Arctostaphylos montana ssp. montana ‘Lagunitas Grey’
This a strikingly gray and compact form of the rare Mt. Tamalpais manzanita, which is found only in Marin County. Silvery leaves provide all year appeal, set against the smooth, sculptural, burgundy trunks. Winter brings clusters of pink-tinged, white flowers gathered at branch tips, followed by shiny red “little apples” in the summer. Mature plants develop an evenly mounded form, reaching up to about 4’ tall and 5’ wide in about 10 years. They are easily pruned to keep narrower and show of the beautiful bark. While native to serpentine soils, this species does well in most decently draining soil types with full sun and little to no water once established.
Arctostaphylos montana ssp. ravenii
This diminutive, groundcover manzanita once grew on windswept, serpentine outcrops in San Francisco where the Presidio currently exists. Due to rapid development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, only one clone of this manzanita currently exists in the wild, making it one of the rarest species around. The small, thick, gray-green leaves line creeping stems reaching 6 - 12 inches in height. Forms a large mat over time, crawling around rocks and other obstacles. In late winter/early spring, clusters of little, white, urn-shaped flowers appear at the ends of the stems. Needs full sun to light shade and decent drainage. Drought tolerant once established but will enjoy an occasional deep watering, especially in warmer areas. You don’t have to be a collector to enjoy this appealing little manzanita.
Arctostaphylos osoensis
A beautiful and extremely rare manzanita from a small area above Morro Bay. The bright green leaves are auriculate, meaning “ear-shaped”, and have a distinctive matte finish, with new growth emerging in a reddish bronze color. Small clusters of dainty, pinkish-white flowers emerge in late winter/early spring and are adored by hummingbirds. The contorted branches are smooth and colored reddish-brown, aging to gray. Oso manzanita is attractively rounded and dense when young, only reaching to about 5 ft. or so in height with a slightly larger width. With age, it will begin to open, revealing its striking, sculptural trunks. Needs full sun and enjoys occasional irrigation, though it is quite drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos pumila ‘Wavelength’
A rare species endemic to areas on and around the Monterey Peninsula. ‘Wavelength’, a Dave Fross selection, is a dense, mounding, low shrub reaching 2 – 3 ft. tall and +10 ft. across. Soft, gray-green foliage and bronzy new growth accentuate its undulating form. White, lantern-shaped flowers appear in spring, enjoyed by hummingbirds. Great for sloped, drainy sites where it can take up a lot of real estate. Can take full sun to light shade. Low irrigation once established.
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana
One of the most beautiful of manzanitas with handsome dark mahogany bark, dense shiny green leaves and flowers ranging in color from intense pink to white. Its upright form ranges in height from 4 to 8 ft with a somewhat narrower width. Native to warmer areas of northern California's Coast Range, this species requires excellent drainage, full sun and NO water once established.
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana ‘Sonoma’
Masses of deep pink flowers and glossy, deep green leaves are an enticing feature of this uncommon selection. But what really distinguishes this cultivar from other Stanford manzanitas is the fact that it actually survives in the garden! Most other selections of this species are notoriously challenging to keep alive in cultivation. While fairly slow growing, the dense foliage mounds up over time to reach a height and width of about 5 ft. The striking burgundy-red trunks contrast nicely with the green leaves. Needs full sun and excellent drainage. No summer water once established.
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana ssp. decumbens
A Sonoma County endemic, this rare manzanita is from Rincon Ridge east of Santa Rosa. Low growing mounding shrub to as much as 4 ft tall by more than 6 ft. wide. Charming pink urn-shaped flowers in early spring. Handsome, rugged and drought tolerant. Best in full sun with good drainage, no water necessary once established. A good choice for lean soils, summer heat and drought.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Green Supreme’
A superior garden hybrid of the trailing bearberry. A volunteer seedling discovered by staff at Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Ultimately spreads 6 - 12 ft. across and less than a foot tall. Enjoys moderate to occasional irrigation. The glossy bright green leaves create a beautiful groundcover. Tolerates a wide range of soil types with reasonable drainage. Very disease resistant and fast growing. Shy to bloom or set berries. Sun to part-shade.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Point Reyes’
An unusual selection of our native bearberry discovered near the Point Reyes lighthouse in Marin County. Dark green, leathery leaves form distinctive whorls along the stems with pale pink, urn-shaped flowers emerging in early winter. The showy red berries contrast nicely with the dark green leaves. Reaching a height of about 18” and a width of at least 6 ft., this groundcover works well in a rock garden or mixed with other low shrubs and grasses from our coastal areas. Give moderate water in interior locations and protect from the hot afternoon sun.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Radiant’
A very low mat of glossy, dark green foliage 6 - 8 inches high and creeping at least 6 ft. across. Light pink flowers in early winter are followed by showy red berries. In hot inland areas give moderate water and light afternoon shade. A sturdy evergreen groundcover.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Samoa Dunes’
This Humboldt County selection of the ubiquitous bearberry distinguishes itself with large, rounded, glossy leaves of deep green. Reaching a height of about 6 inches and a width of at least 6 feet, this durable groundcover spreads quickly to form a weed-smothering carpet. Little urn-shaped flowers colored soft pink appear in spring and are followed by shiny red berries. Provide full sun to part shade and moderate to occasional irrigation once established. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in warmer areas. The shiny, dark green foliage combines well with grey-leaved plants such as Artemisia ‘David’s Choice’ and the fescue ‘Patrick’s Point’.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘San Bruno Mountain’
A beautiful selection of bearberry from San Bruno Mountain south of San Francisco. This groundcover manzanita forms a luxuriant mat of large, glossy, spatulate leaves spreading to around 6 feet wide. The soft pink urn-shaped flowers lead to big red showy berries. A natural for coastal plantings where it can grow in full sun with little to no summer water needed. Inland, bearberry does best with shade from the hot afternoon sun and moderate summer watering.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Wood’s Compact’
A low growing, spreading manzanita with lustrous green, rounded foliage, little pink urn-shaped flowers and pretty red berries, quite large for the species. This selection from coastal Oregon spreads at a moderate pace to 6-8 feet wide and only getting 6-8 inches tall. Full sun to light shade in hot areas with moderate summer water.
Arctostaphylos x media – Tilden form
This big-leaved selection was discovered at Point Arena on the southern Mendocino coast by Steve Edwards of Tilden Botanic Garden. Distinctive for its large, hairy, apple-green leaves and low, dense form only reaching up to about 2 ft in height and at least 6 ft. in width. Clusters of white flowers appear in spring followed by round, bright green fruits. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide moderate to occasional irrigation once established. Should be quite drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos x media ‘Peter Ehrlich’
This unusual manzanita from the southern Mendocino coast features what may be the largest leaves of any of the groundcover manzanitas. The round, grey-green foliage mounds densely over time to reach a height of about 3 ft. and a width of up to 8 ft. Clusters of white flowers gather at branch tips in winter, followed by little apple-like fruits in the spring. While fairly adaptable in the garden, decent drainage is best and full sun to light shade. Accepting of moderate irrigation but will become quite drought tolerant once established.
Aristolochia californica
Dutchman’s pipe vine is an interesting vine native to river, stream side and woodland habitats. Soft heart-shaped leaves and unusual purplish pipe-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. This deciduous twining plant will need some support if you wish it to grow upwards. Adaptable, but best with a little shade and moderate water. Slow to establish, we offer this adage to encourage patience: “The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps and the third year it leaps”. Once established it will put on ample growth, easily covering a trellis or chain link fence. THE larval food source for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. Deer resistant.
Armeria maritima ssp. californica
Grown from northern California seed source, this coastal native is a sturdy perennial with grass-like blades in compact clumps. Pink pompom flowers on long stems bloom spring into summer. A natural along the coast where it grows in full sun, needing a little shade in hotter regions. Moderate to little water with decent drainage. Excellent for rock gardens. Deer resistant.
Asarum caudatum
Native to the deep shade of forest floors, this evergreen perennial forms a handsome low groundcover. The large, deep green, heart-shaped leaves appear to hover over the ground, creating a lush, almost tropical effect. The unusual flowers which nestle under the leaves are normally maroon, but occasionally white, with long spidery tails. Thrives in the deep shade under redwoods, competing well with the aggressive roots and dense duff. The ginger scented leaves are deer resistant.
Asarum caudatum ‘Alba’
An interesting form of the native, shade loving wild ginger. Calling the flowers white is a stretch, they are more of a wasabi-green rather than the usual maroon color of the species. The intriguing long tailed flowers are hidden beneath the glossy heart shaped leaves and would need to be planted on a wall, slope or container to make them easier to view. Wild ginger prefers shade and moisture where it will form a low spreading groundcover.
Asclepias eriocarpa
More diminutive than showy milkweed at 1-3 feet, this long-blooming species has similar broad, greyish leaves and creamy, pink-accented flower clusters. Like other milkweeds, it is a larval host for the monarch butterfly. A great choice for habitat gardens in dry, sunny areas, providing nectar for a wide array of pollinators from late spring into fall. Usually found in rocky soils throughout parts of Southern California and in foothill areas north of the San Francisco Bay. Spreads to form colonies with minimal supplemental water. Deer resistant.
Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’
A particularly fine hybrid from the 1920’s, valued for its long display of clear lavender-blue daisies on stout, upright foliage, to around 2 ft. tall and wide. Easy to grow in full sun with good drainage and regular to moderate water. A wide variety of bee species visit this perennial, foraging for nectar and pollen. Attractive to butterflies too. Its long bloom period, May through October, make it a wonderful color accent and a powerhouse in the pollinator garden.
Baccharis salicifolia
This native shrub looks something like a willow in foliage and is found in similar habitats in California and the southwest US. Not a willow at all, but a member of the aster family, this evergreen shrub blooms nearly year round, making it a powerhouse for pollinators. The profusion of small, creamy white, fuzzy flowers, tinged with pink or red are highly attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. Extremely tough and easy to grow in full sun with summer water, where it will grow 6 - 10 feet tall and wide with rich, green foliage. Able to survive drier conditions than a willow could handle, but it will look rough if it gets too dry. Responds well to pruning and can be cut down to six inches to refresh. Excellent screen, windbreak and for soil stabilization. Stellar for attracting pollinators.
Balsamorhiza deltoidea
A bold and beautiful western native perennial, with bright-yellow, sunflower like blooms. Large, triangular shaped leaves rise from a deep taproot, forming a rosette a foot or so tall. Flower stalks rise mid to late spring, carrying large, yellow daisies which attract a myriad of pollinators. Best in full sun or light shade with good drainage, where it will be very drought tolerant once established. Care should be taken to allow plants to become dryish between waterings, though well established plants require no summer water. Historically used by native people for food and medicine. Attractive to bees and butterflies, and the seeds are relished by birds.