Arctostaphylos x media ‘Humboldt Mystery’
Arching branches and a mounding habit up to 6 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide distinguish this manzanita from its relatives. In winter, pinkish-white flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and bees, followed by large, red berries in the autumn. Burnished red trunks display a colorful backdrop to the leathery, large, dark green leaves. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide moderate to infrequent irrigation. James Roof of Tilden Botanic Garden discovered this unusual selection somewhere on the Humboldt Coast, but, true to his enigmatic character, refused to say where he found it. It is believed to be a natural cross between bearberry and the hairy manzanita.
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.
Arctostaphylos x media ‘Reina de Arena’
An outstanding selection from a special population of natural manzanita hybrids, holding court on the rugged, fog shrouded, coastal bluffs of Point Arena in Mendocino County. The "Queen" forms a lovely, compact mound of large, rounded, fuzzy leaves, reaching up to about 2 ft. high and at least 6 ft. wide. Elegant, pure white, urn-shaped flowers decorate the branch tips in winter and are an early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumblebees. Plant in full sun to light shade and give moderate to infrequent summer water once established. Plants grown in hot areas will benefit from some afternoon shade and extra irrigation.
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.
Arnica chamissonis
Native to moist meadows in mountainous regions of California and western North America. This delighful perennial grows 1 - 2 feet tall and wide with cheerful, bright golden-yellow daisies in early summer. The bright green, lance-shaped leaves sit in opposite pairs along them stems. Grow in full sun to light shade with decent draining soils and regular moisture. Said to have the same medicinal properties of its European cousin, but easier to grow. Flowers support bees, bumblebees and butterflies. Winter deciduous. Deer resistant.
Artemisia californica ‘Canyon Gray’
An unusual prostrate form of our coastal native sagebrush, forming a loose, nearly flat mat of finely cut, silvery, fragrant foliage around 4 ft. wide. Useful as a bank cover or for the top of a retaining wall where it can cascade over the edge. Combines beatifully with ceanothus, buckwheats and iris. Should be cut back from time to time to keep dense. Enjoys full sun to light shade and is very drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
Artemisia douglasiana
Mugwort is native to many plant communities where there is at least some year round moisture: streams and riverbanks, road cuts, ditches, and moist meadows. A stout, rhizomatous perennial with aromatic foliage that is green on top and silvery beneath. The flowers are small and not particularly showy. The foliage is beautiful and fragrant with a long history of medicinal uses. Plant in sun to light shade where it will grow 3 ft. tall and spreading to form a colony. Well watered plants can grow even taller. Provides excellent cover and seeds for birds. Deer resistant.
Artemisia pycnocephala ‘Dr. Seuss’
In deference to this selection’s whimsical form, we have named it in honor of the children’s author who truly embodies “whimsical”. Soft, silvery, ferny foliage slowly spreads across the ground on woody branches with unusually tall flower stalks reaching up to 2 feet in height. As the stalks arise, the base is thickly covered in the showy foliage, getting narrower as it approaches the flower buds, giving the plant its unusual form. The small flowers are pale yellow and open in late spring and into summer. Provide good drainage and plant in full sun to light shade. Deer resistant.
Aruncus dioicus
Native to stream sides and moist woods from Mendocino County, California north to Alaska. A bold and showy perennial looking like a giant astilbe. Forms dense clumps of finely divided foliage with arching, feathery plumes of white flowers 3-5 ft. tall in summer. Requires regular moisture and part shade where it makes a striking specimen or accent plant in the woodland garden. Dies back to its roots in winter. The frothy flower plumes attract an array of tiny little pollinators and the seed heads on female plants are an important food source for birds. Said to be deer resistant.
Asclepias fascicularis
Our most common native milkweed is found in meadows and on the banks above ponds. Its flowers are held in umbels of a pale mauve color. They form at the top of 1 - 3 ft. tall slender stems that die back in winter to a perennial rootstock. Its wandering roots form small colonies. Drought tolerant, it prefers seasonally moist soils and likes moderate water in the garden. The narrow leaves are the preferred larval food for the Monarch Butterfly. Full sun to part shade. Unlikely to be bothered by deer.
Asclepias speciosa
Bold and beautiful native milkweed that forms a large patch of tall stems with broad pale green leaves. Fragrant clusters of pinkish-purple flowers, followed by interesting seed pods. Spreads by underground shoots. Great in semi-dry naturalistic plantings. Host to Monarch butterflies. Deer resistant.
