Grow Shade - Plant A Tree

Three girls sitting on a large branch of a tree underneath its shade in a park

Not to be confused with Throwing Shade, Growing Shade is a great way to add value to your home, cool the landscape, clean the air and provide lovely color all by planting a tree. Now that the temperatures in the Bay Area are heating up, we are looking for ways to cool ourselves and our homes. We've gathered a selection that offer stunning blooms during spring and incredible color year round, some are award winning, many drought tolerant, all great for creating shade:
(Selection may vary by location)

Chinese PistacheCollage of Chinese Pistache shade tree with the words Chinese Pistache Pistacia chinensis on the image

Pistacia chinensis - Chinese Pistache grows quickly in full sun to partial shade on moderately fertile, well-drained soils and will handle heat and drought extremely well.

  • The Chinese pistache grows to a height of 25–35' and a spread of 25–35' at maturity.
  • This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
  • The Chinese pistache grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, silty loam, well-drained and clay soils. It also grows well in drought conditions.
  • Provides good fall color, with leaves turning beautiful shades of orange and red
  • An excellent tree for wildlife as the tree's seeds provide food for birds while the flowers provide food for insects.

Plum Amazing - Purple Leaf Plum TreesCollage of Purple Leaf Plum Shade Tree with the words Purple Leaf Plum Tree on the imageNewport Purple Leaf Plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Newport' - Terrific tree with bronze-purple leaves when young, then dark purple mature foliage. Pale pink to white blooms. Bears dull purple fruit. Useful in all areas of landscape: lawn, patio, terrace.

  • Deciduous
  • Moderate grower to 20 ft. tall, 15 ft. wide
  • Spring Flowering
  • Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat

Care: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.Pruning time: winter.

Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' - A stunning landscape specimen with splendid coppery purple foliage that holds its color into fall. Pale pink, single blooms blanket the stems in the spring before the foliage emerges. Produces small, red edible fruit. A wonderfully versatile deciduous tree.

  • Useful in all areas of landscape: lawn, patio, and terrace
  • Blooms in Spring
  • Moderate growing; reaches 20 ft. tall and wide

Care: Prefers slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils. Water deeply and regularly during the first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Apply an organic fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, prune annually in late winter to shape. Pruning time: winter.

Krauter Vesuvius Purple Leaf Plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius' - This remarkable tree is perhaps the most colorful of all flowering plums! Beautiful dark purple-black summer foliage is preceded by a profusion of showy light pink flowers in spring. A phenomenal ornamental accent for landscapes that seldom produces fruit.

  • Deciduous
  • Moderate growing; reaches 20 ft. tall, 15 ft. wide

Care: Provide humus-rich, well-drained soil. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established, reduce frequency. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Prune for shape and structure after flowering. Pruning time: winter.

Color-Craze - Crape Myrtle TreesCollage of Crape Myrtle Trees with the words Crape Myrtle Tree on the imageNatchez Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez' - A large shrub or small tree with smooth, dark, cinnamon brown, exfoliating bark. Glossy dark green leaves turn vibrant orange-red in fall. Panicles of pure white, soft-textured flowers bloom all summer. Makes an excellent specimen, accent or group planting. Deciduous.

  • Full Sun
  • Blooms in Summer
  • Moderate growing; reaches 20 ft. tall and wide
  • Use in Mass Planting, Specimen, Urban Garden

Care: Thrives in average, well-drained soil. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Feed in early spring. Thin young trees late winter to early spring; leave 3 to 7 main trunks or canopy branches. Remove suckers from the base of older trees. Pruning time: late winter.

Petite Pinkie™ Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica 'Monkie' Vibrant, profuse clusters of clear pink, crepe-like blossoms on this popular, showy, dwarf crape myrtle with extremely attractive, smooth bark texture. Begins blooming in summer; later in colder winter zones. Excellent massed in single-color plantings or used as an individual accent.

  • Moderate growing; reaches 5 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide.
  • Blooms in Summer to Fall
  • Border, Container, Hedge, Mass Planting, Privacy Screen, Specimen, Urban Garden

Care: Thrives in average, well-drained soil. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established, reduce frequency. Feed in early spring. Thin young trees late winter to early spring; leave 3 to 7 main trunks or canopy branches. Remove suckers from the base of older trees.

Dynamite® Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit II' - An attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with smooth, peeling bark. Showy, ruffled, fiery red summer flowers are followed by vibrant orange-red fall foliage. An excellent choice as a specimen plant, or en masse for an explosion of color in the landscape and year-round interest. Deciduous.

  • Moderate growing; reaches 15 to 20 ft. tall, 10 to 15 ft. wide.
  • Blooms in Summer
  • Mass Planting, Urban Garden, Specimen

Care: Thrives in average, well-drained soil. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Feed in early spring. Thin young trees late winter to early spring; leave 3 to 7 main trunks or canopy branches. Remove suckers from the base of older trees. Pruning time: late winter.

Pink Velour® Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit III' - Deep wine red leaves emerge in spring and age to dark purplish green, providing a striking contrast to vibrant pink summer flowers. Compact, multi-stemmed form is ideal for use as an accent shrub or small tree, in flowering borders or containers. Highly resistant to powdery mildew. Deciduous.

