Plants for Japanese & Zen Garden in Southern California: Trees, Shrubs & Flowers Selection

Pinus densiflora (Japanese Red Pine)

Zones 5-9

Native to Japan, red-brown bark, long needles in clusters of two

20-40 feet tall by 20-35 feet wide

Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine)

Zones 5-9

Coastal native, dark green needles, rugged appearance

20-60 feet tall by 15-35 feet wide

Juniperus chinensis (Hollywood Juniper)

Zones 4-9

Unique, irregularly shaped juniper with twisted branches and blue-green foliage

6-15 feet tall by 3-5 feet wide

Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper)

Zones 6-9

Dense evergreen shrub found along sand dunes and rocky seashores in Japan

1-2 feet tall by 6-8 feet wide

Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Japanese box; tsuge)

Evergreen shrub native to Japan, used for hedges and topiaries, wood used for making combs

Up to 5 m (16 ft 3 in)

6 through 9

Very slow growth; care needed in transplanting; prefers half-shade; likes lime; mulch to prevent shallow roots from drying out

Cleyera japonica (sakaki)

Broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree, sacred in Shinto religion, used around shrines and in tea gardens

3 x 3 m (10 x 10 ft)

7 through 8, warmer areas of 6

Prefers rich, deep, acid soil and shade; can be pruned hard for broad hedges; suitable as underplanting

Daphniphyllum macropodum (yuzuriha)

Evergreen tree with leaves in whorls, used for New Year’s decorations, suitable for mass planting

Up to 15 m (49 ft)

7 through 9

Frost hardy; prefers rich soil and half-shade; no pruning needed; dislikes root disturbance

Dendropanax trifidus (kakure-mino)

Evergreen tree used around shrines and in tea gardens, very slow-growing

10 m (32 ft 6 in)

7 through 9

Frost hardy; prefers moist shade; dislikes being pruned and root disturbance; suitable for north-facing gardens

Ilex crenata (box-leaved holly/Japanese holly; inu-tsuge)

Small, round, glossy leaves, important for topiary in Japan, slow-growing but vigorous

5 x 4 m (16 ft 3 in x 13 ft)

Prefers partial shade and moist conditions; avoid winter wind; if soil is alkaline, give an annual feed of acid fertilizer

Ilex integra (mochi-no-ki)

Evergreen tree used near shrines, can be transplanted even when quite big

7 to 8 m (23 to 26 ft)

Young plants half hardy; established plants tolerate down to -10°C/14°F; prefers moist, rich soil and sun; prune heavily in early summer

Ilex latifolia (luster-leaf holly; tarayo)

Large, serrated leathery leaves with male and female plants for red berries production

6 to 7.5m (20 to 25ft)

Can be hard pruned or clipped for a dense screen; best pruned late winter-early spring; frost hardy

Ilex rotunda (kurogane holly/round-leaf holly; kurogane-mochi)

Slow-growing evergreen, female plants produce red berries in winter, popular for bonsai

9 to 15m (30 to 50ft)

Prune lightly Nov-Dec, then hard late spring; tolerates partial shade

Lithocarpus edulis (Japanese stone oak; mate-bashii)

Fast-growing, suitable for hedging or mass planting

10 m (32 ft 6 in)

7 through 9

Hardy; sun or partial shade; tolerates heavy pruning

Pittosporum tobira (Japanese mock orange; tobera)

Dense evergreen with fragrant white flowers and red seeds in winter

2 to 9m (6 to 30ft)

8 through 11

Tolerant of sea air and some dryness; no pruning required; cultivars with variegated leaves available

Osmanthus x fortunei (Fortune’s osmanthus; hiiragi-mokusei)

Upright with holly-like leaves, fragrant white flowers in late summer to autumn

5 m (16 ft 3 in)

7 through 9

Frost hardy; half-shade or complete shade; prune; tolerates sea air; suitable for hedges

Osmanthus heterophyllus (holly osmanthus; hiiragi)

Dense round shrub with spiny, leathery leaves, fragrant white flowers on female plants

4 to 8 m (13 to 26 ft)

7 through 9

Frost hardy; tolerates shade and sea air; can be pruned; suitable for hedges

Quercus glauca (ring-cup oak; ara-kashi)

Slow-growing live oak with serrated lance-shaped leaves, good for hedges, windbreaks, screens

Up to 9m (30ft)

7 through 9

Frost hardy; leaves turn from purple-crimson to glossy green and glaucous blue-green underneath

Quercus myrsinifolia (bamboo-leaf oak/Chinese evergreen oak/Chinese ring-cupped oak; shira-kashi)

Slow-growing live oak with glossy lance-shaped leaves emerging bronze-red

6 to 12m (20 to 40ft)

7 through 9

Shade tolerant; prune for a dense hedge in July and November; traditionally used as windbreaks; plant shrubs 30cm apart for a 1m tall hedge, 50cm apart for a 1.5m tall hedge

Quercus phillyraeoides (ubame-gashi)

Slow-growing, dense live oak with glossy ovate leaves and fissured brown-grey bark

6 to 9m (20-30ft)

7 through 10

Suitable for hedges; prune late autumn; stop main leading stem at required height and cut back lateral branches to desired length; prefers acid to neutral soil

Ternstroemia gymnanthera (mokkoku)

Frost hardy to half hardy in the UK; dislikes temperatures below -5°C/23°F; ripe wood tolerates colder conditions

5 to 10 m (16 to 32 ft 6 in)

7 through 10

Partial or complete shade; prefers rich acid soil; in early summer remove the longest central stem from each new growth

Prunus jamasakura (Japanese Hill Cherry)

Zones 6-9

Japanese Hill Cherry, Small to medium-sized tree

20-30 feet tall

Prunus japonica (Oriental Bush Cherry)

Zones 6-9

Oriental Bush Cherry, Small tree

15-25 feet tall

Prunus mume (Japanese Apricot)

Zones 6-9

Japanese Apricot, Small to medium-sized tree

Generally around 15-25 feet tall

Magnolia figo (Banana Shrub/Port-Wine Magnolia)

Zones 7-10

Banana Shrub/Port-Wine Magnolia, Evergreen shrub or small tree with fragrant flowers

Typically 10-13 feet tall

Camellia japonica (Yabu-tsubaki)

Zones 7-9

Evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and large, showy flowers in various colors that bloom from winter to spring.

6-12 feet tall, Spreads 5-10 feet

Camellia sasanqua (Sazanka)

Zones 7-9

Evergreen shrub with smaller leaves than C. japonica and fragrant flowers that bloom in the fall.

Typically 4-10 feet tall, Spreads 5-7 feet

Ardisia japonica

Marlberry, Yabu-koji

Zones 7a – 11

Evergreen shrub with clusters of pink flowers and red berries

Height: 0.5 to 1 foot, Width: 6 inches to 3 feet

Aucuba japonica

Spotted Laurel, Aoki

Zones 7a to 9b

Evergreen shrub with variegated leaves, tolerates shade, dry soil, pollution

Height: 6 to 10 feet, Width: 5 to 9 feet

Camellia sinensis

Tea, Cha-no-ki

Zones 7 to 9

Evergreen shrub/small tree, white flowers, leaves used for tea

Height: 6 to 15 feet (can grow taller)

Elaeagnus x ebbingei

Ebbing’s Silverberry

Zones 7 to 11

Dense evergreen, silver/gold variegated leaves, fragrant flowers

Height and Width: 8 to 10 feet

Euonymus japonicus

Japanese Spindle, Masaki

Zones 6 to 9

Glossy green leaves, often used for hedges, variegated foliage

Height: 6 to 15 feet, Width: 2 to 8 feet

Eurya japonica

Hi-sakaki

Zones 7 to 9

Small evergreen shrub, dense foliage, small flowers

Height and Width: 2 to 5 feet

Fatsia japonica

Yatsude

Zones 7 to 10

Large, palmate leaves, spherical white flowers

Height and Width: 6 to 10 feet

Juniperus chinensis var. procumbens

Hai-byakushin

Zones 4 to 9

Low-growing juniper, spreading habit, used as ground cover

Height: 1 to 2 feet, Width: 4 to 6 feet

Mahonia japonica

Hiiragi-nanten

Zones 7 to 9

Evergreen, holly-like leaves, yellow flowers

Height and Width: 4 to 6 feet

Photinia glabra

Red-leaf Photinia

Zones 7 to 9

Bright red new foliage, matures to green

Height and Width: 10 to 15 feet

Viburnum odoratissimum

Sweet Viburnum; Sangoju

Zones 8 to 10

Dense evergreen, large glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers

Height: 12 to 20 feet, Width: 10 to 15 feet

Viburnum suspensum

Sandanqua Viburnum

Zones 8 to 10

Evergreen shrub, leathery leaves, fragrant white flower

Height and Width: 6 to 12 feet

Ilex serrata

Japanese Winterberry

5-9

Slow-growing, bushy with purple stems; female trees produce red berries

Height: Up to 9 feet; No pruning needed except to reduce long spurs

Lindera umbellata

Kuromoji

6-9

Elegant shrub; tolerates hard pruning once established

Height: Up to 9 feet; Cut back main leaders to desired height late winter; remove old stems at base to avoid overcrowding

Salix gracilistyla

Rosegold Pussy Willow

5-9

Waterside willow; fluffy gray catkins

Minimum pruning required

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ (Winter Daphne)

Zone 7 and higher

Evergreen shrub with fragrant, pale-pink flowers and glossy, yellow-edged foliage.

Up to 1.5 meters (5 feet)

Gardenia augusta ‘Radicans’ (Creeping Gardenia, Hime-kuchinashi)

Zones 8-10

Dwarf gardenia with waxy, heavily scented white flowers in early summer.

30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet)

Hibiscus mutabilis (Confederate Rose Mallow, Fuyo)

Zones 7-10

Prune stems to desired height in early spring. Tolerant of hard pruning.

Not specified

Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Lacecap Hydrangea, Hortensia)

Zones 5-9

Includes lacecap and mophead forms. Flower color changes with soil pH.

1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6 feet 7 inches)

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea, Kashiwa-ajisai)

Zones 6-9

White to cream-colored flowers in large panicles, oak-like leaves with good autumn color.

Up to 2 meters (6 feet)

Kerria japonica (Japanese Kerria, Japanese Rose)

Zones 4-9

Bright yellow single or double flowers in spring.

2 x 2.5 meters (6 feet 6 inches x 8 feet)

Loropetalum chinense (Chinese Fringe Flower, Tokiwa-mansaku)

Zones 7-10

Evergreen shrub with scented white flowers, ‘Rubrum’ has pink or red flowers.

Not specified

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus (Fragrant Olive, Sweet Olive)

Zones 8-10

Clusters of tiny orange blooms with an intense fruity scent in autumn.

Up to 10 meters (32 feet 6 inches)

Rhaphiolepis umbellata (Yeddo Hawthorn, Indian Hawthorn; Sharinbai)

Zones 8-10, warmer areas of zone 7

Evergreen shrub with small, oval leaves and clusters of white flowers in early summer.

Up to 1.5 meters (5 feet)

Serissa foetida (Snowrose, Tree-of-a-thousand-stars, Serissa)

Zones 7-11

Semi-evergreen shrub with white flowers, leaves may drop in winter.

60 to 120 cm (2 to 4 feet)

Spiraea cantoniensis (Reeves’s Spiraea, Kodemari)

Zones 7-9

Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub that flowers in mid-spring, can be pruned into a sphere.

1 to 2 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 7 inches)

Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spiraea)

Zones 8-10

Clump-forming, deciduous shrub that flowers from May through July.

1.2 to 1.8 meters (4 to 6 feet)

Viburnum furcatum (Forked Viburnum, Scarlet-leaved Viburnum, Mushikari)

Zones 5-9

Deciduous shrub with scented white flowers in May and good autumn color.

Up to 3.5 meters (11 feet 2 inches)

Viburnum japonicum (Hakusanboku)

Zones 7-9

Evergreen shrub with small, fragrant white flowers in early summer.

Up to 1.8 meters (6 feet)

Aspidistra elatior (Ha-ran)

Resilient plant with dark, glossy leaves that can add a lush, verdant texture to tea gardens.

24 – 36 inches tall, 12 – 30 inches wide

8 through 10

Shade, well-drained soil, regular watering during dry periods.

Farfugium japonicum (Tsuwabuki)

Evergreen perennial with glossy leaves that can bring a bright, reflective quality to shaded garden areas.

30 cm (1 ft) in height

7 through 10

Moist conditions, partial or complete shade, well-draining but consistently moist soil.

Rohdea japonica (Japanese Sacred Lily; Omoto)

Evergreen perennial with leathery leaves and greenish-yellow flower-heads followed by red or white berries.

Foliage up to 30 cm (1 ft) long

6 through 10

Moist, acidic soil in shade, suitable for understory planting or ground cover.

Arisaema thunbergii subsp. urashima (Urashima-so)

Herbaceous perennial with a unique jack-in-the-pulpit-like spathe and poisonous roots.

