Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Warriner Lytle’
An interesting form of California buckwheat introduced by the Theodore Payne Foundation. Grows quickly into a low and spreading evergreen groundcover clothed with small, needle-like leaves, 18 inches tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. From late spring to early fall, tight clusters of creamy-whitish pink flowers appear which are very attractive to bees and butterflies. As the flowers go to seed they gradually turn dark russet and are attractive to seed eating birds and mammals. Excellent for dry slopes where it will grow in full sun to light shade with good drainage. Quite drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum giganteum
Native to the Channel Islands of Southern California, this buckwheat can grow to be a very large mounding shrub with gray felted leaves, 4 - 5 ft. tall and wide. The flower stalks have large, flat sprays of cream-colored to pale pink flowers in summer and are prized by arrangers of dried bouquets. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and birds enjoy the seeds. Best in sunny well-drained sites. Drought tolerant but in hot inland situations they look best with occasional deep waterings in summer.
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
A small, colorful, and highly ornamental native perennial for a sunny spot. Low mounds of grey-green foliage feature flower stems up to a foot tall with rounded heads of intense rosy-pink. Buckwheats have substantial wildlife value, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies, larval food for butterflies, seeds for birds and cover for many creatures. Drought tolerant once established and appreciates decently draining soil. An excellent rock garden plant.
Eriogonum latifolium
Native to our coastal bluffs, this perennial forms neat mounds of silvery white foliage under 1 ft. tall. Flowers develop in dense pom-poms and are creamy white to pinkish. Tolerates sun, wind and drought once established but needs decent drainage. Provide occasional summer irrigation to keep them looking their best. Buckwheats have substantial wildlife value, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies, larval food for butterflies, seeds for birds and cover for many creatures. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum nudum
Few natives are as excellent a source of nectar for bees and butterflies as the buckwheats. This widely distributed species is known for its elegant flower displays on naked stems rising one to three feet above low mounds of grey-green leaves. Naked buckwheat has flower pom-poms ranging in color from white to pink set on slender stems in open clusters up to twelve inches wide. Blooms from late spring into early autumn. Provide full sun to very light shade in soil with decent drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Generally deer resistant.
Eriogonum nudum ‘Ella Nelson’s Yellow’
The naked buckwheat has the widest distribution of all the buckwheats, occurring from the coast to timberline in the mountains. This interesting seed strain was collected by Eric Nelson along the middle fork of the Eel River in Mendocino County and named for his grandmother. Instead of the more common white or pink flowers of the species, this strain has beautiful yellow flowers. The spoon shaped leaves which form a low rosette are grey green on top and white and wooly beneath. Late spring brings a multitude of small, bright yellow flowers carried on the bare, leafless stems 18-24 inches above the foliage. Best on well drained soils in full sun where they are drought tolerant once established. Buckwheats are highly attractive to nectar feeding insects. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum parvifolium ‘Moss Landing’
Native to coastal bluffs of the central and south coast. Forms a mounding shrub 2 ft. or more tall by 2 – 3 ft. wide with thick, dark green, triangular shaped leaves often with a reddish tinge, and white and woolly beneath. Round pom-poms of white to pink flowers over a long period late spring and summer, fade to an attractive russet brown. A natural for coastal areas where it grows fast in full sun with good drainage and is very drought tolerant once established. Inland, a little afternoon shade is recommended. Looks great on slopes or draping over walls. An important pollinator plant, appealing to a wide array of insects. In its native range, the rare and endangered El Segundo blue butterfly relies exclusively on this species in all stages of its life cycle. Deer tolerant.
Eriogonum umbellatum
Intense yellow flowers in flat-topped clusters sit atop short stems above grey to green foliage. Ranging in height from 10 to 18 inches, this highly variable and widely distributed California native is an excellent addition to the drought tolerant garden. Provide decent drainage and occasional to no irrigation once established. Full sun to light shade. Just like all buckwheats, this species is loved by bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant but they may nibble the flowers.
Eriogonum umbellatum var. aureum ‘Kannah Creek’
Selected from the Kannah Creek region of Western Colorado, this durable perennial will make a fine addition to the dry garden. Forms low mats of leathery leaves 12-24 inches wide, which turn shades of red and purple in the autumn. Masses of bright yellow flowers on stalks 12-15 inches tall appear late spring to early summer and deepen in color to orange as they age. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional to little water. Drought tolerant once established. Buckwheats attract an array of beneficial insects, provide pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for birds.
Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum ‘Shasta Sulphur’
A striking selection of the sulphur flower buckwheat. Great choice for a dry sunny border or rock garden with decent drainage. Grows 1 1/2 ft. tall and up to 5ft. wide. Smothered with clusters of intensely yellow flowers in spring which fade to orange russet then coppery brown. Needs full sun to bright shade and is drought tolerant once established. Buckwheats have substantial wildlife value, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies, larval food for butterflies, seeds for birds and cover for many creatures. The foliage is deer resistant.
Eriogonum vimineum
Here is an ANNUAL buckwheat found throughout much of California, growing on gravely and volcanic soils. Summer brings showy domes of rose-pink flowers held on wiry stems 18 inches above small clumps of basal leaves. Buckwheats are excellent for attracting beneficial insects providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for birds. Plant in full sun with little water once established. Good container plant too.
Erythranthe (Mimulus) cardinalis
Native to wet areas throughout the West, this robust perennial can easily grow to more than 2 ft. tall and wide. Tubular scarlet flowers are a hummingbird favorite and are very showy. Plant in sun to part shade with ample water. Perfect beside a pond, stream or water feature. Trim as needed to keep tidy. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds.
Erythranthe (Mimulus) guttata
This charming monkeyflower is native to wet places throughout the west. Forms mats of bright green foliage topped with flowering stems of cheerful, bright yellow, tubular flower. Needs regular moisture and full sun to light shade. Seeds about when happy. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds. Works great in a swale, combined with rushes, Helenium and bee plant.
Erythronium ‘Pagoda’
This delightful woodland bulb offers soft yellow, lily flowers in early spring, held on delicate stems up to a foot high above broad, speckled leaves. The charming flowers point gently downwards with stamens protruding from the reflexed petals. Creates a beautiful accent in the shade garden where it can form small drifts overtime, mingling with ferns, bleeding hearts and fringecups. The leaves emerge in late winter when the soil is moist and disappear shortly after flowering. Needs well-draining soil with a little organic matter and only occasional irrigation after it goes dormant in summer. A cross between 2 rare native fawn lilies: E. tuolumnense and E. revolutum.
Euonymus occidentalis
Native to moist canyons, the uncommon western burning bush features small, burgundy flowers in the spring followed by dangling orangey-red fruits. The subtle appeal of this medium sized, deciduous shrub will please those native plant enthusiasts looking for a rare find. Reaches a height and width of about 8 ft. in most garden settings and is amenable to pruning. Plant in part shade to full shade. Enjoys moist situations but may become tolerant of drought in shadier locations. Needs good drainage.
Fragaria vesca
This native woodland strawberry is a great colonizer and can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Pretty little white flowers are followed by small, tasty, red berries. Tolerates drought but best with a little summer water. Well suited for under oaks and conifers. Said to be deer resistant.
Fragaria vesca ‘Montana de Oro’
A vigorous, heavy blooming selection of woodland strawberry from a coastal canyon at Montana de Oro in San Luis Obisbo County. This easy to grow, carpet forming, ground cover is a great colonizer and stabilizer for lightly shaded areas. Deals well with root competition and thin soils. Pretty little white flowers are followed by small, tasty, red fruits. Often deer resistant.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica – large, inland form
Handsome native evergreen shrub with small greenish-yellow flowers followed by showy dark-colored berries. The propagation material for this this crop was collected from tall, upright shrubs on a hot inland site. Growing 8 ft. or more tall, coffeeberries thrive in full sun to light shade. They are drought tolerant once established, but would appreciate occasional deep summer waterings. A good choice for hedgerows and habitat gardens, coffeeberry provides food and nectar for a wide array of beneficial insects, birds and wildlife.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Ed Holm’
Prized by gardeners for its low, dense habit and shiny, leathery leaves, this special selection of coffeeberry was discovered along Skyline Dr. in the northern Santa Cruz Mountains. Clusters of small, creamy-yellow flowers are produced from spring through fall and are followed by penny-sized, deep purple fruits. Over time, 'Ed Holm' will reach a height of up to 3 ft. and a width up to 6 ft.. Plant in full sun to light shade. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in hot areas and give moderate to infrequent irrigation. The blossoms are a favorite of bees.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Eve Case’
