Salvias come instantly to mind, although they may not be the best choice, but some that might work are:

Salvia clevelandii (and it's hybrids) a CA native
Salvia leucophylla (another native)
Salvia leucantha (but might freeze in your zone in winter)
Salvia corrugata
and possible S. 'Anthony Parker'.
Salvia gesneriflora

Prostanthera, an Australian native, comes in green and variegated form and blooms in winter.
there's also a Westringia that blooms in lavender/purple.
Australian Tea Tree (Leptospermum) has red cultivars (Red Ensign, Ruby Glow, etc.)

Ceanothus cultivars (CA native)

wanda

Here is a link that might be useful: prostanthera images

How about an Island Bush Mallow, Lavatera assurgentiflora? Very drought tolerant and grows quickly to 6 ft+. Evergreen, has pink-purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Aloha,

Nathan Lau
San Jose, CA

#include <std.disclaimer>

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Images of Lavatera assurgentiflora

There is also Solanum rantonnetii, which is nearly everblooming for my mom up in Redding. It can get 8-12 ft. tall and 6-10 ft. wide, but it can be pruned to keep it smaller. A cousin has one growing in Winters on the west side of her house, and it's gorgeous.

Brenda

Here is a link that might be useful: Solanum Googled

Wanda left out Salvia elegans which Sunset says grows to two to three feet but mine is well over my head. It is in full bloom now and keeps my hummingbirds fed through the winter. Al

I have some Mexican Bird of Paradise right now - very drought tolerant - and a spectacular show-stopper (and car-stopper....cars keep slowing to see). The flowers are brilliant yellow, but they look beautiful behind my deep purple Princess flowers.

Very Large Shrubs --

Acca (Feijoa) sellowiana PINEAPPLE GUAVA
Caesalpinia pulcherrima BARBADOS PRIDE, RED BIRD-OF-PARADISE (semi-deciduous)
Callistemon citrinus LEMON BOTTLEBRUSH
Nerium oleander OLEANDER
Punica granatum ÂNochi Shibori ORNAMENTAL POMEGRANATE
Vitex agnus-castus CHASTE TREE

Large Shrubs --

Callistemon citrinus ÂViolaceus VIOLET BOTTLEBRUSH
Callistemon viminalis ÂCaptain CookÂ
CAPTAIN COOK BOTTLEBRUSH
Viburnum tinus LAURUSTINUS

Medium Shrubs --

Cistus ladanifer CRIMSON-SPOT ROCKROSE
Cistus purpureus ORCHID ROCKROSE
Leucophyllum frutescens TEXAS RANGER
Nerium oleander 'Casablanca', ÂLittle Red OLEANDER
Salvia greggii 'Desert Blaze', 'Furman's Red' AUTUMN SAGE
Salvia 'Purple Majesty' PM SAGE
Teucrium fruticans BUSH GERMANDER
Viburnum tinus ÂSpring Bouquet LAURUSTINUS

Joe

Chaste tree is not evergreen in Sacramento but is beautiful nonetheless. I think you would be very happy with cleveland sage or ceanothus (warning: both attract lots of bees but that's a good thing in my book)