Nemophila menziesii – Frosty Blue
An interesting seed strain of the charming, ANNUAL baby blue eyes. Found in many habitat types throughout California, this beauty has long been in cultivation. The slender, succulent, lobed leaves grow 4 - 6 inches tall, spreading and spilling about 1 ft wide. The "Frosty" in the name refers to the silvery color to the foliage, which contrast nicely with the profusion of gorgeous, bright, baby-blue blossoms. Spectacular in drifts, where it can spill and cascade, at the front of a garden bed, in meadow plantings, rock gardens or in containers. Plant in full sun to light shade where it is early to bloom during the cool of spring. Hot weather triggers seed production. The large black seeds are relished by birds. Reseeds readily.
Oemleria cerasiformis
A charming native shrub which grows in moist areas along the coast or when inland on forest edges. Blooms in early spring just as the new leaves are beginning to expand with drooping clusters of fragrant white flowers. Male and female plants are separate and you'll need both to get the small blue-black fruits that birds enjoy. A suckering shrub growing 5 - 6 ft. tall or more. Plant in part shade with regular to occasional water. Can grow in cool full sun such as you find along the coast.
Oenothera elata ssp hookeri
Found in coastal areas from Sonoma County down to San Diego County. A vigorous, showy, winter-deciduous perennial that makes a dramatic border or background planting in full-sun gardens. In late summer into early fall, sprays of large, cheery, bright-yellow flowers with flat, papery petals top tall stalks up to 5’ high that are clothed with light-green lanceolate leaves. Blossoms provide a late season sweet treat for native butterflies and bees. As the name suggests, flowers fold and close during the heat of the day. May vigorously seed about. Moderate to occasional water once established.
Penstemon azureus
Native to the mountains of California and Oregon where it grows in woodland and chaparral plant communities. Forms a tidy mound of bluish-green leaves 1-2 ft. tall and wide with bright blue tubular flowers late spring into summer. Requires good drainage and sun to light shade. This species is drought tolerant but prefers occasional summer water and is more garden tolerant than most native Penstemons. Attractive to bees and hummingbirds.
Penstemon centranthifolius
Custom made for hummingbirds, this Penstemon sports an abundance of bright-red to orange-red tubular flowers from late spring into summer. Native to dry habitats in the North Coast Ranges south to Mexico and east to the Southern Sierra, growing in chaparral and openings in woodlands below 6000 ft. Thick, blue-green leaves form a rosette 1 – 2 ft. tall and wide. Long flower spikes rise 2 – 4 ft. above the waxy leaves with many narrow, tubular, scarlet blossoms. Likes full sun, lean soils and good drainage. Drought and cold tolerant. Hummingbird and butterfly favorite.
Penstemon eatonii
Adaptable and beautiful perennial native to the western United States including southeastern California. Narrow, leathery leaves form an evergreen rosette of foliage. Flower stalks rise 2-3 ft above the foliage. This form has brilliant red tubular flowers lining the erect stems in early summer. Requires good drainage, full sun to light shade and occasional to little summer water. Tolerates winter cold to 18 degrees and drought once established. Hummingbird favorite.
Penstemon heterophyllus
Iridescent blue-purple tubular flowers in short spikes put on a good show over a long period in spring and early summer. The spent flower spikes should be cut off to encourage more blooming, better form, and longer life. Best in full sun with well drained soils and moderate to little water once established. Hummingbird favorite.
