Ranch Style Plant Palette

This palette is suitable for ranch houses and other rural or informal settings.  The design concept accents rustic or agrarian elements of the architecture and reinforces them through informal planting and plant selection.  Some of these plants are more common in the Eastern United States but will grow in the West (if you can find them).

Trees (Botanical Name - Common Name)
Acer rubrum - Red Maple
Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple
Aesculus californica - California Buckeye
Albizzia julibrissin - Silk Tree
Carpinus caroliniana - American Hornbeam
Castanea spp. - Chestnut
Catalpa spp. - Indian Bean
Cedrus deodora - Deodor Cedar
Celtis occidentalis - Hackberry
Chionanthus virginicus - Fringe Tree
Citrus spp. - Lemon, Orange, etc.
Cladrastis kentukea - Yellow Wood
Cratageus spp. - Hawthorn
Disopyrus virginiana - Persimmon
Fagus spp. - Beech
Fraxinus spp. - Ash
Gleditsia triacanthos - Honey Locust
Juglans spp. - Walnut
Liquidambar styraciflua - American Sweet Gum
Lirodendron tulipifera - Tulip Tree
Populus spp. - Poplar, Cottonwood
Prunus spp. - Cherry, Plum, Peach
Maclura pomifera - Osage Orange
Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia
Nyssa sylvatica - Sour Gum
Persea americana - Avocado
Pistacia chinensis - Chinese Pistache
Platanus racemosa - California Sycamore
Prunus caroliniana - Carolina Cherry
Quercus agrifolia - Coast Live Oak
Robinia pseudoacacia - Black Locust
Schinus molle - California Pepper
Sorbus spp. - Mountain Ash
Thuja occidentalis - Arborvitae
Tilia cordata - Linden

Shrubs
Abelia grandiflora - Glossy Abelia
Amelanchier canadensis - Serviceberry
Buddleja davidii - Butterfly Bush
Camellia japonica - Camellia
Cotoneaster spp. - Cotoneaster
Chrysanthemum frutiscens - Daisy
Euonymous spp. - Euonymous
Euryops pectinatus - African Daisy
Felicia amelloides - Blue Marguerite
Helianthus annuus - Sunflower (annual)
Genista spp. - Broom
Iris spp. - Iris
Juniperus spp. - Juniper
Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' - Texas Privit
Pennisetum setaceum - Fountain Grass
Pieris spp. - Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub
Rosa spp. - Roses
Xylosma congestum - Shiny Xylosma

Groundcover
Chrysanthemum spp. - Daisy
Frageria chiloensis - Ornamental Strawberry
Juniperus spp. - Juniper
Oenothera berlandieri - Evening Primrose
Sisyrincium bellum - Blue-eyed Grass

Grasses
Buchloe dactyloides - Buffalo Grass

Vines and Espalliers
Pyracantha spp. - Firethorn
Rosa spp. - Climbing Roses
Vaccinum ovatum - Huckleberry

Spanish-Style Landscape Plant Palette

Much of California and the Southwest United States has elements of Spanish architectural influence.  The following plant palette is appropriate to use to accent stucco buildings with tile roofs.

Trees (Botanical Name - Common Name)
Acacia baileyana - Bailey's Acacia
Brachychiton acerifolius - Australian Flame Tree
Brahea armata - Mexican Blue Palm
Butia capitata - Pindo Palm
Cassia leptophylla - Golden Medallion Tree
Chaemerops humilis - Mediterranean Fan Palm
Chilopsis linearis - Desert Willow
Citrus spp. - Orange, Lemon, Lime, Kumquat, etc.
Cupaniopsis anacardioides - Carrotwood
Lagerstroemia indica - Crape Myrtle
Maytenus boaria - Mayten Tree
Olneya Tesota - Desert Ironwood
Pinus pinea - Italian Stone Pine
Pinus radiata - Monterey Pine
Pinus torreyana - Torrey Pine
Phoenix canariensis - Canary Island Date Palm
Phoenix dactylifera - Date Palm
Persea americana - Avocado
Platanus racemosa - California Sycamore
Quercus agrifolia - Coast Live Oak
Rhus lancea - African Sumac
Strelitzia nicholai - Giant Bird of Paradise
Schinus molle - California Pepper
Thevetia peruviana - Yellow Oleander
Washingtonia robusta - Mexican Fan Palm

