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ANTELOPE VALLEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

 CONSERVATION NURSERY PLANT LIST

 10148 West Avenue I, Lancaster CA, 93536

 Phone: 661-942-7306

 Fax: 661-942-3055

Last updated on Sunday, July 05, 2009

You can download the plant list here as a 33 KB PDF file, or here as a 47 KB Excel file

Most drought tolerant/resistant plants need to be established first, watering them for 3-4 years during their youth.

If the plant names are not showing, click on any of the plant types to view the plant names of that type and then click on a plant name to see its description.

• Cedar Trees

  • Deodar (Cedrus deodara.)

    • A moderate growth tree to 60 ft. Once established very drought resistant. Deep rooted.

  • Incense Calocedrus decurrens.)

    • 60 ft California native slow growing at first but grows 2 ft per year when established. Deep infrequent watering at youth makes it more drought tolerant when mature. Tolerates extreme heat and cold. Tolerates poor soils but does best in rich well-drained soils. Deep rooted. Good windbreak once established.

• Cypress Trees

  • Arizona (Cupressus arizonica.)

    • Fast-growing tree, best in high desert and hot interiors. Once established very drought resistant. Great windbreak.

  • Italian (Cupressus sempervirens.)

    • 40 ft evergreen tree. Grows to a dense, narrow columnar tree, 3-5 ft wide. Once established drought tolerant.

• Deciduous Trees

  • Black Cherry

    • 30-35 ft fruit producing tree. Have a high chilling requirement, many winter hours below 45°F. Purplish-black, firm, sweet fruit that ripens early.

  • Blue Palo Verde (Cercidium floridum.)

    • Native to California, is highly drought tolerant. Will be denser and faster growing if watered. Produces small, bright, yellow flowers in the spring-summer.

  • Chilean Mesquite (Prosopis chilensis.)

    • A southwestern native, one of the toughest, most useful trees for the desert. In poor, rocky soil without water these trees will be shrubby. In deep, well watered soils will grow rapidly and can withstand winds. Great shade trees, they tolerate alkaline soil and are drought tolerant. Produces yellow green catkins in the spring.

  • Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis.)

    • Moderate growth to 30 ft. Tolerant of most soils. Full sun. Great shade tree but avoid planting in lawns. Only tree to turn scarlet in the desert.

  • Crabapple (Malus)

    • Trees that can tolerate heat. Prefer well drained soils but will take rocky, mildly acidic or alkaline soil. Good wildlife habitat.

  • Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis.)

    • A desert native, grows fast at first (3 ft in a season) then slows down and levels off at 25 ft. Produces trumpet-shaped flowers in the spring-summer. Good for naturalistic landscapes.

  • Domestic Apple (Malus domestica.)

    • Fruit tree that adapts well to cold winters. Takes any kind of soil with good drainage. Produces flowers in the spring. Good wildlife habitat.

  • Elm (Zelkova)

    • Good windbreak tree that will flourish in any good soil but prefers moist, well-drained soils. Requires full sun and is moderately drought tolerant. Moderate growth.

  • English Oak (Quercus robur.)

    • 50 ft tree that has moderate to rapid growth in deep, rich soil. Tolerates dry, sandy soil. Full sun. Once established, do not need watering. Good street or lawn tree.

  • Flowering Almond (Prunus triloba.)

    • 6 ft slow growth tree that prefers rich, moist, acidic soil. Full sun to part shade and is moderately drought tolerant. Good for median strips along highways, parking lots and near decks and patios. Produces double pink flowers in the early spring.

  • Flowering Cherry (Prunus)

    • Cold hardy trees that do not like dry, sunny, windy winters. Require full-sun and fast draining, well-aerated soils. Somewhat drought resistant but best with moderate summer water.

  • Flowering Plum (Prunus)

    • Fast growing trees that grow in almost any soil. Prefers sun or partial shade. Does not tolerate steady winds.

  • Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata.)

    • 20-35 ft tree that grows slow to moderate. Takes cold, heat, drought, wind, alkaline soil, though needs regular watering when young. Good for a lawn or terrace tree in difficult soils and climates.

  • Honey Locust (Gleditsia tricanthos.)

    • 40 ft fast growing, good desert tree that is tolerant to heat, cold, wind and some drought. Tolerant of acidic and alkaline soils but will do best on deep, well drained soils. Good multi-row windbreak, shade, and lawn tree. Produces small clusters of white flowers in the spring.