This well-known cultivar of coffeeberry was introduced to the trade in 1975 by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation. Coffeeberry is a handsome evergreen shrub with broad leathery leaves. This selection grows to 6 ft. tall and wide, though mature specimens can reach 8 ft. or more tall under ideal circumstances. The small yellow-green flowers are not showy but attract an array of pollinators. The berries start out green and age to burgundy-black and are attractive to small mammals and birds. A larval food source for pale swallowtail butterfly. Adaptable, grows in sun to light shade. Drought tolerant but appreciates occasional summer water.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Gumdrop’
This somewhat diminutive selection of our native coffeeberry was discovered as a seedling from a plant found on Montara Mountain, south of San Francisco. We thought the dense form and evocative, gumdrop shape was deserving of this sweet moniker. Only reaches to about 5 - 6 ft. tall and wide and offers attractive, slightly-concave, dark green, leathery leaves, not unlike its close relation ‘Leatherleaf’. Will accept full sun in somewhat cooler locations but enjoys a little shade in hotter regions. Occasional to infrequent irrigation once established. The small, yellowish flowers which appear in spring and summer are extremely popular with bees, and the juicy, purple fruits which follow are enjoyed by birds.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Leatherleaf’
Another fine Roger Raiche selection, this coffeeberry cultivar is well worth growing. The evergreen leaves are particularly dark and broad with a mounding habit growing 5 - 6 ft. tall and wide. The tiny flowers attract a wide array of pollinators. Larval food source for pale swallowtail butterfly. The handsome fruits go green to red to black and are enjoyed by small mammals and birds. Plant in sun to light shade. Drought tolerant once established though occasional summer watering is helpful. An adaptable and useful shrub for both formal and naturalistic plantings.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Mound San Bruno’
Selected by Roger Raiche on San Bruno Mountain in San Mateo County, this is one of the most reliable coffeeberries. Grows 6 ft tall and wide, with narrow, evergreen leaves and a compact habit. For full sun on the coast to part shade inland. Will tolerate irrigation, but needs only occasional summer water once established. Flowers are loved by pollinators, especially bees. A larval food source for the pale swallowtail butterfly. Provides black juicy fruit in the fall for thrushes, jays, mockingbirds, and robins. May grow to as much as 8 ft. tall with moderate water and good drainage in cooler areas.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Olema’
We discovered this large, dense form of our native coffeeberry near the town of Olema in coastal Marin County. While it reached up to around 15 ft. tall and wide in nature, it has been a little slow to do so in the ground here at the nursery. After about 4 years, it’s reached a height of about 9 ft. This selection of coffeeberry is ideal for a tall hedge or screen where an evergreen shrub is needed to create privacy. Grows well in full sun somewhat near the coast but will need a little shade in hot, inland sites. Occasional to infrequent irrigation once established. Coffeeberries are some of the best habitat plants. The small, yellowish flowers are adored by bees in spring and summer, while the plump, purple fruits that follow are relished by birds.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Salt Point’
A beautiful selection of our native coffeeberry from the northern Sonoma Coast featuring a very dense and mounding habit. Here at the nursery this cultivar has slowly grown to 6 ft. tall and wide. Provide full sun to partial shade and moderate to occasional water when established. Produces black, juicy fruits in the fall for thrushes, jays, mockingbirds, robins, bandtailed pigeon and purple finch. Flowers attractive to pollinators, especially bees. Used as a larval food source by the pale swallowtail butterfly.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Seaview’
This highly sought after selection of our native coffeeberry stays low and compact only reaching 2 – 3 ft tall and up to 6 ft wide. The tidy, deep green leaves form dense rosettes with small cream-colored flowers appearing from spring through summer. Deep purple “berries” form dense clusters in the summer and fall. Enjoys full sun to moderate shade and moderate to occasional water once established. An excellent habitat plant for bees and birds.
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ssp. occidentalis
Description coming soon!
Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ssp. tomentella
This distinctive species of coffeeberry features blue-grey leaves with velvety, silver undersides and grey, fuzzy stems. The somewhat open form grows 6 to 10 ft tall and wide. Clusters of small cream-colored flowers appear from winter through spring and are a favorite of bees. The deep purple fruits which follow are highly prized by birds. While native to serpentine soils, this coffeeberry should thrive anywhere with decent drainage. Provide full sun to light shade and give occasional irrigation once established. The grey stems contrast beautifully with the shiny, dark green leaves of Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’.