10 Shrubs That Thrive in Warm and Dry Zone 10

Best Shrubs for Southern California

By
Vanessa Richins Myers
Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 01/13/21
Japanese pittosporum shrub

The Spruce / Almar Creative

In Zone 10—Southern California—roses bloom and loquats are harvested in December. The USDA defines Zone 10 as areas that have an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 30-40 F, so frosts are rare. It does not take into account the average maximum temperatures, but Zone 10 shrubs can usually handle the heat and will flourish.

  • 01 of 10

    Angel's Trumpet

    Brugmansia (Angels trumpets), close up of pendulous white flowers
    Harley Seaway/Photolibrary/Getty Images
    • Latin Name: Brugmansia spp.
    • Other Common Names: Angel star, Brugmansia, datura
    • Native to: South America
    • USDA Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 6–20 feet tall
    • Exposure: Sun with afternoon shade

    Angel's trumpet can grow to the height of a small tree, covered with floral trumpets that hang down gracefully. Choose the location where this will go carefully, as all parts of this plant are poisonous and it should not be where children or pets will wander by. It is closely related to the hallucinogenic Datura plants.

  • 02 of 10

    Cape Honeysuckle

    Orange cape honeysuckle or tecoma capensis plant shrub
    skymoon13 / Getty Images
    • Latin Name: Tecomaria capensis, ignonia capensis or Tecoma capensis
    • Native to: Cape of Good Hope in South Africa
    • USDA Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 3–10 feet tall as a shrub, 25–30 feet as a vine
    • Exposure: Full sun for best results, though a little shade will not be a problem.

    Cape honeysuckle produces bright orange blooms that look lovely and taste delicious. Even better, these beauties also attract hummingbirds. It's a great choice for an otherwise-dull tropical garden.

  • 03 of 10

    Indian Hawthorn

    Indian Hawthorn

    McJaje/Wikimedia Commons

    • Latin Name: Rhaphiolepis indica
    • Other Common Names: India hawthorn
    • Native to: Southern China
    • USDA Zones: 7–11
    • Height: 2–5' tall
    • Exposure: Full sun to part shade

    Indian hawthorn is a ubiquitous evergreen shrub that will provide color all year round, especially when the pink or white flowers appear. It produces fruits which, while inedible for people, are very attractive to wildlife including birds such as the cedar waxwing.

  • 04 of 10

    Japanese Mockorange

    Japanese Mockorange

     Effeietsanders/Wikimedia Commons

    • Latin Name: Pittosporum tobira
    • Other Common Names: Tobira, Japanese mock-orange, Japanese pittosporum,and Japanese cheesewood
    • Native to: China and Japan
    • USDA Zones: 8–10
    • Height: 6–15 feet tall
    • Exposure: Full sun to full shade

    Japanese mockorange thrives throughout California, with most specimens sporting variegated leaves. Since it can grow in full shade, it can find a home in almost any part of your landscape.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Natal Plum

    ripe plum on a branch close-up
    Vladimir Venediktov / Getty Images
    • Latin Name: Carissa macrocarpa
    • Other Common Names: Amatungulu, grootnoem-noem, big num-num
    • Native to: South Africa
    • USDA Zones: 9–11
    • Height: Different varieties can be 2–20 feet tall
    • Exposure: Full sun to part sun. The best flowering and fruiting is in full sun.

    Like the star jasmine, the natal plum features star-shaped flowers. Like the orange jasmine, they exude a scent resembling orange blossoms. For a sweet treat, try the ripe red fruits.

  • 06 of 10

    Orange Jasmine

    Orange jessamine flower blooming in the garden

    Getty Images

    • Latin Name: Murraya paniculata or Murraya exotica
    • Other Common Names: Chalcas, orange jessamine
    • Native to: Asia and Australasia
    • USDA Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 8–12 feet tall
    • Exposure: Full sun, can handle a little shade

    It is no wonder that this shrub is commonly called orange jasmine. Both the flowers and the scent are reminiscent of orange tree flowers.

  • 07 of 10

    Pomegranate

    Punica granatum

    H. Zell/Wikimedia Commons

    • Latin Name: Punica granatum
    • Native to: Iran and Iraq
    • USDA Zones: 7–10
    • Height: 3–20 feet depending on the variety chosen
    • Exposure: Full sun, can take some shade

    Pomegranates have many antioxidants and the juice is touted as a popular health drink. Pomegranate juice is tart, tangy and delicious, as are the seeds.

  • 08 of 10

    Princess Flower

    TIBOUCHINA
    Arpit Khambhata / Getty Images
    • Latin Name: Tibouchina urvilleana
    • Other Common Names: Purple glory bush, glory bush, lasiandra
    • Native to: Brazil
    • USDA Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 10–20 feet tall
    • Exposure: Full sun

    The princess flower sports huge purple flowers accented by large fuzzy leaves. Place it in a location where it will get a little shade in the afternoon to protect it from heat.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Southern Highbush Blueberries

    Wild blueberries ,Vaccinium, and pink granite rock in Georgian Bay, French River Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
    Ron Erwin / Getty Images
    • Latin Name: Vaccinium spp.
    • Other Common Names: Blueberries
    • Native to: North America
    • USDA Zones: 7–10
    • Height: 3–8 feet tall depending on the variety
    • Exposure: Full sun

    In Zone 10, you will need a southern highbush blueberry shrub as opposed to other blueberry varieties, since this type is able to withstand the hotter temperatures. It is the result of hybridization between northern highbush blueberries and species from the Southern United States.

  • 10 of 10

    Star Jasmine

    Star Jasmine-Chinese star jassamine-confederate jasmine
    Veena Nair / Getty Images
    • Latin Name: Trachelospermum jasminoides
    • Other Common Names: Confederate jasmine, trader's compass, Chinese jasmine, and Chinese ivy
    • Native to: China
    • USDA Zones: 8–10
    • Height: A liana that is 10–40 feet long. It can be pruned to be a shrub.
    • Exposure: Full sun to part shade

    Star jasmine exudes a strong heady scent that may seem especially strong on warm summer nights. A flowering vine, it can be used as ground cover or trained to climb a vertical trellis.