Limnanthes douglasii ssp. nivea
California native ANNUAL occurring in grasslands and vernal pools throughout California. Low growing foliage is topped with a profusion of sweetly fragrant, small white flowers with purple-pink veins on the petals. An excellent choice for low, winter wet areas, drainage swales, retention basins or seasonally dry streambeds. Thrives in heavy soils where it often naturalizes. Plant in full sun to part shade with regular water through the growing season. Good in containers too. Native wildflowers are excellent for encouraging native pollinators.
Limnanthes douglasii ssp. sulphurea
Pure yellow flowering form of meadowfoam, rare in the wild but easy to grow in the garden. This native ANNUAL favors seasonally moist areas in full sun. Low growing foliage is topped with a profusion of pure yellow, cup-shaped, fragrant flowers. Useful in low areas, drainage swales, retention basins or seasonally dry stream beds. Thrives in heavy, water retentive soils. Wonderful in containers too. Meadowfoam is excellent for encouraging pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Limonium californicum
Native to coastal areas throughout much of the state, this beautiful statice relative produces clusters of small, lavender-purple flowers on slender stalks up to 18 inches tall. Low rosettes of semi-succulent, dark green leaves provide an excellent contrast to the airy inflorescences. Plant this marsh native in full sun with regular to moderate water. Thrives in wet conditions with poor drainage. Excellent for bees and butterflies. Makes a wonderful dried flower.
Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal flower is native to wet places throughout much of North America. A hummingbird favorite with show stopping, intense scarlet-red tubular flowers on erect terminal spikes in late summer. Growing 2 - 3 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide, this clump-forming perennial has dark green, serrated leaves. Tends to be rather short lived, but is a strong re-seeder. Prefers areas with constant moisture and cool sun to part shade, affective in moist areas of woodland gardens, meadows, pond edges, and rain gardens. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, but is resistant to deer browse.
Lobelia dunnii var. serrata
Water loving perennial native to creek sides and other wet places in Southern California. Growing one foot tall and spreading vigorously by rhizomes with clusters of soft blue, one inch flowers in summer. Best with regular water and part shade. A perfect addition for a shady water feature, moist meadow or container planting. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies of all sorts and are visited by hummingbirds. Winter dormant. Deer resistant.
Lomatium dissectum
This carrot relative features clusters of small burgundy or yellow flowers held in round clusters in open umbels. Tall, slender stalks about 3 - 4 ft high support the blossoms above broad, finely dissected leaves. Pollinators love the flowers and the anise and indra swallowtail butterflies depend on the leaves as a food source for the developing caterpillars. Grows throughout much of California in hot, inland areas. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide little to no water once established. Needs excellent drainage. A rarity in nurseries.
Lonicera ciliosa
Native to north slopes, creeks and river banks from very northern California to British Columbia and Montana. Lovely blue-green, oval-shaped leaves on rapidly growing woody stems will clamber up any support it can find. Terminal flower clusters with narrow, trumpet-shaped, orange flowers are adored by hummingbirds. Red translucent fruits follow that are relished by birds. Plant in cool sun to moderate shade with regular water. Possibly deer resistant.
Lonicera hispidula
This native honeysuckle is often seen climbing over shrubs on the edge of woodlands where its roots are shaded and its foliage is sun drenched. The trumpet-shaped flowers range in color from rosy-pink to pink and white and feature prominent yellow stamens emerging from their mouths. They form clusters which decorate the tips of the vining branches and are attractive to bees and hummingbirds. The high point is the drooping clusters of luminous red berries in late summer which are beautiful to behold and provide a feast for birds, especially orioles. A drought tolerant vine but would appreciate occasional deep summer watering. Considered by some to be deer resistant.
