Shrub & Groundcovers E-F
From a design perspective, shrubs and ground covers are the walls and boundaries of the yard. But they can also be focal points.
From a wildlife perspective, they provide habitat. They also hold organic debris to the ground which enriches the soil as they grow. Most of these plants will service wildlife in other ways too—as nectar plants, larval host plants, and more.
When selecting plants, pay attention to the eventual dimensions, cold hardiness, and other needs the plant has, so that you are putting the right plant in the right place.
Photo of Fallugia paradoxa, Apache Plume, by Andrew Tree, iNaturalist

Margarita Bush (Echinopterys eglandulosa)

California Brittlebush (Encelia californica)

Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)

Button Brittlebush (Encelia frutescens)

Hierba del Bazo (Encelia halimifolia)

The Jointfirs (Ephedra spp)

Cliff Goldenbush (Ericameria cuneata)

Turpentine Bush (Ericameria laricifolia)

Rubber Rabbitbush (Ericameria nauseosa)

Flattop Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

Wright's Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii)

Mexican Bird of Paradise (Erythrostemon mexicanus)

Palo Piejo (Erythrostemon palmeri)

Western Coral Bean (Erythrina flabelliformis)

Candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphyllitica)

Baja Spurge (Euphorbia xanti)

Desert Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia orthocarpa)

Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa)

American Tarwort (Flourensia cernua)

New Mexico Olive (Forestiera pubescens)

Desert Olive (Forestiera shrevei)

The Genus Frangula, Buckthorn
