Question
I live in the Bayview atop a hill where the winds are extremely fierce, akin to those at Candlestick Park. I have a quite extensive back (side, really) yard where I would like to plant seriously wind-resistant trees and shrubs. The only thing that is really thriving there is Echium fastuosum. I have a number of Dodonaea purpurea and the more-exposed ones have remained quite small just by way of example. I am looking for fairly sizable plantings in the main I suppose as there is a quite extensive area to cover. Help? Regards,
Norman
San Francisco
Answer
Wind is a great limiting factor. There are some tough plants though. For taller plants, look at Schinus molle (California Pepper), Xylosma (no common name), Arbutus unedo and Marina (Strawberry tree), and Eucalyptus. I rarely recommend Eucalyptus as they are messy and difficult to garden under but they do take weather extremes. The red iron bark( E. ficifolia) would be best. The Pittosporum tenuifolium and undulatum are also recommended. Larger shrubs are Nandina (Heavenly bamboo), Westringia (Coast Rosemary), Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Escallonia, and Euonymus. It may be helpful to contact our Garden Design department for further suggestions and plant placement. Their number is 415-388-3754.
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