Achillea millefolium – inland form – Lake County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Lake County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Napa County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Napa County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Sonoma County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Sonoma County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – Montara Mountain form
We discovered the parent of this giant seed strain on the lower slopes of Montara Mountain in San Mateo Co.. With broad, white flower clusters reaching up to 4 ft. high, this is the largest yarrow we've encountered. While seedlings can vary, we have high hopes for this new introduction. Give full sun and moderate to infrequent irrigation. Potentially an excellent spreading perennial for a tall meadow. Attracts all sorts of pollinators. The green, fuzzy leaves are usually considered to be deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Island Pink’
A color variant of the normally white California native yarrow from Santa Cruz Island. Dark green ferny foliage topped with clusters of bright pink flowers on 18 inch stems over a long period. Sun to partial shade, occasional to moderate water. Good habitat value, providing nectar for bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Red Velvet’
This yarrow is getting rave reviews for its deep-red flowers produced atop grey-green ferny foliage. Spreading 2 foot or so wide with flowers rising 2 – 2 ½ feet tall. Best in full sun with moderate to occasional watering. Popular with bees and butterflies. Often deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Sonoma Coast’
This is a local selection from the Sonoma County coast near Salmon Creek. Bright green foliage is topped with white flowers in dense heads on compact stems to around 1 ft. tall. Can bloom over a long period, spring through fall, depending on conditions. Best in sunny areas with some summer water, though it is drought tolerant. Flowers attract butterflies and other insects. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’
This hybrid yarrow forms a mat of grey-green ferny foliage 2 - 3 ft. wide with interesting earth-tone colored flowers. The long-lasting flower clusters simultaneously sport peachy-yellow tones through burnt orange, on sturdy non-floppy stems to around 2 ft. tall. Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer water once established. Bees and butterflies love yarrows, but they are not deer favorites. Excellent cut flowers too.
Aesculus californica
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.
Agastache ‘Blue Boa’
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.
Agastache ‘Coronado Red’
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 resistant.
Agastache ‘Morello’
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.
Allium amplectens ‘Graceful Beauty’
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.
Allium falcifolium
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.
Allium unifolium
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.
Amorpha californica var. napensis
A lovely and rare native shrub of the pea family, occasionally seen in woodland and chaparral communities in the coast ranges around the San Francisco Bay Area. Offering a delicate, airy quality, this deciduous shrub grows to around 6 ft. tall and wide, though can get bigger in the wild. Intricate flowers are closely set on slender spikes and are made up of tiny, intense indigo-purple petals with protruding bright orange stamens, charming on close inspection. This rare and threatened shrub is the larval food source for the California dogface butterfly, our state insect! Bees and butterflies nectar on the flowers as well. Best in lightly shaded areas with occasional to no summer water needed once established. Deer resistant.
Amsinckia menziesii
A bright, yellow-orange ANNUAL with curled clusters of little trumpet-shaped flowers resembling the scrolled head of a violin. Flower stalks of one-to-three feet tall gradually unfurl with new blooms from mid-spring to early summer. The warmly-colored blossoms are a great nectar source for butterflies and develop into seeds adored by goldfinches and other songbirds. This grassland native adapts to the garden setting, where it prefers full sun and occasional irrigation. Will self-sow.
Anaphalis margaritacea
An adaptable plant with silver-green leaves that are densely white and woolly beneath. The flowers appear in summer and are made up of pearly white papery bracts surrounding yellow centers. The “straw flowers” retain their shape and color and are often used in dried arrangements. Tolerant of almost any soil type, it prefers full sun where it will grow in moist to somewhat dry conditions. Can spread vigorously, perhaps best used in meadow plantings or other naturalistic settings. Grows 1 - 3 ft. tall and spreading. Dies back to the ground in the winter. Larval food source for the painted lady and American lady butterflies. Deer resistant.
Angelica californica
Striking stalks up to 6 or more feet tall hold flat topped clusters of white flowers above low growing emerald-green leaves. This uncommon member of the carrot family needs only occasional water once established. Naturally occurs under the dappled shade of oaks where it cohabitates with ferns, hound's tongue, yerba buena and woodland strawberries. Excellent for attracting beneficial insects and is a larval food source for the anise swallowtail butterfly. May go summer dormant when allowed to dry out.
Angelica tomentosa
This species offers striking, flat-topped clusters of white flowers held up dramatically on stalks reaching up to around 5 ft. tall. Handsome, pinnately compound, gray-green leaves mass at their base. A generally inland angelica found in more or less moist, lightly shaded places, usually on serpentine. It can grow in full sun as long as it has plenty of moisture during the growing season. An important plant for the Pomo for its many medicinal and shamanistic uses. Diverse pollinators utilize the flowers, while the anise swallowtail butterfly uses the stems and leaves as a host plant for the catterpillars. Enjoys moderate water in the garden with a late summer rest (low water).
Antennaria rosea
A charming, native, mountain dweller which grows among rocks and onto boulders at meadow edges. Forms low mats only a couple of inches high of woolly, gray leaves that creep and cascade. Short flower stems with small, creamy-white and rosy-pink papery bracts, bloom summer into fall. Plant in full sun to very light shade with good drainage and a little summer water. Good addition for the pollinator garden and is the larval food source for a number of butterflies including the American lady. This is one of the few natives which is so low growing you can plant it between stepping stones.
Apocynum cannabinum
Native throughout much of North America, California and our own Santa Rosa Valley. Grows 3 ft. tall and spreads vigorously by roots to form large patches. Small white flowers in summer. Turns beautiful shades of yellow in the autumn then dies back to the ground in the winter. Good for wild meadow or ethnobotanical garden. Important to Native Americans who used the stems for cordage, rope, twine nets etc. Sun to light shade with some moisture. Will tolerate dry conditions after blooming. Very attractive to butterflies. BEWARE! SPREADS VIGOROUSLY!
Aquilegia eximia
Large, orangey-red flowers with yellow stamens adorn this beautiful and uncommon native columbine. The pendant, brightly colored blossoms are larger than those of the western columbine but just as attractive to hummingbirds. Forms a 1 ft. high mound of foliage with flowering stalks reaching up to 5 ft. tall. Native to the Coast Ranges from Mendocino to Ventura Counties often on serpentine soils. Provide full sun to part shade and only water enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely. In areas far away from the coast provide a little shade from the hot afternoon sun. This species is a little more drought tolerant than the more common Western columbine.
Aquilegia formosa
A popular native perennial with fern-like foliage and wonderful, nodding, spurred blossoms of red and yellow. Best with a little shade and moderate to regular moisture, but will tolerate full sun in somewhat cooler climates. The flower stalks reach 1 1/2’ to 3’ tall, with the grey-green foliage forming a mound of about 1 ft tall and wide. Flowers attract hummingbirds, while the seeds are relished by small birds such as sparrows and Juncos. If seed pods are left on the plants, you may get volunteer seedlings in the fall.
Aquilegia pubescens
Found on open, rocky slopes in the southern Sierra Nevadas in sub-alpine and alpine plant communities. Low rosettes of divided, blue-green foliage, sprout from a taproot. Flower stems rise 10 - 20 inches above the fragrant foliage and carry upward facing, nectar rich, long spurred flowers, perfectly positioned for pollinating hawk moths, hummingbirds and butterflies. The flower color is variable and runs the gamut from cream to yellow to pink, often in delicate hues rather than solid colors, except for an occasional pure white. Hybridizes freely with the native red columbine, which invites various shades of red to the flower color possibilities. Grows well in low elevation gardens, given light shade and summer water.
Arabis blepharophylla
A charming spring blooming perennial, native to rocky places of coastal scrub, Santa Cruz to Sonoma counties. The neat foliage grows in tight low rosettes and are topped with vibrant rose-purple mustard-like flowers 8 to 10 inches tall. A natural for coastal areas, it requires some relief from the hot sun and additional water inland. Perfect with other non rampant plants of similar requirements on a slope, rock garden, or along a border. Excellent container plant. Good nectar source for butterflies.
Arbutus menziesii
A beautiful native evergreen tree which features handsome, smooth, reddish bark that peels in thin flakes. Leaves are leathery and shiny dark green. Large clusters of white flowers give way to red-orange berries that can remain into winter if the birds don't get them. It can be tricky to establish, necessitating planting in the fall. MUST have good drainage and just enough water to establish. Once established give only infrequent deep waterings or no water at all. Bees and hummingbirds love the flowers.
Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’
One of the most popular of the manzanitas, for several good reasons. It is rounded in form and profusely branched, growing 5 - 7 ft. tall. It has shiny green leaves and abundant light pink flowers. Beautiful mahogany trunks create a wonderful sculptural effect. The dense foliage responds exceptionally well to pruning - even shearing, and tolerates a far greater range of soils and watering regimes than most manzanitas.