Evergreen
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