Lupinus nanus
This beautiful ANNUAL lupine can be seen on grassy hills, open slopes and fields, often casting a blue haze of color from a distance in the spring. Low growing, 6 - 20 inches tall and wide, with wonderfully fragrant, rich blue flowers with white markings. Prefers full sun, lean and well drained soils with minimal supplemental watering. Contrasts beautifully with California poppies, providing the classic, blue and gold displays of spring. Attractive to a myriad of pollinators and a larval food source for a number of butterfly and moth species. Deer resistant.
Lupinus nanus – Pacific Pink
Unusual, soft pink flowers distinguish this seed strain of the iconic California sky lupine, the traditionally blue flowered, ANNUAL species which blankets grasslands throughout California in the spring. The blossoms sit in whorls on upright stems above dissected, palmate leaves. This low plant reach 6 – 20 inches tall and wide, combining nicely with low, native perennials and grasses. Enjoys well-draining soil in full sun to light shade. Reseeds fairly readily if exposed soil surrounds the plants. Attractive to a diverse array of pollinators and a larval food source for a number of butterfly and moth species. Deer resistant.
Lupinus stiversii
A striking ANNUAL lupine, endemic to California, with a disjunct distribution in the Sierra foothills and separate mountain ranges in Southern California. Instead of the more typical blue or purple flowers, this lupine sports beautiful, bicolored flowers of yellow and pink, on low foliage 6 - 18 inches tall. Grows in open, exposed areas, in full sun with good drainage, and is extremely drought tolerant. Blooms in the spring and offers excellent pollinator value, attracting a variety of insects, and a larval food source for a number of butterfly and moth species. Deer resistant.
Lupinus succulentus
One of the easier-to-grow lupines, this long-blooming ANNUAL is low maintenance and thrives in heavier soils. Bright-green, palmate leaves topped by purple-blue spires quickly reach 2-3 feet tall and wide—or more, if happy. Reseeds easily and returns with winter rains, or whenever conditions are moist and fertile. Although it enjoys moderate to occasional water, it will tolerate both wet and dry areas. Arroyo lupine is found in diverse habitats with a broad native range in California, but prefers full sun and clay-rich soil. Looks splendid planted en masse and can serve as a nitrogen-fixing, seasonal groundcover. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, but it's an important butterfly larval host and a food source for native bees. Deer resistant.
Lupinus succulentus
A pretty, pink selection of an easy-to-grow species of ANNUAL lupine. Arroyo lupines have lush, bright-green foliage and attractive flower spikes that typically come in shades of pink or purple. On 'Rodeo Rose', these eye-catching blooms combine rosy-pink wings with banners that turn a dark maroon. Grows quickly to 2-3 feet tall and wide, and reseeds readily at the end of its season. This adaptable species has an affinity for moist, heavy soils, and does well in irrigated gardens, but tolerates drier conditions as well. It is native to diverse habitats and has a broad range in California. Prefers full sun and occasional water. Plant en masse for a gorgeous, seasonal groundcover. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, but it's an important butterfly larval host and a food source for native bees. Deer resistant.
Madia elegans
Native ANNUAL growing 3-4 ft. tall with multi branching aromatic stems. Cheerful bright yellow daisies top the stems in the summer and can be solid yellow or may have a maroon spot at the base of each petal. Tarweeds are an important late nectar source for butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. The seeds are relished by small mammals and birds, especially finches. Native to grasslands and open forests, well adapted to clay soils and full sun, perfectly adapted to our long, dry summers.
Malacothamnus fasciculatus
Native to western Southern California, this fast growing, evergreen shrub grows to 6 + feet tall and spreads to form colonies. A multi-branched mallow with hairy, gray-green, leaves often shaped like those of maples. The pale pink, cup-shaped flowers held in clusters along the stem, bloom from spring into summer. A native bee magnet. Useful as an evergreen screen for full sun. Occasional irrigation to drought tolerant once established. A larval food source for the west coast lady and the northern white-skipper butterflies. Reported to be deer resistant.
