Yucca recurvifolia
Plant Type: Succulent (E)
Mature Size: 3-5 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Prune lightly to maintain shape but otherwise grows well with little care.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – May require pruning in spring to remove frost damage.
Interest: Soft, flexible leaves, white flowers
Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan'
Plant Type: Tree (E)
Mature Size: 15-20 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide
Toxicity: Toxic
Maintenance: Low – Requires little care beyond occasional watering and pruning. Trim as needed to maintain shape and health.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – No special care needed; thrives even in freezing temperatures.
Interest: Upright evergreen, wind-resistant. Great substitute for Italian Cypress.
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
Plant Type: Small Tree (E)
Mature Size: 10-20 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide
Toxicity: Toxic
Maintenance: Low – Occasional shaping after flowering improves overall appearance.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Little to no protection required.
Interest: Grape-scented purple flowers. Slower growing, and established specimens have yet to survive a transplant (for me).
Leucophyllum frutescens
Plant Type: Shrub (E)
Mature Size: 3-6 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Thrives with very little maintenance. Best grown in full sun/partial shade. Prune anytime to remove dead or damage pieces, trim to desired shape in late winter. Plant can get ‘leggy’ in partial shade and as it ages.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Mulch around the base to help retain warmth in winter. Give a good soak right before hard freeze.
Interest: This shrub is most known for its beautiful blooms prior to and during rain and/or high humidity.
Dasylirion longissimum
Plant Type: Succulent (E)
Mature Size: 4-6 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Requires occasional pruning to prevent overcrowding but thrives with minimal care.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Some winter dieback may occur but recovers quickly.
Interest: Smooth leaf margins, drought-resistant
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'
Plant Type: Perennial (D)
Mature Size: 3-5 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Medium. Best grown in part sun/partial shade. Prune anytime to remove dead or damage pieces. Fertilize with acid rich compost 1-2 times per year, or when mulching. May need occasional shaping for best appearance.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Best to trim old growth in early spring. Give the roots a good soak prior to a freeze event. This plant can be cut down to 6” after the last frost to help it recover from the winter.
Interest: Green and yellow striped foliage. Extremely large and tropical looking.
Stemodia lanata
Plant Type: Groundcover
Mature Size: 1 ft tall, spreading
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Requires excellent drainage. Occasional trimming to maintain shape.
Freeze Tolerance: Hardy to 15°F – Low-growing evergreen. Trim damaged stems.
Interest: Soft, silvery foliage. Low-growing groundcover. Drought tolerant.
Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida
Plant Type: Perennial
Mature Size: 1-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Cut back in winter. Drought-tolerant and spreads by seed. Requires minimal care.
Freeze Tolerance: Hardy to 10°F – Deciduous. Returns strongly in spring.
Interest: Yellow daisy-like flowers. Long blooming season. Tough and resilient.
