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Buxus microphylla |
Japanese Boxwood/ Small-Leaved Boxwood - Discovered in the outskirts of Japan and Korea in the late 1400s. Once Japan underwent a greater establishment of inner-cities, the curious little shrub became extinct. Trade of boxwoods in China spread their popularity amongst Bonsai Artists of that era. The small leaf size allowed for fine edges with pruning. Served also, in Japanese Tea Houses, as an excellent hedge or groundcover.
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Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum |
Croton/ Variegated Laurel - One of the most exotic and vibrant plants in the world. Native to Indonesia. Many variants exist along the Eastern Pacific Islands. Every Island contains a unique foliage color pattern, due to new recombinant mutations between genetic loci.
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Cordyline spp. |
Cordyline - The Cordyline genus is comprised into 15 species. Native to New Guinea and Eastern Australia. One of the more famous of the Cordylines is the "Red Star", also known amongst botanists as Cordyline australis. Currently, in some Pacific Islands, the starchy components of the leaves are used in popular local dishes. Many of the Hawaiian Islands contain all 15 species dispersed throughout jungles.
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Juniperus chinensis var. torulosa |
Hollywood Juniper - Native to the country of China. Referred to as the Hollywood Juniper by all botanists. An exceptional juniper for Japanese, Chinese, and Woodland gardens. A slow growing specimen. When purchased in smaller sizes, it serves as a shrub. If guided by grower, multiple layers can be established to create a full fledge tree. Expresses a light pine smell. Little pruning is required.
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Leptospermum scoparium |
New Zealand Tea Tree - Considered either a shrub or a small tree in the plant kingdom. Native to New Zealand. Often found throughout Sydney, Australia. A popular plant in many homes in South Wales and Tasmania. Many flower color variants exist, such as pink, red, purple, white, and lavender. Most, fortunately for Californians, are highly adaptable to the various climates in Southern and Northern California.
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Ligustrum japonicum |
Japanese Privet/ Waxleaf Privet - Native to the eastern regions of Japan. Able to withstand mild snow and virtually any climate condition or soil type in the whole state of California.
Requires low maintenance to sustain its shape once pruned. In Japan, this specimen is used as a hedge, shrub or as a bonsai plant in Traditional Japanese gardens, as seen in Kyoto, Japan.
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Loropetalum chinense var rubrum |
Rubrum/ Chinese Fringe Flower - A native of China. Blooms a vibrant pink flower days before the Chinese New Year. Currently, grown in many Western Japanese garden landscapes throughout North America. Contains marvelous dark burgundy leaves and a cascading stature.
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Myrsine africana |
African Boxwood - Native to the northern regions of the continent of Africa, along the Mediterranean Sea, and southern coast of China. Often a commonly mis-identified species with the Japanese Boxwood. This specimen contains a smaller, finer leaflet with dark red stems. The leaves grow in a vertical fashion. Commonly used in Formal French gardens in crevices that require finer angles, such as corner fountains.
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Nandina domestica |
Heavenly Bamboo - Native to Japan. A pseudo-bamboo that can be found in a dwarf and standard form. Accentuates Chinese and Japanese gardens across the world. It contains a compound leaflet that extends in a non-branching manner. A widely adaptable shrub for many soil types, districts with extreme temperatures, and areas with a drought susceptibility. Produces non-edible reddish berries and white flowers.
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Phormium spp. |
New Zealand flax - Native to New Zealand. Flax originate from a large genus that encompasses many different variations in leaf length, color variation, and medicinal properties. Supposedly, some locals still boil the roots to produce an extract that is then applied as a topical agent on bacterial abscesses, atopic dermatitis, and squamous cell tumors. Because of the unique properties of the leaf fibers, New Zealand locals extract byproducts for producing natural herbal medications. Also, indigenous people from Maori would synthesize sweet products from the flowers of this specimen. Many herbalist travel throughout New Zealand and surrounding islands, such as Norfolk Island, for Phormium varieties. A wide array of color variations and hybrids can be found in different temperature regions.
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Rhododendron spp. |
Azalea/ Rhododendron - Distinguishable for its 3000 color variations in 5 continents. These shrubs require an acidic soil composition, little pruning, and adequate moisture. Its moisture requirements explains why they thrive in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.
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Rosa spp. |
Roses - Truly a plant that requires very little explanation. Roses have existed for many 1000s of years. According to botanists and the Rose Society, roses trace back to countries along the Mediterranean Sea. Often, roses come in variable statures--shrubs, trees, and vines. The variated statures are subdivided by growth habit. An excellent specimen for Italian, Mediterranean, and English gardens.
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