1. *Singleleaf Pinyon Pine – Pinus monophylla (PI-nus mono-FI(or FEE)-luh)
Family: Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Native to: Dry mountain ranges of the western U.S. from ID to NM and n. Baja. In CA in Sierra
Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, Peninsular and Transverse Ranges, desert mtns – locally in San
Gabriel mtns; Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Foothill Woodland between 4000-7500 ft. elevation.
Growth characteristics: woody tree mature height: 10-35+ ft. mature width: 5-15 ft.
Woody evergreen pine. Pyramidal shape when young, becoming more mounded/irregular with age.
Foliage blue-green to gray-green; needles in bundles of one (unusual, and hence its name). Plant
grows rapidly when young, then slowly. Live hundreds of years in wild. Very tough plant.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring; separate male, female cones. Bearing begins about 35 years of
age. Rounded female cones ~ 2 inches, brown. Seeds (pine nuts) are very delicious – prized food
where ever this plant grows. Good crops every 3-7 years on mature trees.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a specimen plant in regional gardens. Makes a good water-
wise screen/large hedge. Suitable choice for regional Asian-style gardens. Nice shape and water-
wise. Can be trained as bonsai. Sometimes grown as edible crop tree. Gives a rustic, western look
to any garden. Mature plants (15+ years) make a garden look well-established. Good choice for
shade tree – prune out the lower branches. Note: all pines are flammable.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native pines.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and seeds for food. Many kinds of birds
and small mammals feed on the seeds including jays.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Any soil from sandy to clay; acidic to alkali – very adaptable
Water Only occasional water once established; Water Zone 1-2 best.
Fertilizer Not needed
Other Organic mulch OK; best if needles left to self-mulch
Management: Pretty carefree if not over-watered. Watch for bark borers, Oak Root Rot and other
stem and root rot fungal infections. Prune out dead limbs if needed.
Propagation: from seed: needs cold-moist pre-treatment by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): Monrovia Nursery, 11, 13, 14 12/2/13
© Project SOUND

2. *Pinyon pine – Pinus edulis (PY-nus ED-yew-liss)
Family: Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Native to: Desert mountains of the Southwest, from CA to TX and south to N. Mexico; in CA, in the
New York Mountains. Dry mountain slopes, mesas, plateaus, and pinyon-juniper woodlands from
4,200-8,850 feet (1,280-2,700 m). Note: CA species may actually be a variant of Pinus monophylla.
Growth characteristics: small woody tree mature height: 20-30+ ft. mature width: 15-25 ft.
Stout, shrubby woody tree. Shape is usually rounded, but may be conical. Trunk stout with red-
brown, shallowly furrowed bark. Lower branches spreading, low to the ground. Short (1-2.5 inch),
dark green needles in bundles of two. Nice piney aroma. Slow growing and long-lived. Long
taproot and shallower lateral roots make this a very drought-tolerant species.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring. Wind-pollinated (like all pines). Produces small (1-2 inch), squat,
sticky seed cones at about 20-25 years of age. Seeds are large and among the best-tasting of the
pine nuts. They are still harvested and sold; an important food crop for native peoples, birds and
small mammals. Crop is variable from year-to-year depending on conditions.
Uses in the garden: Useful as a small shade tree. Its slow growth make it perfect for small, water-
wise gardens. Does fine on slopes. Can be used for bonsai. Plant on a berm if your soils are slow-
draining. Seeds are really tasty and this is a wonderful habitat tree!
Sensible substitute for: Non-native pines.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade. Afternoon shade first several years in hot gardens.
Soil Just about any soil texture; pH 6.0-8.0
Water Good winter rains + several deep waterings in July/August. Water Zone 2.
Fertilizer Ok with occasional fertilizer.
Other Thin organic mulch is fine.
Management: Prune to shape or remove dead branches in winter.
Propagation: from seed: cold-treat seeds. Warm temp. to germinate by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 11, 13 1/29/16
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native

