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Local Tree & Plant Selections

Suggested Tree and Plant SELECTIONS
The first recorded sighting of Monterey Bay was in 1542. A Portuguese navigator sailing for Spain sighted Monterey Bay and named it "La Bahia De Los Pinos" (Bay of Pines). Monterey is a unique community whose parks, tree lined streets, and wooded areas make up its urban forest that contribute to the personality of the City. The City of Monterey is committed to maintaining a diverse population of native and ornamental trees. Public interest and awareness of the contribution the City makes is vital to the maintenance and development of the City of Monterey's Urban Forest. A healthy and well maintained urban forest can only be achieved by careful planning.

Planting the right tree in the right place is of utmost importance. When selecting a new tree consider the following questions:

  • Why is your tree being planted?
  • What is the size and location of the planting site?
  • What type of soil do you have?
  • What is the purpose of the tree?

Frequent Questions

Local Tree and Plant Selections

How to Plant a Tree
Tree-Planting
Trees Suitable for Monterey
Garden Trees Deciduous Large Landscape Trees Deciduous
Acer griseum - Paper Bark Maple Aesculus x carnea - Red Horsechestnut
Betula pendula - European White Birch Fagus sylvatica
Crataegus laevigata - English Hawthorn Fagus sylvatica 'Atropuncea' - Copper Beech
Crataegus cordata - Washington Hawthorn Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Tree
Prunus cerasifera - Purple-leaf Plum Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum
Ginko biloba - Maidenhair Robinia x ambigua 'Idahoensis' - Idaho Locust
Magnolia soulangiana - Saucer Magnolia Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow
Pyrus calleryana 'chanticleer' - Ornamental Pear Zelkova serrata - Saw leaf Zelkova
Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' - Flowering Cherry  
Garden Trees Evergreen Large Landscape Trees Evergreen
Arbutus 'Marina' Cedrus atlantica - Atlas Cedar
Eucalyptus nicholi Cupressus macracarpa - Monterey Cypress
Geijera parviflora - Australian Willow Fraxinus uhdei - Evergreen Ash
Laurus nobilis 'saratoga' - Sweet Bay Pinus canariesis - Canary Island Pine
Ligustrum confusum - Nepal Privet Pinus contorta - Shore Pine
Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia Pinus radiata - Monterey Pine
Metrosideros excelsus Quercus agrifolia - Coast Live Oak
Olea europia - Common Olive Quercus suber - Cork Oak
Pinus thunbergiana - Japanese Black Pine Sequoia sempervirens - Coast Redwood
Pittosporum Undulatum (Victorian Box) Ulmus parvifolia - Chinese Evergreen Elm
Podocarpus gracilior - African Fern Pine  
Tall Shrubs and Perennials
Tall Shrubs & Perennials Characteristics
Alyogyne heugilli, Blue hibiscus Large blue flowers, 8 ft, Sun
Ceanothus Julia Phelps, Ceanothus Dark blue flowers, 6 feet, Sun
Echium candicans, Pride of Madera Long spikes of blue, purple or pink flowers, sun
Euryops pectinatus, Euryops Yellow flowers, tough plant, sun
Impatiens olivari, Evergreen impatient Good choice for part to deep shade pink flowers
Lavatara maritima bi color, Tree mallow 7 ft lavender flowers purple centers, sun
Phlomis fruiticosa, Jerusalem Sage Fragrant gray leaves, yellow flowers in summer
Phormium tenax, New Zealand Flax 7 ft sword like leaves long black flower spikes, sun
Podocarpus gracillor, Yew pine Sun or shade against a tall wall
Polygala dalmaisiana, Sweet pea shrub Purple flowers nearly ever-blooming, sun or lt.shade
Salvia leucantha, Mexican sage Purple flowers, aromatic leaves.
Tagatees lemonii, Bush marigold Yellow flowers very fragrant leaves
Romneya coulterii,Matilija poppy Large white flowers with yellow centers7 ft
Viburnum tinus S.B.Laurustinus White flower clusters Sun or lt.shade
Westringia fruticosa,Australian rose Fine gray green leaves white flower
Short Shrubs and Perennials
Short Shrubs & Perennials Characteristics
Agapanthus orientalis, Lily of the Nile Flower spikes like fireworks4 ft blue or white
Artemesia Powis Castle, Artemesia Gray aromatic foliage,3 ft sun
Acanthus mollis, Bears breech Large deep green leaveswill grow in shade
Bidens ferulifolia, Bidens Profuse bloom of brightyellow flowers,sun
Coleonema pulchrum, Breath of heaven Aromatic leaves with manypink flowers,sun to shade
Correa pulchella, Australian fuschia Hardy low grower withFuchsia colored flowers
Dietes vegeta, Fortnight lily Sword like leaves withwhite with blue flowers
Erigeron karvinskianus,Santa Barbara daisy Low growing with manylight pink flowers
Gaura lindheimeri,Gaura Loaded with pink or whiteflowers3 ft, sun
Heuchera maxima, Island alum root 2 ft plants with 18 in flowerstems with flowers
Lobelia laxifolia, Lobelia very hardy with red flowerswith yellow tips
Salvia x bees bliss, Salvia Aromatic gray foliage withtrailing habit
Vines and Ground Covers
Vines Characteristics
Bougenvilla,Bougenvilla Full sun on south wall purple, red or gold flowers
Hardenbergia violacea, Lilac vine Lavender or white flowers, very hardy
Jasminum polyanthumum, Pint jasmine Very fragrant many light pink flowers
Loniceria hildebrandiana, Burmese honeysuckle Large leaves with fragrant yellow tubular flowers
Solanum jasminoides, Potato vine Profuse bloom of white flowers, fast grower
Thunbergia gregorii, Orange clock vine Orange flowers, fast grower frost tender
Wisteria sinensis,Chinese wisteria Deciduous vine, blue or white flowers
Ground Covers Characteristics
Ajuga repens,Carpet bugle Bronze to green leaves purple flowers, shade
Campanula,Bellflower Blue flowers with trailing habit shade tolerant
Ceanothus Carmel creeper,Ceanothus Blue spring flowers fast grower, sun
Gazania hybrids,Gazania Trailing or clumping in wide range of colors