  • Hybrid Poplar (Populus canadensis. ‘Robusta’)

    • 50-60 ft fast growing tree that prefers cold winters and hot summers. Desert adapted. Best with regular deep watering. Drought tolerant if roots grow deep enough to tap into the water table. Not for lawns or city streets as roots are invasive.

  • Little-Leaf Linden (Tilia cordata.)

    • Hardiest of the lindens, responds well to deep rich soil and plenty of water. Grows at a slow to moderate rate. Produces small yellowish white flowers in July. Excellent medium-sized lawn or street tree.

  • Purple Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria. ‘Purpureus’)

    • 25 ft tree does best under stress in poor or rocky soil. Prefers fast drainage and infrequent watering. Full sun. Produces loose clusters of flowers which, as they fade, turn into dramatic “puffs” of purple smoke.

  • Pussy Willow (Salix discolor.)

    • 20 ft fast growing tree that tolerates poor drainage and is successful in almost any soil. Needs plenty of water. Full sun to partial shade. Good for erosion control. Invasive roots. Produces catkins in late winter/early spring.

  • Siouxland Poplar (Populus deltoids. 'Siouxland')

    • 60 ft fast growing tree that prefers cold winters and hot summers. Full to partial sun. Does well in dry conditions. Best with regular deep watering. Drought tolerant if roots grow deep enough to tap into the water table. Good windbreak. Not for lawns or city streets as roots are invasive.

  • Sycamore (Platanus)

    • 50 ft moderate growing tree tolerant of heat and wind. Somewhat drought tolerant but does better in summer with deep watering. Good shade tree.

  • Theves Poplar (Populus nigra. 'Thevestina')

    • 40 ft fast growing tree that prefers cold winters and hot summers. Full sun. Best with regular deep watering. Drought tolerant if roots grow deep enough to tap into the water table. Good windbreak. Not for lawns or city streets as roots are invasive.

  • Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera.)

    • 60-80 ft fast growing tree. Prefers deep, rich, well drained soil and plenty of summer watering. Give this tree room to grow as eventually spreads to 40 ft. Good shade, lawn, or roadside tree. After 10-12 years produces greenish yellow flowers in the late spring.

  • White Ash (Faxinus Americana.)

    • 80 ft tree tolerates hot summers, cold winters, and many kinds of soil. Used on streets, for shade, lawns and patios. Needs some watering. Edges show burning in hot, windy areas.

• Eucalyptus Trees

  • Cider Gum (Eucalyptus gunnii.)

    • 40 ft fast growing tree that is desert adapted and drought tolerant. Good windbreak and shade tree. Produces small creamy white flowers in April-June.

  • Microtheca (Eucalyptus microtheca.)

    • 35-40 ft fast growing tree that is desert adapted and drought tolerant. Good windbreak.

  • Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta.)

    • 80-90 ft fast growing tree that is desert adapted and drought tolerant. Does well in moist or salty soil. Good windbreak. Produces masses of pink-tinted, creamy white flowers in the winter.

• Grasses

  • Blue Fescue (Festuca ovina. ‘Glauca’)

    • 1 ft moderate growth grass used as a border or for erosion control. Also useful ground cover for sunny or partial shaded areas and on slopes or level ground. Needs little water.

  • Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens.)

    • A 3 ft California native, a slow to moderate growth perennial grass. Full sun. Tolerates sandy and clay soils. Water once or twice a month. Works like a shrub in the landscape.

  • Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum.)

    • 4 ft perennial grass used in dry locations. Tolerates any soil and is drought resistant. Full sun. Produces purplish flower plumes in the summer and fall.

  • Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrical. ‘Rubra’)

    • 1-2 ft perennial grass that needs average amount of watering. Sun or partial shade. Prefers well drained sandy soil but tolerates other soils. Dormant in the winter. Good for borders and edging.

  • Needle “Feather” Grass (Nassella tenuissima.)

    • 2 ft moderate growth grass with low maintenance. Withstands heat and is drought tolerant. Full to partial shade. Produces silvery green flowers in the summer that turn light tan.

  • Varigated Grass (Miscanthus sinensis. ‘Variegatus’)

    • 5-6 ft grass that grows in any soil. Sun or shade. Moderately drought tolerant. Good as a border. Produces pink flowers in late summer.

• Ground Covers

  • Creeping Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster adpressus.)

    • Cover best planted on dry slopes (for erosion control) or in poor soil. Thrive with little or no maintenance. Produces small white flowers in the spring and small red fruit in the fall.

  • Creeping Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys.)

    • 1 ft cover endures sun, heat, poor and rocky soils. Ideal for small-spaced areas. Spreads to 2 ft so plant 2 ft apart.  Needs to be planted in soil with good water drainage. Produces blue spike flowers in the winter-spring.

  • Gazania (Gazania)

    • 1 ft cover that grows well in most soils. Once established, water about twice a month. Full sun to partial shade. Produces flowers late spring/early summer.

  • Moss Verbena (Verbena pulchella gracilior.)

    • Perennial cover needing sun and heat to thrive. Drought resistant. Plant 2 ft apart. Like good air circulation, dislike wet foliage. Produces rose violet to pink flowers.

  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis.)

    • 2 ft by 4 inches wide cover enduring hot sun and poor soil. Need good drainage and some watering in desert climate. Works as bank cover and erosion control. Produces small blue flowers in the late winter-spring.

  • Trailing Acacia (Acacia redolens.)

    • 1-2 ft cover for banks, large areas of poor soil. Plant away from paths. Endures drought and heat. Produces puffy yellow flowers in the spring.

• Perennials

  • Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri.)

    • 1-3 ft desert native plant that once it is established thrives with little or no care. Good ground cover for dry slopes. Invasive if not controlled. Produces masses of large pink cup-shaped flowers in the mid-spring.

  • Penstemon (Penstemon)

    • A desert native that needs fast draining soil with infrequent watering. Full sun. Short lived (3-4 years). Produces tubular flowers.

  • Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea.)

    • 1 ft plant that accepts a wide range of sun exposures but does best in full sun. Easy to grow in light, sandy soils. Established plants can survive droughts. Produces lavender flower clusters in the spring-summer.

• Pine Trees

  • Aleppo (Pinus halepensis.)

    • 30-40 ft moderate to rapid growth tree useful in poor soils and arid climates. Full sun. Thrives in desert heat, drought, and wind. Good wildlife tree.

  • Austrian Black (Pinus nigra.)

    • 40 ft slow to moderate growth tree adaptable to winter cold and strong wind. Full sun though is shade tolerant. Needs little water. Will tolerate most soils and somewhat drought tolerant. Good windbreak.

  • Brutia (Pinus brutia.)

    • 30-40 ft rapid growth tree especially in its youth. Full sun. Thrives in heat, drought, and wind. Tolerates most soils though can not take temps much below 0ºF. Good Christmas tree.

  • Coulter (Pinus coulteri.)

    • 30-60 ft moderate to fast growth tree resistant to heat, drought, and wind. Native to California. Full sun. Good in the high desert. Good in gardens were it is not too crowded.

  • Digger (Pinus sabiniana.)

    • 40-80 ft fast growth tree very drought resistant and need little water. Full sun. Native to California. Not good shade tree but more ornamental.

  • Eldarica (Pinus eldarica.)

    • 30-40 ft rapid growth tree especially in its youth. Full sun.  One of the best desert pines. It is drought tolerant and can withstand considerable heat. Good windbreak.

  • Italian Stone (Pinus pinea.)

    • 40-60 ft slow to moderate growth tree that needs room to grow. Full sun. Takes heat and drought once established. Splendid roadside tree.

  • Japanese Black (Pinus thunbergiana.)

    • 20 ft slow to moderate growth tree that is good in the desert. Full sun. Needs some watering. Takes a range of soil types but prefers well drained soil. Heat and drought tolerant.

• Shrubs/Subshrubs

  • American Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum.)

    • 8 ft shrub that does well in heavy rich soil with ample moisture, though somewhat drought tolerant. Tolerant of most other soils. Grow in full sun or shade though prefer some shade in long hot summers. Produces clusters of white flowers in May and large red fruit in the fall.

  • Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate.)

    • 6 ft shrub that does will in dry rocky soils. Needs full sun. Excellent drought tolerance. Good wildlife plant and good for rock gardens. Produces yellow flowers in April-July.

  • Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa.)

    • 3-8 ft desert native shrub that due to its density makes a good background or screen. Also a good erosion control plant. Full sun. Very tolerant of heat and drought. Produces small, white, rose like flowers in April/May.

  • Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis.)

    • 20 ft tall and 12 ft wide large shrub that that tolerates heat (but avoid reflected heat) and low humidity. Full sun but does better with afternoon shade. Needs ample water during the summer and good soil drainage.

