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More information »	Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) Chamise is found on the poorest soils in hot, dry, exposed areas of chaparral plant communities. Bright green needle-like leaves cover this evergreen shrub. Late spring brings showy plumes of creamy white flowers in small dense sprays, persisting as they age to reddish brown. This tough shrub can grow 3-10 ft tall and wide depending on conditions. An excellent erosion control plant for tough sites where it holds soil, provides cover for wildlife and acts as a nurse plant, paving the way for the other species to get started. Plant in full sun with no water required once established.
More information »	Adenostoma fasciculatum v. prostratum (prostrate chamise) An interesting form of a rugged native shrub that inhabits hot dry rocky slopes of the chaparral. This rare and unusual form, from Santa Cruz Island grows into a low mound 3 - 4 ft. wide with dark green needle-like leaves. Small creamy white flowers in dense spikes decorate the branch tips in summer. A natural for dry sun drenched slopes where it will require no supplemental water once established.
More information »	Adiantum aleuticum (five-finger fern) Five finger fern provides a delicate, airy, fresh effect in the shade garden. Easy to grow with regular water and humusy soil. Does well in containers too. Fronds form finger-like patterns on handsome black stems up to 1 and 1/2 feet tall. Somewhat winter deciduous. Combine with wild ginger, redwood sorrel, leopard lilies and sword fern for a handsome woodland garden. Somewhat deer resistant.
More information »	Adiantum capillus-veneris (southern maidenhair fern) A lacy and delicate looking fern with arching dark stems that carry bright green fan-shaped leaflets. A wonderful addition to a woodland garden or any shady space where it is easy to grow as long as it receives regular water. Lovely in containers or raised beds, on a shady bank or border, along the north side of a building. Can grow as much as 1 1/2 ft. tall and wide. Southern maidenhair can be grown through much of California except for high mountain areas. Goes winter dormant with cold. Somewhat deer resistant.
More information »	Adiantum x tracyi (Tracy's maidenhair fern) A naturally occurring cross between Western five finger and California maidenhair fern. Offers a delicate lacy effect with gorgeous bright green fronds on black arching stems. One of the parents is winter dormant, the other, summer dormant, with the resulting hybrid being evergreen. Easy to grow with shade, woodsy soil and summer irrigation. Excellent container plant too. Deer resistant.
More information »	Aesculus californica (Californica buckeye) Beautiful in all its seasons, this native tree is perfectly adapted to our summer dry climate. Broad headed, deciduous tree rapidly growing to 15 feet or more with smooth grey bark and a rounded shapely habit. Bright green palmate leaves unfurl in the spring. Striking, fragrant white to pink flowers in long spikes are followed by pear shaped fruits that split open to reveal large chestnut-brown shiny seeds dangling from branch tips. Buckeyes lose their leaves in summer to avoid the long dry season. Adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Sun to light shade, little to no water once established. Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and native bees.
More information »	Agastache 'Blue Boa' (hummingbird mint) From Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon, this stunning hybrid has won awards at a number of plant trials. Growing 2-1/2 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide with fragrant foliage and flowers of deep violet-blue. The large and sturdy terminal flower spikes dazzle mid to late summer into fall and are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Best in full sun with good drainage. Drought tolerant, but happiest with moderate to occasional summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agastache 'Coronado Red' (hummingbird mint) Agastaches are rewarding perennials with fragrant foliage and abundant flowers, which are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. ‘Coronado Red’ has a vertical growth habit with silvery foliage to 2.5 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. Spikes of orangy-red flowers bloom over a long period in the summer delighting the hummingbirds. Requires good drainage and full sun with moderate to occasional summer water. Deer resisitant.
More information »	Agastache 'Kudos Mandarin' (hummingbird mint) The "Kudos" line of hybrid Agastache were bred for compact habit, earlier blooming, increased cold hardiness and resistance to downy mildew. Fragrant, lush foliage on compact stems growing 16 - 24 inches tall x 24 inches wide. Rosy-orange tubular flowers bloom over a long period in summer and are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Requires good drainage and full sun with moderate to occasional water. Good container subject too. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agastache 'Kudos Silver Blue' (hummingbird mint) The "Kudos" line of hybrid Agastache were bred for compact habit, earlier blooming, increased cold hardiness and resistance to downy mildew. 'Silver Blue' produces an abundance of lavender-blue tubular flowers on lush fragrant foliage growing 16 - 24 inches tall x 24 inches wide. The flowers are highly attractive to a wide array of pollinators including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Grow in full sun with good drainage and moderate to occasional watering. Deer resisitant.
More information »	Agastache 'Morello' (hummingbird mint) Calling all pollinators! Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies will delight in the large, dense flower spikes of deep, burgundy-rose on this fragrant perennial. This summer bloomer has minty scented foliage which has a purple blush early in the season, growing 2 -3 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. Plant in full sun with good drainage and moderate to occasional watering. Good in container plantings, too. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agastache 'Purple Haze' (hummingbird mint) This hybrid hummingbird mint produces long displays of nectar rich flowers adored by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Deep-green, fragrant foliage grows 2-1/2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. Abundant, narrow spikes of smoky, lavender-blue, tubular flowers make for an easy to care for show. A willing grower in full sun with decent drainage and moderate summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agastache 'Rosy Giant' (hummingbird mint) Sturdy, long blooming perennial, this Agastache mexicana hybrid was introduced by Suncrest Nursery. Lemony scented foliage to about 2 ft. tall. Erect flower stems rise 5-6 ft. with bright rose pink tubular flowers in dense heads summer into fall. Plant in full sun with good drainage and moderate water once established. Highly attractive to hummingbirds. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agastache aurantiaca 'Apricot Sunrise' (hummingbird mint) Evergreen perennial 2-3 ft. by 2-3 ft. tall and wide. Many spikes of soft orange tubular flowers over a long period, summer - fall. Best in full sun with moderate to regular water once established. Lovely lemon-scented foliage. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agastache urticifolia (licorice mint) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Agoseris grandiflora (California dandelion) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Agrostis pallens (California bentgrass) A fine textured, drought tolerant, spreading, perennial grass that forms an undulating, naturalistic, meadow look, or can be mowed and used as a lawn substitute. Native to meadows, open woodlands and forests in many plant communities in California north to British Columbia. Grows 1 -2 ft. tall with airy flower stems in late spring to early summer. May be shy to flower in shady areas. Plant in sun to light shade, with decent drainage, where it will accept both water and drought. Will go dormant in summer without irrigation. If using as a lawn substitute, it will need summer irrigation, though requiring far less than a traditional lawn. Excellent understory among trees or shrubs, for rain gardens, bio-swales, meadows or mowed as a lawn substitute. Host plant for a number of butterflies. Deer resistant.
More information »	Agrostis scabra (ticklegrass) Native to middle and high elevation forests and meadows throughout California, this small bunchgrass forms dense tufts of blue-green foliage about six inches high with airy inflorescences rising another eighteen inches. Works well in a meadow planting or in a container. Combine with other small perennials such as Grindelia and yarrow or plant in large masses to show off the delicate grass flowers. Needs regular moisture and full sun to light shade. Deer resistant.
More information »	Allium amplectens 'Graceful Beauty' (narrow-leaved onion) This western native onion grows in sunny openings in forests and woodlands, often on serpentine. Narrow, fragrant leaves make way for globe shaped flower heads on sturdy stems 12 - 16 inches tall. The flower heads which emerge in late spring and early summer are made up of many starry, white florets with elegant lavender anthers and pale pink veins. Papery bracts persist after blossoms fade, adding interest. If happy can reseed readily. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Very drought tolerant. Reported to be gopher resistant, but may need further analysis. Deer resistant.
More information »	Allium dichlamydeum (coast onion) Description coming soon!
More information »	Allium falcifolium (sickle leaf onion) This is one of our favorite native bulbs and it is rarely available in nurseries. In spring or summer, dense, rounded clusters of flowers, ranging in color from light to deep pink, sit atop thick, flattened stems up to 10 inches high. The strap-like leaves are few and don't distract from the chunky blooms. Needs excellent drainage and a lean, rocky soil. Once the flowers are done, allow the plant to go dormant with no irrigation. Native to rocky, sunny outcrops from Santa Cruz up to southwestern Oregon. Nestle among rocks and little succulents to show this unusual onion off to your friends. Works well in a container where its somewhat tricky requirements can be more easily met.
More information »	Allium unifolium (single leaf onion) An adaptable and easy to grow native onion with handsome blue-green foliage. Late spring brings beautiful lavender-pink flowers on short stems 6 - 8 inches tall. Native in the Coast Range from the Central Coast, northwards. The flowers on this form have a particularly appealing saturated color. The original plants were given to us by the internationally known bulb expert and native plant horticulturist, Wayne Roderick. Fairly water tolerant, often found on seasonally moist and heavy soils. Spreads vigorously by seeds or bulb offsets. Goes dormant after bloom and will tolerate dry conditions at that time. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Reported to be gopher resistant. Deer resistant.
More information »	Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (mountain alder) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Alnus rhombifolia (white alder) From creeks and rivers throughout California, the white alder rapidly grows to become a large tree, reaching to 50 ft. or more at maturity. Serrated green leaves produce an excellent canopy above the straight, silvery-gray trunk. In winter, when the leaves have fallen, the ghostly branches make a striking silhouette with dangling catkins from the branch tips. An excellent plant for creek restoration where its aggressive roots help to stabilize banks. Keep away from irrigation pipes and foundations. Needs regular moisture and sun to light shade.
More information »	Alnus rubra (red alder) Plant description coming soon.