Penstemon heterophyllus – Hood Mt. seed strain
From the rugged Hood Mountain area, southeast of Santa Rosa, comes this local seed strain of foothill penstemon, which is showing promise as a particularly good performer. Proving to be vigorous and disease resistant, blooming freely with particularly large, vivid-blue, open-mouthed, tubular blossoms, spring into summer. An evergreen perennial, growing about 2 ft. tall and at least as wide, for full sun with decent drainage, and little water once established. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are all attracted to the showy flowers. A great, local, seed grown alternative to the cutting-grown 'Margarita BOP'.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Blue Springs’
A seed strain of a highly variable native penstemon. Attractive narrow, shiny, bluish-green leaves topped with dense spikes of narrow bell-shaped blossoms of bright blue. Flowers late spring to early summer, growing to around 1 to 1 1/2 ft. tall and wide. The spent flower spikes should be cut off to encourage more blooming, better form, and longer life. Best in full sun with good drainage and moderate to little summer water.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘GMR White’
An unusual, bright white form of our native foothill penstemon that dazzles with dense blooms from spring to fall. Spring sees the emergence of soft yellow buds on this evergreen perennial, which then open as snowy fresh, tubular flowers. The showy flower stalks reach 18 inches to 2 feet and look spectacular cascading out of a container. A natural selection, its name is an abbreviation of Glendora Mountain Road, the area just north of Los Angeles where it was found. As beloved by hummingbirds and pollinators as the more common blue-violet form of this species and even more shockingly floriferous. Plant in full sun to very light shade where it will have good drainage, and provide occasional to no water. Thrives in large pots. Drought tolerant.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’
A fine selection of a native penstemon from Las Pilitas Nursery where this chance hybrid seedling was discovered at the “Bottom Of the Porch”. Forms a tidy mound 18 inches tall by 2 ft. or so wide. Iridescent blue-purple tubular flowers in short spikes put on a good show over a long period in spring and early summer. The spent flower spikes should be cut off to encourage more blooming, better form, and longer life. Best in full sun with well drained soils and moderate to little water once established. 'Margarita BOP' has proven particularly adaptable and has survived longer than other cultivars. Hummingbird favorite.
Penstemon newberryi
As the common name implies, this beauty is native to the mountains of California, Oregon and Nevada, where it grows in rocky habitats at high elevations. Forms an evergreen mat, under a foot tall with thick, leathery leaves and gorgeous magenta-pink tubular flowers, in mid to late spring. Good drainage is a must for success and growing in a container is an option for those with heavy soils. Full sun to very light shade with occasional summer waterings. Can be challenging to cultivate, but well worth the extra effort. The showy flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Said to be deer resistant.
Penstemon newberryi v. sonomensis
This rare, perennial, inland beauty, found only in Sonoma, Napa, and Lake Counties, is a great addition to the dry, inland rock garden. A low mat of small, gray-green, succulent-like leaves gives rise to 5-12” stalks topped with clusters of chunky, tubular, magenta-red flowers with white, fuzzy throats and reproductive structures. Mature plants are no more than 2' wide. A native bee and hummingbird magnet. Plant in full sun with decent soil drainage. Little to no water once established.
Penstemon palmeri
Showy, grape-scented, pale pink flowers top blue-green, succulent-like foliage on vertical stalks reaching an astonishing 4 to 5 ft. in height. The bulbous flowers have given rise to the common name, ballon flower. Native to desert mountains of southern California and throughout the western United States. This penstemon is attractive to a multitude of pollinators, especially hummingbirds. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide good drainage. Drought tolerant once established. The tall but narrow flower stalks make this penstemon useful in narrow spaces where height is desired.
Penstemon pseudospectabilis
From the southeast corner of the state comes this surprisingly adaptable penstemon, with prolific displays of magenta-purple, tubular flowers with flared mouths. Large, serrated, gray-green leaves line stems in attractive pairs. Flower stalks rise 2 – 3 ft. in spring, drawing in hummingbirds and bees. Even though this species is from the desert, it does quite well in local gardens with good drainage, full sun and occasional irrigation once established. Several local butterflies use the desert penstemon as a larval food source, including the common buckeye, variable checkerspot and Edith’s checkerspot.
Penstemon rostriflorus
A wonderful addition to the dry garden, bringing late summer color through abundant, bright red, tubular flowers. Growing 2 - 4 feet tall and wide, with attractive, glossy foliage, that takes on red and bronze tones in winter. A late blooming Penstemon, beginning in July, provides copious nectar for hummingbirds as well as bees, butterflies, and moths. Tolerant of wide range of soils and conditions, plant in full sun to light shade with occasional water. Drought tolerant once established.
