Venegasia carpesioides
Native to coastal areas of central and southern California, the canyon sunflower brightens the garden with abundant blooms from spring into late summer. The daisy-like, golden-yellow blossoms are 2 in. wide and set against light-green, almost heart-shaped leaves. This 3 – 5 ft.-tall-and-wide, showy shrub is particularly useful for its pop of color in dry shade under oaks. It will also accept quite a bit of moisture, and full sun in warmer areas! Rarely offered in Northern California nurseries, it does well in our area, but may retreat back to the ground after hard frosts, only to re-emerge in spring. If kept dry through the summer, plants may go dormant until moisture returns.
Veratrum fimbriatum
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.
Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’
Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ delights with dense clusters of rich lavender blossoms that are highly attractive to butterflies. Can bloom nearly year round along the coast, spring through fall elsewhere. Native to Cedros Island off of Baja, Mexico, ‘De La Mina’ was selected by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for its darker shade of lavender flowers. Generally cold-hardy to 25°F, the deliciously aromatic, evergreen foliage may need light trimming when subject to winter frost or extreme heat. Forms a lacy mound 1-2 ft. tall and 2-4 ft. wide. Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer water. Makes for an excellent border or container plant, and is reportedly deer resistant.
Vicia gigantea
This native pea-relative is a climbing perennial with delicate, arching clusters of magenta flowers. Leaves are dense rows of narrow leaflets culminating in tendrils that help it vine over shrubs, fences or up trellises. With its slender but vigorous stems, giant vetch can spread or climb 3 to 7 feet. This species has a primarily coastal range from San Luis Obispo up to Alaska and does best in temperate or moist areas with moderate water. Grows in full sun but prefers part shade inland. Its rich reddish-purple blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators, and roots fix nitrogen in the soil. A host for a number of butterfly and moth species that use plants in the pea family.
Viola palustris
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.
Vitis californica x ‘Roger’s Red’
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.
