TREES (updated 12 October, 2007)
The Friends of U.C. Riverside Botanic Gardens 25th Annual
FALL PLANT SALE
Public Sale Saturday, October 20, 12 noon to 5 pm and Sunday, October 21, 9 am to 3 pm
KEY TO THE CODES AT END OF THE PLANT DESCRIPTIONS:
H* - attracts Hummingbirds
B* - attracts Butterflies or feeds butterfly larvae
W* - Water efficient/drought tolerant plants
C* - California native plant or derivative
F* - especially good cut Flower or cut Foliage
S* - fragrant flowers ("S" for Scented)
The number of plants we expect to have available at the sale appears in brackets at the end of the plant description.
Acacia greggii, "CATCLAW ACACIA" - Drought tolerant, deciduous small tree/large shrub w/ spiny branches & tiny,
ferny leaves; flowers are fragrant, creamy yellow bottle-brushes produced spring to fall if irrigated. [10] (H*W*C*S*)
Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Dr. Hurd', "DR. HURD MANZANITA" - Calif. native small tree or large shrub to 15 ft. w/
mahogany bark, large, light green leaves & clusters of white, urn-shaped flowers in late winter; well adapted to gardens
& handsome all year. [20] (H*B*W*C*)
Bauhinia x blakeana (grafted), "HONG KONG ORCHID TREE" - Partly deciduous tree w/ large, gray green, 2-lobed
leaves & 5-6-in. deep rose-purple, fragrant flowers w/ pink stamens; flowers from fall to mid-spring (grafted to B.
variegata). [6] (H*)
Bauhinia variegata, "PURPLE ORCHID TREE" - Spectacular, deciduous tree w/ light green, 2-lobed leaves & 3-in.
purple, orchidlike flowers in late winter/early spring (a few may have white flowers). [48/7] (H*)
Caesalpinia mexicana, "MEXICAN BIRD-OF-PARADISE" - Heat-loving, small tree or large shrub w/ ferny, blue-green
leaves & showy clusters of lemon yellow flowers throughout warm weather; needs good drainage. [20] (H*W*)
Callistemon 'King's Park Special', "KING'S PARK SPECIAL BOTTLE BRUSH" - Hybrid small tree/large shrub w/
narrow leaves & masses of bright red, bottlebrush flowers over long spring & summer season; hummingbird favorite.
[20] (H*W*)
Calocedrus decurrens, "INCENSE CEDAR" - Large, Calif. native, evergreen tree w/ dense, pyramidal crown & aromatic
foliage & wood; branches popular in holiday decorating. [20] (W*C*)
Casimiroa edulis, "WHITE SAPOTE" - Subtropical tree, deciduous in frost, w/ shiny green, hand-shaped, divided leaves
& 3-4 in., pale yellow fruit w/ tropical flavor & custard-like texture (seedlings of 'Vernon'). [35]
Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman', "RAY HARTMAN CEANOTHUS" - Drought tolerant, wide-spreading, small tree or large
shrub (depending on training), w/ 2-3 in. leaves, dark green leaves & 3-5 in., spikelike clusters of medium blue flowers
in spring. [20] (B*W*C*)
Cercidium praecox, "SONORAN PALO VERDE" - Drought tolerant, fast-growing, small tree w/ lime green bark, tiny
leaves, & covered w/ light yellow flowers in spring. [6] (H*W*)
Chilopsis linearis, "DESERT WILLOW" - Calif. native, fast-growing small tree or large shrub w/ airy appearance;
willow-like leaves & trumpet-shaped, light pink flowers over long spring/summer season. [16] (H*W*C*)
Chilopsis linearis 'Purple Splendor' , "DESERT WILLOW" - Calif. native, fast-growing small tree or large shrub w/ airy
appearance; willow-like leaves & trumpet-shaped, rich purple flowers w/ red-purple lips born over long spring/summer
season. [30] (H*W*C*)
Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn', "CHITALPA" - Water efficient, small tree w/ willow-like leaves & clusters of pink,
trumpet-shaped flowers in summer; hybrid of desert willow & catalpa tree. [20/4] (C*H*W*)
Chorisia insignis, "WHITE FLOSS SILK TREE" - Rare, briefly deciduous, thick-trunked tree w/ green bark studded
w/ dark thorns & 5-in., creamy white, daylily-like flowers in late summer/fall. [7] (H*W*)
Cinnamomum camphora, "CAMPHOR TREE" - Slow growing, evergreen tree to 50 ft. high & wide w/ thick,
picturesque branches & shiny, yellow green leaves that are pink when young; plant away from pavement/structures. [25]
(W*)
Citrus hystrix, "KIEFFIR LIME, MAKRUT" - Choice, evergreen large shrub or small tree with hourglass shaped leaves,
white, fragrant flowers & small, bumpy fruit; both leaves & fruit popular in Thai & other asian cooking. [23] (S*)
Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans', "PLUME CEDAR" - Dense, slow-growing, evergreen conifer w/ tiered branches &
feathery, blue-green foliage that turns a striking bronze-purple in winter. [5]
Cupressus sargentii, "SARGENT CYPRESS" - California native, evergreen tree; grows fast to 10 ft., then slowly to 30+
ft., easily kept smaller; gray bark, gray -green scalelike leaves & hard, round cones. [11] (W*C*)
