Viola adunca
Native to both coastal and mountain plant communities, this violet can be seen locally blooming in coastal meadows and bluffs. Forms low-growing, slowly creeping, neat clumps of heart-shaped leaves. Sweetly fragrant, nodding, blue to purple flowers with white interiors and purple nectar guides bloom in the spring. This pretty little wildflower is visited by bees and other pollinators and is a host plant for a number of butterflies, some of which are rare and endangered. Grows in sun along the coast and light shade inland with moderate summer water. Can reseed if happy.
Viola palustris
Native to moist environments in both coast and mountain plant communities of N. America and Eurasia. Rare in California, where it is found in the northern counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte. Rounded to heart shaped leaves with shallow scalloped edges grow from basal rosettes and spread by slender rhizomes. The charming flowers bloom April through July and range from white through lavender in color with dark-purple nectar guides. Used by Fritillary butterflies as a larval food source. Easy to grow, this is not a violet for heavy shade, but prefers brighter locations with light shade and moist, but well drained soils.
Vitis californica
California wild grape is a vigorous deciduous vine, native to watercourses in California and Oregon. Lush foliage on woody vines create leafy draperies in riparian areas. Useful in the garden for trellises, arbors, fences or to spill down a bank. Round green leaves take on nice yellow tones in the autumn. Flowers are very attractive to bees.Fruits are small and seedy but tasty. Excellent habitat value providing food and cover for wildlife.
Vitis girdiana
This close relative of Vitis californica is native to southern California where it grows stream side or in moist canyons. Fast growing and heat tolerant, this vigorous vine can climb up to 50 ft. The growing tips, tendrils and new leaves are covered in downy hairs, providing gorgeous silvery colored new growth. Beautiful when allowed to spill and climb over walls or when trained to a fence or arbor. A good choice for hotter inland gardens. The purple-black fruits are highly attractive to birds and other mammals, including humans!
