

Replace dead trees with Tipu Tree

When choosing street trees, pick one that will work for an entire

street: Good choices: New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa) or Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus)

Plant colorful shrubs as large ground covers on slopes – Use Echium, tea trees, euryops, plumbago, and smaller bottle brushes from lists below.

Street and slope:

Plant Street trees, one for each property: Cherry Plums (Prunus ceracifera ‘Nigra’) . Trim hedges behind walls to 1’ higher than walls.

Slope: Screen with colorful plants from list below.

NOTE: “Spiral ginger” with red flowers died from frost. Judging by description, this was Lobster Claw (Heliconia pendula) Possible source: Kartuz Greenhouses in Vista or look on Internet by Googling the botanical name as cited above. In future protect from expected frost by covering with sheet on cold nights, remove in morning before sun strikes plant.

Excellent choice of vine to grow over sunny walls: Lavender Trumpet Vine (Clytostoma callistegioides).

REPLACEMENTS FOR REMOVED STREET TREES:

(Highly recommended choices are marked with asterisk. Those without asterisk are additional possibilities.)

SMALL TREES:

• *Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’): Purchase specimens pruned as a single-trunked tree.
• *Bronze Loquat (Eriobotra deflexa): Small, tough, evergreen tree with bronze new foliage and white flowers in spring.  Try to get single-trunked specimens for use as street trees. Easy to grow.
• *Cherry Plum (Prunus ceracifera ‘Nigra’): Ornamental purple plum with deep red, almost black foliage, briefly deciduous, bearing white flowers in spring followed by abundant small round plums. Though reputed to be better inland, beautiful examples of this tree are growing along the coast, especially handsome when seen against green foliage.
• Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana ‘Coolidge’): Self fruiting pineapple guava that can occasionally be found pruned up as a tree. Fragrant flowers with sweet, edible petals, are followed by good-tasting fruits. Beloved by most homeowners and brings birds. This tree is usually sold as a large multi-trunked shrub but occasionally one can find single-trunked specimens which make good small street trees, which will gradually grow larger and seldom if ever require replacement.
• *Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Magestic Beauty’ is the best choice when a very small street tree is needed. See this tree growing at the Lumber Yard, an upscale shopping mall on the right hand side of Old 101 going north through Encinitas. These specimens in the Lumber Yard shopping mall are 20 years old, and have a beautiful umbrella shape, covered with bright pink blossoms in spring. Sheer tops removing all spent blossoms and a little foliage once a year, after blooms fade, never before bloom.
• Sky Flower (Duranta erecta) Stunning blue flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies are followed by colorful show of yellow-gold, poisonous but very attractive fruits. Average to low water requirement. (Usually sold as multi-trunked shrub, but sometimes as single-trunked tree.)
• String of Pearls (Duranta stenostachya’Sarasota’) Larger leaves and flower clusters, are followed by long strings of attractive, hanging, golden “pearls”. Eye-catching conversation piece. Flowers are sweetly scented, but the highly ornamental fruits are poisonous. (Usually sold as multi-trunked shrub, but sometimes as single-trunked tree.)

MID-SIZE TO LARGER STREET TREES

(Variable situations of soil and space tend to influence size of trees. Eventual sizes do not differ hugely from that of the trees they are replacing, and in many cases are much smaller. Camphor tree, for example, that is being replaced, has an eventual size of 50 feet high and 60 feet wide, whereas the eventual size of Chinese Fringe Tree is only 20 feet.)

• *Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ and C. citrinus ‘Improved’): A thick, compact head of foliage and plentiful masses of bright-red, bottle-brush-shaped flowers, blooming in waves several times a year make this a stunning street tree when pruned as a single-trunked tree. Brings birds. (Grows to 20 feet.)
• *Flamegold (Koelreuteria elegans, K. formosa): A virtuous, deeply rooted, 20-30 foot tall tree, adapted to growing in lawns or as a street tree, best bloom where protected from wind. May be evergreen, but usually drops leaves briefly in winter. (A similar variety, Chinese Flame Tree [K. bipinnata] is equally as beautiful but larger.) On both trees, insignificant panicles of yellow flowers in June are followed in fall by a magnificent, long-lasting show of orange to salmon-pink seed pods that look as if a bougainvillea had gotten tangled up into the tree and then suddenly burst into bloom. (It is very important not to get K. paniculata, which is a worthy, hardy tree in cold-winter areas of the Southwest, but lacks the fall beauty of K. bipinnata or K. elegans, since its seed pods turn an ugly brown, though one variety, called ‘Rose Lantern’ has pods tinged with pink.)
• *Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus): Clusters of  fringelike white flowers cover branches of this stunning, small—to 20 –feet-tall)—tree in spring. In fall leaves turn bright yellow before falling. (Reputed to flower better inland, but the parking lot of Salk institute is planted solidly with this tree, a breathtaking sight in spring.)
• *Evergreen Pear (Pyrus kawakamii):Though this tree is very subject to occasional die-back of branches due to fire blight, in recent years it seems to have been less prone to damage and has bloomed exceptionally well in our area. Leaves may hang on year-round but sometimes drop off just before the tree bursts into a glorious show of shining white flowers in February. Needs little pruning and stays small for many years. 15 to 30 feet high at most, usually smaller for many years. Best show of bloom when winters are dry.
• * Gold Medallion Tree, Crown of Gold Tree,  (Cassia leptophylla, Senna spectabilis): Round bunches of blooms on rounded, briefly-deciduous tree over a long period, spring to fall. A popular tree in our area, quite drought resistant, eventually to 20 feet tall but well-adapted as street tree and used as such in some areas.
• *Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana): Strong fall into winter color from brilliant orchid-pink to rosy purple orchid-shaped flowers on a natural umbrella-shaped tree. Kidney-shaped gray-green leaves drop briefly just prior to bloom. Needs good drainage. 20 feet high and wide but tends to stay small for a long time making it a better street tree for Brisas Del Mar than the equally spectacular purple orchid tree (B. variegata), which is larger (to 30 feet) and blooms in spring. The latter however is the one most frequently planted as a street tree and it is glorious where springs are reliably warm. Prune bauhinias after bloom by trimming out crowded growth. Never prune before bloom.
• * New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa ‘Gala’): New foliage is gray green against dark evergreen tree with red summer flowers. This variety, if available, has bright yellow in center of each leaf and dark red flowers have bright yellow stamens. Good street tree, but not for crowded spots. The species itself is also good and often sold as a street tree. (To 30 feet.)
• *Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia impetiginosa ‘Pink Cloud’): Once this tree has matured it gives an incredible display of pink flowers in spring. Planted in center front of Scripps Hospital. Fast growing to about 15 feet, then slower growing to 20 or 30 feet. Leaves briefly drop just before the tree flowers in spring on bare wood.  The older it grows the more beautiful this tree becomes.
• *Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’): Purple foliage catches the sunlight in a stunning way. Deciduous in winter, followed by an early spring show of purple-pink, pea-shaped flowers that emerge straight from the bark, sometimes even from the trunk. Drought-resistant once established but can accept garden water. Slow growing to 20 or 30 feet.
• *Weeping Bottle Brush Hybrid (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’) Waves of flowers year-round bring mockingbirds, orioles, and flocks of hummingbirds for their nectar.  Improved varieties, such as this one, are bushy with brilliantly colorful flowers. Though sold as shrubs, they can also be purchased as trees. These have been pruned up on a single trunk to become very attractive street or garden trees, that are not nearly as tall as the species.  Drought-resistant once established but adapted to garden water. Needs good drainage. Grows to 20 feet.

CHOICE TREE FOR GRADUAL REPLACEMENT OF PINES

• Marina Strawberry Tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’): Evergreen tree with pink flowers in fall followed by decorative, round, red, edible (though tasteless) fruits providing food for birds and year-round color. Drought-resistant tree with stunning red bark that peels like a madrone. (This fairly new tree might be suitable as a street tree but is untried. It may grow to 40 feet but probably much smaller.)