Penstemon rydbergii
A widespread species native to much of the western United States, including California, growing in mountainous regions in moist meadows and along streams. Forms a low rosette of bright green leaves topped with flower stems 1 -2 foot tall. The small, lavender-purple, tubular flowers are clustered in whorls on dense spikes. The blossoms offer an excellent source of nectar and pollen to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, as well as a larval food source for a number of butterfly species. Considered easy to grow and long lived. Plant in full sun to light shade with regular moisture. Somewhat winter deciduous. Deer resistant.
Penstemon speciosus
Found in higher elevation localities of inland Northern California, royal penstemon is a vibrantly colorful addition to the dry, full sun garden. In summer, the large, saturated blue-purple florets are held in clusters on stems rising almost 2’ tall above a low, evergreen rosette of glossy, strap-like foliage, reaching 1' - 2' wide. Attracts a multitude of pollinators. Does best with decent soil drainage, and inland sites that provide seasonality—colder winters, and hotter summers. Drought-tolerant once established.
Penstemon spectabilis
A spectacular Penstemon native to dry, gravelly slopes of southern California and northern Baja. Demanding good drainage and full sun, this perennial grows 3 ft. or more tall with striking displays of lavender-purple tubular flowers. A challenging species with a sensational floral display, but can be short lived in northern California. Performs best in hot inland gardens. Take care not to over water. Highly attractive to hummingbirds as well as bees and butterflies.
Perideridia gairdneri
An interesting and rarely cultivated native perennial that grows in grasslands and meadows in central to northern California and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Narrow leaves emerge in the spring giving way to lovely 4 ft. tall flowering stems topped with umbels of delicate white flowers in the summer. Looks particularly nice in mass and livens up a meadow or grassland planting that may be waning in summer. Entice the anise swallowtail butterfly with a NATIVE larval food source. Plant in full sun to light shade with a little water. Allow to go dry after flowering.
Perideridia kelloggii
An interesting and rarely cultivated native perennial that grows in grasslands and meadows in central to northern California and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Narrow leaves emerge in the spring giving way to lovely 4 ft. tall flowering stems topped with umbels of delicate white flowers in the summer. Looks particularly nice in mass and livens up a meadow or grassland planting that may be waning in summer. Entice the anise swallowtail butterfly with a NATIVE larval food source. Plant in full sun to light shade with a little water. Allow to go dry after flowering.
Phacelia californica
A low elevation species inhabiting bluffs, open slopes, road cuts and canyons of our inner and outer Coast Ranges down through the central coast. Forms perennial clumps of crinkled gray leaves. Stout stems rise above the rosette one foot to 18 inches tall with large coils of lavender flowers. Excellent rock garden subject. Plant in sunny areas with good drainage where it will be drought tolerant, and will do fine with a little summer water. Phacelias are great for attracting bees and butterflies.
Phyla nodiflora
Vigorous, spreading ground cover native to California, North America and other parts of the world. It's a tough one, able to survive a wide range of conditions and soil types. Tolerates both drought and flooding, but best with occasional deep watering in full sun to very light shade. Flowers heavily over a long period with charming little heads of mauve-pink, lavender and white blossoms, delighting an assortment of bees and butterflies. This dense, carpeting plant makes a serviceable ground cover or lawn-like replacement, tolerating moderate foot traffic and occasional mowing. May look rough in the winter, but quickly recovers in spring. Free flowering and pollinator friendly.
Physocarpus capitatus
Handsome, deciduous shrub favoring wooded streamsides in California. Grows vigorously 4 - 8 ft. tall and wide. After leafing out in the spring, the shrub looks spiraea-like, covered with small clusters of white flowers followed by red capsular fruits. Best with light shade and some summer water, but will accept full sun in cooler areas. Keep bushy and in bounds with pruning.
Physocarpus capitatus ‘Tilden Park’
A rare and delightful prostrate form of the native ninebark from San Bruno Mountain. Makes a sturdy groundcover about 3 ft. tall and spreading to at least 6 ft. wide, featuring lush, bright green, maple-like leaves with white flower clusters in the spring. The blossoms give way to bright red seed pods in the summer. Sun to light shade with moderate water, but will tolerate dryish conditions in part shade once established. Clay tolerant.