Shrubs

Acacia spp. - Wattle
Agave americana - Century Plant
Baccharis pillularis - Coyote Brush
Cassia artemesioides - Senna
Cereus peruvianus - Night-blooming Cereus
Chorisia speciosa - Silk Floss Tree
Cistus spp. - Rock Rose
Cytisus spp. - Broom
Echium fastuosum - Pride of Maderia
Genista spp. - Broom
Heteromeles arbutifolia - Toyon
Ilex spp. - Holly
Juniperus spp. - Juniper
Leucophyllum frutescens - Texas Ranger
Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' - Texas Privet
Limonium perezii - Sea Lavender
Pittosporum tobira - Mock Orange
Prunus ilicifolia - Hollyleaf Laurel
Rhus spp. - Sumac
Romneya coulteri - Matilija Poppy
Rosa spp. - Roses
Salvia spp. - Sage
Sanseveria trifacinata - Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Spartium sp. - Broom
Strelitzia reginae - Bird of Paradise
Yucca spp. - Yucca

Vines and Espaliers

Bougainvillea spp. - Bouganivillea
Macfadyana ungis-cati - Cats Claw Vine
Rosa spp. - Climbing Roses

Groundcovers

Trachylospermum jasminoides - Star Jasimine

Pueblo Style Plant Palette

The Pueblo landscape style relies on native and natural-looking plants.  Plant groupings are natural and informal with contrast between foliage and form. 

Trees (Botanical Name - Common Name)
Acacia smallii - Desert Wattle
Acacia stenophylla - Shoestring Acacia
Carnegiea gigantea - Saguaro cactus
Cercidium spp. - Palo Verde
Chilopsis linearis - Desert Willow
Cotinus sp. - Smoke Tree
Geijera parvifolia - Australian Willow
Lagerstroemia indica - Crape Myrtle
Lysiloma microphylla - Fern-of-the-Desert
Olea europaea - Olive tree
Olneya tesota - Desert Ironwood
Parkinsonia aculeata - Jerusalem Thorn
Phoenix dactylifera - Date Palm
Prosopis spp. - Mesquite
Rhus lancea - African Sumac
Washingtonia robusta - Mexican Fan Palm
Yucca brevifolia - Joshua Tree

Shrubs

Acacia spp. - Wattle
Agave americana - Century Plant
Aloe sp. - Aloe
Atriplex sp. - Salt Bush
Caesalpinia mexicana - Desert Bird of Paradise
Calliandra californica - Baja Fairy Duster
Cassia artemisioides - Senna
Dalea sp. - Indigo Bush
Dasylirion wheeleri - Desert Spoon
Echinocactus sp. - Barrel Cactus
Encilia farinosa - Brittle Brush
Foquieria splendens - Ocotillo
Hesperaloe parviflora - Red Yucca
Kniphofia uvara - Red Hot Poker
Leucophyllum frutescens - Texas Ranger
Opuntia spp. - Prickly Pear
Salvia spp. - Sage
Stenocereus thurberi - Organpipe Cactus
Yucca spp. - Yucca

Vines and Espaliers

Bougainvillea sp. - Bougainvillea
Macfadyena ungis-cati - Cats Claw Vine

Groundcover

Penstemon spp. - Beardtongue
Verbena spp. - Verbena

Many of the plants listed here were inspired by a list published in Landscape Design for Architectural Style Volume 2 by Scott Bradstreet.  The plants listed are appropriate for the semi-arid to arid western United States and California. 

Crack Plants

Crack plants are the tiny creeping plants that flourish between stepping stones in the garden.  Low-growing, durable plants soften the hard edges of paving and add interesting textures and seasonal interest to the garden path.  The following plants grow well in-between stepping stones and can withstand some foot traffic:

• Thymus praecox
• Mazus reptans
• Sedum spp. (some)

Grasses and Grass-Like Plants Used by Oehme and van Sweeden

Grasses are an integral part of gardens designed by landscape architects Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweeden.  Below is a partial list of some grasses that they used to add structure and fall and winter interest in the landscape.


Achnatherum brachytricha - Silver Spike Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9
Height (Inflorescence):  24-30"
Spread:  18-24"
Exposure:  Sun to partial shade
Uses in the Landscape:  Massing, small clump, accent
Combine with:  Liriope, Rudbeckia, Sedum


Calamagrostis acutiflora stricta - Feather Reed Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence): 4.5-7'

Spread:  24"

Exposure:  Full sun to light shade

Uses in the Landscape: background, specimen, large or small masses

Combine with:  Aster, Pennisetum, Rudbeckia, Sedum

Carex morrowii variegata - Silver Variegated Japanese Sedge
USDA Zone:  5-9

Height (Inflorescence): 12"

Spread:  12"

Exposure:  Partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  borders, edging, massing

Combine with:  Bergenia, Epimedium, Rodgersia pinnata

Carex pendula - Great Drooping Sedge Grass
USDA Zone:  5-9

Height (Inflorescence): 24-36"

Spread:  24-30"

Exposure:  Full sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape: Groundcover, textural accent

Combine with:  Astilbe, Bergenia, Epimedium, Hosta, Ligularia, Rodgersia pinnata

Cortaderia selloana pumila - Pampas Grass
USDA Zone:  6-10

Height (Inflorescence):  8-12'

Spread:  4-5'

Exposure:  Full sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Screening or accent

Combine with:  Eupatorium, Lythrum

Deschampsia caespitosa - Tufted Hair Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence): 24-36"

Spread:  30"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade.  Needs moist soil.

Uses in the Landscape:  Specimen or massing.

Combine with:  Bergenia, Epimedium, Hosta, Ligularia

Fargesia nitida - Chinese Clump Bamboo
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  10-12'

Spread:  48"

Exposure:  Shade to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Specimen, screening, or massing.  Non-invasive.

Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass
USDA Zone:  4-8

Height (Inflorescence):  24-30"

Spread:  24"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Accent, specimen, masses, or naturalizing

Combine with:  Artemisia, Nepeta, Stachys

Imperata cylindrica 'Red Barron' - Japanese Blood Grass
USDA Zone:  5-9

Height (Inflorescence):  12-18"

Spread:  12-18"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Groundcover, accent, specimen

Combine with:  Bergenia, Stachys

Miscanthus floridulus - Giant Chinese Silver Grass
USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  10-12'

Spread:  5-8'

Exposure:  Full sun

Uses in the Landscape: Background, architectural specimen in lawns

Combine with:  Hibiscus, Rudbeckia

Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus - Maiden Grass

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence): 4-6'

Spread:  36-48"

Exposure:  Sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Vertical accent with low groundcovers, backdrop, screening

Combine with:  Aster, Pennisetum, Rudbeckia, Sedum

Miscanthus sinensis purpurascens - Purple Silver Grass

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  4-5'

Spread:  36"

Exposure:  Full sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Accent, back of border, screening

Combine with:  Rudbeckia, Sedum, Yucca

Molinia arundinacea 'Transparent' - Tall Purple Moor Grass

USDA Zone:  3-8

Height (Inflorescence):  5-6'

Spread:  36-42"

Exposure:  Sun.  Needs acid soil.

Uses in the Landscape:  Vertical accent

Combine with:  Coreopsis, Sedum

Panicum virgatum 'Haense Herms' - Red Switch Grass

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height (Inflorescence):  36-48"

Spread:  30"

Exposure:  Sun

Uses in the Landscape:  Masses, back of the border

Combine with:  Aster, Boltonia, Sedum, Yucca

Pennisetum alopecuroides - Hardy Fountain Grass

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height (Inflorescence):  36"

Spread:  24"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade

Uses in the Landscape:  Small to large groups

Combine with:  Aster, Eupatorium, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Yucca

Sesleria autumnalis - Autumn Moor Grass

USDA Zone:  3-8

Height (Inflorescence):  12-18"

Spread:  18"

Exposure:  Sun to partial shade.  Alkaline soil.

Uses in the Landscape:  Border massing, woodland edges

Combine with:  Ceratostigma, Chrysanthemum pacificum, Sedum

Spodiopogon sibiricus - Silver Spike Grass

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height (Inflorescence):  36-48"

Spread:  30"

Exposure:  Sun.  Drought tolerant

Uses in the Landscape:  Specimen or mass planting

Combine with:  Aster, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Stachys

Perennial Plant Combinations

Perennial plant combinations inspired by the work of Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweeden

Acanthus hungaricus Combination

• Acanthus hungaricus
• Ceratostigma
• Coreopsis
• Helictotrichon

Achillea filipendulina Combination

• Helenium
• Nepeta
• Pennisetum
• Rudbeckia
• Salvia
• Veronica

Aralia racemosa Combination

• Astilbe
• Geranium
• Hosta
• Lamiastrum
• Ligularia
• Ferns

Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' Combination

• Nepeta
• Sedum

Aster x frikartii Combinations

• Achillea
• Artemisia
• Chrysanthemum
• Pennisetum
• Spodiopogon

Astilbe Combinations

• Begonia
• Hosta
• Ligularia
• Ferns

Bergenia Combinations

• Yucca
• Astilbe
• Epimedium
• Liriope

Brunnera macrophylla Combinations

• Astilbe
• Ligularia
• Liriope
• Ferns

Caryopteris Combinations

• Calamagrostis
• Panicum
• Pennisetum
• Pervoskia
• Sedum
• Spodiopogon
• Stachys

Ceratostigma Combinations

• Coreopsis
• Liriope
• Panicum
• Pennisetum
• Sedum
• Yucca

Coreopsis verticillata Combinations

• Helictotrichon
• Liatris
• Pervoskia

Epimedium Combinations

• Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'
• Anemone japonica
• Astilbe
• Bergenia
• Liriope

Joe-Pye Weed Combinations

• Eupatorium purpureum 'Gateway'
• Calamagrostis
• Lythrum
• Miscanthus
• Senecio

Daylily Combinations

• Hemerocallis 'Stella d'Oro'
• Achillea
• Calamagrostis
• Lythrum
• Pennisetum
• Rudbeckia

Hibiscus moscheutos Combinations

• Lythrum
• Pennisetum
• Senecio

St. John's-Wort Combinations

• Hypericum calycinum
• Cerastostigma
• Pennisetum
• Rudbeckia

Liatris spicata Combinations

• Liatris spicata
• Coreopsis
• Liriope

Ligularia Combinations

• Ligularia dentata
• Hosta
• Astilbe
• Liriope
• Lamiastrum
• Ferns

Liriope Combinations

• Bergenia
• Caryopteris
• Geranium

Loosestrife Combinations

• Lythrum salicaria 'Morden's Pink'
• Hemerocallis
• Hibiscus

Plume Poppy Combinations

• Macleaya cordata
• Hemerocallis
• Lythrum
• Miscanthus

Russian Sage Combinations

• Pervoskia atriplicifolia
• Artemesia
• Coreopsis
• Hypericum
• Liriope
• Nepeta
• Sedum

Black-Eyed Susan Combinations

• Calamagrostis
• Liriope
• Lythrum
• Pennisetum
• Senecio

Salvia Superba Combinations

• Saliva superba
• Coreopsis
• Hemerocallis
• Rudbeckia
• Sedum
• Senecio

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' Combinations

• Ceratostigma
• Coreopsis
• Pennisetum
• Sesleria
• Yucca

Yucca filamentosa Combinations

• Yucca filamentosa
• Ceratostigma
• Coreopsis
• Sedum

Oehme and van Sweeden Plant Palette - Perennials

Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweeden are partners in the landscape architecture firm Oehme and van Sweeden.  They are know for their innovate public and private gardens that utilize minimal hardscape and exuberent planting with bold sweeps of perennials and ornamental grasses.  Below is a partial list of selected plants used in their gardens.

