Common name: Dwarf Carolina Laurel Cherry
Botanical name: Prunus caroliniana 'Compacta'
This large evergreen shrub or small tree has leaves that are glossy and 2"-4" in length. It is excellent as a formal hedge or an informal screen. It has creamy white flowers in late winter and spring followed by small black berries. 'Compacta' reaches 8'-10' tall and 6'-8' wide and tends to be more dense.
Common name: Forest Pansy Redbud
Botanical name: Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
This small tree may reach 25' tall and it has dark green/purple leaves that are purple in the fall. Amazing pink flowers bloom in the spring and fill the tree.
Common name: Blue Rug Ground Cover Juniper
Botanical name: Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'
This prostrate ground cover is valued for its silver, blue-green foliage which remains a constant blue color through winter. It is useful on slopes and when draped over walls. It quickly spreads 6'-8' wide, only reaching 6" tall. It prefers full sun and is cold tolerant. This conifer is great for erosion control and looks great in rock gardens. It needs occasional watering once it's established.
Common name: Southern Magnolia
Botanical name: Magnolia grandiflora
Its large, simple, leathery appearance makes the pyramidal Magnolia grandiflora perfect for either a street or lawn tree. Its leaves are 4"-8" long, and its powerfully fragrant blooms are carried throughout the summer. Reddish brown cone shaped fruit appear in the fall. If these plants are grafted, they are more predictable (may take 15 years to bloom). Ungrafted trees will take only 2-3 years. Restricted root areas or heavy soils will slow the growth process.
Common name: Joyce Coulter Ceanothus
Botanical name: Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter'
'Joyce Coulter' is a fast growing shrub that reaches 3' tall and 8' wide. It has a mounding, dense habit. This cultivar has a generous amount of medium blue, tiny flowers in 3"-5" clusters, blooming in spring. Evergreen leaves are glossy, oval shaped and small. Plant in full sun in coastal areas but it needs afternoon shade in warm, inland valleys. This shrub can become drought tolerant along the coast but needs more watering during hot summer months. It tolerates clay soil and frost. A very reliable and long lived shrub.