3. *Piute Cypress – Hesperocyparis nevadensis (hes-per-oh-sy-PAR-us ne-vah-DEN-sis )
Family: Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
Native to: Endemic to Kern Co/Sierra Nevadas; On dry hills, ridges and in ravines in mixed conifer/
broadleaved woodland with Pinus sabiniana, Quercus spp., Juniperus californica, Fremontia
californica, Yucca whipplei, and in valley scrub-grassland.
Growth characteristics: woody tree mature height: 30-50+ ft. mature width: 20-35 ft.
Woody evergreen tree, multi-trunked and similar to taller junipers. Shape pyramidal in youth;
usually more spreading-mounded with age. Leaves scale-like, blue-green to medium green and
aromatic when crushed. Attractive shape is enhanced by shreddy bark, exposing red-brown new
bark. Fast growth to 20 ft., then slower.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring. Male & female cones on same tree. Female cones rounded, pale
red-brown in clusters at the ends of branches; may remain unopened for several years.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a water-wise specimen tree in S. CA gardens. Nice size and
really tough. Fine on slopes and probably in large containers. Sometimes used as large hedge,
wildlife habitat. Good for background in Asian-themed or Mediterranean-themed gardens.
Drought-tolerant shade tree.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native cypress, junipers.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Any well-drained; any local pH.
Water Best with some supplemental water, but drought-tolerant: Water Zone 1-2 to 2-3.
Fertilizer Not needed; ½ strength probably fine.
Other Organic mulch recommended
Management: Prune as needed or desired. Fairly care free. Watch for fungal diseases
Propagation: from seed: cold-moist pre-treat by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 13 12/3/13
© Project SOUND

4. * Tecate Cypress – Hesperocyparis forbesii (hes-per-oh-SIP-ar-is FORBS-ee-eye)
Family: Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
Native to: Foothills from Orange County to Baja (there are only four natural groves left in CA); most
commonly on dry, chaparral & canyon slopes; 1500-5000 ft.
Growth characteristics: woody tree mature height: 10-30 ft. mature width: 6-8 ft.
Woody tree that grows quickly to 10-15 ft, then more slowly. Shrubby looking with rounded crown
and usually multiple trunks. Bark peels to reveal red under bark. Leaves typical for cypress,
medium green, attractive. Trees can live to several hundred years old in wild.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms are particularly showy. Separate male and female flowers (on same plant);
female develops into a tough, rounded seed cone.
Uses in the garden: Any situation where a non-native Cypress or upright Juniper might be used.
Excellent for erosion control on hillsides. A good choice for smaller gardens. Makes a good hedge,
screen or windbreak. Plant is fire prone.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native cypress & junipers.
Attracts: Excellent bird & lizard habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Quite adaptable, but prefers well-drained. Can take mildly acid (to 5.0 pH) soils.
Water Low water needs once established – best with Zone 1 or 1-2 (inland)
Fertilizer None
Other
Management: Prune to shape – can be sheared. Don’t over-water. Other than that, easy.
Propagation: from seed: difficult; cold-stratify by cuttings: likely yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 20, 24 12/2/13
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co. © Project SOUND

5. *Cuyamaca cypress – Hesperocyparis stephensonii
(hes-per-oh-sigh-PAR-us stee-ven-SO-nee-eye)
Family: Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
Native to: Cuyamaca Mountains, San Diego County & NW Baja CA; in dry chaparral at about 3000-
5,000 feet (1,400–1,600 m).
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tree mature height: 30-50 ft. mature width: 20-30 ft.
Woody tree, either erect or spreading, usually with strong central leader. Thin, red, smooth
exfoliating bark - attractive. Scale-like leaves dark green to blue-green. Foliage waxy & resinous.
Grows 1-3 ft. per year. If you like the look of upright cypress or juniper, this is a nice native option.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in summer, with separate male (pollen) and female (seed) cones. Wind
pollinated. Seed cones at tips of smaller branches, rounded, green becoming gray and ~1 inch in
diameter at maturity (2 seasons). Seed cones are decorative appearing. Seeds are red-brown.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a specimen plant in gardens requiring an upright evergreen
tree. Can be used as a large hedge, screen or to border a long driveway. Fine on slopes. Blue-
green foliage makes a nice background contrast with green-foliage plants. This plant is rare and
threatened in wild – sometimes planted in gardens to preserve species. Good habitat tree.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native cypress species.
Attracts: Excellent bird & insect habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Well-drained soils. Plant on slope or berm in clays. Prefers slightly acidic soil.
Water Best with occasional water (Water Zone 2); likes a deep watering in August.
Fertilizer ?? probably fine with none.
Other Organic mulch fine – pine mulch would be great.
Management: Prune as needed to shape and remove dead branches. Nice natural shape.
Propagation: from seed: may be slow by cuttings: ???
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 13, 14, 20, 24 2/3/16
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native