Asplenium trichomanes
This small fern is found in rocky habitats almost worldwide, though uncommon in California, where it is found only in Del Norte County. Tiny, dark green, oval leaves line the black stems of this diminutive evergreen fern. The narrow fronds form short tufts under 8 inches tall that spread slowly. Easy to grow, this little cutie is perfect for tucking into a shady rock garden, wall or container planting. Best in gritty, well drained soils with regular to moderate summer irrigation. Deer resistant.
Aster (Eurybia) radulinus ‘Gilliam Creek’
This charming woodland aster makes its home in bright, dryish woods from the Channel Islands all the way up to the Oregon border and into the northern Sierras. Normally a shy, dainty little forest dweller, this selection from Sonoma County is far more robust, featuring large clusters of white-petaled daisies with white centers which turn yellow with age, and finally a deep maroon. Flower stalks reach up to 2 ft. high, much taller than is typical for the species. Serrated, deep green leaves form a high mat on this slowly spreading ground cover. An excellent plant for dry, woodland gardens, but will also tolerate moderate irrigation. One of the few excellent pollinator plants for the lightly shaded garden.
Athyrium filix-femina
Native to much of North America, lady fern grows in moist shady places. The newly emerging fiddleheads in the spring are particularly attractive. The graceful, delicate looking fronds grow 3 foot or more tall by 3 ft. or more wide. Lovely in a forest setting, as a background plant, or around a pond. Goes dormant in the winter. Plant in full to part shade with regular water.
Athyrium filix-femina ‘Minutissimum’
A miniature form of the lovely lady fern, growing up to one foot tall and two feet wide. Forms compact mounds of finely divided light green fronds. Perfect for the small spaces, rock gardens or containers. A vigorous and hardy fern needing only shade and moisture to thrive. Dies back to the ground in the winter. The new unfurling fiddleheads adds charm in the spring. Deer resistant.
Baccharis glutinosa (douglasii)
This native perennial is a powerhouse for pollinators, luring small butterflies, predatory wasps and other beneficial insects to its dense, white, flat-topped, nectar rich flower heads. Found in wetland and riparian habitats such as salt marshes and stream edges along the coast and interior valleys of California. An erect perennial, growing 3 ft. or more tall, with long, lance-shaped, resinous, leaves and spreading by rhizomes. Blooming in late summer to early fall, the flowers lack petals and are dioecious, with male and female disc flowers occurring on separate plants. Plant in full sun to light shade with moderate to regular water. Deer resistant.
Baccharis pilularis
This is the upright form of coyote bush, growing 4 - 8 ft. tall and wide. Valued for its ability to flourish in a wide range of conditions. Also valued as an excellent habitat plant offering food and cover to a wide variety of wildlife. Flowers are not showy and the male and female flowers are borne on separate shrubs. This crop of plants are a mix of males and females and one can’t tell until they bloom. Plant in sunn or light shade. Not fussy about soils. Quite drought tolerant once established. Responds well to pruning or shearing, working well as a screen. Deer resistant.
Baccharis pilularis – Bodega Dunes form
Coyote bush is a tough, native, evergreen shrub, forming mounds of dense foliage that hold soil and provide food and cover for birds and mammals. Flowers are small and cream-colored and appear in the autumn. This crop is grown from seed collected in the Bodega Bay Dunes from parents that were under two feet tall and around 6 ft or so wide. Time will reveal the exact form and sex of each plant in this crop. Both male and female plants have significant habitat value, with their combined contributions of abundant pollen, nectar and copious seed late in the season. It will be a surprise as well as a useful addition to the habitat garden. Plant in full sun, though a little shade is helpful in hotter sites. Shear occasionally to renovate and keep dense. Drought tolerant on the coast, but best with occasional water inland. Deer resistant.
Baccharis pilularis – female
Upright form of coyote brush, growing 4 - 8 ft. tall and wide. Valued for its ability to flourish in a wide range of conditions. Also valued as an excellent habitat plant offering food and cover to a wide variety of wildlife. Flowers are not showy and the male and female flowers are borne on separate shrubs. Theses plants are FEMALE and will produce seed (when male plants are present). An abundance of pollinators and beneficial insects use Baccharis flowers and birds love their seeds. Plant in sun to light shade. Not fussy about soils. Quite drought tolerant once established. Responds well to pruning or shearing and is useful as a screen. Deer resistant.
