2011 Sun City Grand Plant Palette for Maintained Homes Plants and Shrubs

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Mariah Goodman
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1 2011 Sun City Grand Plant Palette for Maintained Homes Plants and Shrubs 1

2 Agave Americana Agave Form: Evergreen, thick, massive succulent with pointed leaves Size: Grows 5-7 ft., can spread to 8-12ft. Leaves: Blueish, large thick points, teeth curve downward Flowers: Asparagus-like stalk from center of plant, yellow flowers emerge from end of horizontal branch after 10 years Fruit: Flat disk seed in capsule Hardiness: low teens, cold damage is ugly Exposure: Full sun, reflected heat, better in part shade Landscape value: Accent, can be used in very large planter Water: Natural rainfall, better watered once monthly Range/Origin: Mexican highlands 2

Bougainvillea Torch Glow Form: Evergreen, vertical spikes Size: Range 3-5 feet with equal spread Leaves: Variety of shapes, to 4 long Flowers: small, surrounded by colorful, showy bracts, spring and

3 Bougainvillea Torch Glow Form: Evergreen, vertical spikes Size: Range 3-5 feet with equal spread Leaves: Variety of shapes, to 4 long Flowers: small, surrounded by colorful, showy bracts, spring and fall bloom periods Stems/Trunks: Slender, spikey stems Hardiness: Frost damaged below 32 Landscape value: Colorful, tropical effect Exposure: Full sun, heat tolerant Water: Drought tolerant, but needs extra in heat Range/Origin: South America 3

Caesalpinia pulcherrima Red Bird of Paradise Form: Informal, vase-shaped, multistemmed shrub Size: Range 3-10 ft. with equal spread Leaves: Fern-like, many ¾ in.

4 Caesalpinia pulcherrima Red Bird of Paradise Form: Informal, vase-shaped, multistemmed shrub Size: Range 3-10 ft. with equal spread Leaves: Fern-like, many ¾ in. leaflets; Flowers: Distinctive bright blooms - red, orange and yellow with long red stamens; on branch ends in summer Hardiness: Damaged at 32, - Pruned in winter Landscape Value: Tropical look, bright colors, dependable Exposure: Full sun or light shade; leggy in shade. Water: Best with regular irrigation once per week Range/Origin: West Indies, 4 common throughout Sonoran Desert

branches, stems light gray, woodier with age Hardiness: OK down to high to mid teen temps Exposure: Full or part sun Landscape

5 Callandra californica Baja Fairy Duster Form: Evergreen, open, vase-shaped shrub Size: Grows 2-6 ft with equal spread Leaves: Bluish green, finely cut, bipinnate Flowers: Bright red, rose or plum, loose puff or tassel shape; puff Stems/Trunks: Upright branches, stems light gray, woodier with age Hardiness: OK down to high to mid teen temps Exposure: Full or part sun Landscape value: Hummingbird part, accent, color Water: Drought resistant, summer, regular weekly summer Range/Origin: Baja California 5

Callistemon viminalis Little John (Bottle Brush) Form: Evergreen, single, weeping form Size: Can grow to 15-20 ft.

bristle looking in spring Stems/Trunks: Weeping stems, trunk turns gray Hardiness: Tip damage at 15 Exposure: Full sun

6 Callistemon viminalis Little John (Bottle Brush) Form: Evergreen, single, weeping form Size: Can grow to ft. tall commonly 15ft Leaves: Linear to 6 long, 1/4 wide, new growth is fuzzy, stringy look Flowers: Up to 6 log red bristle looking in spring Stems/Trunks: Weeping stems, trunk turns gray Hardiness: Tip damage at 15 Exposure: Full sun to part shade, avoid wind Landscape Value: Good massed in groups, colorful Water: Moderate, once per week Range/Origin: Australia 6

