Staff favorite plants and trees selected for Bay Area gardens, featuring reliable evergreens and seasonal color

Staff Favorites

Reliable, beautiful, Bay Area–tested picks our team would plant in our own yards.

These are the varieties our team reaches for again and again—because they thrive in Bay Area gardens, look great with minimal fuss, and deliver real “wow” in everyday landscapes. From instant structure to easy seasonal color, these picks are chosen for reliability, beauty, and customer happiness.
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  • Sweet Tea Olive white flowers blooming on evergreen foliage

    Sweet Tea Olive

    Sweet Tea Olive
  • Grey Box Dwarf Coast Rosemary Potted Grey Box Dwarf Coast Rosemary on a gravel surface with other plants in the background

    Grey Box Dwarf Coast Rosemary

    Grey Box Dwarf Coast Rosemary
  • Mexican Feather Grass Potted ornamental Mexican Feather Grass in a garden setting

    Mexican Feather Grass

    Mexican Feather Grass
  • Row of potted Provence Lavender plants under a clear blue sky

    Provence Lavender

    Provence Lavender
  • Row of potted English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), often referred to as Common Lavender or True Lavender on a gravel surface

    English Lavender

    English Lavender
  • Pink Muhly Grass

    Pink Muhly Grass

    Pink Muhly Grass
  • Wilsonii Olive

    Wilsonii Olive Tree

    Wilsonii Olive Tree
  • Little Ollie Tree

    Little Ollie Tree

    Little Ollie Tree
  • Royal Cape® Plumbago

    Royal Cape Plumbago

    Royal Cape Plumbago
  • Mystic Spires Blue Salvia with green leaves against a blue sky

    Mystic Spires Blue Sage

    Mystic Spires Blue Sage
  • Close-up of blue Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' flowers with green leaves against a clear blue sky.

    Ray Hartman California Lilac

    Ray Hartman California Lilac
  • Star Jasmine

    Star Jasmine

    Star Jasmine
  • Japanese Boxwood

    Japanese Boxwood

    Japanese Boxwood
  • White flower Veitchii Gardenia with green leaves in the background

    Veitchii Gardenia

    Veitchii Gardenia
  • Red flowers growing among California Fuchsia with black pots in the background

    California Fuchsia

    California Fuchsia
  • All Gold Hakone Grass

    All Gold Japanese Forest Grass

    All Gold Japanese Forest Grass
  • Cousin Itt Bower Wattle

    Cousin Itt Bower Wattle

    Cousin Itt Bower Wattle
  • Elijah Blue Common Blue Fescue Green grass plants Elijah Blue Common Blue Fescue in a garden setting

    Elijah Blue Common Blue Fescue

    Elijah Blue Common Blue Fescue
  • Grandiflora Sweet Pea Shrub

    Grandiflora Sweet Pea Shrub

    Grandiflora Sweet Pea Shrub
  • Barbara Karst Bougainvillea

    Barbara Karst Bougainvillea

    Barbara Karst Bougainvillea
  • Row of potted Lavender Cotton with a textured green foliage at victory nursery

    Lavender Cotton

    Lavender Cotton
  • Sea Lavender

    Sea Lavender

    Sea Lavender
  • Purple Otto Quast Spanish Lavender plants in a field with a clear blue sky.

    Otto Quast Spanish Lavender

    Otto Quast Spanish Lavender
  • Pacific Wax Myrtle

    Pacific Wax Myrtle

    Pacific Wax Myrtle

Frequently asked questions

Q1: What makes a plant a “Staff Favorite”?
A: We pick varieties that consistently look great on arrival, perform well in Bay Area conditions, and deliver strong results without high maintenance.

Q2: Are these plants beginner-friendly?
A: Many are. If you’re new to gardening, start with plants labeled as low-maintenance, then match them to your sun exposure and watering habits.

Q3: Can you help me choose the right plant for my yard?
A: Yes. Share your city (or ZIP), sunlight (full sun/partial shade/shade), and whether you prefer low water or regular watering—our team can recommend a short list that fits.

Q4: Do you offer planting or garden design services?
A: We do. For Bay Area customers, we can help with plant selection, layout ideas, and installation planning depending on the project scope.

Q5: How fast do these sell out?
A: Staff favorites often move quickly because inventory is limited and these are proven top performers. If you see the right size, it’s worth grabbing it.

Q6: What if I’m looking for instant privacy or a fast “finished” look?
A: Filter for privacy/structure plants and choose larger sizes when available—bigger containers typically give you immediate presence.