Small Tree Suggestion for Coastal Southern CA

6 years ago

I am looking to purchase small ornamental trees (15') for our backyard. We live just a few blocks from the ocean and our soil is largely clay. We are planting on a bank that is supported by a retaining wall so I need to be careful of size.

Any recommendations? Would a magnolia be a good choice? Thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
6 years ago
15' is more a medium or large-ish shrub than a tree. Many shrubs can be limbed up as small trees and will be a more appropriate size for a smaller, beach-city garden. A "small" tree is in the 25' range. Check the section of "patio trees" list in the Sunset Western Garden Book. Other ideas would be Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon', Metrosideros 'Springfire', Eriobotrya deflexa, Magnolia x soulangiana 'Black Tulip' or similar.

Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' or Magnolia 'Little Gem' are a standard recommendation in Southern California, but they will eventually get much larger than 15' if allowed to (though it takes time) and can eventually develop quite a root system. They are "dwarf", yes, but keep in mind the non-dwarf version can get 60-80' feet tall. 30' is "dwarf" only by comparison.

'Marjorie Channon' is always described as 6'-8', but mine made it to 12' pretty quickly and without much care. At its very best near the ocean.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
agree .... shape a shrub into tree form ......

the usual caveat is that trees really never stop growing ... so it would be very hard to find one.. that magically stops at 15 feet ...

you will either have to buy one that grows very slow.. so it a long time to 15 feet ... or you will have to be out there beating it back with a stick.. or saw ...

shrubs .. on the other hand .... seem to have limits to height .... but even those.. given decades ... can exceed the height ... but are more amiable to pruning them back ... rather than topping them ...

ken
Related Discussions
Ideas for a Coastal Southern California Orchard
Q
Comments (8)
Santa Barbara on a slope facing west - life is good! :) I'm in a hot inland valley, so my results may vary a bit from your situation. I have a young and productive Flavor Grenade Pluot on Myro 29c that is doing really well with full west exposure. Myro 29c has good vigor and drought tolerance for me, and FG Pluot is a sweet and crunchy winner. Citation is less vigorous and drought tolerant for me, but Dapple Dandy & Flavor King Pluots are must haves and are doing well. If I had it to do over again I would have bought all plums and pluots on Myro. Burgundy plum is a big winner, and a great pollinator. Arctic Star Nectarine is another winner for me, as are Babcock and Desert Gold peaches. Fuji and Pink Lady on M111 have been outstanding - good vigor and great fruit. These are my two favorite apples.
...See More
Maple in coastal Southern California?
Q
Comments (9)
The bulk of coastal SoCal is USDA zone 10......zone 11 is reserved for more tropical areas like Hawaii and parts of Mexico. This rating system is based on average minimum winter temperatures, so at some point, temps below 40F in your area have been recorded. Japanese maples can be grown in SoCal, especially the coastal regions. My sister in Dana Point (across the street from the beach) has several lovely specimens. There is a valid concern about soil conditions and irrigation water which tends also to be alkaline. If these factors can be accommodated and the tree is properly sited (early morning sun only - the rest of the time in shade) it should do perfectly well. In fact, if you can grow camellias successfully, you should also be able to grow Japanese maples, as they share similar growing requirements -- well-draining acidic soils, even moisture and afternoon shade. It's a matter of personal taste, but the plum is a very dull, ordinary plant and outside of a limited bloom season, has little to say for itself. If the maple will not work in that spot but you like that dark purple coloring, consider one of the Chinese fringe flowers, Loropetalum chinenis, that has that foliar attribute. They are evergreen and offer interesting hot pink flowers as well.
...See More
Small tree, grows in southern california coastal. What is it?
Q
Comments (4)
reminds me of trumpet vine ... which can be a nightmare to eradicate ... but i dont really know CA .... ken https://www.google.com/search?q=trumpet+vine+leaves&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx6ojxh-rNAhUH_IMKHVXZDFMQ_AUICSgC&biw=902&bih=745&dpr=0.9
...See More
Citrus Plants in Coastal Community - (Southern CA)
Q
Comments (3)
It's not the soil, its the amount of heat they get, which is not as much as some of them need to produce tasty fruit. Stay away from grapefruit because they need heat to get sweet. You find them growing in places like Indio, where the long, long hot season sweetens the fruit. A 'Meyer' lemon would be a must have. You can get one on dwarf rootstock. Sadly a current issue in Southern California is the Citrus Greening disease, which is now found here. It may eventually wipe out every citrus tree in So Cal. Just something to be aware of. Also: clay soil is good soil. Its full of nutrients and retains moisture. People may not like it, but plants do.
...See More
Sara Malone (Zone 9b)
6 years ago
You'd have to plant it on a mound for drainage, but check out Parkinsonia 'Desert Museum'. Ornamental all year, either bare, in leaf or in flower. Here it flowers for about three months.
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Before looking at the table in the Sunset book - a good suggestion - look at the climate zoning section in the same publication, to see which particular Sunset Climate Zone you are in. Then you will be able to tell which shrubs/small trees* they think will grow in your climate, when looking at the table or reading the plant encyclopedia portion of the book.

The two critical cultural factors in this situation will be the close proximity of the sea and the clay-like soil texture.

*One height range designation system I think makes sense has large shrubs being those over 10 ft. high and small trees being those growing up to 35 ft. (With medium shrubs 6 to 10 ft. tall).

Related Stories

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: Small Coastal Bungalow for a Southern California Family

By Julie Sheer

A designer creates a charming, modern space for her family with custom-made pieces

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Standout Native Shrubs and Small Palms for Southern Gardens

By Falon Mihalic

These hardworking plants serve a variety of purposes, such as screening views and attracting native wildlife

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 8 Trees Landscape Designers Love for Small Spaces

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Learn more about the top-performing trees to grow in tight corners, city courtyards, narrow side yards and more

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Tree: Australian Tea Tree

By Annie Thornton

A living sculpture with an unmistakable appearance, this coastal native creates an intriguing landscape scene

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them

By Falon Mihalic

Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action

Full Story

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Needle Palm Brings Unique Texture to the Southern Woodland Garden

By Falon Mihalic

This sprawling, resilient palm can be used in many ways

Full Story

TREES Great Design Plant: Southern Magnolia, Iconic U.S. Native

By Falon Mihalic

Massive, fragrant blooms and deep green leaves set Magnolia grandiflora apart from other large shade trees

Full Story

VACATION HOMES Houzz Tour: Coastal Maine Home Celebrates White, Wood and Windows

By Annie Thornton

Efficiency, resiliency and waterfront views drive the design of this New England vacation house

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio

By Bill Marken

Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

By Bill Marken

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

Full Story

Small Tree Suggestion for Coastal Southern CA

Comments (4)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Related Discussions

Sara Malone (Zone 9b)

Embothrium

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US