6. *Blue paloverde – Parkinsonia (Cercidium) florida (park-in-SO-nee-uh FLOR-i-duh )
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: Sonoran Desert in CA, AZ (state tree) and NW Mexico; uncommon, irregular distribution
along washes, arroyos and valleys, sometimes on lower slopes of deserts and desert grasslands.
Plant communities (Desert Wash; Desert Riparian) are associated with intermittent water.
Growth characteristics: woody tree mature height: 15-25+ ft. mature width: 20-35 ft.
Multi-trunk woody tree with wide, open, spreading crown. Completely drought deciduous (loses all
its leaves): in the wild, leaves re-emerges with summer rains, but are retained longer with modest
irrigation. Leaves blue-green, compound with 2-6 small leaflets on long petioles (leaf stalks).
Young bark is green (photosynthesizes); older bark gray. Quick growth; thorny & deep-rooted. Fine
texture & interesting shape. Plants are usually pruned up into small trees for use in landscapes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – March to May. Bee pollinated flowers are bright lemon yellow,
in loose clusters. The entire tree can be covered in yellow flowers in a good year – extremely showy
and unique. Fruits are flat pods with large, bean-like seeds. Immature pods are edible; dried seeds
ground and eaten as mush by Native Americans where ever this tree grows.
Uses in the garden: Popular tree in desert and other water-wise landscapes. Provides light to
moderate shade; useful as ‘nurse plant’ for shade-loving plants. Used in commercial plantings, as a
street tree, on slopes. Excellent habitat plant. Makes good windbreak if grown as large shrub.
Makes a stunning large accent plant. Does drop flowers and pods; place accordingly.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native trees like Melaleuca, Crepe myrtle.
Attracts: bee pollinators; also a good all-round tree for birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Good drainage a must in our area; sandy soils.
Water Very drought tolerant. Looks best with deep monthly winter water (if no rain) and
bi-monthly deep water from May to Oct.
Fertilizer None; needs nutrient-poor soil.
Other No mulch – or inorganic (gravel).
Management: Prune as minimally, as needed – can be prune to tree. Watch for sucking insects
(aphids; whiteflies) in growth season; spider mites during dry conditions.
Propagation: from seed: scarify seeds; soak by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20, 27, 47 1/27/16
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND

7. * Desert Willow – Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (kye-LOP-sis lin-ee-AIR-iss)
Family: Bignoniaceae (Trumpet-Creeper Family)
Native to: Foothills of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts from CA & AZ into Mexico; in rocky washes,
depressions and desert grasslands. Common in some areas.
Growth characteristics: deciduous tree mature height: 15-30 ft. mature width: 15-30 ft.
Small tree or large woody shrub – tree-like in garden setting. Winter deciduous for several months
– will look quite bare. Growth form is open, with a spreading crown and graceful drooping branches.
Often multi-trunked, but can be trained to a single-trunk tree. Leaves light green, willow-like. Bark
becomes fissured with age. Long, distinctive seedpods remain on tree through winter.
Blooms/fruits: Long bloom period – April to Aug/Sept. Flowers are reminiscent of Catalpa or
orchids; dark pink or purple, often with white or yellow and purple lines within the throat. Flowers
are large (1 ½ inch) & showy, slightly fragrant, in clusters at the tips of branches. Distinctive
slender tan seedpods remain on tree through winter.
Uses in the garden: Very adaptable tree in the water-wise landscape. Can be used as a street, lawn
or patio tree, even in areas with some summer water. Provides filtered to dense shade – can plant
under it. Fine in large raised planters. Great for stabilizing slopes and banks. Useful as a screen,
windbreak, summer shade tree for S-facing walls. Provides a lush-looking accent in dry gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native (invasive) large shrubs such as Albizia julibrissin (silktree),
Buddleja davidii (orange eye butterflybush), Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian olive), Acacia species.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food and nectar for hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun best; fine in hot, sunny spots.
Soil Any well-drained soil, even clays – cannot take standing water in winter; any local
pH including alkali (up to pH 9.0).
Water Zone 2 once established; water deeply when soil gets dry.
Fertilizer None
Other Inorganic mulch if desired.
Management: Prune to shape young trees. Branches droop – requires yearly pruning. Can
remove seedpods in winter to improve appearance. Fairly pest-free with appropriate watering.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in spring by cuttings: hard & semi-softwood, easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24,25, 27, 28 2/13/11
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co. © Project SOUND

8. *Netleaf hackberry – Celtis reticulata/ C. laevigata var. reticulata
(SEL-tiss ree-tic-cu-LAY-tuh )
Family: Cannabaceae (Hemp Family)
Native to: Scattered through western N. America from KS and WA to CA. Locally in foothills of
Riverside & San Bernardino Counties, Mojave Desert; usually in bottomlands, washes, ravines,
arroyos or rocky canyons, with scattered individuals in desert shrubland/grassland communities.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tress mature height: 10-30+ ft. mature width: 20-30 ft.
Deciduous woody shrub or small tree. Short trunk and open wide spreading crown with crooked
branches forms rounded or weeping shape. Bark gray, cork-like. Leaves simple, dark green with
toothed margin, prominent veins beneath and a sandpapery texture. Moderate to slow growth;
long-lived (at least 100 years). Attractive even in winter, when it loses its leaves.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms March-May. Flowers small, yellow-green, inconspicuous. Fruits are fleshy,
dark red when ripe and sweet. Edible raw or cooked and make nice jelly, syrup or sauces.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used as a water-wise shade tree throughout West. Nice size for yards,
patios. Fine with winter flooding, so a candidate for rain gardens. Excellent habitat plant. Tough
but pleasing appearance: tolerates heat, cold, garden conditions. Leaves/branches for redbrown dye.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shade trees.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and fruits that persist on tree in winter.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Likes well-drained soils; tolerant of alkali soils.
Water Tolerant of wide range but drought-tolerant once establish. Water infrequently, but
deeply, in summer (Water Zone 1-2 or even 2).
Fertilizer Not needed. Fine with light fertilizer.
Other Inorganic or thin organic mulch layer is best.
Management: Prune when young to raise canopy, produce interesting shape. Other than that,
pretty easy to manage. Some fruit drop and leaf drop in fall/winter.
Propagation: from seed: fresh best (120 day cold/moist for stored); slow by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 10, 16, 19, 30, 31, 45 3/30/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND

9. * Baja Birdbush – Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia (or-ni-tho-STAF-i-los op-os-i-ti-FO- lee-a )
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native to: San Diego County & N. Baja; in chaparral from 200-2500'. Rare in the wild.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 8-10 ft. mature width: 8-10 ft.
Large, erect evergreen woody shrub with many branches. Young bark cinnamon red peels away in
sheets to reveal white-gray inner bark – very unusual and decorative. Leaves elongated, narrow,
leathery with rolled edges. Leaves dark green above, lighter below. Very pretty shrub. Moderate
growth rate in garden setting – slow in nature.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in early spring – Jan to April depending on weather. Flowers like those of
related Manzanita species – small, white, urn-shaped flowers in drooping clusters. Fruits are also
like those of Manzanita – small, apple-like and loved by fruit-eating birds.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a specimen or accent plant due to its showy bark. Can be
pruned up as a small tree. Can be used as a hedge plant – particularly for its habitat value.
Sometimes grown in large pots/containers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native large shrubs/small trees like Oleander, Melaleuca.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: nectar attracts hummingbirds & other pollinators; provides cover
and fruits for birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade. Tolerates high temperatures.
Soil Well-drained soils a must; local pH fine.
Water Best with occasional summer water – Water Zone 1-2 to 2.
Fertilizer None needed.
Other
Management: Fairly low maintenance. Can prune to shape (if desire) in summer. Treat like a
Manzanita.
Propagation: from seed: probably needs smoke/fire treatment by cuttings: ??
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 20, 25 7/29/12
© Project SOUND

