Well, something's pretty much always in bloom in sunny SoCal. In late winter that includes camellias and early azaleas such as Alaska. But what about some other fabulous flowering shrubs that also deserve a place in the winter-to-early-spring garden?
We’ve assemble five that you might consider as you plan and plot what to plant this spring. All are easy to grow, waterwise once established (where’s the rain, right?), and can take for the most part can tolerate some heat.
If you're not happy with your garden, spring planting is the perfect time to prep for this time next year.
(For even more choices, check out other regions as zones can overlap: Northeast, Southeast, South, Midwest ,Northwest)
Green-Leaved Euryops (Euryops pectinatus ‘Viridis’)
Blooms nearly year-round but the biggest show is in early spring. Perfect plant for filling open spaces in a hurry. Ideal for beds and borders where its too hot or dry for other shrubs. Pair with Russian sage for a killer display. Partial to full sun. Up to 6 ft. tall and wide. Zone: 8 – 11
Leon’s Purple Delight™ Lilac Hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii ‘MonLeon’)
A few tropicals have a place in every warm-zone garden. We love this for it's waterwise ways, the way it fills a container, and adds a pop to a border. Full sun. Up to 6 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide. Zone: 9 – 11
Alexander Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana ‘Alexandrina’)
This medium sized tree or large shrub is unmatched for elegant beauty and old-fashioned charm. Blooms as the camellias are winding down. Full sun. Up to 20 ft. tall as a tree; smaller as a shrub. Zone: 5 – 9
Bottle Pop™ Neon Pink Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Neon Pink’)
Nearly constantly in bloom in the warmest zones, bottlebrush adds a whimsical note to hot, dry, minimal-care gardens. Pair with grasses and lavenders. Full sun. Up to 12 ft. tall and 10 ft. wide. Zone: 8 – 11
Azure Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’)
Let’s count the ways we love this–wonderful azure blue flowers in spring, drought tolerant, bee-magnet, tolerates poor soils, deer resistant. Pair with lavenders. Full sun. Up to 6 ft. tall and wide. Zone: 8 – 10
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