Our Plants

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More information »	Vaccinium ovatum (evergreen huckleberry) A handsome evergreen shrub native to moist forests of the Pacific Coast. Leathery dark green leaves with new growth flushed bronzy-red. Small pinkish flowers in the spring are followed by delectable black berries prized in pies and jams. A slow growing shrub for shady situations or cool sun along the coast with moderate to regular water. Can grow 4 - 5 ft. tall and wide or as much as 8 ft. tall in especially prime locations given time. Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and bees, fruit for many species including humans. Fire resistant. Deer resistant.
More information »	Vaccinium ovatum 'Scarlet Ovation' (evergreen huckleberry) A round of applause for this cultivar of the evergreen huckleberry, featuring an especially compact habit and stand out bronzy-red new growth. Forms a small, dense shrub, to only around 3 ft. tall and wide. The new growth in the spring is dependably fiery-red, contrasting beautifully with the neat, dark-green older foliage. Small, urn-shaped, pinkish-white flowers are rich in nectar and attract an array of pollinators, including hummingbirds. The small, dark-blue berries are tasty and enjoyed by wildlife and humans. Huckleberries can grow in full sun along the coast, but require some shade in hot areas. Moderate to regular summer water. Fire and deer resistant.
More information »	Vaccinium ovatum (Inverness) (evergreen huckleberry) This Marin County selection of the evergreen huckleberry was chosen by landscape architect Ron Lutsko for its dense and compact habit. The leaves appear to us to be smaller than usual for this species and spaced more closely together. It has the classic, tasty huckleberries and blooms and fruits readily. Plant in part shade and provide regular to moderate irrigation. Will grow in full sun near the coast. While tolerant of somewhat shadier locations, evergreen huckleberries fruit best with adequate light. Fire resistant. Deer resistant.
More information »	Vancouveria hexandra (northern inside-out flower) A useful ground cover for shady areas with delicate apple green, fern-like foliage and creeping rootstocks. Grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. Dainty, nodding, white flowers with reflexed petals give the impression of being turned inside out and can appear over a long period from April through June. This western native grows profusely in moist woodland conditions but tolerates dryish conditions once established. Competes well with tree roots too.
More information »	Veratrum fimbriatum (fringed cornlily) From moist, coastal areas of Sonoma and Mendocino County comes this very rare lily relative. A cousin of the high mountain cornlily, this threatened species features large, pleated leaves which emerge in late winter and are followed in the autumn by icy-white flowers with fringed edges. After its long bloom period is over, the plant will go dormant through the winter. Surprisingly tolerant of shade, but will accept full sun along the coast with ample moisture. A choice plant for woodland gardens and will also thrive in a container. This plant is POISONOUS when consumed. Deer and gopher resistant.
More information »	Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' A pint size version of the statuesque Verbena bonariensis, offering the same long bloom season and easy care. Growing 2 ft. tall by 2 ft. tall with narrow serrated leaves on rigid stems and lollipop like spheres of lavender-pink nectar rich blossoms over a long period. Prefers full sun and is drought tolerant once established. Useful in a sunny border or in containers plantings. Adored by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds and not favored by deer.
More information »	Verbena hastata (blue vervain) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' (Cedros Island verbena) Introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden from the Cedros Island off of Baja, Mexico and selected for its darker shade of lavender flowers. Forms a lacy mound of foliage 1-2 ft. tall and 2-3 ft. wide, blooming over a long period with dense clusters of deliciously fragrant rich lavender blossoms that are highly attractive to butterflies. Hardy to around 20 degrees. Can bloom nearly year round along the coast, spring through fall elsewhere. Grows fast enough that it can be used as an annual where it won't survive the winters. Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer watering. A fabulous container plant too. Reportedly deer resistant.
More information »	Viburnum ellipticum (western viburnum) Loosely branched deciduous shrub 3-10 feet tall. Common in Washington and Oregon and rare in California where it can be found in chaparral and coniferous forests generally on north facing slopes. Soft reddish new growth makes way for the neat deep green oval leaves with a serrated edge. Small white flowers in terminal clusters followed by shiny black fruits which are enjoyed by birds. Attractive reddish fall color. Best with some shade and a little summer water. A candidate for the high banks of creeks, margins of wetlands or edges of forests.
More information »	Viola adunca (Western dog violet) Native to both coastal and mountain plant communities, this violet can be seen locally blooming in coastal meadows and bluffs. Forms low-growing, slowly creeping, neat clumps of heart-shaped leaves. Sweetly fragrant, nodding, blue to purple flowers with white interiors and purple nectar guides bloom in the spring. This pretty little wildflower is visited by bees and other pollinators and is a host plant for a number of butterflies, some of which are rare and endangered. Grows in sun along the coast and light shade inland with moderate summer water. Can reseed if happy.
More information »	Viola palustris (marsh violet) Native to moist environments in both coast and mountain plant communities of N. America and Eurasia. Rare in California, where it is found in the northern counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte. Rounded to heart shaped leaves with shallow scalloped edges grow from basal rosettes and spread by slender rhizomes. The charming flowers bloom April through July and range from white through lavender in color with dark-purple nectar guides. Used by Fritillary butterflies as a larval food source. Easy to grow, this is not a violet for heavy shade, but prefers brighter locations with light shade and moist, but well drained soils.
More information »	Vitex agnus-castus 'Sensational' (chaste tree) Vitex is a heat loving, summer-flowering, deciduous shrub or small tree 6-25 ft tall. The selection 'Sensational' sports especially long, showy flower spikes of lavender- blue blossoms in August, which attract a wide array of pollinators. A tough shrub that thrives in summer heat and full sun is drought tolerant but best with a little summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Vitis 'Swenson Red' (Swenson Red grape) Thanks to Kate Frey for sharing this tasty table grape from her home garden in Hopland, Ca. Developed by pioneering grape breeder Elmer Swenson, in his quest to breed a quality table grape that was disease resistant and hardy enough to grow and produce fruit in the cold and short season regions of the upper mid-west of the United States. A vigorous climbing vine growing 10 – 20 ft. tall, bears a heavy crop of crisp and sweet, large round red, seeded-grapes in early fall. Plant in full sun with moderate summer water. A handsome vine to train on a sturdy arbor, trellis or fence.
More information »	Vitis californica (California wild grape) California wild grape is a vigorous deciduous vine, native to watercourses in California and Oregon. Lush foliage on woody vines create leafy draperies in riparian areas. Useful in the garden for trellises, arbors, fences or to spill down a bank. Round green leaves take on nice yellow tones in the autumn. Flowers are very attractive to bees.Fruits are small and seedy but tasty. Excellent habitat value providing food and cover for wildlife.
More information »	Vitis californica 'Russian River' (California grape) Our own selection of what is likely a hybrid between the native Vitis californica and the European wine grape Vitis vinifera, originating along the Russian River near Rio Nido in Sonoma County. Similar to 'Roger’s Red’ in vigor and heavy fruit production, this cultivar has deeper purple-red fall colored leaves that tend to hold on to the vine longer than the selection 'Roger’s Red'. An adaptable vine, thriving in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. Will grow well with far less summer water, though plants in dryish conditions tend to be less rampant. Good habitat plant.
More information »	Vitis californica x 'Roger's Red' (California grape) Selected by Roger Raiche, this cultivar is now thought to be a natural hybrid between the native Vitis californica and the European wine grape, Vitis vinifera. A beautiful and vigorous vine used to cover fences, trellises, arbors, or used as a ground cover. This selection has gorgeous warm red fall color and ample fruit clusters that are small (with seeds), but sweet and tasty. An adaptable vine, thriving in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. Will grow well with far less summer water, though plants in dryish conditions tend to be less rampant. Good habitat plant.
More information »	Vitis girdiana (desert grape) Close relative of Vitis californica, native to southern California where it grows stream side or in canyons where some moisture can be found. Fast growing and heat tolerant, this vigorous vine can climb up to 50 ft. The growing tips, tendrils and new leaves are covered in downy hairs, providing gorgeous silvery colored new growth. Beautiful when allowed to spill and climb over walls or when trained to a fence or arbor. A good choice for hotter inland gardens. The purple-black fruits are highly attractive to birds and other mammals, including humans!
More information »	Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea' This beautiful cultivar of the European grape has gorgeous purple-green foliage all summer. The foliage color darkens and intensifies to richer tones in autumn. Produces small clusters of dark purple fruits. Grows to around 20 ft. Plant in sun to light shade with moderate summer water.