Shrubs by Genus K-R
(Use arrows, on the picture, to view additional images)
Keckiella antirrhinoides Common Name: Yellow Bush Penstemon
Family: Ericaceae, Images
Type: Small plant 3'h x 2'w
Flowers: Spring into Summer
Flower Color: Yellow
Likes: Full Sun
Small bush Penstemon type. Flowers late Winter to late Spring. Brilliant Yellow blossoms. Fairly indistinct fall thru mid winter. Good hummingbird plant.
Lupinus albifrons Common Name: Silver Bush Lupine
Family: Fabaceae
Type: Shrub, 3'h x 3'w
Flowers: February to March
Flower Color: Blue
Likes: Full Sun
Perennial shrub native to coastal and Sierra foothills. Extremely drought tolerant after established. Spring blooms of blue/pink flowers on spikes. Dormant in summer but retains leaves. Needs good drainage. Use as an accent shrug among other plants that have different bloom timing - Fuschias, Penstemons, Ceanothus. Does not need summer irrigation after established.
Lupinus arboreus Common Name: Yellow Flower Bush Lupine
Family: Ericaceae, Images
Type: Small plant 5'h x 4'w
Flowers: February/March
Flower Color: Yellow
Likes: Part Sun
Perennial shrub native to coastal areas. Fast growing. Gray leaves with profuse yellow flowers. Very frost tolerant. Inland needs part sun and some additional water. Found in coastal dunes - does not prefer heavy soils.
Winter / Fall
Lupinus excubitus Common Name: Grape Lupine
Family: Ericaceae, Images
Type: Small plant 2'h x 4'w
Flowers: February/March
Flower Color: Violet
Likes: Full Sun
Smaller Lupine, mid-sized shrub. As with Lupinus albafrons, no water needed after establishment. May reseed. Trim back to remove old flower stalks as needed for aesthetic purposes.
Penstemon incertus Common Name: Western Desert Penstemon
Family: Plantaginaceae
Type: Herbaceous Shrub, 2'h x 3'w
Flowers: Spring to Summer
Flower Color: Lavender, Purple
Likes: Full Sun
Mid size, perennial Penstemon. Long flowering period. Very attractive and easy to grow. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Flowers mid-March into Summer. Plant as an accent or in small groups. Can be planted in a sort of hedge as the foliage is consistent at about 3' high, and frost tolerant - foliage does not die back. Aids from trimming annually. Very drought tolerant.
Penstemon spectabilis Common Name: Showy Penstemon
Family: Plantaginaceae
Type: Herbaceous Shrub, 2.5'h x 3'w
Flowers: Spring to Summer
Flower Color: Lavender, Purple
Likes: Full Sun
A favorite. Very showy, large, perennial Penstemon. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Flowers Spring well into Summer. Plant as an accent or in small groups. Needs annual pruning to remove seed stalks and keep plant from getting too rangy. Very drought tolerant. Does not need Summer irrigation after established.
Ribes aureum aureum Common Name: Golden Currant
Family: Grossulariaceae Images
Type: Small plant 6'h x 4'w
Flowers: March to April
Flower Color: Yellow
Likes: Full/part Sun
Large sized shrub. Very similiar to gracillimum but larger and more frost tolerant. Easy to grow. Yellow flowers in spring. Can use supplimental irrigation. Does especially well with part shade and part of mid level shrubs. Can be used as a hedge plant. Nice unique folliage and flower color.
Ribes aureum gracillimum Common Name: Golden Currant
Family: Grossulariaceae
Type: Small plant 4'h x 3'w
Flowers: March to April
Flower Color: Yellow
Likes: Full/part Sun
Upright, perennial shrub. Green foliage and very showy when in bloom. Made need partial shade in hotter areas or south facing slopes. Great under a native oak canopy.