COLORFUL TREES TO PLANT AT THE BASE OF TALL BANKS

• African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata): Reputed to have fast growth but yellow ones are slower and are being used as street trees in some areas. It has moderate water needs combined with bunches of large, spectacular flowers over a long season. Best out of strong winds. Choose either yellow-orange or red specimens, red being the most spectacular but perhaps larger and faster growing. The red variety could become invasive after a few years, so is better on open ground away from houses.
• Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense): Handsome dark green foliage may be briefly deciduous or may hang on through winter on this very showy, round-headed tree, that is magnificent in bloom and best out of wind. It can take 5 years after planting for this tree to bloom, which is why it is not often enough planted. It needs regular water but can survive on less. To plant this tree is to give a lasting gift to the Del Mar landscape. (Great example near flamingo pool, San Diego Zoo.) Flowers are feathery and arise in panicles as big as baseballs,  rosy-lilac to pink in color. They drench the entire top of this neatly shaped, rounded tree in early spring or summer.
• Floss Silk Tree (Chorisia speciosa): Spectacular fall bloom, orchid-colored flowers all over the top of the tree after leaves briefly drop, especially good bloom if you can let it go dry in late summer. Seed pods and flowers bring hummingbirds. Highly recommended on the tall banks. Grafted specimens have no thorns but thorny trunks are ornamental and these trees usually bloom young.
• Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): One of our best flowering trees. Likes reflected heat.
• Lemon Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ or ‘Improved’): The blooms are more upright than weeping. This selection is sold pruned up as a tree or it can be grown as a very large, multi-stemmed shrub or screen.
• Markhamia or African Trumpet Tree (Markhamia lutea, M. hildebrandii): Evergreen tree that is fast-growing, tall and narrow for 10 years, then spreading and slow-growing. Profusion of golden-yellow trumpet blooms from July to December followed by prominent hanging pods. Gaining popularity as street tree due to upright shape. Blooms best after dry winter. Likes well-drained soil.
• Weeping Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis): Evergreen, weeping tree that is drought resistant and brings hummingbirds, orioles and mockingbirds. Waves of bloom year round.

COLORFUL SHRUBS AND TREES FOR BANKS:

VERY LOW SHRUBS: (Up to 3 feet tall, not higher than 4 feet.)

Use these as fillers on banks or at the tops of banks.

(Sensitive to frost, but if you place these high on banks they should be in a frost-drained site, thus safe from frost.)

• Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’) 3 feet tall and wide. Very colorful waves of flowers fall, winter and spring, on superior dwarf bottlebrush with weeping habit.
• Dwarf New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Nanum Ruru’): 2 feet tall and wide. Dense growth. Dark-pink single flowers in winter, spring,  into summer.
• Dwarf New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Pink Cascade’): 1 foot tall and 3-to 4-feet wide. Single pink flowers,  sprawling, weeping, cascading growth.
• Dwarf Pohutukawa (Metrosideros villosa ‘Tahiti’) (to 3-feet tall and wide): No pruning needed. Gray-green leaves and clusters of orange-red flowers in spring, with sporadic rebloom. (Sensitive to frost, but high on banks should be a frost-drained site.)
• Groundcover New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Horizontalis’): 3 to 4-feet tall, 12 feet wide. Profuse show of white blossoms on drooping branchlets, spreading plant, makes good bank cover.
• Groundcover New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Snow White’): 2 to 4-feet tall, 4 to 5-feet wide. Double white flowers with green centers on compact, spreading plant
• Shrubby New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros collina ‘Fiji’): is even smaller, just 2 feet tall and wide.  Available from Monrovia Nursery. Red powder-puff flowers, winter and spring, bring butterflies.

LOW SHRUBS: (3 to 5 feet tall)

(Use these on low banks and at the top of tall banks so that they create a screen but do not hide views.)

• Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Compacta’): Mounded plant to 4 feet wide and high.
• California Lilac (Ceonothus ‘Concha’): Good blue color. This one can take garden irrigation without dying
• Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri): Superior, drought-resistant yellow-centered white poppy flower for banks. Gray foliage should be cut down in November if possible and will spring again from ground to bloom in spring through summer.
• Radiation Lantana (Lantana ‘Radiation’): 3 to 5 feet high and wide and one of the better and most colorful lantana’s for banks. Drought-resistant with long bloom season. Flowers are yellow, orange, and pink. Looks good when mixed with blue plumbago and red bougainvillea.
• Yellow Bush Daisy (Euryops pectinatus ‘Viridis’ or ‘Green Gold’): Long-lived woody, drought-resistant, evergreen shrub, native to South Africa,  3-to 6-feet tall and wide bears yellow daisies over a long season, mainly in winter. Shear off faded flowers and a little of the green growth once a year in June.  (Provides good yellow color to go near blue Pride of Madeira and pink and white dwarf tea trees.)

MID-HEIGHT SHRUBS:  (5 to 10 feet tall)

• Bottle Brush ( Callistemon  ‘Canes Hybrid’): 10 feet tall, 15 feet wide. A big screen, measure so eventual height hits at the right level to see over. Narrow leaves and arching branches with pink-tinged foliage, soft pink bottle-brush flowers in late spring, early summer. Easily pruned to a tree shape. Can be kept smaller by pruning but why have that problem? Instead plant where it can grow to full size.
• Bottle Brush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’): Dense, rounded plant to 6 feet tall and wide.  For border, hedge, or screen. (‘Red Cascade’ is similar with large abundant rosy red blooms.)
• Geraldton Waxflower (Chamaelaucium unicatum ‘Vista’): Pink flowers for long season from fall to summer on rounded drought-resistant shrub, to 6 feet tall, for full sun. Cut back after bloom.
• New Zealand Tea Tree ((Leptospermum scoparium ‘Silver and Rose’): Dense growth habit to 4-to 5-feet tall and wide. Rose-pink, green-centered flowers with bright gray-green foliage. Excellent plant to use as screen high on bank.
• New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Gaiety Girl’): Slow growing to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Double flowers are pink with a dash of lilac.
• New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium ‘Pink Damask’): Dense growth habit to 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5  feet wide. Double ruby-red flowers red tinged leaves. Particularly good screen plant.
• Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata ‘Royal Cape’): Makes a mounding shrub 6 feet tall, 8 to 10 feet wide with large rounded deep blue flowers blooming over a long season. Excellent bank cover when placed away from paths. Give it room to spread. Named varieties are not invasive like the older unnamed type. Good mixed with lantana.
• Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans): (5 to 6 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide.) Blue spiky blooms on a gray woody shrub. Dot these around on banks. They will spread from seeds.

TALLER SHRUBS: (8 to 12 feet tall, including one to 20 feet high.)

• Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Pink Perth’): 8 to 10 feet tall, 5 to 8 feet wide. Weeping foliage, pink flowers in spring. Use low on banks as big, colorful screen.
• Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ and C. citrinus ‘Improved’):
• Massive shrub, 10 to 15 feet tall and wide. Use low on banks as big, colorful screen. Brings birds.
• New Zealand Christmas Shrub (Metrosideros collina ‘Spring Fire’): 8 to 12-feet high, 6 to 10-feet wide. Gray-green foliage with a profusion of showy flowers in late spring to early summer bringing butterflies and birds. Makes attractive hedge, but is sensitive to frost. Use high on banks, thus safe from frost.
• Weeping Bottle Brush, (largest shrub form) (Callistemon viminalis ‘McCaskillii’): 20 feet tall, 15 to 20 feet wide. Flowers bring mockingbirds, orioles, and flocks of hummingbirds for their nectar.  Improved varieties, such as this one, tend to be thickly bushy with brightly colorful flowers. Drought-resistant once established but adapted to garden water.

Photo by ohiogypsy