Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_30.gif)
Friday - June 01, 2012
From: Lake Forest, CA
Region: California
Topic: Plant Lists, Drought Tolerant, Trees
Title: Small to medium drought-tolerant trees for Southern California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for drought tolerant trees to line one side of our 70 foot driveway. We live in Southern California. Currently, we have queen palms, but I would like something more native or drought tolerant that doesn't get too big.ANSWER:
Here are a variety of drought-tolerant trees that grow in Orange County. I am not sure exactly what size you are looking for, but I have included a variety of sizes.
Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Hollyleaf cherry) grows 10 to 40 ft. high. Here are more photos and information from Theodore Payne Foundation.
Dodonaea viscosa (Florida hopbush) grows to 12 ft. high. Here are more photo and information from HorticultureUnlimitedInc.com.
Frangula californica [syn. = Rhamnus californica](California buckthorn) grows 6 to 15 ft. high. Here are photos and more information from Santa Barbara City College and Las Pilitas Nursery.
Fraxinus velutina (Arizona ash) grows 30 to 50 ft. Here are more photos and information from University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension Service and Las Pilitas Nursery.
Juniperus californica (California juniper) grows 10 to 15 ft. high. Here are photos and more information from Las Pilitas Nursery and BirdandHike.com.
Prosopis velutina (Velvet mesquite) grows 30 to 40 ft. high. Here are more photos and information from AridZoneTrees.com and the University of Arizona.
Quercus agrifolia (California live oak) generally grow 20 to 50 ft. high. Here are more photos and information from Las Pilitas Nursery and Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Drought tolerant Plants and moving Wax myrtles in Austin
April 30, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
What are the most fire resistant and drought tolerant plants for caliche soil in Austin area?
I am considering relocating or removing my wax myrtle shrubs because they are ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Savannah holly from Livingston TX
October 05, 2013 - Our Savannah Holly standards, planted in spring 2012, are now 10' tall, with 2-3" caliper trunks at the base. Some are in decline or have died. We thought the ribbons holding them to the nursery's ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native Canary Date Palms from Miami FL
December 06, 2011 - Hi: The fronts of my canary date palm, which I planted about 6 years ago, has been getting brown from the bottom of the tree and working itself towards the top for the past several months now. The b...
view the full question and answer
Problems with fruit of Mexican Plum from McKinney TX
May 19, 2013 - MY Mexican plum tree (about 5 years old) has small fruit on it. Some of them are severely deformed, and look rotten almost. They are bumpy and ragged looking. Or they are pasty white,rotten and dried ...
view the full question and answer
How close to a female tree will a male Possumhaw Holly need to be planted to ensure pollination in Plano, TX?
April 01, 2010 - I would like to plant a female Possumhaw Holly in my yard. Does a male need to be planted nearby in order for the female to have berries? If so, how close must the male tree be located?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |