Native Understory Plants for California Oaks

Create a sun-dappled garden with these shade-tolerant perennials and shrubs

One of our iconic trees here in Southern California is the oak ( Quercusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–11 ) . Whether they are grow as stand - alone specimens or in a plantation , the beauty of these tree is fear - inspiring . If you have an oak tree in your railway yard , you understand this and will require to do your part to protect them .

California - native oaks such as coast live oak tree ( Q. agrifolia , Zones 8–11 ) and valley oak ( Q. lobata , Zones 7–11 ) are adapted to our fuddled winter and wry summers , so keep this in mind will help oneself you make decision about nearby planting . The honorable thing you may do near an oak is mimic nature . This mean no lawns or other water - heavy understory planting .

Oaks shed their leaves ; leaving this material as a natural mulch is estimable . This practice boost the growth of beneficial fungi and protects the soil ’s ecosystem . I once learn someone refer to an oak ’s foliage litter as the tree ’s immune system . So keep that mulch in spot , and only plant to the trickle line ( the edge of the canopy ) . When planting , incorporate aborigine that may naturally grow in an oak understory canopy . Below are some of my favorites .

Catalina currant

Ribes viburnifolium , Zones 6–10

One of the most idealistic dry land covers for wry tad , this industrial plant is at home base under an oak tree . accomplish 2 to 3 feet tall with an arced habit , this currant bush is tolerant of most soils , let in clay . It has sheeny , round , dour green leaf and blood-red halt that offer twelvemonth - round smasher . It ’s very consistent in appearance and a reliable raiser in the shade , but it will burn off in too much sunlight . Catalina currant bush is native to Santa Catalina Island and Baja .

Hummingbird sage

Salvia spathacea , Zones 7–10

As gardeners , we are usually introduced to a novel plant in a garden or greenhouse . But my first encounter with this salvia was on a backpack head trip in the Santa Cruz area . And where did I spy a whole grove of these ? Under an oak , of course ! These beautiful sages have magenta prime and pass about 1 invertebrate foot magniloquent . spread , they will finally form a nice dependency . They are highly adaptable and can tolerate vary light and soil conditions but do best with dappled light and adequate drain . They can get powdery mildew , but simply spritz them with water and trim off poorly hit leaf . It ’s typically impermanent .

Snowberry

Symphoricarpos alba , Zones 4–10

A deciduous shrub reach about 4 metrical unit high , snowberry has an arching var. and small leaves , giving it a very finespun look . But looks can be deceiving , because it ’s a very hardy bush . It naturally grows along stream beds but withstands drought by go abeyant . The white berries are beloved by birds and the snowy white color is unique . It will spread out by rhizomes , but not too aggressively . It ’s also tolerant of various filth character .

California coffeeberry

Rhamnus californica , Zones 7–10

This is one giving workhorse in the garden . It ’s evergreen with shiny black green foliage . California California buckthorn has a healthy look and can even be used as a hedgerow . It offers a static backdrop to other plants that will flower , fade , and fluctuate with the season . Birds screw its red berry that turn black upon maturity date . It ’s very drought large-minded and can take many different land site condition . This coffeeberry reaches up to 8 foot tall but there are many cultivars that are more compact in size if that is an issue . It ’s worth finding a spot for this evergreen plant under an oak .

Chaparral currant

Ribes malvaceum , zone 7–10

One of my best-loved California indigen , chaparral currant bush is a graceful grower . The flowers are fragrant and drop like earrings . hummingbird adore these plant life in heap areas . This currant will appreciate more sun , so plant it in the dappled light of an oak tree or on the sunnier southern edge of the canopy . It will flower from October to March , offering wintertime beauty , and go sleeping in red-hot summers . As conditions poise and rainfall re-emerge , so will that foliage . It will get to 5 feet magniloquent and looks striking planted among bowlder .

— Cara Hanstein is a school principal nurseryman at the Huntington Library , Art Museum , and Botanical Gardens in San Marino , California .

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Leatherleaf California coffeeberry

‘Leatherleaf’ California coffeeberry forms a dense evergreen hedge in the shade. It is perfect as an understory plant.Photo: Kerry Ann Moore

garden under an oak tree

Oak understories offer Southern California gardeners a chance to have lush, green shade gardens not possible in many other areas of the garden.Photo: Cara Hanstein

Catalina currant