Wind-Tolerant Plants for Northern California

Shrubs and perennials that stand up to harsh gusts with movement and grace

Gardening in a verbose , exposed area can be a challenge . Luckily , some plants are not only imperviable to the effect of gusts or breezes but will react in such a mode that they ’re transformed into experience energising sculptures . Movement , elegance , and an excess stratum of lulu transform the garden . Just envision how delightful it is to observe the front of a quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides , Zones 1–7 ) or the swaying of a crying willow tree ( Salix babylonica , Zones 6–9 ) on a windy mean solar day . And it ’s thrilling to watch a breeze rippling through a field of corn poppy ( Papaver rhoeas , annual ) or New Zealand wind grass ( Stipa arundinacea , Zones 8–10 ) . Just like those plants , every one of the selections below has manage to trance me in its own way on late breezy days .

‘Silver Sheen’ kohuhu

Pittosporum tenuifolium‘Silver Sheen ’ , Zones 8–11

‘ Silver Sheen ’ kohuhu is a flying - growing shrub that ’s clay , lead , and table salt - spray tolerant . It apace grow into a refined , upright , and loose substance abuse if left unsheared . On a gusty day , the slender branches and stems sway and move , and the silver - gullible leaves positively shimmer for a optical fillip . invisible smuggled flower hide among the leave of absence in outflow . If you do adjudicate to fleece or prune ‘ Silver Sheen ’ ( it ’s a bang-up hedging choice ) , be sure to wait until you ’ve relish its delicious fragrance . Reaching 20 understructure tall and 8 to 10 feet wide when unpruned , this New Zealand flora takes full to partial shadowiness and even irrigation until establishment .

Bog sage

Salvia uliginosa , Zones 6–9

peat bog salvia is one sturdy , fast - uprise , long - blooming salvia that is patient of of a broad reach of growing conditions — including wind ! This marvelous , clump - forming perennial is a magnet for pollinators and hummingbirds from former spring through summer , when the grandiloquent , slender stems efflorescence with spike of nectar - meet sky - blue bloom . With its hint ohmic resistance and flexibility regarding different conditions , 4 - foot grandiloquent and 2- to 3 - foot - spacious bog sage is an graceful choice for the back of a fart - prone border . It ’s easy to grow in full sun or partial shade and in damp or wry ( irrigate if this is the case ) grease . Cut it back by one-half in winter .

China rose

Rosa chinensis‘Mutabilis ’ , Zones 6–9

In full heyday , with its teemingness of showy bloom that resemble a innkeeper of fluttering butterflies , this adorable shrub arise become a breezy Clarence Day into a cause for celebration ! It has slender stem and a on the loose , airy , open outgrowth use . Its pointed buds clear into single , lightly fragrant , 3 - inch blooms that go through a range of color change , from gold , to copper , to sensationalistic , to orange , to tap — with all of the colors appear on the bush at the same time . An outstanding , well-to-do - to - grow shrub , China rise bloom of youth almost incessantly from bounce through declivity and maturate 6 feet magniloquent and extensive in Northern California . It performs good in full sun and in plenteous , well - amended soil with regular irrigation until establishment .

‘Hot Rod’ switch grass

Panicum virgatum‘Hot Rod ’ , Zones 4–9

supply a colorful , graceful , erect encouragement to your beds with this hardy decorative grass . The blades of this herbaceous perennial emerge blue - greenness in leaping , chop-chop transition to a pictorial dark red . Airy purple blossom panicles top the recollective slender stems in summer and are followed by a drop show of cryptic over-embellished foliage lead by reddish purple seeded player heads . It ’s a stunner anywhere in the garden but is particularly lovely planted en masse shot in a winding - prone meadow . Grow in full sun , in rich , amended soil , and pee on a regular basis for good issue . ‘ Hot Rod ’ switch dope reaches 3 to 4 invertebrate foot tall and 2 to 3 animal foot broad .

‘Henfield Brilliant’ rock rose

Helianthemum nummularium‘Henfield Brilliant ’ , Zones 4–9

From recent spring through summer , this plant deport a round-the-clock show of single , papery burnt orange prime that trip the light fantastic toe above a footing - hugging mat of impenetrable , eloquent - immature leafage . Sun loving , well-to-do to grow , and tolerant of drought , cervid , and fart ( it look particularly appealing on a blowy day ) , this showy , knotty subshrub reaches only 8 in tall when in efflorescence , circularize 18 to 20 inches wide . Good drain is vital , as well as light but regular water during hot summertime months until institution . After flowering , deadhead pass flowers and stems to encourage new growth and a repeat peak of blooms .

— Fionuala Campion is the owner and director of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

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Bog sage close up

Bog sage’s unique bright blue flowers will catch your eye despite their small size.Photo: Jennifer Benner

Silver Sheen kohuhu

‘Silver Sheen’ kohuhu’s airy foliage seems to float on the breeze instead of on its barely-there branches.Photo: Fionuala Campion

Bog sage

Bog sage’s flowers bloom at the end of long, slender, sturdy stems, allowing the flowers to dance around in the breeze without flopping.Photo: Michelle Gervais

China rose