Common name:Japanese Black Pine
Botanical name:Pinus thunbergii

This variety of Pine is both rigid and twisted, with needles of 3"-4". It has an irregular shape, and the short, contorted branches produce a canopy shaped tree. The buds are white, and the cones are egg -shaped and without prickles. Pines are highly combustible plants.

Common name:Yellow Bird Of Paradise
Botanical name:Caesalpinia gilliesii

This Bird of Paradise is an upright, fast growing small tree or large shrub, 10' tall by 8' wide. Clusters of yellow flowers have long red stamens. Natural growth habit is irregular and open, but can be pruned to encourage dense growth. It is quite hardy and can be frost tolerant. As pods mature, they split spewing seeds. Ripe seeds are poisonous. It may be somewhat invasive but it is easy to control. This plant is drought tolerant.

Common name:Mexican Grass Tree, Toothless Sotol
Botanical name:Dasylirion longissimum

This evergreen shrub will grow to about 5' tall and 5' wide. It has narrow, grass-like leaves with creamy white flowers that bloom in early summer.