Baccharis pilularis – male
Upright form of coyote brush, growing 4 - 8 ft. tall and wide. Valued for its ability to flourish in a wide range of conditions. Also valued as an excellent habitat plant offering food and cover to a wide variety of wildlife. Flowers are not showy and the male and female flowers are borne on separate shrubs. These plants are MALE and produce ivory colored flowers with pollen and nectar. An abundance of pollinators and beneficial insects use Baccharis flowers. Plant in sun to light shade. Not fussy about soils. Quite drought tolerant once established. Responds well to pruning or shearing and is useful as a screen. Deer resistant.
Baccharis pilularis ‘Mayacama Mound’
This dense, bright green, gumdrop-shaped coyote bush only reaches about 3 ft tall and spreads a wider. We discovered this heat and drought tolerant selection in a batch of seedlings from inland Sonoma Co.. A great alternative for the ubiquitous ‘Twin Peaks’, which is a coastal selection and less suitable for hot, dry sites. Plant in full sun to light shade where mature plants won’t need supplemental water, but an infrequent deep soak will keep them looking fresh. The small, whitish flowers are relished by pollinators in the early autumn. This selection is female, so the late autumn seeds provide an important food source for birds. A sturdy, low, evergreen shrub for tough situations.
Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’
Adaptable and dependable low growing form of the native coyote bush. Forms a mound of bright green leaves with an undulating habit 2 - 3 ft. tall and 6-8 ft. wide. Able to tolerate many soil types and watering regimes this shrub is best in full sun to light shade. Extremely drought tolerant along the coast but best with moderate to occasional summer water inland. When watered and annually trimmed to keep low and free of debris it is recommended for fire resistance landscapes. A good addition to the habitat garden, coyote bush offers excellent cover to a wide variety of wildlife. ‘Pigeon Point’ is a male selection and does not make seed. Deer resistant.
Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks’
One of the fastest, toughest, densest evergreen native large scale groundcovers. Discovered on Twin Peaks in San Francisco. Grows at least to 6 ft. wide and 2 - 3 ft. tall. Extremely drought tolerant along the coast but best with moderate to occasional summer water inland. Shear hard annually in spring to keep rejuvenated. Sun on coast, afternoon shade inland. This is a male selection so it won't produce seeds. Deer don’t seem to eat it.
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.
Berberis (Mahonia) aquifolium
This attractive, western native evergreen has a long history in cultivation for good reason. Erect stems rise 4 to 7 feet or more tall and wide, spreading slowly by underground rhizomes to form dense clumps. Bronzy-red new growth gives way to dark-green, glossy leaves with spiny margins that are prickly to the touch. Cold winters can darken the foliage with purple-red tones. Late spring brings clusters of bright yellow, sweetly scented flowers. Edible blue-black fruits follow and are pretty and tasty. A useful and adaptable shrub in a hedge or a shrubby border. Takes full sun to part shade. Performs best with some afternoon shade in hot areas and moderate to infrequent water. A great habitat plant which provides cover, nectar rich flowers and fruits relished by all. Deer resistant.
Berberis (Mahonia) aquifolium var. repens
This little cousin of the much larger Oregon grape only gets 1 - 3 ft. tall and spreads underground to create dense, evergreen drifts. The divided leaves have a matte finish with a grey-green color which turns purple-red with frost. Clusters of bright yellow flowers open in spring and are followed by deep blue "grapes" much loved by birds. The sweet-scented flowers are enjoyed by bees and butterflies. Provide full sun to shade and moderate to infrequent irrigation. Deer resistant.
Berberis (Mahonia) nervosa
A handsome species with especially long, leathery, evergreen leaves. Grows to around 2 or more feet tall and spreads by underground stems. Yellow flowers in spring are born in upright clusters, followed by blue berries. Great woodland groundcover for full or partial shade with occasional to regular summer water. Deer resistant. Fruits eaten by robins, finches and towhees. The flowers have nectar for hummingbirds and bees.
Berberis (Mahonia) nervosa var. mendocinoensis
The rare Mendocino longleaf mahonia comes from moist coniferous forests around Fort Bragg. Differs from the more diminutive longleaf mahonia in its unusual size: growing slowly to 5 ft tall or more and spreading to form narrow colonies. The pointed, leathery, deep green leaves, bronzy orange when young, provide a striking contrast to the bright yellow flower clusters produced in the spring. Attractive deep purple berries are a food source for birds. Needs shade and moderate moisture. Deer resistant.