8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in)

5 through 9

Partial to full shade, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana (Shukaido)

Perennial with fleshy stalks, red flush around the nodes, and pale red single flowers.

About 50 cm (1 ft 8 in)

6 through 9

Protection from winter cold, moist, well-drained soil, partial shade.

Bletilla striata (Shi-ran)

Deciduous terrestrial orchid with lance-shaped leaves and bright pink flowers.

Not very tall

5 through 9

Moist, rich soil, partial shade, mulch in autumn or lift and store tubers.

Calanthe discolor (Ground Orchid; Ebine)

Woodland orchid from Japan with maroon and white flowers on a tall stem.

Noticeable height

6 through 9

Partial shade, moist, humus-rich, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil, dry in winter.

Chelonopsis moschata (Jako-so)

Slow-spreading perennial with tiny, deep mauve penstemon-like flowers.

Up to 60 cm (24 in)

5 through 9

Damp conditions, partial shade.

Chloranthus japonicus (Hitori-shizuka)

Dainty perennial with a single spike of white, scented, bottlebrush-like flowers.

Up to 60 cm (24 in) tall, 90 cm (36 in) spread

6 through 9

Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.

Chloranthus serratus (Futari-shizuka)

Produces two spikes of scented, white, bottlebrush-like flowers.

Similar to Chloranthus japonicus

6 through 9

Moist, well-drained soil in partial shade.

Carex hachijoensis (Evergold Sedge)

An evergreen sedge with creamy yellow and green variegated foliage, tufted and adaptable to various light conditions

30 cm x 35 cm (1′ x 1’2″)

Zones 5-10

Light trimming in late winter/early spring, prefers moist well-drained soil, pest and disease resistant

Hakonechloa macra (Aureola)

A variegated Japanese forest grass with bright gold leaves and green stripes, red-tinted in autumn

36 cm x 40 cm (1’2½” x 1’4″)

Zones 5-9

Consistent moisture, slow grower, prefers partial shade, pest and disease-free, deer resistant

Imperata cylindrica (Japanese blood grass)

A grass with distinctive blood-red leaf tips, more controlled and garden-friendly than the species

Up to 50 cm long leaves

Zones 5-9

Minimal maintenance, prefers full sun to partial shade, moist well-drained soil

Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silvergrass)

Culturally significant in Japan, but recognized as an invasive species

Not specified

Not specified

Consider non-invasive alternatives due to its invasive nature

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhlygrass)

Known for its superb pink flower plumes in autumn, thrives in sandy or rocky well-drained soils, full sun

Up to 90 cm (3′)

Zones 5-9

Minimal maintenance, prefers full sun

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

A medium-sized grass that adds vertical interest and is disease-free, useful for erosion control

Up to 1.2 meters (4′)

Zones 3-9

Cut back old foliage in late winter to early spring

Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass)

Tall, clump-forming, adaptable to various soil types, drought-tolerant

90 to 150 cm (3 to 5′)

Zones 4-9

Cut back old foliage in late winter to early spring

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)

Scented flowers late summer to early autumn, native to North America, fine-textured foliage

60 to 90 cm (2 to 3′)

Zones 3-9

Drought-tolerant once established, minimal maintenance, prefers well-drained soils

Bambusa multiplex (Hedge Bamboo)

Clumping bamboo ideal for hedges and privacy screens.

3 to 5 m (9 ft 9 in to 16 ft 3 in)

8 and above

Prefers full sun to partial shade. Regular watering. Prune to maintain shape. Use a root barrier.

Chimonobambusa marmorea (Kan-Chiku)

Low-growing bamboo with solid stems and red, mottled culms.

Up to 3 m (9 ft 9 in)

8 through 10

Prefers shade and rich soil. Can be invasive; use a root barrier.

Hibanobambusa tranquillans (Inyo-Chiku)

Hardy hybrid with large leaves and smooth canes.

3 to 5 m (9 ft 9 in to 16 ft 3 in)

7 through 9

Prefers acidic soil. Can be invasive; use a root barrier.

Phyllostachys bambusoides (Ma-Dake)

Tall bamboo used for groves and crafts.

10 to 20 m (32 ft 6 in to 65 ft)

7 through 10

Prefers full sun and rich soil. Difficult to transplant. Prune in spring.

Phyllostachys edulis (Moso-Dake)

The thickest bamboo, used for groves and edible shoots.