7 Carissa macrocarpa Boxwood Beauty (Natal Plum) Form: Evergreen shrub with mounded shape Size: Grows 2 to 7 ft. tall; 7-10 ft. spread, Leaves: Shiny, dark green, thick and oval shape Flowers: White, fragrant, star-shaped flowers 1-2 ; Stems/Trunks: Thorny with forked spines, milky sap Hardiness: Tender, needs protection at 28 or lower Exposure: Full sun to light shade Landscape value: Good barriers, hedges, glossy look Water: Tolerates drought, little to regular water summer Origin: South Africa 7

8 Cassia species Feathery or Silver Cassia Form: Evergreen, upright, rounded, feather shrub Size: fast grower, 4-6 ft. wide with equal spread Leaves: Needle-like leaflets, light green, feathery effect Flowers: Small, yellow pea-like, solitary, profuse bloom Dec. to May Fruit: 2-4 long, papery pod, numerous, Stems/Trunks: Delicate texture branches, Hardiness: Damage in low 20s Landscape Value: Hardy shrub, soft color and texture Water: regular water, especially in summer Origin: Australia 8

long; Flowers: Whitish green clustered flowers on dramatic center stalk Stems/Trunks: Usually mounded, prune to trunk-like look

9 Dasylirion wheeleri Desert Spoon Form: Evergreen, grass-like clump of silver-green points Size: Grows to 6ft. with equal spread Leaves: Flat, elongated blades, 2-3 ft. long; Flowers: Whitish green clustered flowers on dramatic center stalk Stems/Trunks: Usually mounded, prune to trunk-like look Hardiness: Ok down to single digits Landscape value: Accent plant, tough in adversity Exposure: full sun; takes reflected heat Water: natural rainfall when established Range/Origin: southern Arizona, southern New Mexico; elevations of ft 9

Dodonaea viscosa Hopseed Bush Form: Evergreen shrub or tree Size: Can grow 12-15 ft Leaves: Dark green, linear, glossy top Flowers: Small clusters, greenish-white blooms Stems/Trunks: Exposed trunk

10 Dodonaea viscosa Hopseed Bush Form: Evergreen shrub or tree Size: Can grow ft Leaves: Dark green, linear, glossy top Flowers: Small clusters, greenish-white blooms Stems/Trunks: Exposed trunk gnarled character Hardiness: OK to mid teens Exposure: Full sun, OK in part shade Landscape Value: Informal hedge, patio tree Water: Drought tolerant; water improves ornamental Range/origin: Arizona and Mexico, etc. in washes 10

Hesperaloe parviflora Red Yucca Form: Evergreen, mounds of succulent leaves Size: Grows 2-3 feet. Spreads to 4 feet Leaves: Rolled grass-like, arching.

11 Hesperaloe parviflora Red Yucca Form: Evergreen, mounds of succulent leaves Size: Grows 2-3 feet. Spreads to 4 feet Leaves: Rolled grass-like, arching. Curly threads on blade edge Flowers: Tall stalk, inverted bell shape 1.24, blooms early summer through fall Fruit: Ping-pong ball sized capsules Hardiness: Ok to 12 Exposure: Full sun for best flowering Landscape value: Accent plant, gets hummingbirds Water: Drought tolerant, needs little Range/Origin: Texas Rio-Grande, Northern Mexico 11

Lantana Species Gold or Purple Lantana Form: Semi-evergreen upright shrub Size: Usually 2-4ft with equal spread Leaves: Stiff, gritty feel, up to 3 long Flowers: many colors, blooms spring to fall.

12 Lantana Species Gold or Purple Lantana Form: Semi-evergreen upright shrub Size: Usually 2-4ft with equal spread Leaves: Stiff, gritty feel, up to 3 long Flowers: many colors, blooms spring to fall. Stems/Trunks: Woody when old, sprawling Hardiness: Damages at 28 Exposure: Full sun, blooms poor in shade Landscape Value: Long-time color, Blooms in hottest temperatures Water: Drought tolerant, supplement helps Range/origin: Tropical regions of Americas 12

Leucophyllum frutescens Green Cloud Sage Form: Evergreen rounded shrub Size: Grows 4-8ft, spreads tp 3/4 height or equal Leaves: Simple, furry, blue-grey Flowers: Small, lavender to purple, blooms in