  • Atriplex Torreyi

    • A southwest native, 6-8 ft shrub. Drought tolerant and low water usage once established.

  • Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis.)

    • 10-12 ft shrub that needs average watering and well drained soil. Some drought tolerance. Full sun to light shade. Good border though requires a good deal of room for full development. Produces clusters of small, pink, yellow-throated flowers in May.

  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii.)

    • 6-8 ft fast growth shrub that needs good drainage and average watering but needs little else. Full sun or light shade. Produces clusters of fragrant purple flowers in the summer.

  • Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare.)

    • 15 ft shrub that can grow in any soil. Drought tolerant. Need full sun to partial shade. Good use as a hedge. Produces clusters of white or creamy white flowers in late spring/early summer.

  • Desert Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii.)

    • 10 ft fast growth shrub that grows easily in the hot sun, with light, well drained soil and infrequent, deep watering. Desert native.  Produces yellow flowers with protruding bight red stamens in the summer.

  • Flowering Currant (Ribes aureum.)

    • 3-6 ft shrub that is fairly drought. Needs full sun to part shade. Prefers moderate summer watering. Produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers in spring and yellow to red to black berries in the summer. Berries attract birds.

  • Forsythia (Forsythia)

    • 8 ft fast growing shrub that tolerates most soils. Needs full sun to light shade and moderate watering. Quite tolerant of poor-growing conditions. Good screen or bank cover. Produces yellow flowers in February-April.

  • Four-Wing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens.)

    • Shrub tolerant of high alkaline desert soils. Good for drought tolerance and erosion control. Fire retardant.

  • Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica.)

    • 3-6 ft slow to moderate growth shrub that does best in rich soil with ample water but will tolerate drought when established. Competes with tree roots in dry shade. Needs sun or shade but better leaf color in the sun. Does poorly in temps lower than 10ºF. Good as a hedge or a screen. Produces pinkish white or creamy white flowers in late spring or summer.

  • Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii.)

    • 4-6 ft shrub that makes a good border or hedge. Very adaptable plant that does best in full sun, but tolerant of partial shade. Withstands drought, heat, and urban living well. Dislikes continually wet soils. Produces small yellow flowers in April and bright red berries in the fall.

  • Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa.)

    • 6-10 ft shrub that is easy to grow in any soil although slightly heavy soils are preferred. Bright sun or partial shade. Tolerant of extreme cold and heat. Average water. Drought tolerant. Good for hedges and barriers. Produces red flowers in April.

  • Lilac (Syringa vulgaris.)

    • Shrub that does best with average watering but once it is established can take some drought. Can reach 20 ft tall height. Needs sun or light shade in hot areas. Likes alkaline soils. Does best in winters with pronounced chill. Produces clusters of pinkish or bluish lavander, fragrant, flowers in late spring.

  • Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii.)

    • 4-8 ft shrub that thrives in almost any soil, but does best in moist, well-drained soil. Somewhat drought tolerant. Needs full sun or light shade in hot-summer areas. Good as low screens or hedges. Produces white, fragrant flowers in June/July.

  • Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus.)

    • 4-6 ft slow growth shrub that needs no water once established. Desert native. Needs full sun to light shade. Useful in dry places with coldest climates. Produces small, white, rose like flowers in spring.

  • Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora.)

    • 3-8 ft fast growth shrub that is good for erosion control. A wide tolerance for various soil, moisture, and light conditions. Best if planted 2 ft apart. Used as a hedge but can be invasive for smaller gardens. Produces clustered, small, white flowers in June.

  • Purple Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus.)

    • 10-25 ft fast growth (in warmer areas) shrub that tolerates many types of soil but needs plenty of summer heat. Good for borders or individually as a small shade tree. Produces spikes of lavender blue flowers in summer and fall.

  • Pyracantha (Pyracantha Mojave.)

    • 12 ft fast growth thorny shrub that do best where soil is not constantly wet (away from sprinklers). Needs full sun. Good as a barrier, screen, or hedgerow. Produces clusters of small, white flowers in late spring and orange, red fruit in late summer.

  • Quail Bush (Atriplex lentiformis.)

    • California native shrub tolerant of high alkaline desert soils. Good for drought tolerance and erosion control. Good windbreak.

  • Red-Tip Photinia (Photinia fraseri.)

    • 10 ft moderate growth shrub that is heat resistant. Needs full sun to partial shade. Medium water requirements. Good hedge or background. Has striking bright red new leaves in spring. Produces clusters of small, white flowers in early spring.

