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
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
Native Plants for New England
February 18, 2003 - Can you assist me in finding more information on flowers and plants in Massachusetts and New England?
view the full question and answer
Native plant lists for eastern Washington and trace element absorption by plants
November 06, 2007 - I'm a graduate student at Washington State University in Pullman. I'm currently working out a method (in my head) of utilizing neutron activation analysis of prehistoric animal bone to figure out h...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Orange County, Florida
April 14, 2012 - I live in Central FL (Winter Park)and I have a small, mostly sunny (no trees) backyard next to a large in-ground swimming pool which fills up with the leaves of my neighbor's oak trees. The backyard ...
view the full question and answer
Shrubs for a Shady Foundation Planting in Texas
February 28, 2015 - We are looking for foundation shrubs, 2-4' mature height, for a totally shaded area which does receive bright light all day.
view the full question and answer
Planting Suggestions for a Lake Home in Wayne County, MO
April 03, 2014 - We have a lake home in Wayne County, MO at Lake Wappapello. The soil is very rocky. We recently cleared an area around our home of assorted dead trees, some cedars and what seemed like tons of vines. ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |