Native Plants

California native plants have evolved to be well adapted to our dry summer/wet winter climate, plus they support native birds and insects. They are generally water-wise choices for landscaping.

Remember, though, that California contains a wide variety of growing conditions, from sandy deserts to moist creek sides. Some plants are broadly adaptable while others have specific soil, water, or sun requirements. For gardening success, try to select plants whose growing requirements best match your landscape's conditions. A good source for additional information is the California Native Plant Society's site, Calscape.org.

Please understand that some varieties may sell out quickly or not be available due to germination difficulties.

Native plant list

Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium

Perennial, evergreen. White flowers April–August. Edible leaves with slight peppery taste. 1–3' tall x spreading. Low water. Hardy to -10°F. Full/part sun.

Dutchman's Pipe, Aristolochia californica

Perennial vine, winter deciduous. Cream w/purple stripe flowers January–April. Deer resistant, easy to grow, fire follower plant. 1–20' tall x spreading. Water 1/month once established. Slow draining soil. Hardy to 25°F. Part sun

Coast Sagebrush Artemisia californica

Adapts to various soils. Fragrant grey foliage. 1–8' tall x 3–4' wide. Water 1/month once established. Hardy to 20°F. Full sun

Narrowleaf Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis

Perennial, winter deciduous. White or lavender flowers in June–September. Hosts monarch & queen butterflies and birds. 2–3' tall x 1' wide. Water 2/month once established. Hardy to 5°F. Full/part sun

Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa

Perennial, winter deciduous. White or pink flower in June–July. Very easy to grow. 4–6' tall x 4' wide. Water 2/month once established. Prefers draining soil. Hardy to -5°F. Full sun

San Diego Sunflower, Bahiopsis laciniata

Shrub, evergreen. Yellow flowers February–June. Easy to grow, attracts butterflies & bees. Found in SW corner of California. 2–3' tall x 3–4' wide. Water 1/month once established. Draining soil. Full sun

Owl's Clover, Castilleja exserta

Annual, hemiparasite of native grasses. Lavender, pink, purple or white flowers in March–June. 18" tall x 12" wide. Very low water once established. Prefers draining soil. Hardy to 15°F. Full sun

Hairy Ceanothus, Ceanothus oliganthus

Shrub, evergreen. Blue/purple flowers March–May. Attracts birds, butterflies & native bees. 10' tall x 12' wide. Water 1/month once established. Hardy to 15°F. Full sun.

White Coast Ceanothus, Ceanothus verrucosus

Shrub, evergreen. White flowers w/black center January–April. Tolerates minimal trimming. 4–10' tall x 8' wide. Water 1/month once established. Draining soil. Hardy to 30°F. Full sun

Sacred Datura, Datura wrightii

White flowers at night. Poisonous, especially fruit & seeds. 3' tall x 5' wide. Low water once established. Full/part sun. Semi-deciduous perennial. Hardy to 15°F.

California Bush Sunflower, Encelia californica

Shrub, summer semi-deciduous. Yellow, brown, purple daisy-like flowers February–June. Fast growing, reseeds easily. Very easy to grow. Hosts butterfly fatal metalmark and moth dwarf tawny wave. Found in south California. 2–5' tall x 3–7' wide. Water 1/month once established. Hardy to 30°F. Part/full sun

California Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum

Shrub, evergreen. Yellow, cream, pink, white flowers April–September. Supports birds, bees, caterpillars, & pollinators. 1–7' tall x 3' wide. Water 1/month once established. Likes loam. Hardy to 15°F. Full sun

Red Buckwheat, Eriogonum grande var. rubesens

Perennial, evergreen. Rare. Rose red flowers April–Oct. Deer resistant. Good for containers and groundcover. Found on Catalina Islands. 8–18" tall x spreading. Water 1/month once established. Slow draining soil. Hardy to 20°F. Full sun

Coffeeberry, Frangula californica

Shrub, evergreen. Cream flowers June–August, edible berries. Supports butterflies. 6–15' tall and wide. Water 2/month once established. Hardy to 10°F. Full/part sun

Great Valley Gum Plant, Grindelia camporum v. camporum

Perennial. Yellow daisy-like flowers April–October. Supports butterflies. Water 1/month once established. 2–6' tall x 3' wide. Hardy to 15°F. Full sun.

Island Alum Root, Heuchera maxima

Perennial, evergreen. Pink or white flowers in February–May. Attracts hummingbirds. 1–2' tall x 2' wide. Water 3/month once established. Hardy to 12°F. Full/part sun

Common Rush, Juncus patens

Grass, evergreen. Flowers red, brown. Deer resistant. Seeds in June–October. 1–3' tall x 3' wide. Water 1/month once established. Hardy to 15°F. Full sun

Chick Lupine, Lupinus microcarpus

Annual. Yellow, pink, purple flowers May–June. Attracts birds, bees, & pollinators. 4–31" tall x 1' wide. Moderate water. Draining soil. Full/part sun

Bush Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus var. aurantiacus

Shrub, evergreen. Yellow-orange flowers May–August. Attracts hummingbirds, birds, bees, & pollinators. Deer resistant. 4–36" tall x 1–4' wide. Regular water. Draining soil. Hardy to 15°F. Part sun

Showy Penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis

Perennial, evergreen. Blue, pink, purple flowers April–July. Attracts hummingbirds, birds, bees, & pollinators. 2–4' tall x 3–4' wide. Water 1/month once established. Draining soil. Hardy to 0°F. Full sun

Catalina Island Cherry, Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii

Tree, evergreen. White or cream flowers May–June. Edible cherries with large pits. Attracts pollinators. 25–40' tall x 20' wide. Water 2/month once established. Hardy to 10–20°F. Full/part sun

White Sage, Salvia apiana

Shrub. Aromatic bluish-white floliage. Tall white flower stalks April–July. Deer resistant. 3–5' tall x 3–8' wide. Water 1/month once established. Hardy to 0°F. Full sun

Purple Needlegrass, Stipa pulchra

Bunch grass, evergreen. Cream/green/purple-red needle flowers March–May. Very easy to grow. CA state grass. 3' tall x 1.5' wide. Water 1/month once established. Hardy to 5°F. Full sun

California/Pacific Aster, Symphyotrichum chilense

Perennial, winter deciduous. Pale lilac daisy-like flowers in July-August, deadhead for more. Can copice in winter. Fast growing. Deer resistant. Attracts bees, birds & butterflies (nectar). Very easy care. Spreads by rhizomes. 1–3' tall x 3' wide. Water 2/month once established. Hardy to 5°F. Part/full sun

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