Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is one of those plants that remind you that California does, after all, have seasons. A delicate-looking shrub with a strong constitution, snowberry has small, somewhat sparse, oval to slightly lobed blue-green leaves and an airy, rounded habit. The early summer flowers are bell-shaped and pinkish white, not particularly showy but quite charming clustered at the ends of branches and attractive to hummingbirds. The fall berries are indescribably lovely to behold.  Clusters of large, brilliant white, waxy fruits stand out against any background.  There are few shrubs with berries as white and wonderful

Arctostaphylos pajaroensis branches in Tilden Park Every garden needs a “backbone” – usually trees or shrubs that provide enduring form and structure as perennials and annuals lose their seasonal impact.  Native to much of the West Coast, manzanitas (Arctostaphylos) are the perfect backbone plants for California – graceful form, picturesque bark, showy clusters of small winter to early spring flowers, and handsome green or gray-green leaves year round. Arctostaphylos hooveri bark Why are manzanitas not in every California garden?  Perhaps because they often fail to thrive under gardening practices considered normal for East Coast or English gardens