13 Leucophyllum frutescens Green Cloud Sage Form: Evergreen rounded shrub Size: Grows 4-8ft, spreads tp 3/4 height or equal Leaves: Simple, furry, blue-grey Flowers: Small, lavender to purple, blooms in response to rain thru year; cover plant Stems/Trunks: Trunk not exposed, stems silvery Hardiness: Ok to low teens Exposure: Full sun, reflected heat, leggy in shade Landscape Value: Accent, mass plantings Water: Moderate, infrequent but deep Range: Texas/Mexico 13

14 Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass Form: Evergreen mounding grass Size: Grows to 4 ft. equal spread Leaves: Long, narrow grass blades Flowers: Tall stalk with seed follows straw yellow, blooms early fall Hardiness: Root hardy to 10 (dies to base) Exposure: Full sun Landscape value: Accent, adds texture Water: Once or twice monthly, more adds lush look Range/origin: AZ, NM, Tex, CA elev ft 14

Myrtus communis Dwarf Myrtle (compacta) Form: Evergreen, dense, rounded shrub Size: Grows 5-8 ft; spread 4-6ft Leaves: Dark green, oval to 2 ; aromatic Flowers: small (to 3/4 ) white; blooms early

15 Myrtus communis Dwarf Myrtle (compacta) Form: Evergreen, dense, rounded shrub Size: Grows 5-8 ft; spread 4-6ft Leaves: Dark green, oval to 2 ; aromatic Flowers: small (to 3/4 ) white; blooms early summer Stems/Trunks: Attractive if exposed Hardiness: OK well below 32 Exposure: Full sun or part share Landscape Value: Traditional landscape plant, hedge Water: Regular irrigation monthly or more Origin: Mediterranean 15

16 Nerium oleander Oleander (Petite Pink) Form: Evergreen large shrub, trainable to tree Size: Heights from 3-20 ft; spread 3-12 ft. Leaves: Simple, 3-12 long; glossy dark green on top Flowers: Terminal clusters, pink, may be single or double, blooms spring and summer Stems/Trunks: Gray, rough Hardiness: OK to low teens, quick recover from frost Exposure: Full sun or part shade Landscape value: Traditional landscape plant, hedge Water: Regular irrigation monthly or more Range/Origin: Mediterranean and 16Asia

Rhaphiolepis indica Indian Hawthorn Form: Evergreen shrub Size: Medium grower to 1-1,5 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide Leaves: Dark green, turn bronzy red in cool weather

17 Rhaphiolepis indica Indian Hawthorn Form: Evergreen shrub Size: Medium grower to 1-1,5 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide Leaves: Dark green, turn bronzy red in cool weather Flowers: Rosy pink, blooms winter, spring, fall Hardiness: Landscape value: Adds great color, low maintenace Exposure: Full or half sun Water: Low water plant 17

Rosmarinus officinali Prostrate Rosemary (Culinary type) Form: Evergreen, mounding medium to high shrub Size: 2-3 ft., spreads to 8 feet Leaves: needle-like, 1/2 to 1.

18 Rosmarinus officinali Prostrate Rosemary (Culinary type) Form: Evergreen, mounding medium to high shrub Size: 2-3 ft., spreads to 8 feet Leaves: needle-like, 1/2 to 1.5 ; pungent, succulent Flowers: light lavender-blue, 1/2 ; blooms spring Stems/Trunks: Herbaceous, woody with age Hardiness: Good to well below 32 Landscape value: Grows low, cascades down slopes Exposure: Full sun, reflected Water: low amount, once per week Range/Origin: Mediterranean, Asia, North Africa, US 18

red-orange flowers; 2 long; bloom Nov. to Jan.