  • Rock Rose (Cistus ladanifer.)

    • 3-5 ft fast growth shrub that are drought resistant, tolerant of poor, dry soil, and takes the desert heat. Needs well draining soils if watered frequently. Good for planting in fire-hazard areas and good for erosion control. Produces white flowers in June/July.

  • Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus.)

    • 10-12 ft medium growth rate shrub that once established can take some drought. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but is very adaptable to various soils. Full sun or part-shade. Moderate watering.  Produces single or double flowers in summer.

  • Sea Tomato (Rosa rugosa.)

    • 3-8 ft shrub that can withstand hard freezes, wind, and drought. Good for hedges and erosion control. Produces fragrant single or double, white, yellow, pink, or purplish red flowers. Also produces bright red, tomato-shaped fruit.

  • Siberian Pea (Caragana arborescens.)

    • 20 ft fast growth shrub that is nearly industructable in the desert. Useful plant where choice is limited by cold, heat, wind, and bright sun. Good windbreak or hedge. Produces bright yellow, pea-shaped flowers in spring.

  • Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus.)

    • 2-6 ft shrub that tolerates poor soil and shade. Drought tolerant. Good for erosion control on steep banks. Produces pink flowers in May/June and white fruit in late summer to winter. Best fruit production when in the sun.

  • Spiraea (Spiraea)

    • Fast growth shrub that grows in all kinds of soils with average watering. Needs full sun to part shade. Produces white, pink, or red flowers.

  • Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica.)

    • Shrub that needs average watering in the summer once established. Needs either full sun or light shade. Good for backrounds, screens, and windbreaks. Produces small, pink or rose flowers in late spring/early summer. Also produces bright red fruit.

  • Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens.)

    • 5-7 ft moderate growth shrub that does well in desert areas, taking any degree of heat and wind. Tolerates some alkali soil if good drainage. Produces rose purple flowers in summer/fall. Needs heat to produce flowers.

  • Waxleaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum.)

    • 10-12 ft shrub that can grow in any soil. Drought tolerant. Need full sun to partial shade. Excellent plants for hedges or screens. Sunburns in hot spells. Produces clusters of white or creamy white flowers in late spring/early summer.

  • Weigela (Weigela)

    • Shrub that is good for backgrounds, flower and mixed borders, and screens. Needs full sun to part shade. Moderate summer watering. Produces voluminous, funnel-shaped, single or clustered flowers in spring.

• Vines

  • Blue Wisteria (Wisteria)

    • A vine that can grow to 50 ft. Does well in most soils but needs good drainage, ample water during the growing season, and a strong support structure. Full sun to partial shade.

• Yuccas

  • Adams Needle (Yucca filamentosa.)

    • 2-4 ft shrub that takes considerable drought once established. Does best in full sun with well drained soil. Fire retardant if well watered. Does well indoors at a sunny window. Produces clusters of narrow, white flowers.

  • Banana (Yucca baccata.)

    • 4-6 ft desert native shrub that takes considerable drought once established. Does best in full sun with well drained soil. Fire retardant if well watered. Produces cream flowers in spring/summer.

  • Joshua (Yucca brevifolia.)

    • 15-30 ft desert native, slow growth tree that takes considerable drought once established. Does best in full sun with dry, well drained soil. Fire retardant if well watered. Produces clusters of greenish white flowers in February-April.

  • Mojave (Yucca schidigera.)

    • 12 ft desert native tree that takes considerable drought once established. Does best in full sun with well drained soil. Fire retardant if well watered. Produces clusters of purplish white flowers in spring.

  • Red (Hesperaloe parviflora.)

    • 4 ft shrub that is drought tolerant. Needs full sun. Produces clusters of coral-red or yellow flowers on tall stalks in early summer. Older plants can reach 8-9 ft in height.

  • Soapweed (Yucca elata.)

    • 6-20 ft slow growth tree that takes considerable drought once established. Does best in full sun with well drained soil. Fire retardant if well watered. Produces spikes of white or creamy flowers in spring/summer.

  • Whipplei (Yucca whipplei.)

    • 20 ft desert native shrub that takes considerable drought once established. Does best in full sun with well drained soil. Fire retardant if well watered. Produces drooping, bell-shaped, creamy white blossoms in large, branched spikes. Plants die after blooming and produce new seed; new plants come from seeds or offsets.