I spent my youth in the lush Zone 10 paradise of Southern California where there is color all year-round. I loved that my mom's roses would bloom in December and we could harvest loquats in February.
The USDA defines Zone 10 as areas that have an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not take into account the average maximum temperatures, but Zone 10 shrubs can usually handle the heat.
These 10 shrubs will flourish if planted in Zone 10. Choose one today to add to your garden!
When I was in college, there was an angel's trumpet that was so tall, it was a tree. I loved how it was covered with trumpets that hung down gracefully. Choose the location where this will go carefully, as all parts of this plant are poisonous and should not be where children or pets will wander by. It is closely related to the hallucinogenic Datura plants.
Many a cape honeysuckle blossom fell prey to my habit of sucking up the nectar from these bright orange flowers any time that I had a chance.
It seemed like there was at least one of these shrubs everywhere I went in Southern California. Since they are evergreen, they will provide color all year round, especially when the pink or white flowers appear.
I also saw this shrub throughout California, with most specimens sporting variegated leaves. Since it can grow in full shade, it can find a home in almost any part of your landscape.
Like the star jasmine, the natal plum features star-shaped flowers. Like the orange jasmine, they exude a scent resembling orange blossoms. For a sweet treat, try the ripe red fruits.
It is no wonder that this shrub is commonly called orange jasmine. Both the flowers and the scent are reminiscent of orange tree flowers.
I first learned about pomegranates when I became fascinated with Greek mythology as a child. I read the story of how Hades stole Persephone and she had to stay in the Underworld for part of the year since she ate some pomegranate seeds.
Pomegranates have many antioxidants and the juice is toted as a popular healthy drink. I spent a few months hawking pomegranate juice samples and it is tart, tangy and delicious. I enjoy cracking one open and eating the seeds too.
Recipes With Pomegranates:
Health Information on Pomegranates:
I adore the princess flower so much that I sometimes use it as a screen name and as a nickname for my computers. The huge purple flowers are accented by large fuzzy leaves that I love to run my fingers along as I pass by. Place it in a location where it will get a little shade in the afternoon to protect it from heat.
I am quite fond of blueberries. Every time my dad would get us donuts, he would bring me a blueberry muffin. I planted blueberry bushes at our house but they never did well. I did not learn until I was older that they need acidic soil for proper growth.
In Zone 10, you will need a southern highbush blueberry shrub, since this type is able to withstand the hotter temperatures. It is the result of hybridization between northern highbush blueberries and species from the Southern United States.
Blueberry Recipes to Try:
I wish we could have had this in our yard when I was growing up. We knew someone who was allergic, though, and wanted to make sure they could still visit. The heady scent seemed especially strong on warm summer nights.
The USDA defines Zone 10 as areas that have an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not take into account the average maximum temperatures, but Zone 10 shrubs can usually handle the heat.
These 10 shrubs will flourish if planted in Zone 10. Choose one today to add to your garden!
1. Angel's Trumpet
- Latin Name: Brugmansia spp.
- Other Common Names: Angel star, brugmansia, datura
- Native to: South America
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Height: 6-20' tall
- Exposure: Sun with afternoon shade
- Growing profile for angel's trumpet
When I was in college, there was an angel's trumpet that was so tall, it was a tree. I loved how it was covered with trumpets that hung down gracefully. Choose the location where this will go carefully, as all parts of this plant are poisonous and should not be where children or pets will wander by. It is closely related to the hallucinogenic Datura plants.
2. Cape Honeysuckle
- Latin Name: Tecomaria capensis, ignonia capensis or Tecoma capensis
- Native to: the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Height: 3-10' tall as a shrub, 25-30' as a vine
- Exposure: Full sun for best results, though a little shade will not be a problem.
- Growing profile for cape honeysuckle
Many a cape honeysuckle blossom fell prey to my habit of sucking up the nectar from these bright orange flowers any time that I had a chance.
3. Indian Hawthorn
- Latin Name: Rhaphiolepis indica
- Other Common Names: India hawthorn
- Native to: Southern China
- USDA Zones: 7-11
- Height: 2-5' tall
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Growing profile for Indian hawthorn
It seemed like there was at least one of these shrubs everywhere I went in Southern California. Since they are evergreen, they will provide color all year round, especially when the pink or white flowers appear.
4. Japanese Mockorange
- Latin Name: Pittosporum tobira
- Other Common Names: Tobira, Japanese mock-orange, Japanese pittosporum and Japanese cheesewood
- Native to: China and Japan
- USDA Zones: 8-10
- Height: 6-15' tall
- Exposure: Full sun to full shade
- Growing profile for Japanese mockorange
I also saw this shrub throughout California, with most specimens sporting variegated leaves. Since it can grow in full shade, it can find a home in almost any part of your landscape.
5. Natal Plum
- Latin Name: Carissa macrocarpa
- Other Common Names: Amatungulu, grootnoem-noem, big num-num
- Native to: South Africa
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Height: Different varieties can be 2-20' tall
- Exposure: Full sun to part sun. The best flowering and fruiting is in full sun.
- Growing profile for natal plum
Like the star jasmine, the natal plum features star-shaped flowers. Like the orange jasmine, they exude a scent resembling orange blossoms. For a sweet treat, try the ripe red fruits.
6. Orange Jasmine
- Latin Name: Murraya paniculata or Murraya exotica
- Other Common Names: Chalcas, orange jessamine
- Native to: Asia and Australasia
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Height: 8-12' tall
- Exposure: Full sun, can handle a little shade
- Growing profile for orange jasmine
It is no wonder that this shrub is commonly called orange jasmine. Both the flowers and the scent are reminiscent of orange tree flowers.
7. Pomegranate
- Latin Name: Punica granatum
- Other Common Names: I sometimes see pomegranite.
- Native to: Iran and Iraq
- USDA Zones: 7-10
- Height: 3-20' depending on variety chosen
- Exposure: Full sun, can take some shade
- Growing profile for pomegranate
I first learned about pomegranates when I became fascinated with Greek mythology as a child. I read the story of how Hades stole Persephone and she had to stay in the Underworld for part of the year since she ate some pomegranate seeds.
Pomegranates have many antioxidants and the juice is toted as a popular healthy drink. I spent a few months hawking pomegranate juice samples and it is tart, tangy and delicious. I enjoy cracking one open and eating the seeds too.
Recipes With Pomegranates:
- Cranberry Pomegranate Relish
- Creamy Pomegranate Parfait
- Cucumber-Pomegranate Salad
- How to De-Seed a Pomegranate
- Pomegranate Tapioca
- Virgin Pomegranate Sangria
Health Information on Pomegranates:
8. Princess Flower
- Latin Name: Tibouchina urvilleana
- Other Common Names: Purple glory bush, glory bush, lasiandra
- Native to: Brazil
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Height: 10-20' tall
- Exposure: Full sun
- Growing profile for princess flower
I adore the princess flower so much that I sometimes use it as a screen name and as a nickname for my computers. The huge purple flowers are accented by large fuzzy leaves that I love to run my fingers along as I pass by. Place it in a location where it will get a little shade in the afternoon to protect it from heat.
9. Southern Highbush Blueberries
- Latin Name: Vaccinium spp.
- Other Common Names: Blueberries
- Native to: North America
- USDA Zones: 7-10
- Height: 3-8' tall depending on variety
- Exposure: Full sun
- Growing profile for southern highbush blueberries
I am quite fond of blueberries. Every time my dad would get us donuts, he would bring me a blueberry muffin. I planted blueberry bushes at our house but they never did well. I did not learn until I was older that they need acidic soil for proper growth.
In Zone 10, you will need a southern highbush blueberry shrub, since this type is able to withstand the hotter temperatures. It is the result of hybridization between northern highbush blueberries and species from the Southern United States.
Blueberry Recipes to Try:
10. Star Jasmine
- Latin Name: Trachelospermum jasminoides
- Other Common Names: Confederate jasmine, trader's compass, Chinese jasmine and Chinese ivy
- Native to: China
- USDA Zones: 8-10
- Height: A liana that is 10-40' long. It can be pruned to be a shrub.
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Growing profile for star jasmine
I wish we could have had this in our yard when I was growing up. We knew someone who was allergic, though, and wanted to make sure they could still visit. The heady scent seemed especially strong on warm summer nights.