Common name: Pink Lady Rhaph or Indian Hawthorn
Botanical name: Rhaphiolepis indica 'Pink Lady'
This shrub will quickly grow 4'-6' tall and wide with dark green, thick foliage. It produces clusters of pink flowers that bloom in spring and clusters of black fruit in the fall. It prefers full to part sun with well draining, rich soil. 'Pink Lady" is adaptable to coastal areas as well as warm inland valleys. It is drought tolerant once it's established.
Common name: Peppermint Tree
Botanical name: Agonis flexuosa
This tree is known as the peppermint tree because of the scent of the leaves when they are crushed. It is an evergreen tree or large shrub. It has abundant, small white flowers in spring. It is a medium to fast grower to 25' or 35'. Also known as Willow Myrtle.
Common name: Lemon Scented Gum
Botanical name: Corymbia citriodora
This tall, narrow, open tree can eventually reach 75' tall and half as wide. It has a trunk that is smooth, white and "muscular". This attractive tree has evergreen, light green, long leaves with a heavy lemon scent when crushed. Small inconspicuous flowers appear in winter. Below a temperature of 25 degrees F, the tree will be damaged by frost. Eucalyptus varieties are highly combustible. It tolerates full to part sun, preferring acidic or alkaline soil. It can become drought tolerant when established. Not frost tolerant. Psyllids may attack tree. Leaves can be used for perfume and essential oils. Wood is can be used for tools.
Additional Names: Corymbia citriodora
Common name: Couesii Century Plant
Botanical name: Agave parryi v. couesii
This attractive succulent slowly reaches 2' tall and wide. Evergreen leaves are wide, fleshy, and blue gray, almost white in color. This is a hardy plant, preferring full sun and well draining soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Leaf margins have small thorns.
Common name: Oleander
Botanical name: Nerium oleander
Oleander is an evergreen shrub with moderate to fast growth. Leaves are narrow, 4"-12" long, dark green, leathery, and glossy, attractive in all seasons. Flowers are in clusters on branch ends; blooms from late spring through fall.