Salvia spathacea ‘Powerline Pink’
This selection of the wonderful native hummingbird sage is notable for its size. It stands 2 ft. tall before it flowers, and its flowering stalks can add another 2-3 ft. to the height. Fragrant, fruity foliage spreads by creeping rhizomes to form handsome mats. The flower stems carry many large ball-like clusters of magenta flowers that the bees and hummingbirds love. Does best in cool sun or part shade in hot areas. Drought tolerant but looks best with occasional summer water. Deer resistant.
Salvia x ‘Dara’s Choice’
Selected by Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, this native hybrid sage forms a dense, dark green, mounding groundcover 1.5-2 ft. tall by 3 – 5 ft. wide. The aromatic foliage is topped with wands of soft lavender-blue flowers on small whorls in the late spring to early summer. In hotter climates, light or part shade is preferred, where it will be quite drought tolerant once established. A more refined native sage which combines well with iris, California fuchsia and grasses. Adored by bees and hummingbirds but not eaten by deer.
Sambucus mexicana (nigra ssp. caerulea)
Our native blue elderberry, often seen on banks above rivers and streams, or even on somewhat drier slopes. A fast growing deciduous shrub or small tree 8 to 30 ft. tall with pinnately divided leaves. Creamy yellow flowers appear in late spring in flat-topped clusters, followed by blue berries. High on the birds’ favorite list! Ripe berries feed many species of birds. Moderate to infrequent summer water.
Sambucus racemosa
Red elderberry has light-green foliage topped by pretty, white flowers in pyramidal clusters which are followed by bright red berries. This 7-to-18-ft shrub or small tree is native to moist areas along the coast and in the Sierra-Nevada mountains. The fruits are relished by birds but are reputed to be poisonous to humans. Prefers cool sun or light shade, and moisture. Ripe berries are high on many birds’ favorite list!
Scrophularia californica
Native to open places of the coastal scrub and woodlands where it can form large colonies in moist areas. Grows 3 to 6 ft. tall and wide in cool full sun to light shade. Pretty purplish-red new growth matures to deep green. The flower spikes carry many small open-mouthed maroon-red flowers followed by attractive seed stalks which are nice in dried flower arrangements. This prolific nectar producer attracts all sorts of pollinators including bees and hummingbirds. Larval food source for the Chalcedon Checkerspot and Common Buckeye butterfly.
Scrophularia californica ‘green-flowered form’
An interesting color form of the normally maroon flowered figwort. Seed was collected from a site in northern Santa Cruz county that has wonderful yellow-green flowers. The open-mouthed flowers are small but profuse. Native to open places of the coastal scrub and woodland where it can form large colonies in moist areas. Grows 3 to 6 ft. tall and wide in cool full sun to light shade. Larval food source for the common checkerspot butterfly.
Scutellaria californica
A charming perennial native to gravelly soils of low and mid elevation mountains of Northern California where it grows on the edge of woodlands and chaparral communities. Leaves are arranged oppositely on erect stems around one foot tall. The very sweet, small, creamy-white snapdragon-like flowers occur in pairs at the leaf axils. Spreads by underground rootstocks to form colonies. In our nutritious, water-retentive soils has spread quite vigorously, in dryer leaner soils less so. Plant in full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant but would appreciate a little summer water.
Scutellaria suffrutescens
Sturdy, compact, long blooming perennial growing less than 6 inches tall by 15 inches wide. Deep green foliage and dense growth habit make a tidy foil for the profusion of small rosy- pink snapdragon-like flowers over a long period spring-summer. Highly attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional water. Drought and heat tolerant. Deer tolerant too.
Sedum divergens
This is a little beauty. Mat-forming and evergreen, this succulent is native to California north to Alaska. Tolerant of wet winters, the shiny round bead-like leaves turn a dark red in full sun. Stays compact and slowly spreads, 2 - 4 inches tall, reaching about 18 inches in diameter. Blooms starry yellow flowers in summer. Great in rock gardens, planters, useful as an edge plant. Adapts to many soil types. Fully hardy and drought tolerant once established. We have this planted in our trough in front of the greenhouse.
Sedum spathulifolium
A mat forming native succulent often seen on rocky cliffs and shady banks in California’s Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada north to British Columbia. Small, spoon-shaped leaves form flat rosettes where bright yellow star-like flowers appear in late spring and early summer. A natural for the rock garden or container plantings where they are best with part shade. Very drought tolerant.
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’
A mat forming, western native succulent, often seen on rocky cliffs and shady banks in California’s Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada north to British Columbia. Small, spoon-shaped leaves form flat rosettes where bright yellow star-like flowers appear in late spring and early summer. The cultivar 'Cape Blanco' was selected along the Oregon coast, for its chalky-white foliage. A natural for the rock garden or container plantings where they are best with part shade. Very drought tolerant.
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Elephant Rock’
This distinctive form of our native stonecrop was discovered on Elephant Rock near Dillon Beach and introduced by Mostly Natives Nursery. Especially large grey-green spoon shaped leaves form luscious mats of flat rosettes. Jewel-like yellow flowers arise in the spring on stalks reaching about 6 inches tall. Excellent small scale ground cover for the well-drained garden in partial shade. Water occasionally once established.Good container subject too.
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Purpureum’
This distinctive form of the Pacific stonecrop features purple leaves which turn particularly dark in the winter. Bright yellow flowers are produced in late spring and early summer on short stems up to 4 inches high. This mat forming succulent grows in rocky crevices and shady banks in California’s Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada north to British Columbia. The small, spoon-shaped leaves form flat rosettes. Needs excellent drainage and some shade, especially in the afternoon. A natural for the rock garden or container plantings where its diminutive nature can be appreciated. Very drought tolerant.
Sequoia sempervirens ‘Kelly’s Prostrate’
A low growing form of the coast redwood with a flat, spreading habit. Exceptionally low growing, we have never seen any upright growth in this form. The flat sprays of foliage are deep green with light green new growth and spreading to five foot wide or more. Best in moist, well drained soils with light shade. Use where the unique form can be shown off. Makes an excellent container subject.
Sequoia sempervirens ‘Nana Pendula’
An intriguing prostrate form of the coast redwood. Bluish-green leaves on pendulous branches spread out in a circular form usually under 1 ft. tall. May mound up taller over time, trim out any tall leaders that may occur. An interesting specimen or container subject for lightly shaded areas with regular water. Grows much slower than the upright tree form of coast redwood, with the branches achieving a spread of around 6 to 12 ft. in ten years.
Sequoiadendron giganteum
This iconic Californian giant hales from the west side of the Sierra Nevada where it forms dramatic cathedrals with its massive, cinnamon-colored trunks. The leaves are gray-green and scale-like, hugging the billowing stems. In nature, this close relative of the coast redwood can be over 3,000 years old and reach over 300 ft. tall with trunks bulging to 56 ft. in diameter. In a garden setting you can expect a more reasonable height of 60 – 90 ft. with a canopy spread of around 40 ft. A stunning specimen tree for a large garden. Needs decent drainage and occasional irrigation when young, though it will become quite drought tolerant once established. Full sun to light shade. More cold hardy and drought tolerant than the coast redwood. Reported to be deer resistant.
Sidalcea hendersonii
A striking, rare checkerbloom from western Oregon northwards, featuring stalks up to 3 ft high densely clothed in substantial, rich pink flowers. The rounded, scalloped leaves create low mounds on the ground. Will slowly spread to from small drifts, blending beautifully with other showy perennials in the moist garden bed. Enjoys full sun to light shade. If the spent blooms are removed, it can bloom from spring through to autumn! Attractive to bees and butterflies. Works well in a container.
Sidalcea malviflora
Beautiful spring blooming native perennial found in moist meadows along the coast and inland from Southern Oregon to the Mexican border. Reliable and easy to grow, and an excellent addition to a grasslands or meadow planting. Grow in full sun to partial shade where it thrives with moisture and tolerates moderate to little water once established. With drought will go summer dormant. Light to dark pink, small to large flowered; they are all beautiful. A nectar and larval food source for the West Coast Lady, Painted Lady, Common Checkered Skipper, and the Gray Hairstreak butterflies.
Sidalcea malviflora ‘Palustre’
This selection of our native checkerbloom has particularly large, saturated pink flowers held on stems which spread across the ground. Leathery, dark-green, scalloped leaves form a carpet on this small-scale groundcover. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide moderate irrigation. Butterflies nectar on the flowers and also use checkerbloom as a larval host plant. West Coast lady, painted lady, checkered skipper and gray hairstreak butterflies all depend on this species to support their caterpillars.
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. patula
Bright, rose-pink flowers line foot long stems on this rare checkermallow from northwest California. Spreading mats of fuzzy, round leaves provide an appealing backdrop for the colorful flowers. Enjoys full sun to part shade. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in inland climates. Provide moderate to occasional irrigation. An excellent plant for bees and butterflies.
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. virgata
This beautiful, perennial mallow can be found in grasslands, meadows, and roadsides of Oregon. Forms a low rosette 1 to 2 ft. wide with trailing branches and rounded, lobed leaves. The showy, hollyhock-like flowers are arranged on upright spikes, ranging from light to deep pink and bloom for a long period beginning in late spring. Plant in full sun to light shade with moderate to occasional water once established. Lovely in meadow plantings with other perennials, bulbs and grasses. An important nectar source for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects and a host plant for several butterfly species.
Sidalcea reptans
From moist meadows in the Sierra Nevada comes this charming checkerbloom groundcover. In early summer, soft-pink, cup-shaped flowers perch along stems up to 2 feet high. Thick, bright-green leaves with scalloped edges carpet the ground. Plant in full sun to light shade and don’t let them dry out completely. The Sierra checkerbloom is an easy-to-grow mountain species which combines nicely with umbrella plant, rushes and Dunn’s lobelia. Great in a container, too!
Sidalcea stipularis
A very rare checkerbloom native to a single marsh in the Sierra foothills. Round, serrated leaves appear in late winter and spread quickly to form an eight inch tall, light green groundcover. Soft-pink cup-shaped flowers bloom in early summer atop two foot stems clothed in lance-shaped leaves. Combine with low grasses in a well-watered meadow for a lovely naturalized look. Plant in full sun to light shade with moderate to regular water. Tolerant of heavy soils. Winter deciduous.
Silene laciniata ssp. californica
Native to open woods from Southern California north to Oregon, this native perennial is a knock out in bloom. Late spring and early summer bring brilliant, deeply lobed scarlet petals over the low growing mound of foliage 1-2 feet tall and about as wide. Best suited for well drained soils in lightly shaded settings where water can be withheld once plants begin to go dormant. A top notch rock garden subject and hummingbird favorite.
Sisyrinchium bellum
A beloved native perennial wildflower with grass-like foliage and six-petaled spring blossoms that range from blue to purple with occasional pure white forms. Grows 6 - 12 inches tall in small clumps where it is useful in meadow or grassland plantings as well as mixed borders. Sun to partial shade, with moderate to infrequent summer water. Goes summer dormant in dry gardens. Does well in heavy soils and often seeds about when happy.
Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Arroyo de la Cruz’
A common spring wildflower of grasslands and coastal prairies, where cheerful six petaled blossoms top grassy blades. Flower color can range from pure white to deep violet blue, but the cultivar 'Arroyo de la Cruz' has particularly large dark purple flowers and grows 10-12 inches tall. Plant in full sun to partial shade, moderate to infrequent summer water. Goes summer dormant in dry gardens. Does well in heavy soils. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Dwarf’
While we’re a little unsure about this selection’s origins, we do know it’s an AMAZING bloomer and an easy garden plant! In spring and into summer, deep blue-purple flowers with yellow centers cover this very dwarf blue-eyed grass which stays under 6 inches tall. Very narrow, iris-like leaves slowly increase to form a small clump. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide moderate to infrequent irrigation. If allowed to go dry in summer, it will go dormant, only to re-emerge with the winter rains. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Fort Bragg’
This special from of our native blue-eyed grass features pale lavender, almost white petals which darken to deep purple at their base, surrounding a yellow center. Only reaching up to 6 inches high, this little dwarf features narrow, iris-like leaves which form dense little clumps. Blooms most abundantly in spring by can continue to flower into summer if given moderate irrigation. If allowed to go somewhat dry, it may go dormant, only to re-emerge with gusto in winter. Plant in full sun to light shade. An excellent perennial for small spaces and narrow borders. We believe this selection was discovered by Charlie Swehla. Deer resistant.