Dudleya brittonii
A Baja California native. Useful and very dramatic in containers or well-drained rock gardens. Likes a protected and sunny microclimate where cold air and winter wet can drain away. Enjoys a little afternoon shade in hotter climates. Develops up to 1 1/2 ft. wide rosettes with fleshy chalk-covered leaves. Yellow flowers sit atop tall stalks in late spring and early summer.
Dudleya cymosa
This charming succulent is in native to California where it grows in between rocks on inland cliffs in sun or bright shade. Best in the garden in a rock wall or terra-cotta pot with some afternoon shade. Height in flower is under one foot. The yellow to orange flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Occasional to infrequent water in the ground. In pots, let dry out between waterings.
Dudleya edulis
Native to rocky slopes and ledges below 3900’ in Southern Coastal California, the Peninsular Ranges, and Northern Baja California. This Dudleya forms clustering rosettes of dainty, light green, pencil-like leaves. In summer, tall stalks of fragrant, pale yellow flowers rise high above the foliage. Growing about a foot tall (with flowers) by one foot wide. Plant in well drained soil and cool full sun to part shade inland. A delicate accent in a rock garden or amongst coastal plants, also fine in containers. Known as “mission lettuce” for its fleshy raw leaves, once considered a delicacy.
Dudleya farinosa
Native to sea bluffs in central and northern California. Rosettes of fleshy leaves are chalky grey or bright green and often red tipped. Candelabra-like clusters of light yellow flowers on thick stalks appear in summer. Provide part shade away from the coast. Excellent for rock garden, walls or containers, where good drainage and a little summer water can be provided.
Dudleya farinosa – Noyo River form
Perched on the cliffs of the Noyo River are beautiful rosettes of bluish-white succulents known as bluff lettuce. This special form from the Mendocino coast was selected by Matt Teel for its small and compact stature, striking color and flat leaves. The foliage reaches a height of about 4 inches and slowly spreads to make small colonies. Yellow flowers sit atop slender pink stalks rising 8 inches off the ground. Provide protection from the afternoon sun in inland sites and plant in well-draining soil. Excellent in containers where it only needs occasional water.
Dudleya pulverulenta
Large, broad, chalky-white leaves forming rosettes up to two ft. wide make this Dudleya one of our most sought-after native succulents. A multitude of tubular red flowers appear in late spring and early summer on stalks reaching from 1.5 to 3 ft. tall. Fleshy, heart-shaped bracts line the stems. Plant in bright shade or provide morning sun and afternoon shade. Needs excellent drainage and infrequent irrigation. Plant at an angle to prevent water from gathering around the base in winter. A gravel mulch around the plant can help stabilize soil temperature and prevent excessive dehydration. Good container plant.
Elymus (Leymus) condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’
A beautiful selection from the Channel Islands off Southern California. Distinctive for the lovely, broad, silver-blue blades 2 1/2 to 3 ft. tall with wand-like grass flowers reaching up to 2 feet above the foliage. Accepts sun to very light shade and moderate to little water. Tolerates heavy soil. Spreads by rhizomes to form striking silver drifts, but is vigorous and aggressive. Best to use where a large patch is desired or where it is contained, such as a parkway strip. Cut back in winter to rejuvenate and remove old leaves. Drought and deer resistant.
Elymus (Leymus) triticoides
Spreading, turf forming, perennial grass found in somewhat moist areas in many plant communities throughout California. An important restoration species, useful for holding soil and enhancing wildlife habitat value. Growing 2-4 ft. tall and spreading widely with an extensive network of rhizomatous roots which both hold soil and help prevent exotic weed establishment within their dense mats of roots and foliage. Slender blue-green blades are topped with narrow flower spikes 4-6 inches long. Excellent for seasonally moist bottom land and riparian areas where it can grow in full sun to light shade and tolerates many soil types. Will tolerate some drought in heavier soils. May spread too vigorously for small gardens.
Elymus (Leymus) triticoides x ‘Lagunita’
Discovered by grass expert and John Greenlee, who describes it as his personal favorite ground cover grass for meadow installations. Often this species has blue-grey blades and grows tall and floppy, but 'Lagunitas' grows just 10 - 16 inches tall, with rich green blades. This form rarely flowers and is quite adaptable to soil types and watering regimes. The ability to tolerate both wet and dry conditions makes it valuable for areas that seasonally flood like rain gardens. A vigorous spreader, especially when well watered, but is better behaved in dryer sites. Once established, can be maintained with one or two waterings a month, keeping it green and fire safe. Tolerates trimming to about 4 inches, possibly more. Grows in full sun to light shade. Host plant to the Woodland Skipper butterfly.
Elymus californicus
California bottlebrush grass is a tall robust grass with broad, bright green blades and nodding brushlike flower spikes. Uncommon in the wild it can be found in coastal counties on shaded banks and wooded areas, including redwood forests. Displays 3 - 6 ft. tall flower stalks with low foliage up to 1 ft. high. Provide moderate to infrequent irrigation. Deer resistant.
Encelia californica
Cheery yellow daisies with purplish-brown centers cover this sunflower from late winter all the way into summer, making it one of our longest blooming natives. The 2-inch-wide blossoms make for stupendous cut flowers and are loved by bees and butterflies. Goldfinches enjoy the seeds which follow. This somewhat short-lived subshrub features dark green, diamond-shaped leaves and reaches about 3 – 4 ft. tall, spreading a little wider. Should reseed if the spent flowers aren’t removed. Enjoys full sun to light shade and occasional to infrequent irrigation with decent drainage to look its best. Native to generally coastal areas in southern California. While not especially cold sensitive, it will freeze if the temperature gets down to the mid 20s.
Epilobium canum ‘Sierra Salmon’
California fuchsias have many charms, blooming in late summer into fall with hummingbird attracting, tubular flowers, mostly in shades of red and orange. 'Sierra Salmon' offers unusual salmon-colored blossoms on soft blue-green foliage. This cultivar doesn't tend to wander like some can and forms dense clumps of erect stems 12 - 24 inches tall and wide. Looks wonderful amongst rocks or boulders, in perennial borders or to add pizazz with grass and shrub plantings. Plant in full sun with occasional summer water. Prune down to a few inches after blooms are done.
Equisetum hyemale v. robustum
Horsetail’s wonderful, erect form can be very useful in the landscape BUT BEWARE of its invasive nature. Best confined to containers where its slender, hollow, segmented stems can rise 4 ft. tall or more. Provide sun to medium shade and regular water. Deer resistant.
Ericameria arborescens
Native to chaparral regions throughout California, this tall, billowy shrub stands out with its soft and narrow, bright green leaves and, in the summer and early fall, clusters of small yellow flowers. Goldenfleece reaches 6 ft. or more tall with a width of around 4 ft. A wonderful accent plant for the dry garden, especially when combined with dark-foliaged plants such as ceanothus, toyon and manzanitas. Prefers full sun and excellent drainage. Very drought tolerant once established. Excellent for bees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
Ericameria ericoides
Native to sand dunes from Long Beach north to Bodega Bay, this low shrub resembles a heather, covered with clusters of small yellow daisies in late summer and fall. Reaching a height of up to 3 feet and spreading to 4 feet, making it an ideal shrub for the smaller garden. Needs occasional water in interior locations and full sun to light shade. Requires well-draining soil. Plant with Ceanothus, low manzanitas and pacific reed grass for a taste of the coast in your own garden. Excellent late season nectar source for bees and butterflies. A light winter pruning will help keep it dense and compact. Said to be deer resistant.
Ericameria nauseosa
This classic plant of the high desert grows in dry, hot, rocky areas throughout much of interior California and throughout the West. In summer and autumn, clusters of golden, star-like flowers cover the tips of the white branches on this low, rounded shrub which reaches up to 3 - 4 ft. tall and wide. Fine, white hairs cover the narrow leaves, giving the plant a ghostly grey-white appearance. Needs a sunny location with excellent drainage and little to no irrigation once established. Bees and butterflies love the flowers. A larval host for the northern checkerspot butterfly.
Erigeron ‘Olga’
A fine seaside daisy hybrid introduced by Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery in Oregon. Forms a tidy, dense mat of dark green foliage. Lavender daisies rise 12 inches above the compact foliage late spring into summer. Plant in full sun along the coast, part shade inland with moderate to occasional summer water. This compact grower is perfect for small spaces, troughs or containers. Bee and butterfly favorite.
Erigeron ‘W.R.’
The "W. R." stands for the late Wayne Roderick, whom we can thank for many fine plant introductions. This hybrid involves the seaside daisy, Erigeron glaucus and some other native species more tolerant of heat. The lavender daisies sit on slender stalks about 10 inches above low rosettes of narrow leaves. The flowers bloom over a long period in summer and are very attractive to pollinators of all sorts. Provide full sun in cooler areas but will enjoy part shade in hot inland sites. Moderate to occasional irrigation. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches. Wayne discovered this surpisingly heat tolerant selection on the Del Norte coast. This selection should not be confused with 'Wayne Roderick', which is an entirely diferent selection of Erigeron.
Erigeron glacialis
From mountain meadows throughout much of California and the West comes this endearing little daisy. Features clusters of refined, lavender-pink daisies with yellow centers held on stalks up to 10 inches tall above low, mat-forming leaves. Plant in full sun except in hot, inland areas where some afternoon shade would be appreciated. Needs moderate irrigation. This summer bloomer provides excellent habitat for bees and butterflies. A superlative candidate for a rock garden or narrow planting bed. Works well in containers.