19 Tecomaria capensis Cape Honeysuckle Form: Evergreen bush, shrub or large vine (w/ support) Size: 3-5ft, spread to 6ft; trained as vine to 20-30ft Leaves: Dark green and glossy, serrate leaflets pointed; Flowers: terminal clusters of trumpetshaped orange or red-orange flowers; 2 long; bloom Nov. to Jan. Hardiness: branch damage at 28 F, recovers quickly Landscape value: attracts hummingbirds, tropical effect for pools; informal hedge Exposure: full sun to part shade Water: heat and drought tolerant; regular deep irrigation 19

Eremoplia Maculata Valentine Bush Form: Evergreen, rounded irregular shrub or perennial Size: to 3ft with equal spread Leaves: large variation, simple, elliptical, 1 long Flowers: spikes of

20 Eremoplia Maculata Valentine Bush Form: Evergreen, rounded irregular shrub or perennial Size: to 3ft with equal spread Leaves: large variation, simple, elliptical, 1 long Flowers: spikes of trumpet-shaped, 1 flowers, usually red, but varies; blooms February to November Stems/Trunks: New growth lush green, old is woody Hardiness: to single digits, top damage in teens Landscape value: Attracts hummingbirds, colorful Exposure: Full sun, gets leggy, poor flowers in shade Water: Drought resistant, 1-2 times per week in heat Exposure: full sun, gets leggy and flower production is poor in shade Range/Origin: Chihuahuan desert 20

Ruellia Penisularis Baja Ruella Form: evergreen, medium green Size: growth rate is moderate, mature size is 3 x 4 wide Leaves: shiny glossy textured Flowers: purple bell-shaped flower, from spring to

21 Ruellia Penisularis Baja Ruella Form: evergreen, medium green Size: growth rate is moderate, mature size is 3 x 4 wide Leaves: shiny glossy textured Flowers: purple bell-shaped flower, from spring to fall Stems/Trunks: smooth and light gray Hardiness: 28 degrees Landscape value: attracts birds, hummingbirds and butterflies Water: low Exposure: full sun, tolerates some shade Dangers: will self seed and become invasive Range/Origin: native to Baja California, Mexico and Sonoran Mexica 21

22 2011 Sun City Grand Plant Palette For Maintained Homes Trees 22

Acacia salicina Willow Wattle Form: Evergreen, weeping form, single or multistemmed tree, Size: 20-40 ft, spread 10-20ft; fast growing Leaves: narrow strips, to 3in long, variable color from gray to

23 Acacia salicina Willow Wattle Form: Evergreen, weeping form, single or multistemmed tree, Size: ft, spread 10-20ft; fast growing Leaves: narrow strips, to 3in long, variable color from gray to green or blue-green Flowers: clusters of tiny puff balls arranged in a raceme; creamy white to yellow; fragrant; bloom late summer to early winter Fruit: pod, 3-4in long, 1/2in wide Stems/Trunks: smooth when young, fissured with age, arching branches Hardiness: to 20 F, variation seen, some plants okay to mid-teens Exposure: full sun Water: drought tolerant; 1-2 times per month in hot season; water deeply and widely (far from trunk), blows over if watered shallowly Range/Origin: Australia 23

Parkinsonia florida YOUNG Blue Palo Verde Form: Deciduous, low multi-stemmed tree, rounded crown Size: 15-30ft with equal spread; growth rate varies with watering

dense growth; small thorns Hardiness: Okay mid to low teens Landscape value: filtered shade under canopy, striking color in bloom Exposure: full sun, reflected heat

24 Parkinsonia florida YOUNG Blue Palo Verde Form: Deciduous, low multi-stemmed tree, rounded crown Size: 15-30ft with equal spread; growth rate varies with watering Leaves: Bipinnately compound, in pairs, about 1/2in long Stems/Trunks: normally green, growing more gray or dark and rough with age; tree has overall bluish cast; dense growth; small thorns Hardiness: Okay mid to low teens Landscape value: filtered shade under canopy, striking color in bloom Exposure: full sun, reflected heat Water: drought tolerant; best with supplemental water; recommend infrequent but deep irrigation Range/Origin: Sonoran and Mohave 24 deserts, Baja CA; elevations to 4000ft

Parkinsonia praecox Palo Brea Form: Deciduous, arching growth with spines Size:, 20 to 40 feet tall,20 feet wide Leaves: Bipinnate Flowers: Yellow flowers in the spring.

