The following plant list, which includes trees, shrubs
and ground covers, is limited to plants that have been part of official
screening trials and/or successfully used in landscapes in our area where
recycled water is in use. This selection includes many plants widely used
in Santa Clara County.
Converting to recycled water use does not necessarily
mean making radical changes in your plant palette. If you have plants
in your landscape that are not included in this list, it does not mean
they are incompatible with recycled water. South Bay Water Recycling encourages
its customers to try other plants as well.
There are many parameters that guide landscape decisions.
By understanding these interrelated factors - seasonal rainfall, temperatures,
evapotranspiration rates, soil characteristics and water quality - you
can select from a wide range of plants and develop landscapes that are
appropriate to your site. Again, proper management of all facets is key
to successful landscaping
Scientific
Name |
Common Name |
Height
Spread |
Type |
Growth
Rate |
Water
Requirement |
Soil |
| Trees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Acacia melanoxylon |
Blackwood Acacia |
40-20 |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Moderate |
Well drained |
Acer
palmatum |
Japanese Maple |
20-20 |
Deciduous |
Low/Mod |
Moderate |
Well drained |
Albizia
julibrissin |
Silk Tree |
40-40 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Alnus
cordata |
Italian Alder |
40-25 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Alnus
rhombifolia |
White Alder |
50-40 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Mod/High |
Adaptable |
Arbutus
unedo |
Strawberry Tree |
25-25 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Betula
pendula |
European White Birch |
30-20 |
Deciduous |
Moderate |
Mod/High |
Well drained |
Casuarina
stricta |
Drooping She-Oak |
35-20 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
Cedrus
deodara |
Deodar Cedar |
80-40 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
Celtis
australis |
European Hackberry |
40-30 |
Deciduous |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Celtis
sinensis |
Chinese Hackberry |
35-35 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Ceratonia
siliqua |
Carob |
35-35 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Cinnamomum camphora |
Camphor Tree |
50-50 |
Evergreen |
Slow |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Eucalyptus camaldulensis |
Red Gum |
100-80 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Eucalyptus globulus 'Compacta' |
Compact Blue Gum |
60-50 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
'Rosea' |
White Ironbark |
50-30 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
Eucalyptus
rudis |
Flooded Gum |
50-50 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Eucalyptus sideroxylon |
Red Ironbark |
50-30 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood' |
Raywood Ash |
30-30 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Fraxinus
uhdei |
Evergreen Ash |
75-50 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Fraxinus
velutina
'Modesto' |
Modesto Ash |
50-30 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Gleditsia tricanthos
inermis |
Shademaster Honeylocust |
30-30 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Lagerstroemia fauriei
'Mustogee' |
Crape Myrtle |
20-20 |
Deciduous |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Scientific
Name |
Common Name |
Height
Spread |
Type |
Growth
Rate |
Water
Requirement |
Soil |
| Lagerstroemia indica |
Crape Myrtle |
15-15 |
Deciduous |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
| Leptospermum laevigatum |
Australian Tea Tree |
30-30 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Magnolia grandiflora |
Magnolia |
80-40 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Metrosideros excelsus |
New Zealand Christmas |
30-30 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Morus
alba |
White Mulberry |
30-35 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Myoporum
laetum |
Myoporum |
30-20 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Olea europea |
Olive |
30-30 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Olea europea 'Manzanillo' |
Olive |
30-30 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Low |
Adaptable |
Pinus
canariensis |
Canary Island Pine |
60-50 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Pinus
halepensis |
Aleppo Pine |
50-50 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Pinus
radiata |
Monterey Pine |
80-80 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Pistacia
chinensis |
Chinese Pistache |
60-50 |
Deciduous |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
| Pittosporum eugenioides |
blank |
40-20 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Platanus
acerfolia 'Bloodgood' |
London Plane Tree |
75-40 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Populus
nigra 'Italica' |
Lombardy Poplar |
75-20 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Mod/High |
Adaptable |
Prunus
cerasifera
'Krauter
Vesuvius' |
Purple Leaf Plum |
20-15 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Prunus
ilicifolia |
Hollyleaf Cherry |
25-30 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Well drn/Adapt |
Prunus
yedoensis 'Akebono' |
Yoshino Flowering Cherry |
25-25 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Pyrus
calleryana 'Bradford' |
Ornamental Pear |
50-30 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Pyrus
kawakamii |
Evergreen Pear |
25-25 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Salix
babylonica |
Weeping Willow |
40-40 |
Deciduous |
Fast |
Mod/High |
Adaptable |
Schinus
molle |
California Pepper Tree |
40-40 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Sequoia sempervirens |
Coast Redwood |
75-30 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Mod/High |
Adaptable |
Scientific
Name |
Common Name |
Height
Spread |
Type |
Growth
Rate |
Water
Requirement |
Soil |
| Shrubs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abelia
grandiflora |
Glossy Abelia |
5-8 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Camellia
japonica
cultivars |
Camellia |
varies |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Moderate |
Well drained |
| Ceanothus griseum horizonalis |
Wild Lilac |
