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.
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.
Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’
A particularly fine hybrid from the 1920’s, valued for its long display of clear lavender-blue daisies on stout, upright foliage, to around 2 ft. tall and wide. Easy to grow in full sun with good drainage and regular to moderate water. A wide variety of bee species visit this perennial, foraging for nectar and pollen. Attractive to butterflies too. Its long bloom period, May through October, make it a wonderful color accent and a powerhouse in the pollinator garden.
Baccharis ‘Centennial’
This tough evergreen is a hybrid between coyote bush, Baccharis pilularis and desert broom, Baccharis sarothroides and is extremely heat and drought tolerant. Growing 3 - 4 foot tall by 4 - 5 ft. wide with a mounding growth habit. An excellent choice for low maintenance areas, useful for erosion control on slopes and tough sites where it requires full sun and little water once established. Being a female selection, it produces small, inconspicuous creamy-white flowers followed by fluffy seeds. Good habitat plant offering cover for animals, nectar for pollinators and seeds for birds. 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.
Baccharis salicifolia
This native shrub looks something like a willow in foliage and is found in similar habitats in California and the southwest US. Not a willow at all, but a member of the aster family, this evergreen shrub blooms nearly year round, making it a powerhouse for pollinators. The profusion of small, creamy white, fuzzy flowers, tinged with pink or red are highly attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. Extremely tough and easy to grow in full sun with summer water, where it will grow 6 - 10 feet tall and wide with rich, green foliage. Able to survive drier conditions than a willow could handle, but it will look rough if it gets too dry. Responds well to pruning and can be cut down to six inches to refresh. Excellent screen, windbreak and for soil stabilization. Stellar for attracting pollinators.
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.
Berberis (Mahonia) nevinii
Nevin's barberry is a very rare southern California shrub with rigidly arching stems densely clothed in pointy silver gray leaflets. Heavy blooming with clear yellow flowers followed by heavy fruiting with bright red translucent fruit. 8 ft. by 8 ft. Does well in sunny well drained locations in the Bay Area. Great companion to matilija poppy and Salvia clevelandii. Very drought tolerant but best with occasional water. Deer resistant.
Berberis (Mahonia) pinnata ‘Ken Hartman’
Similar to Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) but leaves are more crinkly and spiny. New growth often shows lots of red and orange. Grows upright to 6 ft. or more, particularly in ideal coastal sites. Handles drought better than the Oregon grape. Tolerates sun to shade. Best with a little shade in hot areas. Fruits eaten by robins, finches and towhees. The flowers have nectar for hummingbirds and bees. Deer resistant.
Boykinia occidentalis
Clusters of dainty white flowers and glossy dark green leaves make the brook saxifrage a wonderful addition to the moist shade garden. Flowers open in the spring on arching stems up to a foot tall. May continue to bloom into autumn. The round, serrated leaves form low mounds up to 2 feet wide. Tolerates heavy soil and may seed around. Will grow in part to heavy shade. Needs regular moisture.
Brodiaea elegans
From grassy meadows and open woodlands comes this drought tolerant and colorful wildflower. Open clusters of dainty violet flowers sit atop stems reaching 8 to 20 inches in height. Plant in full sun to bright shade and provide decent drainage. As the name suggests, the harvest Brodiaea is the latest blooming of the Brodiaeas, sometimes not flowering until the end of summer after the grass-like leaves have gone dormant. It spreads rapidly but not invasively to form broad drifts. After blooming, this bulb will sleep until the return of winter rains. Do not irrigate. An excellent candidate for the rock garden where its graceful form will contrast wonderfully with the rigid stone.
Calamintha nepetoides
A pretty, little, non-spreading mint relative, forming a rounded shrublet of shiny, bright green foliage to around 1’ tall and about 2 ft wide. Covered with hundreds of tiny, pale blue, nearly white blossoms over a long period in summer. Good for full sun to light shade with moderate watering. Tolerant of clay soil. One of our bee magnets. Deer resistant.
Calochortus uniflorus ‘Cupido’
While many Calochortus are known to be challenging in the garden, this selection is quite easy and blooms in abundance! Blue-grey, iris-like leaves emerge in the winter, followed by soft lavender-pink, tulip-like flowers in late spring. After flowering they will go dormant. Plant in full sun to light shade. Very drought tolerant but will tolerate occasional irrigation. This rare species has a surprisingly wide-ranging distribution, from the coast to the mountains of Northern California. Attracts native pollinators.
Calystegia purpurata ssp. purpurata
Lush, slender-stemmed vine with gray-green heart-shaped leaves scrambles up, over, or through any support provided. From late spring through early summer the plant is decorated with trumpet-shaped blossoms ranging in color from white to pink to purple. This deciduous vine can grow up to 10 ft. tall and wide. Sun to light shade, most soils, moderate to occasional watering for best appearance. Native throughout the Coast Range of California.
Calystegia purpurata ssp. purpurata ‘Palomarin’
Large flowers which open pinkish-white and darken to a rich lavender distinguish this selection which we discovered near Bolinas in Marin County. This vigorous, deciduous vine spreads quickly to climb over fences and shrubs with clasping stems and grey-green, arrow-shaped leaves. Reaches a height of up to 10 ft. or so and can spread at least as wide. In late spring and early summer, the morning glory flowers put on quite the display, opening at dawn and then closing at dusk. Does great in full sun but also enjoys a little shade, especially in hot, inland areas. Likes moderate irrigation but will become somewhat drought tolerant once established. Hummingbirds and native pollinators are drawn to the flowers.
Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii
Similar to the common camas, but with larger, star-shaped flowers ranging in color from soft to dark violet-blue on stems up to 3 ft tall. Native to grasslands and moist meadows that dry out in the summer. Also found in open, well lit woodlands. Easy to grow in full sun to light shade in a variety of soil types, including heavy clay. Allow to go dry after seed is set, where it will go completely dormant. This eye catching beauty is appealing to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. An excellent container plant and cut flower. Deer resistant.