Here is a list a few of the books I use

Sunset Western Garden Book – this is almost the Bible for plants and plant descriptions.  Don’t expect great pictures, just great info.

Ornamental Trees for Mediterranean Climates, the Trees of San Diego – great pictures and descriptions of trees that do well locally, check out the color charts in the back.

California Native Plants for the Garden – this is a really good reference book for many CA natives, Dave Fross, one of the authors was one of my professors at Cal Poly.

Designing California Native Gardens

Designing with Succulents

Mediterranean Gardening

San Diego County Native Plants – scientific descriptions, great resource for all plants local.

Native Plants, Torrey Pines State Reserve and Nearby San Diego Locations – this is a field guide I like to take when I go on hikes to learn all about the local plants.

Care and Maintenance of Southern California Native Plant Gardens – If you want to do a native garden, this is the book you need for care and maintenance.

The JLC Guide to Decks and Porches – a must have for all decks and porch building professionals.