15 to 20 m (49 to 65 ft)

8 through 10

Prune in spring to desired height. Use a root barrier.

Phyllostachys nigra (Kuro-Chiku)

Canes turn black over time. Suitable for small gardens.

2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 9 in)

7 and above

Prefers shade. Can be invasive; use a root barrier.

Phyllostachys pubescens var. heterocycla (Kikko-Chiku)

Mutation of P. edulis with zig-zag joints and bulging culms.

N/A

7 and above

Rare ornamental bamboo. Use a root barrier.

Phyllostachys sulphurea (Ogon-Ko-Chiku)

Green canes turn bright yellow streaked with green.

Up to 8 m (26 ft)

7 and above

Can be invasive; use a root barrier.

Pleioblastus simonii (Me-Dake)

Good hedging bamboo but highly invasive.

Up to 6 m (10 ft)

7 through 10

Use a root barrier or cultivate in a container.

Semiarundinaria fastuosa (Narihira Bamboo)

Tall, upright bamboo with green culms striped burgundy-brown.

Up to 7 m (25 ft)

7 through 10

Prune in spring. Use a root barrier.

Semiarundinaria kagamiana (Rikuchu-Dake)

Bushy bamboo that tolerates both sun and shade.

3 to 5 m (9 ft 9 in to 16 ft 3 in)

6 through 9

Can be very invasive; use a root barrier.

Semiarundinaria yashadake “Kimmei”

Yellow culms tinted pink and green, turning dusky red in sunlight.

N/A

7 through 10

Can be very invasive; use a root barrier.

Sinobambusa tootsik (To-Chiku)

Pruned for rounded leaf growth.

3 to 8 m (9 ft 9 in to 26 ft)

9 and 10

Hardy to -10°C/14°F. Can be very invasive; use a root barrier.

Tetragonocalamus quadrangularis (Shiho-Chiku)

Canes flattened on all four sides.

5 to 6 m (16 ft 3 in to 19 ft 6 in)

8 through 11

Prefers shade and rich soil. Difficult to transplant. Use a root barrier.

Adiantum aleuticum (Aleutian Maidenhair Fern)

A deciduous or semi-evergreen fern with graceful, bright green fronds that open like the fingers of a hand atop upright, shiny, purple-black wiry stems

Plant in part-shade to full-shade locations, ensure well-draining soil rich in organic matter, and water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil

Blechnum nipponicum (Japanese Deer Fern)

A hardy fern with glossy, dark green fronds that are evergreen in many climates, providing structure and color even in winter

Can withstand a range of climates (USDA zones 5-9), prefers acidic to neutral well-drained soil, and benefits from mulching to retain soil moisture

Cyrtomium macrophyllum (Large Leaf Holly Fern)

A fern with bold, leathery fronds that add texture and a touch of the exotic to garden spaces

Prefers partial to full shade, amend soil with compost for a rich growing medium, and water deeply but infrequently

Davallia mariesii (Hare’s Foot Fern)

Known for its furry rhizomes that creep over the soil or along pots, adding whimsy to shaded patios and balconies

Requires excellent drainage, use a potting mix rich in organic matter, and ensure the site doesn’t collect standing water

Dryopteris erythrosora (Japanese Red Shield Fern)

Features metallic coppery-red new fronds that mature to deep green, offering year-round interest with changing colors

Regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, use organic mulch to retain moisture and enrich the soil, and plant in a location with dappled sunlight or light shade

Equisetum hyemale (Horsetail)

A reed-like plant with striking vertical lines and a prehistoric appearance, suitable for water gardens or pond edges

Thrives in wet, boggy conditions, prefers full sun to partial shade, and consider planting in containers to prevent aggressive spreading

Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)

A clump-forming fern with feathery fronds resembling ostrich plumes, ideal for filling in large, shady areas

Give room to grow, prefers moist, rich soil and a bit of shade, and can act as a groundcover or provide a contrasting backdrop

Polystichum polyblepharum (Japanese Tassel Fern)

An evergreen fern with glossy, dark green fronds that emerge in a tassel-like form before unfurling

Leverages evergreen beauty for year-round interest, prefers shade but can handle dappled sunlight, and maintain moist but well-drained soil

Selaginella tamariscina (Peacock Fern)

Not a true fern, it has iridescent, peacock-blue foliage and forms dense mats as a groundcover

Create a dynamic contrast with softer fern textures, use as a striking groundcover in shaded areas, and keep in mind its preference for higher humidity