Perennials
Acanthus hungaricus - Bear's Breech
USDA Zone:  5-9
Height: 36"
Width: 24"
Sun:  Part-shade is best.  Will grow in full sun or full shade.

Achillea filipendulina - Fern-leaf Yarrow

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 36"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Full sun

Aralia racemosa - American Spikenard

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 48-60"

Width: 48"

Sun:  Sun to part-shade

Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' - Silvermound Wormwood

USDA Zone:  4-8

Height: 12-18"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Full sun

Aster x frikartii - Michaelmas Daisy

USDA Zone:  5-8

Height: 30"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Astilbe taquetii - False Spiraea

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 36"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun to part shade

Begonia grandis - Hardy Begonia

USDA Zone:  6-9

Height: 12-18"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Partial shade.  Needs moist soil.

Berginia cordifolia - Heartleaf Berginia

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height: 18"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Note:  Evergreen

Brunnera macrophylla - Perennial Forget-Me-Not

USDA Zone:  4-8

Height: 12-18"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Shade to partial shade

Caryopteris x clandonensis - Bluebeard

USDA Zone:  5-9

Height: 24-30"

Width: 30-36"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides - Blue Leadwort

USDA Zone:  5-8

Height: 12"

Width: 12-18"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' - Threadleaf Coreopsis

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height: 18-24"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum' - Persian Epimedium

USDA Zone:  5-9

Height: 12"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Part shade.  Resents hot sun and needs more moisture with more sun exposure.

Eupatorium purpureum 'Gateway' - Joe-Pye Weed

USDA Zone:  5-9

Height: 60-72"

Width: 36-48"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Note:  Also known as E. fistulosum.

Hemerocallis lilaceae 'Stella d'Oro' - Daylily

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 24-40"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun

Hibiscus moscheutos - Rose Mallow

USDA Zone:  5-10

Height: 36-72"

Width: 24-30"

Sun:  Full sun

Hosta sieboldiana - Plantain Lily

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 30"

Width: 24"

Sun:  Shade to partial shade

Hypericum calycinum - St. John's-wort

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 12-18"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Note:  Evergreen

Liatris spicata - Gay-feather

USDA Zone:  5-9

Height: 24-30"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Ligularia dentata - Bigleaf Goldenray

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 36-42"

Width: 24"

Sun:  Partial shade

Liriope muscari 'Big Blue'

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 12"

Width: 12-18"

Sun:  Full sun

Note:  Evergreen

Lythrum salicaria 'Morden's Pink' - Pink Loosetrife

USDA Zone:  4-8

Height: 36-48"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun

Macleaya cordata - Plume Poppy

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 6'-9'

Width: 36"

Sun:  Partial shade is best.  Will tolerate full sun in a cooler climate.

Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

USDA Zone:  3-9

Height: 36-48"

Width: 24-30"

Sun:  Full sun

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum' - Black-Eyed Susan

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 24"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun to partial shade

Salvia superba - Purple Sage

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 18-24"

Width: 18"

Sun:  Full sun to part shade

Sedum 'Ruby Glow' - Stonecrop

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 8-12"

Width: 12"

Sun:  Full sun

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' - Live-Forever

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 18-24"

Width: 18-24"

Sun:  Full sun (will grow acceptably in partial shade)

Yucca filamentosa - Adam's Needle

USDA Zone:  4-9

Height: 36-48"

Width: 24-30"

Sun:  Full sun

Note:  Evergreen