10. *Desert ironwood – Olneya tesota (OL-nee-yuh TES-oh-tuh)
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: Sonoran Desert of CA, AZ and n. Mexico; locally in Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino,
San Diego counties. Common on rocky well-draining slopes/plains and in washes at elevations below
2500 feet. Desert Riparian plant community.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tree mature height: 15-35 ft. mature width: 15-25 ft.
Slow/moderate-growing evergreen (or drought-deciduous) woody shrub or small tree. Crown
mounded, spreading with age; may be multi-branched or have a single trunk. Foliage medium- to
blue-green; bark an attractive light gray. Two inch, compound leaves with 6-9 leaflets, thorns at
base. Very hardy and long-lived. Wood is very hard and used to make attractive carvings.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms late spring/summer. Flowers pea-like, white, pink or lavender, in clusters.
This tree is spectacular during its bloom season! Bee pollinated. Pods are brown, bean-like with 1-
4 edible seeds. Seeds can be roasted and eaten or ground into flour. Birds/animals love the seeds!
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an accent tree in water-wise plantings. Makes a great shade
tree, providing filtered to rather dense shade with age. Best with dry/no understory, at maturity
(consider letting the plant ‘self-mulch’). Often used in front yards; evokes the feel of the Sonoran
Desert. Excellent bird habitat plant – you’ll get lots of activity in this tree. Nitrogen-fixing roots.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native drought-tolerant shade trees.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, shade and seeds for food. Also for bee pollinators.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun; tolerates heat.
Soil Well-drained, gravelly or sandy – no clay; any local pH.
Water Very drought tolerant once established; best with occasional, deep water (Zone 2).
Fertilizer None needed; light fertilizer probably OK.
Other Light organic or inorganic mulch.
Management: Prune up (carefully, to avoid thorns) to create tree. Fairly pest-free. Don’t over-
water; over-watering kills. Place at least 5-10 feet from watered lawn or garden beds.
Propagation: from seed: fresh, or soak stored seeds by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 20, 38, 47 2/3/16
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native

11. *Honey mesquite – Prosopis glandulosa (pro-SOP-is gland-yoo-LO-suh)
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: San Joaquin Valley, the Mojave Desert, San Gabriel & San Bernardino Mtns south into
Mexico; common in washes, alluvial flats and other low places to 4000' elevation, in creosote bush
scrub, alkali sink scrub plant communities.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tree mature height: 20-35+ ft. mature width: 20-50 ft.
Woody shrub or tree with spreading of weeping habit. Unpruned, is low-branching and multi-trunk;
often pruned up to create a small tree. Young branches have stout 2 inch thorns. Leaves are twice-
compound with 15-30 leaflets. Winter deciduous. Very deep taproots; shallower roots for
nutrients. Roots don’t cause damage. Like many in Pea Family, has symbiotic relationship with
nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria, improving soil nitrogen levels.
Blooms/fruits: Bloom season depends on water – as early as Feb/Mar or as late as summer.
Fragrant flowers are small, pea-type flowers along drooping spikes. Fruit is an elongated, yellow-
brown pod with large, bean-type seeds.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used as a shade tree in water-wise and desert landscapes. Fast-growing
and long-lived (50-150 years with modest water). Excellent habitat plant. Best if 10-20 ft from
regularly watered lawns. Pods can be dried, ground and used like carob. Important medicinal plant
where ever it grows: treatment for rashes, skin sores, sun burn, sore throat and more.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native trees like Chinese Elm, Crepe Myrtle, Olive.
Attracts: Excellent bee & bird habitat: provides cover, nectar and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Well-drained soils best, but OK with clay. pH 6.0-8.5 (OK with alkali soils).
Water Deep watering, esp. when young. Best with some deep summer water (Zone 2)
Fertilizer None required.
Other No mulch or inorganic best.
Management: Prune as needed in winter. Can prune up. Fallen pods can be messy.
Propagation: from seed: easy with fresh seed by cuttings: yes – little information
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 14, 16, 20, 32, 63 2/2/16
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native

