Source: California Invasive Plant Council

URL of this page: http://www.cal-ipc.org/landscaping/dpp/plantpage.php

Cal-IPC > Responsible Landscaping > Don't Plant a Pest > Central Valley Shrubs

Don't Plant a Pest

Shrubs of the Central Valley region

Choose another plant type for Central Valley

Invasive plants are listed in red boxes. Alternatives are listed below in green.
Invasive plants that are also a fire hazard are identified by this symbol:

Invasive! Do Not Plant! Invasive!

More/larger photos

Bridal broom, French broom, Portuguese broom, Scotch broom or Spanish broom

Retama monosperma, Genista monspessulana, Cytisus striatus, Cytisus scoparius or Spartium junceum

Brooms have invaded over one million acres in California. The flowers produce thousands of seeds that build up in the soil over time, creating dense thickets that obliterate entire plant and animal communities. Grows quickly, creating a fire hazard in residential landscapes. "Sterile" varieties haven't been independently verified or tested and are not recommended as substitutes.

“Sweet broom” (Cytisus spachiamus or Genista racemosa) is not known to be invasive. However, because we lack information on its potential for invading wildlands, we do not recommend it as a subsitute for other brooms.

Invasive! Do Not Plant! Invasive!

More/larger photos

scarlet wisteria

Sesbania punicea

New to California, spreading along the American River in central California. Also found in the Delta and in northern California. A serious problem in South Africa and Florida. Grows and spreads rapidly along river and stream corridors. Pushing out native vegetation and wildlife. Seeds are moved by washing downstream or are carried by birds.

Try these plants instead

More/larger photos

Bush poppy or Island bush poppy

Dendromecon rigida or D. harfordii

A native California shrub that is not yet widely available in nurseries. Evergreen shrub growing up to 6 feet tall or can be maintained at 3 feet. Leaves are blue-gray-green and the bush is covered in beautiful yellow blooms. Very drought tolerant once established. Needs pruning to maintain compact, landscape-friendly form. Deer resistant.

More/larger photos

Cleveland sage

Salvia clevelandii

A California native with graceful silvery-green leaves, arching branches, and whorls of purple flowers in spring and summer. Grows up to 4 feet tall

More/larger photos

coffeeberry

Rhamnus californica

Attractive native California shrub, 6 to 8 feet high. Bears black berries and tolerates all soil types. Ideal as a background or screen plant.

More/larger photos

Christmas berry, holly berry or toyon

Heteromeles arbutifolia

This California native is an evergreen shrub that produces delicate white flowers and large clusters of brilliant red berries that birds love. Can be pruned into a small tree. Deer resistant. Fire resistant.

More/larger photos

Jerusalem sage

Phlomis fruticosa

A dependable, silvery-leaved shrub with whorls of yellow flowers that will thrive in any well-drained soil. Deer resistant.

St. Catherine's lace

Eriogonum giganteum

A California native, this freely branching, grayish-white shrub has white flowers that attract butterflies. Could overwhelm a carefully maicured garden.

More/larger photos

Japanese kerria

Kerria japonica

Golden yellow flowers first appear in spring on this graceful shrub, and continue into summer. Stems remain bright green in winter after leaves fall. Deer resistant.

More/larger photos

forsythia

Forsythia x intermedia

Often the first plant to bloom in the spring, forsythia produces an astounding display of bright yellow flowers. Dozens of cultivars are available. Grows quickly.

More/larger photos

golden current

Ribes aureum

A California native, this shrub has a profusion of bright yellow flowers that turn into edible berries suitable for jams and jellies. Birds and butterflies love this plant. Deer resistant. Fire resistant.

[ top of page ]

Printer-friendly version