Erythrina cristi-galli, "COCKSPUR CORAL TREE" - Unusual, small tree or large shrub w/ thick branches & clusters
of velvety, brick or wine red flowers intermittent over long spring to fall season; hummingbird favorite. [14] (H*)
Eucalyptus erythrocorys, "RED CAP GUM" - Spectacular small tree w/ white bark & long, leathery leaves; brilliant
red "cap" falls to reveal 2-in. bright yellow flowers in winter; much or little water. [5] (H*W*)
Eucalyptus shirleyi, "SILVER-LEAVED IRONBARK" - Striking small tree w/ rough, gray-black bark, contrasting w/
the leathery, gray-green leaves & clusters of creamy-white, brush-like flowers. [11] (H*W*)
Fraxinus greggii, "LITTLE LEAF ASH" - Small, evergreen desert tree from AZ to TX; tiny, leathery leaves divided into
3 to 7 small leaflets; little water once established; good as small, multi-trunked tree or large screening shrub. [15] (W*)
Firmiana simplex, "CHINESE PARASOL TREE" - Choice, deciduous tree w/ distinctive, thick branches, huge lobed
leaves & handsome green bark; small, yellow flowers are followed by interesting, leaf-like pods. [27/22/8]
Ginkgo biloba, "GINKGO TREE" - Slow-growing, deciduous tree w/ light green, fan-shaped leaves that color yellow
in fall; unsexed seedlings -- female trees may bear malodorous fruit, edible seeds. [30]
Hakea petiolaris, "SEA URCHIN HAKEA" - Choice small tree/large shrub from Aust., w/ oval, gray-green leaves &
dense, pink, pincushion-like flower clusters that age to maroon; fall/winter blooming; good drainage & no phosphorus
fertilizer. [6] (H*W*)
Harpephyllum caffrum, "SOUTH AFRICAN WILD PLUM" - Fast-growing, evergreen tree w/ shiny dark green, leathery,
pinnate leaves, large clusters of small, cream-colored flowers & red, olive-sized, tart, edible fruit. [9]
Heteromeles arbutifolia, "TOYON" - Versatile, water-efficient small tree/large shrub w/ glossy leaves & large clusters
of white flowers in summer, red berries in winter. [20] (H*B*W*C*)
Hovenia dulcis, "CHINESE RAISIN TREE" - Deciduous tree w/ gracefully layered branches, bright green, pointed
leaves, tiny, fragrant flowers & branching clusters of small fruits, whose plump stems are raisin-like & edible. [5]
Koelreuteria elegans, "FLAMEGOLD" - Medium-sized, deciduous tree w/ large, divided leaves, large clusters of yellow
flowers in summer & masses of salmon-colored, lantern-like capsules in late summer/fall. [17]
Luma (Myrceugenella) apiculata, "PALO COLORADO" - Choice, slow-growing, small tree/large shrub w/ cinnamon-colored bark, small, glossy, leathery leaves, fluffy clusters of white flowers that age pink & edible blue berries. [15]
(W*)
Melaleuca nesophylla, "PINK MELALEUCA" - Fast-growing, small tree or large shrub w/ thick, spongy bark, bright
green leaves, & 1-in., rounded, brushlike clusters of mauve flowers much of year. [20] (H*W*)
Myrtus communis, "MYRTLE" - Versatile, evergreen small tree/large shrub w/ dark green, shiny, aromatic leaves,
fragrant, fluffy, white flowers & blue berries; can be hedged or open pruned; slow to form tree size. [20] (W*F*)
Nolina matapensis, "SONORAN TREE BEARGRASS" - Yucca-like perennial gradually forming a 8-20 ft., dark trunk
topped by flexible, sword-shaped, dark green leaves; in age producing a tall branching spike of tiny, white flowers. [4]
(W*)
Phoenix reclinata, "SENEGAL DATE PALM" - Picturesque, clumping palm w/ multiple arching trunks & feather-type
fronds; good for landscape or containers; hardy to 28. [30]
Pittosporum tenuifolium, "TAWHIWHI" - Evergreen, New Zealand native tree w/ near black twigs & leaf stalks, wavy
dark green leaves & clusters of tiny, cream-colored flowers in spring/summer. [20]
Pittosporum undulatum, "VICTORIAN BOX" - Tree or large shrub w/ long, wavy-edged, shiny green leaves & clusters
of very fragrant, creamy white flowers in spring; grows fast to 15 ft., then more slowly to 30 or 40 ft. [11] (S*)
Platanus racemosa, "CALIFORNIA SYCAMORE" - Large, picturesque, Calif. native tree w/ pretty bark & large, maple-like leaves; for large, informal or natural gardens w/ some summer irrigation. [10/8] (B*C*)
Podocarpus latifolius, "YELLOWWOOD" - Rarely offered, versatile, evergreen tree forming a dense crown of long,
narrow, gray green leaves; can be trained as tree or shrub. [4]
Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon', "FLYING DRAGON" - Uncommon, deciduous, tree w/ contorted, viciously spiny,
green branches, sweetly scented white flowers & decorative but inedible fruit; especially striking in winter. [28] (F*)
Prosopis glandulosa 'City of Phoenix', "HONEY MESQUITE" - Fast-growing (w/ some irrigation), drought tolerant,
evergreen tree of picturesque form; tiny, ferny leaves and dense, finger-like spikes of creamy yellow flowers in spring.
