Hi Rick,
to NGA
I was born and raised in the Central Valley (Sacramento, Turlock and Oakdale).
What kind of look are you going for? You could use palm trees (such as windmill palms or queen palms) or sego palms, agave and yuccas or cactus. Mugho pines, junipers, olive trees, manzanita... all evergreen. Put in a couple large glazed bowls planted with annuals for summer color.
One of my favorites for summer color is Alstrameria although it does go dormant in the winter. Holly Ferns and Japanese Maples are a possibility. Both dormant in winter.
Am I going in the right direction?
Daisy