Erigeron glaucus
Low growing native perennial to 1 ft. tall with lovely, lavender, daisy-like flowers blooming over a long part of the year. Native to coastal dunes and bluffs, but does well inland with some afternoon shade and a little extra summer water. A natural along the coast where it thrives with little to no summer water and tolerates wind and salt spray. Good nectar source for butterflies and many different pollinators. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Bountiful’
Forms a lush mound of foliage 10 inches - 1 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide. Exceptionally floriferous and long blooming, 'Bountiful' offers masses of lavender daisies with yellow centers held above loose rosettes of green foliage. It slowly spreads to form drifts which combine wonderfully with Iris and low grasses. A natural along the coast where it grows in full sun and is drought tolerant. Appreciates some afternoon shade and summer water inland. A reliable and easy to grow perennial. Butterfly and bee favorite. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Cal Flora’
This seedling appeared at the base of a decorative pot planted with Erigeron glaucus ‘Cape Sebastian’. The seedling's foliage and form appears to be intermediate between Erigeron glaucus 'Cape Sebastian’ and Erigeron glaucus 'Bountiful'. It has a nice dense habit, though a bit taller than ‘Cape Sebastian', with larger and darker flowers held just above the foliage at about 10 inches in height. A natural along the coast where it thrives with little to no summer water once established and tolerates wind and salt spray. In hotter inland conditions give some afternoon shade and additional summer water. Good pollen and nectar source for bees and butterflies. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Cape Sebastian’
This selection of the West Coast native seaside daisy is from Oregon, just north of the California border. A compact and dense mound up to 6 inches high, topped with lavender daisies over a long period. Full sun near coast, light shade in hot regions. Best with moderate to occasional summer water in hotter climates. A favorite of pollinators. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Ron’s Pink’
A delightful pink-flowered version of the useful seaside daisy, an easy to grow perennial native to the coast. Mounds of compact foliage topped with large, pink daisies, spring through autumn. At home on coastal bluffs in full sun with wind and salt spray. Requires afternoon shade and some summer water when grown in hotter interior locations. Looks beautiful when planted with Douglas iris, low fescues and woolly sunflowers. Attractive to a wide array of pollinators, including native bees and butterflies.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Wayne Roderick’
This selection offers the darkest flowers of any of the seaside daisies. Deep purple petals surround golden discs on flowers 1 ½ inches wide. The prolific blooms begin in spring and can continue into autumn if the spent flowers are removed. Bright green leaves create a slowly spreading mound up to a foot high with the flowers perched just above. Plant in full sun near the coast but protect from the hot afternoon sun in inland locales. Enjoys moderate to occasional irrigation. The seaside daisies make a great addition to the meadow garden, combining beautifully with iris, blue fescues and spreading gumplant.
Erigeron glaucus ‘White Lights’
This unusual white flowering form of seaside daisy was discovered along a coastal bluff in Sonoma County by Roger Raiche. It has been a long bloomer, starting in spring and continuing into autumn. Reaches a height of up to 1 ft. and spreads to form a small clump. Prefers sun, decent drainage, and is drought tolerant once established. A little shade and moderate to occasional water is best in hot inland sites. A member of the sunflower family, seaside daisies are excellent sources of both nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron linearis
This native Erigeron grows in a number of western states, including California, where it is found in the mountains, on rocky slopes, sagebrush scrub and desert plant communities. Most Erigeron species flowers are white, pink or shades of purple, but this low growing, tufted perennial sports dime-sized, yellow daisies, in the late spring to early summer. The flower buds nod at first, then straighten as they open above the mound of narrow leaves, rising to around 8 inches or so tall and getting about as wide. A natural for the dry garden, rock garden, crevice, wall or container, where it gets full sun and excellent drainage. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers, including several checkerspot butterfly species and the white-lined sphinx moth.
Eriodictyon californicum
Uncommon in the nursery trade, this aromatic, evergreen shrub is native to dry habitats of chaparral and mixed evergreen forest plant communities in North and Central California and into Oregon. An opportunist, this shrub stump sprouts after fires and grows with renewed vigor after any soil disturbance. The dark green, leathery leaves are covered in a shiny, fragrant, resin and are sticky to touch. The common name means, holy herb, and the pungent leaves have a long history of medicinal uses. Grows 3 - 5 ft. tall and spreads by underground roots to form a colony. Late spring brings clusters of small, trumpet-shaped flowers of pale lavender, sometimes white or pale blue, which are highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. Plant in full sun with good drainage and little water once established. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum arborescens
A large, shrubby buckwheat with narrow, pale green foliage and sturdy, flat-topped inflorescences of creamy white to pink flowers. The flowers age over time, eventually turning reddish brown, remaining ornamental for a long period. Grows 3 to 4 ft. tall and slightly wider. Normal to very lean well-drained soils. Especially drought tolerant along the coast, may need infrequent summer water inland and possibly a little afternoon shade. Buckwheats are excellent additions to habitat gardens, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for many creatures. Deer resistant.