[15] (B*W*)
Prosopis pubescens, "SCREWBEAN MESQUITE" - Adaptable, Calif. native tree or large shrub w/ spiny branches, tiny,
blue-green leaves & yellow, bottlebrush flowers in spring followed by curious, spiraled seed pods. [15/8] (B*W*C*)
Prunus ilicifolia, "HOLLY LEAF CHERRY" - Versatile, drought tolerant, evergreen tree or shrub w/ leathery, hollylike
leaves & spikes of creamy-white flowers in spring; Calif. native. [20] (B*W*C*)
Prunus lusitanica, "PORTUGAL LAUREL" - Water efficient, single or multi-trunked tree or large shrub from Spain
& Portugal; 5-in, shiny, dark green leaves & 5-10 in. spikes of creamy white flowers in spring/summer. [10] (B*W*)
Quercus agrifolia, "COAST LIVE OAK" - Tough, drought tolerant, wide-spreading tree, w/ hollylike leaves; fast-growing in youth, picturesque in age; Calif. native. [11] (B*W*C*)
Quercus lobata, "VALLEY OAK" - Majestic, low-water-use, deciduous, large tree w/ thick, spreading branches &
handsome, deeply lobed leaves; fairly fast growth w/ some irrigation. [25/27/4] (B*W*C*)
Quercus suber, "CORK OAK" - Large, drought tolerant, evergreen tree from Mediterranean area w/ leathery, toothed,
two-tone leaves & classic, corky, fissured bark which is the cork of commerce; good drainage. [18/8] (B*W*)
Sabal mexicana, "OAXACA PALMETTO" - Handsome, heat-loving, slow-growing palm w/ 3-ft., dark green, fan-shaped
fronds, eventually forming a slender trunk to 50 ft.; said to be hardy to 10 degrees F. [15]
Sambucus mexicana, "BLUE ELDERBERRY" - Adaptable, Calif. native, deciduous tree w/ compound leaves, large,
flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers & clusters of frosted blue berries used in jams, etc; attractive to birds.
[10] (B*W*C*)
Schotia brachypetala, "TREE FUCHSIA" - Uncommon, slow-growing South African tree or shrub w/ handsome, shiny
dark green compound leaves & clusters of pea-shaped, crimson flowers born mostly on older wood. [8/4] (H*S*)
Sequoia sempervirens, "COAST REDWOOD" - Fast-growing, Calif. native, evergreen tree w/ handsome, red-brown,
fibrous-barked trunk, a conical crown of gracefully weeping branches, & bright green, ferny, aromatic foliage. [13] (C*)
Sophora secundiflora, "TEXAS MOUNTAIN-LAUREL" - Choice, heat-loving, slow-growing tree w/ dark green, shiny
leaflets & wisteria-like, violet blue flowers w/ delicious grape scent that lasts after drying; seeds poisonous. [92]
(B*W*S*)
Tecoma 'Orange Jubilee', "ORANGE BELLS" - Rare color form of this popular favorite -- small tree/large shrub w/
feathery foliage & clusters of trumpet-shaped, orange flowers over long season. [25] (H*W*)
Vauquelinia corymbosa v. heterodon, "SLIMLEAF ROSEWOOD" - Southwest native, water efficient small tree/large
shrub related to our Calif. native toyon; 6-in, leathery, toothed leaves & showy, flattened clusters of tiny white flowers
in late spring. [19/10] (B*W*)
Vitex agnus-castus 'Pink Sensation', "CHASTE TREE" - Tough, fast-growing small tree or large shrub w/ pretty, hand-shaped leaves & dense, conical spikes of small, pink, fragrant flowers over long summer season. [20] (B*W*S*)
Vitex agnus-castus 'Stony Point', "CHASTE TREE" - Tough, fast-growing small tree or large shrub w/ pretty, hand-shaped leaves & dense, conical spikes of small, dark blue purple, fragrant flowers over long summer season. [20]
(B*W*S*)
Washingtonia robusta, "MEXICAN FAN PALM" - Note: we have been asked to remove this tree from the sale because of its potential as an invasive plant in southern California. [0]