25 Parkinsonia praecox Palo Brea Form: Deciduous, arching growth with spines Size:, 20 to 40 feet tall,20 feet wide Leaves: Bipinnate Flowers: Yellow flowers in the spring. Upper flower petal often bears orange dots. Stems/Trunks: short bright green trunk, 12 inches in diameter Hardiness: Hardy to 22 F (-5 C) Landscape value: Exposure: Full sun, tolerates reflected sun Water: Little to no water when established, every month until established Range/Origin: Mexico and south to Peru and Ecuador, at low elevation, in low deciduous forests 25

Prosopis velutina Arizona Velvet Mesquite Form: Deciduous, low-branched, broad spreading tree, sometimes a large shrub Size: 30ft with equal spread Leaves: bipinnately compound in pairs (two sets of

26 Prosopis velutina Arizona Velvet Mesquite Form: Deciduous, low-branched, broad spreading tree, sometimes a large shrub Size: 30ft with equal spread Leaves: bipinnately compound in pairs (two sets of compound leaves on stem), leaflets 1/3 to 1/2in long; pairs of leaflets per leaf; dark green to dusty green, slightly fuzzy texture, short gray hairs Flowers: white or pale yellow catkin, 2-3in long, hangs downward; bloom in early summer 26

Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow Form: Deciduous, multistemmed tree with graceful appearance; can be trained to single trunk Size: : 6-30ft with equal

fissures with age, prominent white spots on new growth Hardiness: OK to 0 degrees Landscape value: long bloom period Exposure: : full sun, okay in light

27 Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow Form: Deciduous, multistemmed tree with graceful appearance; can be trained to single trunk Size: : 6-30ft with equal spread Leaves: simple, solitary, linear, 1/2-3in long, 1/2 to 1/4in wide; long and weeping, willowlike Stems/Trunks: smooth when young developing rough fissures with age, prominent white spots on new growth Hardiness: OK to 0 degrees Landscape value: long bloom period Exposure: : full sun, okay in light shade Water: drought tolerant; supplemental watering should be deep and infrequent Range/Origin: along washes throughout SW US and Mexico; elevations to 5000ft 27

28 Quercus virginiana Southern Live Oak Form: Evergreen, round, broad, large tree. may drop leaves in very cold years Size: 40-60ft with equal spread Leaves: simple, elliptical, leathery, to 5in long, large variety seen in leaf margins (usually smooth); top dark and glossy green, underside lighter and silvery Flowers: not important Fruit: small acorn, dark brown or black Stems/Trunks: irregular when young, when mature dark bark cracks revealing lighter inner layer creating alligator-skin look Hardiness: to 15 F Exposure: full sun, light shade when young Range/Origin: southwest US 28

29 Rhus lancea African sumac Form: Evergreen, round, single or multistemmed tree. It has a dense canopy when young. Size: 15-30ft with equal spread Leaves: palmately compound in groups of 3, green leaflets 2-3in long; shiny, dark Flowers: dioecious; whitish-green trunk reveal orange color beneath Hardiness: damaged at 15 to 20 F Landscape value: Attractive in groups, Exposure: full sun, reflected sun, part shade Range/Origin: South Africa 29

Olea europaea Swan Hill Olive Form: Evergreen, single or multi-stemmed tree or large shrub Size: 20-30ft with equal or slightly less spread Leaves: lancolate, narrow, opposite, to 3in long, stiff,

30 Olea europaea Swan Hill Olive Form: Evergreen, single or multi-stemmed tree or large shrub Size: 20-30ft with equal or slightly less spread Leaves: lancolate, narrow, opposite, to 3in long, stiff, gray-green on top, underside lighter Stems/Trunks: attractive trunk; gray; gnarled, bumpy and contorted Hardiness: OK to 15 F, some injury below mid-teens Landscape value: shade, beautiful character Exposure: full sun, reflective light Water: low; none in winter, 1-2 times per month in summer Range/Origin: Mediterranean; in cultivation for millennia Notes: High allergenic pollen, leaf drop, longlived 30

