I have a similar planter, morning sun, shade or dappled shade in the afternoons. I have a euphorbia tiny Tim which does pretty well, sort of a dusty green but really pretty yellow green flowers late winter, also have a blood leaf which does well but needs cutting back occasionally (very easy job), yesterday today and tomorrow is in the mix but not much to look at and unless it's blooming. You might consider succulents as in our zone some don't really like full sun. A spiller plant like a sedum might look nice cascading over the edge of your planter. Looking for color, keep your eye out for colored foliage plants.

Since your planters are similar to pots, remember the little rule that you need a thriller, a spiller, and a filler.

We have a smallish tree I like, I believe it's called a fringe tree. My neighbor has one too, but hers has a much bigger leaf and is a bigger tree, so I must have a dwarf variety.

I'm probably not much help but no one else replied. Have fun filling your planter, especially now that you don't have to fuss with a lawn!

PS heavenly bamboo is such a boring overused plant but for a reason. It can grow tall and slim to fill up narrow spots and often the leaves and berries are very pretty.

You are near Green Thumb Nursery. They can help you with your selection and they have lots of drought tolerant plants. Chinese fringe flower is a nice plant (mentioned above) .For a planter, you may be better off with a tall shrub than a tree that will need pruning to stay small and may get rootbound. If you drive down to Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano, they have even more.

If you can be patient, it's easier to put in new plants in late fall when the temperatures are dropping and the rainy season (hopefully) is starting. One gallon plants transplant easier than 5 gallon plants, and in less than a year, you won't be able to tell the difference.

So true, lgteacher. Gives tmorisol more time to shop and plan.

10-12' is a medium shrub, not a tree. Green Thumb at El Toro and I-5 is a good place to get advice. They have some very knowledgeable people there. Growing anything under the torrent of litter created by a Eucalyptus is a tall order.