Gardenforms.com
PERENNIALS (H-Z)
In reference of "Gardenforms Landscape Plant Guide", Chapter 12
GLPG - Chapter 12 (FREE DOWNLOAD)
Heliotropium arborescens (HILIOTROPE)
Climate Zone: 15-17, 23, 24; H1, H2; (summer annual elsewhere); (seen in zone 19)
Exposure: Sun to partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height/Width: 3-4' x 2-3'
Foliage: Dark greent o purple-tinged leaves
Flowers: Fragrant dark violet, purple to white (summer)
Uses:
  • Poisonous Plant (if eaten)
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Fragrant Flowers
  • Deer Resistant
Photo Taken: Anaheim Hills, CA (Dunlap Residence)
Hemerocallis hybrids (DAYLILY)
Climate Zone: 1-24; H1, H2
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Height/Width: 1-4' x 2-3'
Foliage: Mid to dark green, strap-like leaves
Flowers:
  • 'Bitsy': 20-206" tall, 2" dia. bright yellow flowers (spring to summer)
  • 'Black-Eyed Stella': 14-22" tall, 3" dia. bright yellow-gold flowers with deep red eye (spring to fall)
  • 'Chartwell': 24-32" tall, 6" dia. fragrant dark purple flowers with yellow throats (spring)
  • 'Lavender': 18-24" tall, 6" dia. lavender flowers with green throats (spring)
  • 'Lee Bea Orange Crush': 22-28" tall, 6" dia. bright orange flowers with a fiery eye (spring to summer)
  • 'Little Bobo': 12-16" tall, 2" dia. red flowers with cream edges (spring)
  • 'Russian Rhapsody': 24-32" tall, violet-purple flowers with deep purple spots (year round)
  • 'Stella de Oro': 12-18" tall, 2.5" dia. bright golden-yellow (summer to fall)
  • 'Touched by Midas': 24-32" tall, 5" dia. bright gold (spring)
Uses:
  • Edible (all parts)
  • Slope Planting
  • Fire Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken:
Hesperaloe parviflora (RED YUCCA)
Climate Zone: 2b, 3, 7-16, 18-24
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: Very low to low
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 3-4' x 3-4'
Foliage: Sword-like, gray-green
Flowers: Pink to red flowers on 5' long stalks (spring to summer)
Uses:
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant (possibly)
Photo Taken: Yorba Linda, CA
Heuchera species (CORAL BELLS)
Climate Zone: A1-A3; 1-11, 14-24
Exposure: Sun to partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height/Width: 12-18" x 12-18"
Foliage: Varies upon the variety
Flowers: Red to pink on flower stalks above the foliage (spring to summer)
Uses:
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Erosion Control Slope Planting
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: Mendocino, CA
Iris douglasiana (DOUGLAS IRIS, PACIFIC COAST IRIS)
Climate Zone: 4-9, 14-24; (mix results in zone 3)
Exposure: Partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 18-24" x 1-2'
Foliage: Evergreen, dark-green, strap-like glossy leaves
Flowers: White, cream, yellow, brown, lavender-blue to reddish purple on flower stalks just above the foliage (spring)
Uses:
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Erosion Control Slope Planting
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
  • CA Native
Photo Taken:
Iris douglasiana 'Dorothea's Ruby' (PACIFIC COAST HYBRID IRIS)
Climate Zone: 4-9, 14-24; (mix results in zone 3)
Exposure: Partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 12-18" x 2-3'
Foliage: Evergreen, mid-green, strap-like glossy leaves
Flowers: Dark red flowers with cream margins (spring)
Uses:
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Erosion Control Slope Planting
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
  • CA Native
Photo Taken: Mendocino, CA

Juncus patens (CALIFORNIA GRAY RUSH)
Climate Zone: 4-9, 14-24
Exposure: Sun to partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Moderate to high
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Height/Width: 18-30" x 18-30"
Foliage: Clumping, upright, thin, blusih gray-green
Flowers: Small, dark brown flowers sprout on the side of the stems
Uses:
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Slope Planting (along stream beds)
  • Fire Resistant (possibly)
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
  • CA Native
Photo Taken: Orange County, CA
Kniphofia uvaria (RED-HOT POKER PLANT, TORCH LILY)
Climate Zone: 2-9, 14-24
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Height/Width: 2-3' x 2-3'
Foliage: Sword-like, light to mid-green or blue-green
Flowers: Red flowers that open to orange and fade yellow on 3-4' tall flower stalks (summer); in cold climates (fall)
Uses:
  • Erosion Control Slope Planting
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: Mendocino, CA
Limonium perezii (SEA LAVENDER, STATICE)
Climate Zone: 13, 15-17, 20-24; (often freezes in zones 14, 18, 19)
Exposure: Sun; tolerates partial exposure
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Fast
Height/Width: 12-18" x 2-3'
Foliage: Deep green
Flowers: Purple with white on 2-3' tall flower stalks just above foliage (spring to summer)
Uses:
  • Great Cut Flowers
  • Invasive Growth Habit
  • Erosion Control Slope Planting
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken:
Liriope muscari (BIG BLUE LILY TURF)
Climate Zone: 2b-10, 14-24; H1, H2
Exposure: Sun to shade
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Height/Width: 12-18" x 1-2'
Foliage: Dark green, thinnly strap-like
Flowers: Deep violet on flower stalks (summer)
Uses:
  • Shade Exposure
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
Photo Taken: Irvine, CA (Turtle Ridge Community), (bottom: El Sobrante, CA)
Lupinus albifrons (SILVERY LUPINE, CALIFORNIA LUPINE
Climate Zone:
Exposure: Sun
Watering:
Growth Rate: 
Height/Width: 3-5' x 2-3' 
Foliage: Silvery mid-green
Flowers: Light blue to violet purple
Uses:
  • Deer Resistant
  • Negative Affect on Livestock
  • CA Native
Photo Taken: Contra Costa County, CA (Highway 4, between Hercules and Martinez)
Nolina recurvata (syn. Beaucarnea recurvata)
(ELEPHANT FOOT TREE, PONYTAIL PALM)
Climate Zone: 13, 16-24; H1, H2; or indoors
Exposure: Sun 
Watering: Low
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 12-25' x 8-12'
Trunk: With maturity, develops an enlarged trunk base
Foliage: Numerous, strap-like, pale green leaves (up to 6' long)
Flowers: Creamy white (summer)
Uses:
  • Indoor Use
  • Fire Resistant
Photo Taken:
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Oenothera speciosa (MEXICAN EVENING PRIMROSE)
Climate Zone: 2b-24; H1, H2
Exposure: Sun
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height/Width: 12-18" x 2-3'+
Foliage: Mid-green
Flowers: Fragrant white to pinkish that matures to pink (spring to fall)
Uses:
  • Fragrant Flowers
  • Invasive Growth Habit (possibly)
  • Erosion Control Slope Planting
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: Mountain House, CA (Altamont Community)
Ophiopogon japonicus (MONDO GRASS)

Climate Zone: 5-9, 14-24; H1, H2
Exposure: Shade to partial
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
 Height/Width: 6-12" x 8-12"
Folaige: Dark green, thinnly strap-like
Fruits: Blue fruits
Uses:
  • Shade Exposure
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
Photo Description: Mondo Grass (outside), Japanese Sweet Flag (inside)
Photo Taken: San Mariano, CA (Huntington Botanical Gardens)
Pelargonium species (GERANIUM)
Climate Zone: 8, 9, 12-24; or indoors; (annual in zones A2, A3; 1-7, 10, 11)
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height/Width:
Foliage:
Flowers:
Uses:
  • Indoor Use
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
Photo Taken: Mendocino, CA
Penstemon species (BORDER PENSTEMON)
Climate Zone: 6-9, 14-24; (annual elsewhere, but winter annual in zones 12, 13)
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Fast
Height/Width: 1-4' x 1-3'
Foliage: Mid to dark green
Flowers: Dark maroon, bright red, deep violet, lavender, pink, salmon, yellow to white flowers on stalks just above the foliage (summer)
Uses:
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: Mendocino, CA
Ranunculus asiaticus
(PERSIAN BUTTERCUP, TURBAN RANUNCULES)
Climate Zone: 4-9, 12-24; (refer to Sunset Western Garden Book for additional climate information)
Exposure: Sun; partial to shade tolerant
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Height/Width: 8-24" x 6-12"
Foliage: Pale to dark green
Flowers: Red, orange, pink, yellow, cream, white or mixed colors (spring)
Uses:
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: Anaheim Hills, CA (Parker Residence)
Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa' (SPATHE FLOWER)
Climate Zone: 24; H1, H2 or indoors
Exposure: Shade to partial
Watering: Moderate to high
Growth Rate: 
Height/Width: 36-42" x 2-3'
Foliage: Light to dark green
Flowers: Cupped white bract opened to a white to greenish white club-shaped  with tiny flowers on 3-5' stalks just above the foliage
Uses:
  • Shade Exposure
  • Indoor Use
Photo Taken: Marin County Civic Center, CA (interior)
Stachys byzantina (LAMB'S EAR)
Climate Zone: 1-24
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height/Width: 6-12" x 2-3'
Foliage: Soft abd shaped like lamb ears, gray to gray-green
Flowers: Purple flowers on 12-18" fuzzy-gray stalks (summer)
Uses:
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: El Sobrante and Mendocino, CA
 
Strelitzia nicolai (GIANT BIRD OF PARADISE)
Climate Zone: 22-24; H1, H2; (protect in zones 12, 13); (seen grown in zones 16, 18-21; possibly can be grown in 17)
Exposure: Sun to partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 20-30' x 15-20'
Foliage: Long (5-10') broad, banana-shaped, mid-green
Flowers: White with dark blue that look bird-like on flower stalks (spring to fall); once established flowers drip a grayish sap
Uses:
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
Photo Taken: Costa Mesa, CA (below: Cal Poly Pomona)
Strelitzia reginae (BIRD OF PARADISE, CRANE FLOWER)
Climate Zone: 22-24; H1, H2; (under ovehangs that trap heat in zones 9, 12-21)
Exposure: Sun to partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 4-6' x 4-6'
Foliage: Dark green, slight broad leaves on long stems
Flowers: Orange, blue and white flowers that look bird-like on flower stalks just above the foliage (spring to fall); mild climates (year round)
Uses:
  • Great Cut Flowers
  • Shade Tolerate
  • Indoor Use (possibly)
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
Photo Taken: Los Angeles, CA (Getty Museum)
Tagetes lemmonii (BUSH MARIGOLD, COPPER CANYON DAISY)
Climate Zone: 8-10, 12-24
Exposure: Sun to partial; shade tolerate
Watering: Low to moderate
Growth Rate: Fast
Height/Width: 3-6' x 5-8'+
Foliage: Strong fragrant, lemon-like scent mid to dark green leaves, that are finely divided
Flowers: Yellowish-orange (fall to spring)
Uses:
  • Fragrant Foliage
  • Slope Planting
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: Anaheim Hills, CA (Smith Residence)
Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace' (VARIEGATED SOCIETY GARLIC)
Climate Zone: 13-24; H1, H2
Exposure: Sun
Watering: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
Height/Width: 12-18" x 18-24"
Foliage: Variegated, thinly mid-green and silver, strongly garlic-scented leaves
Flowers: Edible, purple to lavender flowers on 1-2' tall stalks (spring to summer)
Uses:
  • Fragrant Foliage
  • Edible Flowers (used for seasoning)
  • Indoor Use
  • Fire Resistant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Can grow under or around Oaks
Photo Taken: San Pablo, CA
Typha latifolia (CATTAIL)
Climate Zone*: A2, A3; 1a, 2a-24; (possible zone A1, 1b)
Exposure: Sun to partial
Watering: High
Growth Rate: Fast
Height/Width: 6-10' x indefinite width
Foliage: Upright, strap-like, mid-green
Flowers: Distinctive, cigar-shaped brown flowers on 8-12' tall flower stalks (summer) that fall apart (fall to winter)
Uses:
  • Invasive Growth Habit
Photo Taken: Riverside County, CA


*Climate Zones interpreted by author