12. * Desert Olive – Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens (for-es-tee-AIR-uh pew-BES-ens)
Family: Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Native to: Southwestern N. America from TX & CO west to CA and south to Mexico. In CA, in
foothills of Sierras, Desert Mountains, Tehachapi; dry slopes and washes in creosote bush scrub,
chaparral, coastal sage scrub and foothill woodland.
Growth characteristics: large shrub/tree mature height: 12-18 ft. mature width: 10-15 ft.
Winter-deciduous woody shrub to small tree. Stems have irregular growth habit, sometimes almost
vine-like, with spiny branchlets. Young bark dark – older bark white, somewhat like aspen. Leaves
bright green in spring, provide yellow fall color. Spreads and may be thicket-forming.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in early spring, often before the leaves. Plants are dioecious – separate
male & female plants – must have both for fruiting. Flowers are small, yellow. Fruits are small
(~ ¼ inch) blue-black olives. Fruit is very showy.
Uses in the garden: Very adaptable in the garden. Makes a great hedge or screen, alone of mixed
with other desert shrubs. Can be pruned to form a small, drought-tolerant tree. Fine for areas that
receive little maintenance – or can be managed as a more traditional garden shrub. Nice accent
plant with fall color, showy berries, white bark. Tolerates harsh winds – strong wood.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native large shrubs; privets, Siberian Pea-shrub, European olive.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Provides early nectar for pollinators and larval food for
Hairstreak butterflies and Sphinx Moths. Birds eat the fruits. Provides dense cover.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part shade; adaptable.
Soil Any local soil; not particular
Water Water well first year; then does best at Zone 1-2 or 2 (occasional summer water).
Fertilizer none
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Best if regularly pruned or hedged to keep a more formal shape. Will
spread with regular water – plant only male trees near riparian areas.
Propagation: from seed: clean seeds; plant spring. May cold treat 1 mo. by cuttings/layering: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 13, 20 2/2/11
© Project SOUND

13. *Silver buffaloberry – Shepherdia argentea (shep-HER-dee-uh ar-JEN-tee-uh)
Family: Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster Family)
Native to: Western North America from Canada to CA, AZ, NM. Locally on Mt. Pinos (Ventura Co,);
along streams, river bottoms, slopes in a variety of plant communities including woodland, pinyon-
juniper, grasslands, coastal sage scrub and riparian from about 3000-6000 ft.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/small tree mature height: 6-15 ft. mature width: 6-10 ft.
Mound-shaped large shrub or small deciduous tree with spiny twigs. Bark is silver gray, peeling,
attractive. Leaves are simple, elongated and silver-green, waxy. Somewhat like an Olive tree in
appearance. Roots include deep and shallow roots. Plants will sucker from roots.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – usually April-May. Plants are dioecious (separate male and
female plants); need both sexes for fruit. Blooms appear before the leaves. Fruits are small (~ ¼
inch) red-brown or sometimes yellow, ripening in fall. Fruits are edible, and become sweeter after a
frost. Mostly used cooked for jelly, syrup, beverages, sauces, etc.
Uses in the garden: Makes a nice accent shrub or small tree. Excellent habitat or edible plant.
Often used for hedgerows or windbreaks. Would make a nice background shrub. Important
medicinal plant for Native Americans wherever it grows wild.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs and small trees.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and fruits. Attracts many insects, including
pollinator bees.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade (hot gardens)
Soil Adaptable; any local pH.
Water Adaptable; Near-regular water to occasional (Water Zone 2 or 2-3).
Fertilizer Probably fine with light fertilizer.
Other Organic mulch fine in our climate.
Management: Prune as needed/desired. Remove suckers as needed. Beware of thorns when
pruning or picking fruits. Low maintenance plant.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed best; otherwise, 2-3 cold-moist by cuttings: yes; also suckers
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 11, 13, 14, 28, 42 4/2/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND