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 ‘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 ‘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 ‘Rocky Point’
A vigorous selection of dwarf blue-eyed grass discovered on Rocky Point south of Carmel in Monterey County and introduced by Native Sons Nursery. Robust, rich green clumps of wide, iris-like leaf blades 4 - 6 inches tall feature vibrant blue-purple flowers with yellow centers. A great rock garden item. Plant in full sun to part shade. This spring bloomer will go semi-dormant in summer if allowed to go somewhat dry. With moderate irrigation it will be evergreen and have an extended bloom preiod. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Stripey’
An eye-catching cultivar of blue-eyed grass, forming compact clumps of narrow variegated foliage. The gray-green blades have pale yellow margins growing around 6 inches tall and a foot or so wide. The chubby clumps of narrow, variegated leaves are topped with cool blue flowers in the spring. Perfect rock garden item or container accent for sun to light shade with moderate water. Deer resistant.
Solanum umbelliferum
A perennial subshrub from chaparral and oak woodland plant communities, often growing on the edge where they may receive some relief from the full sun. Grows quickly, to as much 3 ft. high with pale green oval leaves on green stems, often sprawling wider. Blooms over a long period with a multitude of blue-purple saucer shaped flowers followed by small tomato-like fruits. Plant in full sun to partial shade with little to no summer water. May go summer deciduous with drought, becoming twiggy and leafless until the rains return. All parts of the plant are poisonous which should make them dependably deer resistant.
Solanum xanti ‘Mountain Pride’
Outstanding selection by Carol Bornstein from the hills surrounding Santa Barbara,following the wildfires of 2008. Chosen for its particularly dark purple flowers, this subshrub grows 3 ft. tall and at least as wide. Clusters of rich purple one inch blossoms with bright yellow stamens bloom over a long period but heaviest in spring. In nature it is often found growing along the borders of coastal scrub,chaparral and woodlands. Plant in full sun along the coast with a little shade inland, where it will be drought tolerant once established. Prune to promote bushy habit. A good container subject. Should be deer resistant as all parts of the plant are poisonous.
Solidago lepida v. salebrosa
Golden-yellow, pyramid shaped inflorescences sit atop stems flanked with bright green leaves on this unusual native goldenrod. This selection is more compact and refined than the California goldenrod, with flower stalks reaching only about 2 feet tall and a spreading habit which is less aggressive. A superb plant to attract all sorts of bees and butterflies when it blooms in late summer and into autumn. Plant in full sun to light shade and water moderately to occasionally. This variety grows throughout western North America but is rare in California, only occurring in the northeast part of the state.
Solidago spathulata
Native to coastal strand and coastal scrub communities where it forms low mats of spreading bright green foliage. Summer brings flower stems a foot or so tall made up of small bright golden-yellow daisies. Full sun to light shade with some summer water. Tolerates heavy soils. The flowers support native bees, honey bees, beneficial insects and butterflies. It is a larval food source for the northern checkerspot butterfly.
Solidago velutina ssp. californica
A showy and easy to grow late blooming native perennial. Spreads by creeping rootstocks where it can form a good-sized colony. Has spread slowly in our heavy clay soils with minimal water, but has the potential to spread aggressively in lighter soils especially with regular water. Late summer through fall brings slender wand-like flower stalks of golden yellow daisies 2 - 3 ft. tall which are visited by bees, butterflies and other insects. Plant in a sunny area where it is drought tolerant, but some supplemental summer water keeps it blooming longer.
Spiraea densiflora ‘Trinity Rose’
This cultivar hails from the Trinity Alps in northwestern California. A neat looking deciduous shrub growing 2-3 foot tall and a bit wider with a compact habit and pretty bluish-green leaves. Early summer brings flat topped clusters of rosy-pink flowers on the branch tips. Foliage often takes on nice yellow tones in the autumn before losing its leaves. Plant in sun to light shade with regular water. Flowers attract butterflies.
Spiraea douglasii
In summer, wands of violet-pink flower clusters decorate the branch tips of this deciduous shrub. Forms broad thickets 3 - 6 ft. tall with bluish-green leaves. Enjoys regular moisture and full sun to light shade. Great for a naturalistic planting in a woodland garden or along streams. Attracts bees and butterflies and is a larval host for various butterflies and moths in its native range. Native to the coast and into the mountains from northern California to Alaska.
Sporobolus airoides
A robust, warm season bunchgrass, which was common in California’s Central Valley prior to agricultural conversion. This western native is found in the Sierra foothills, South Coast Ranges as well as deserts from eastern Washington to Mexico. Forms a dense bunch of fine textured, grey-green blades, on average 3 foot tall and wide. Graceful flowering stems carry airy, pinkish flower heads that produce a pink-hued haze, which age to tan. The abundant seeds are relished by birds, but do not tend to reseed in gardens. Tolerant of many soil types and water regimes. Best with full sun to light shade. This grass will be drought tolerant, but does best with some summer water in dryer inland sites. Leaves turn butter-yellow in autumn prior to winter dormancy. Deer resistant.
Stachys bullata
A native perennial from the mint family, found primarily near the coast from San Francisco southward, where it inhabits oak, pine and fir woodlands. Medium-green leaves are softly fuzzy with scalloped edges, growing around 2 ft. or more tall and spreading by underground rhizomes to form a colony. Blooming spring through summer, with lavender-pink tubular flowers in whorls, which attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Tends to grow in somewhat drier areas, but responds well to moisture and also tolerates inundation. A natural with rushes, ferns and snowberries. Useful for partly shaded bioswales and oak/mixed conifer woodlands. The underground rhizomes make it a good choice for erosion control. Deer resistant.
