Shrubs | 505 Outside

Blue Algerita, Mahonia fremontii

by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Evergreen Shrubs, Shrubs

Full Sun, Part Shade

Low Water

Mature Size: 5’X 7’
Blooming Season: Spring
Flower Color: Yellow

The masses of fragrant yellow flowers that grace this native barberry are enough to earn it a place in the garden, but by midsummer its bright red fruits attract the attention of songbirds for another season of interest. Although the stems aren’t thorny, the beautiful but prickly blue holly-like leaves of this Algerita offer feeding birds a safe haven from predators.

Apache Plume, Fallugia paradoxa

by 505 Outside | Aug 1, 2018 | Evergreen Shrubs, Shrubs

Full Sun

Low Water

Mature Size: 4-5’X 4-5’
Blooming Season: April
Flower Color: White

This is one of the showiest of our native shrubs. In spring it’s covered with tiny white, five-petaled flowers that look like miniature white roses. (Apache Plume is in the rose family.) But this shrub really stands out when the pink, silky-plumed seed heads cover the tips of its branches from late summer through fall. Plant it in well-drained soil in any hot, sunny location. Needs virtually no supplemental water once established.

Joint-Fir, Ephedra species

by 505 Outside | Aug 1, 2018 | Evergreen Shrubs, Shrubs

Full Sun

Rainwater Only

Mature Size: 2-6’X 3-5’
Blooming Season: Spring
Flower Color: Yellow

Joint-firs are grown for the color of their broomy evergreen stems which, depending upon the species, may be pale blue (Ephedra equisetina), blue-gray (Ephedra nevadensis) or bright green (Ephedra viridis). All add year-round color and interesting texture to gardens and require minimal water once established. Joint-firs native to the Southwest have brown papery seed-cones while the Asian species have pea-sized red fruits that are quite showy.

Grayleaf Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster buxifolius

by 505 Outside | Aug 1, 2018 | Evergreen Shrubs, Shrubs

Full Sun, Part Shade

Medium Water

Mature Size: 2’X 4-6’
Blooming Season: Spring-Summer
Flower Color: Pink

Grayleaf Cotoneaster, like most species of Cotoneaster, is a low-spreading shrub that is sometimes used as an informal groundcover. Can be pruned back to create a more formal hedge shape. The small pink flowers become red berries that persist throughout fall. Its small gray leaves clothe 3- to 6-foot arching stems year-round. Grows well in moderately fertile soil.

Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus ledifolius

by 505 Outside | Aug 1, 2018 | Evergreen Shrubs, Shrubs

Full Sun

Low Water

Mature Size: 10’X 6’
Blooming Season: Early Spring
Flower Color: Yellowish

A shrub-like tree that’s native to dry mountain slopes between 4,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation. Because it is very slow growing, it can make an excellent hedge or small character tree. Small flowers appear briefly in spring, then yield to seeds with 2- to 3-inch-long plumes. The bark is light gray, almost white, and the small leathery leaves are dark green above and fuzzy white below. Water to establish, then the tree can go unirrigated except in the hottest, driest weather.

Cliff Fendlerbush, Fendlera rupicola

by 505 Outside | Aug 1, 2018 | Deciduous Shrubs, Shrubs

Full Sun, Part Shade

Low Water

Mature Size: 6’ X 4’
Blooming Season: Spring
Flower Color: White

Cliff Fendlerbush grows wild in rock outcrops where it is a pleasantly compact shrub with small pale green leaves. Plant it near a window or patio where you can observe its pink buds as they open to pure white flowers. It is an elegant complement to summer flowering plants. Some plants shout out their presence, but Cliff Fendlerbush whispers that it’s finally spring.