Malacothamnus jonesii
A rare endemic from southern Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, growing in foothill woodland and chaparral plant communities. Fast growing shrub, often coming in after fires or disturbance. Growing 4 - 6 ft. tall and wide with beautiful gray foliage, covered in white, velvety hairs. Lovely, soft pink, cup-shaped flowers appear in profusion on the slender branch tips, late spring into summer. Nectar is highly attractive to a myriad of insects, hummingbirds (who seek both nectar and insects), bees and butterflies. Larval food source for the West Coast Lady and Northern White Skipper butterflies. Plant in full sun to ight shade, where it will be drought tolerant once established.
Monardella macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’
A choice native perennial forming low mats of fragrant dark green shiny leaves. Mid to late spring brings spectacular heads of scarlet tubular flowers which are hummingbird magnets. Well suited for rock garden or container use where good drainage can be provided along with occasional summer water. Appreciates light shade in hot regions. The cultivar ‘Marian Sampson’ is a vigorous and disease resistant selection, but still likely to be short lived, lasting 2 to 4 years. Fantastic accent plant which is deer resistant and attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Monardella purpurea
A locally rare and more refined version of our common coyote mint, often with darker flowers, colored purple. Mature plants typically stay under a foot tall, but will get a little wider. Leaves are narrow and dark green, lining burgundy-tinged stems. While native to serpentine soils, it does well in most soils with good drainage. Plant in full sun to part shade and water infrequently. A great, rarely offered native for rock gardens or smaller areas, where butterflies and bees will enjoy the summer blossoms. Deer resistant.
Monardella villosa ‘Soulajule’
Smaller than our cultivar 'Russian River', this coyote mint reaches a height of about 10 inches with fragrant leaves and dense heads of lavender-pink flowers in late spring and summer. Forms small colonies over time as the branches touch the ground and root. Best in full sun though light shade is helpful inland. Will enjoy occasional irrigation once established but does not require it.Attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficials and is deer resistant.Discovered near Soulajule Reservoir in Marin County.
Monardella villosa ssp. franciscana ‘Pomo Canyon’
This low growing, dense selection of our native coyote mint was discovered near the mouth of the Russian River. Large, round, deeply veined leaves colored dark blue-green give this groundcover a lush appearance. In summer, soft lavender flowers which look like pincushions cover the plant. Reaches a height of up to 12 inches and spreads fairly quickly to form drifts. Provide full sun to light shade and moderate to infrequent irrigation. A stellar plant for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Coyote mint is not a true mint and won’t spread invasively by roots. Deer resistant.
Monardella villosa ssp. franciscana ‘Russian River’
Our own selection of coyote mint from a rocky slope along the lower Russian River. Although Monardella is sometimes difficult in cultivation, this plant has proven to be vigorous. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall with ball-like clusters of pinkish-purple above the fragrant evergreen foliage. Good for a dry sunny site. Attracts bees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
Monardella villosa ssp. villosa – Mark West seed strain ‘Mark West’
This sweet little coyote mint hails from the dry, inland hills above the Mark West watershed in North East Santa Rosa. It is more compact than the ‘Russian River’ selection, mounding to about 1’ high and spreading to 3’ across. The aromatic foliage is a light minty green, and the round lavender-pink flower heads bloom from late spring through summer. Best with a bit of protection from the hot afternoon sun, this coyote mint is great to tuck under a large, upright, drought tolerant shrub, such as manzanita or Ceanothus. Drought tolerant once established, but blooms best with occasional deep soaks. Needs good drainage. Like other coyote mints, it is a butterfly and native bee magnet. Deer resistant.
Monardella viridis
A pollinator magnet! Found in inland Sonoma County, and in Lake and Napa Counties, on hot, dry, rocky slopes, green coyote mint entices the senses with its minty, sage-like aroma, small, pointed, ovate, green-gray foliage, and its saturated lavender inflorescences that bloom in summer. Growing to 4’ across, this low mounding woody perennial prefers decent drainage and a bit of relief from afternoon sun in hotter, inland sites. The flowers are especially attractive to native bees and butterflies. Deer resistant and drought-tolerant once established.
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.