  • Grows to 8 to 10 ft. tall and wide
  • Specimen
  • Blooms in Summer

Crape Myrtle Tree Care: Provide well-drained soil. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed moderately before new growth begins in spring. Prune for general shaping only, in late winter.

Source for Crape Myrtles - Monrovia.com

Chinese ElmCollage of Elm Shade Trees with the words Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia on the image

Ulmus parvifolia - is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a rounded crown and long pendulous branching. It's known for its excellent foliage, multi-colored bark and rapid growth.

  • Height: 40 to 50 feet
  • Spread: 25 to 40 feet
  • Bloom Time: August to September
  • Bloom Description: Reddish-green

Forest Pansy RedbudCollage of Forest Pansy Redbud shade tree with the words Forest Pansy Redbud Cercis canadensis on the image

Cercis canadensis - This is a must have for any California landscape. A recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society, this Redbud displays lovely pea-like, pink flowers that pop up before the foliage in the spring. The foliage, when it does appear is a broad, heart-shaped leaf. The leaves begin as a shimmery reddish purple and turns shades of orange and bronze in the fall.

  • Grows up to 20 to 30 feet tall
  • Spread: 25 to 35 feet wide
  • Attracts birds, butterflies and bees
  • Makes an excellent spedimen tree

TristaniaCollage of Tristania shade tree with the words Tristania and the botanical name Tristaniopsis laurina on the image

Tristaniopsis laurina - This resilient Australian evergreen makes a fabulous lawn, specimen, or street tree with its symmetrical rounded head, peeling bark and dense foliage. Gorgeous glossy leaves are oval and 4-6 inches long and casts a nice shady shadow. In the spring and summer this tree offers showy and fragrant blooms. A slow growing tree.

  • Deciduous
  • Mature height & spread: 30 to 40 feet tall by 25 ft. wide
  • Natural Growth Habit is Conical
  • Drought resistant once established

Gardening Essentials, Companion Plant and How To Plant

SummerWinds Planting MixSummerWinds Planting Mix

This all-purpose natural and Organic transplanting mix is ideal for all types of flowers, vegetables and ornamentals, including annuals, perennials, ground covers, shrubs, fruit and shade trees. Available in 2 cu ft. Bag (developed with E.B. Stone Organics)

E.B. Stone Organics Sure Start Fertilizer 4 lb. boxSure Start

from E.B. Stone Organics is a blend of natural organic ingredients formulated to help newly transplanted plants develop strong roots and sturdy growth. Sure Start is rich in natural sources of phosphorus to help your plants develop a strong foundation for future growth. Their gentle and non-burning formula is safe to use with even the most tender transplants.

Bag of Redi-Gro Bark Mulch 2 cuft.

Redi-Gro Bark Mulch

A natural forest product for colorful decorative landscaping to spread around your newly planted tree.  Saves water! | 2 cuft. Bag

EcoFlo 50ft. Soaker Hose

Utilize Soaker Hoses

Soaker hoses allow you to put the water exactly where your plants need it. SF Gate's, How to Lay a Soaker Hose, shares the best way to accomplish that.

Bond Eco Flow • 50 feet. • 1/2 inch.  Perfect for gardens around shrubs and walkways

Bag of Black Gold Canadian Spagnum Peat Moss 2.2 cuft. Black Gold Peat Moss

Black Gold Peat Moss by Redi Gro contains Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss and is the best all-purpose natural soil conditioner.

  • Mix liberally with garden soil to improve water retention and aeration
  • Suited to acid-loving plants
  • May slightly lower the pH of more alkaline soils
  • OMRI Listed® _ for organic gardening

Assorted bellingham gloves by Radians

Bellingham Gloves

Choose from men's and women's gloves of various sizes and colors

Nitrile Touch - Lightweight Comfort and Tough Protection
  • Breathable 13-gauge seamless nylon knit liner
  • Abrasion and puncture resistant foam nitrile coating
  • molds to the hand and fits like a second skin
  • Extended cuff improves fit and keeps dirt out
  • Excellent dexterity
Bellingham Bamboo Gardener™ Glove with Natural Rubber Palm
  • Soft, comfortable 13-gauge bamboo rayon seamless knit liner
  • Durable, textured natural rubber palm coat protects hands
  • Excellent grip, wet or dry
Bellingham Value Women’s Synthetic Palm Glove
  • Assorted Colors

Verbena - great companion plant for trees

4 different images of verbena - purple, pink, light pink and white with a slight pink hue

Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' - Selected from Cedros Island off the California coast, this mounding evergreen with deeply divided, green foliage provides months of color with its fragrant purple flowers; nearly year-round in mild climates. A drought tolerant native ideal for borders, natural gardens, and meadows. Beautiful in mixed containers.

  • Fast growing; reaches 3 ft. tall and wide.
  • Long Bloom Season - Blooms Spring through Fall

EnduraScape™ Verbena

Verbena EnduraScape™ Series Patented - An eye-catching collection of bright jewel tones that beats them all for summer performance - it takes the heat and stays in flower longer! Vivid colors that last, dense branching, and excellent powdery mildew resistance. An herbaceous perennial in mild winter regions; treat as an annual elsewhere.


Verbena Care: Thrives in a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay; best if well-drained. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

How To Plant Trees and Shrubs

This video will show you the basics to planting trees, shrubs and more. We will focus on trees but the same can apply to shrubs, perennials and more. With these simple steps, you can successfully plant your next garden.