Olneya tesota Desert Ironwood Form: Evergreen, single or multi stemmed tree, or large shrub Size: 15-30ft, spread 15-25ft; slow growth rate Leaves: pinnately compound, oval leaflets; gray-green and

31 Olneya tesota Desert Ironwood Form: Evergreen, single or multi stemmed tree, or large shrub Size: 15-30ft, spread 15-25ft; slow growth rate Leaves: pinnately compound, oval leaflets; gray-green and thick Stems/Trunks: thorns on twigs; gray trunk, more fissured with age Hardiness: to 20, usually okay down to high teens Landscape value: spring color Exposure: full sun or reflected heat Water: : natural rainfall; supplemental water will increase growth rate and flowering Range/Origin: throughout the Sonoran desert in elevations to 4000ft Note: Dense wood used for carving 31

Prosopis Chilensis Chilean Mesquite Form: broad tree; foliage has open appearance Seasonality: semi-evergreen; may hold leaves in warmer winters or drop suddenly in spring Size: 30ft with equal

32 Prosopis Chilensis Chilean Mesquite Form: broad tree; foliage has open appearance Seasonality: semi-evergreen; may hold leaves in warmer winters or drop suddenly in spring Size: 30ft with equal spread, spread sometimes less than height Leaves: bipinnately compound; fewer and widely spaced Stems/Trunks: : smooth when young, growing darker and rough with age; presence of thorns is variable; Hardiness: Good to mid teens Exposure: full sun, reflected heat Water: infrequent and very deep Range/Origin: South America 32

Chamaerops humilis Mediterranean Fan Palm Form: Evergreen, multiple or single stemmed fan palm; suckers form clumps of 8-10 trunks Size: : 5-15ft, spread (crown) 5-20ft; very slow growth rate Leaves:

33 Chamaerops humilis Mediterranean Fan Palm Form: Evergreen, multiple or single stemmed fan palm; suckers form clumps of 8-10 trunks Size: : 5-15ft, spread (crown) 5-20ft; very slow growth rate Leaves: fan with narrow petiole; sharp teeth on petiole; frond color gray to dark or yellow green Stems/Trunks: attractive with age, fuzzy material between cut fronds Hardiness: OK to mid teens Landscape value: best small compact palm, containers, groups Exposure: full to part sun Water: regular, deep soaking 2X month during growing season Range/Origin: Mediterranean (Europe and North Africa) 33

Eucalyptus spathulata Narrow Leafed Gimlet Form: Small evergreen tree, multi-trunked Size: up to 20 feet tall (6 m), 20 feet spread (6 m) Leaves: Ribbon like leaves, 2 to 3 inches long.

34 Eucalyptus spathulata Narrow Leafed Gimlet Form: Small evergreen tree, multi-trunked Size: up to 20 feet tall (6 m), 20 feet spread (6 m) Leaves: Ribbon like leaves, 2 to 3 inches long. Stems/Trunks: Smooth red bark. Flowers: Creamy gold flowers in late spring are followed by small, bell shaped, seed capsules. Hardiness: hardy to 18 F (-7 C) Landscape value: Versatile. Bushy wind screen. Branches move nicely in breeze. Exposure: Full sun Water: Little to moderate water, drought tolerant Range/Origin: Native to Australia. Occurs from arid to monsoon tropical areas. 34

35 Theveta peruviana Lucky Nut (Yellow Oleander) Form: Tree or shrub; evergreen Size: normally 6-8ft.; can be 20 ft. tall Leaves: Dark green, glossy, 6 long, thin Flowers: Yellow or orange, 2 across, Stems/Trunks: Can be trained as tree Hardiness: Foliage damaged at 28 Landscape value: Luxuriant, tropical look, long-lasting color, use by hot walls, patios Exposure: Part, full, reflected sun; heat Water: Ample is best 35

Common plant species of Seattle Parks (winter 2010) BIOL 476 Conservation Biology

Common plant species of Seattle Parks (winter 2010) by Mitch Piper BIOL 476 Conservation Biology Douglas-Fir- native Up to 70 meters tall; branches spreading and drooping; bark thick, ridged and dark brown.