2-15 |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Low |
Well drained |
Cistus
'Doris
Hibberson' |
Rockrose |
3-3 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Low |
Well drained |
Dodonaea
viscosa |
Hoopseed Bush |
15-10 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
Echium
fastuosum |
Pride of Madeira |
5-5 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Escallonia exoniensis 'Frades' |
Escallonia |
5/6-5 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Grevillea
'Noelii' |
|
4-5 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Hakea
suaveolens |
Sweet-scented Hakea |
15-15 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia |
Toyon |
20-15 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Hypericum moserianum |
Gold Flower |
3-3 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa' |
Hollywood Juniper |
15-15 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Lavandula
species |
Lavender |
3-3 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' |
Wax-Leaf Privet |
10-10 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Mahonia aquifolium |
Oregon Grape |
6-6 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low |
Adaptable |
Myrtus
communis 'Compacta' |
Dwarf Myrtle |
3-3 |
Evergreen |
Slow |
Low |
Adaptable |
| Nandina domestica |
Heavenly Bamboo |
6-4 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Nerium
oleander & cultivars |
Oleander |
varies |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Low |
Adaptable |
Phormium
tenax |
New Zealand Flax |
varies |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Photinia
fraseri |
Photinia |
0/15-1 |
Evergreen |
Fast/Mod |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Pittosporum
tobira and cultivars |
Tobira |
varies |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Prunus
ilicifolia |
Hollyleaf Cherry |
15-15 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Well drn/Adapt |
Pyracantha
'Santa Cruz' |
Firethorn |
5-5 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Rhaphiolepis indica & cultivrs |
India Hawthorn |
varies |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
| Rosmarinus officinalis 'Collingwood Ingram' |
Prostrate Rosemary |
3-4 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
| Viburnum suspensum |
Sandankwa Viburnum |
10-10 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Viburnum tinus 'Spring Boquet' |
Laurustinus |
6-6 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Xylosma congestum |
Shiny Xylosma |
10-10 |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Scientific
Name |
Common Name |
Height
Spread |
Type |
Growth
Rate |
Water
Requirement |
Soil |
| Groundcovers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Contoneaster horzontalis |
Rock Cotoneaster |
3-15 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Coprosma
kirkii |
|
3-5 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Hedera canariensis |
Algerian Ivy |
1-15 |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Hypericum calycinum |
St. Johnswort |
1-3 |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Lantana montevidensis 'Carnaval' |
Lantana |
2-4 |
Evergreen |
Mod/Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Myoporum parvifolium
'Putah Creek' |
Myoporum |
1-8 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Osteospermum fruticosum |
Trailing African Daisy |
1-4 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Trachelospermum jasminoides |
Star Jasmine |
2-5 |
Evergreen |
Low/Mod |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Vines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clematis
armandii |
Evergreen Clematis |
20 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Well drained |
| Macfadyena unguis-cati |
Cat's Claw |
25/40 |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Wisteria
sinensis |
Chinese Wisteria |
20 |
Deciduous |
Mod/Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Perennials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Agapanthus 'Queen Ann' |
Lily of the Nile |
blank |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Agapanthus africana |
Lily of the Nile |
|
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Agapanthus africana 'Peter Pan' |
Dwarf Lily of the Nile |
blank |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
| Dietes and cultivars |
Fortnight Lily |
|
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Lantana
camara |
Yellow Sage |
blank |
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
| Lantana montevidensis |
Trailing Lantana |
|
Evergreen |
Fast |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Tulbaghia
violacea |
Society Garlic |
blank |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Adaptable |
Scientific
Name |
Common Name |
Height
Spread |
Type |
Growth
Rate |
Water
Requirement |
Soil |
| Native Grass Covers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bromus
carinatus |
California Brome |
30"/24" |
Summer Dormant |
Mod/High |
Moderate |
Deep/Adaptable |
| Deschampsia caespitosa |
California Tufted Hairgrass |
2/1 |
Evergreen |
Slow/Mod |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
Elymus
glaucus |
Blue Wildrye |
2'/18" |
Evergreen |
Mod/High |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Elymus
triticoides |
Creeping Wildrye |
4' creeping |
Evergreen |
Slow/High |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Festuca
californica |
Western Fescue |
2-4' |
Evergreen |
Slow |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Festuca idahoensis |
Idaho Fescue |
1-2' |
Evergreen |
Slow |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
Festuca
longifolia |
Hard Fescue |
12" |
Evergreen |
Slow |
Low/Mod |
Well drn/Adapt |
Festuca
rubra |
Molate Fescue |
14" |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Festuca rubra 'Molate Blue' |
Molate Blue Fescue |
14 |
Evergreen |
Moderate |
Low/Mod |
Well drn/Adapt |
| Hordeum brachyantherus |
Meadow Barley |
2'/2' |
Summer Dormant |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Milica
imperfecta |
Coast Range Melic |
2'/2' |
Summer Dormant |
Slow |
Low |
Well drn/Adapt |
Stipa
cernua |
Nodding Needle Grass |
2'/1' |
Summer Dormant |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |
Stipa
pulchra |
Purple Needle Grass |
1'/1' |
Summer Dormant |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Adaptable |