Grindelia hirsutula
Easy to grow, vigorous native perennial that is adaptable to a variety of soils and watering regimes. Grows 1 - 2 ft. tall with good-sized bright yellow daisies over a long period from spring into summer. An excellent nectar plant to add to a habitat garden. With a little grooming and dead heading this sometimes rough looking perennial can look quite handsome in a garden setting. Requires full sun and little to no summer water. Said to be deer resistant.
Helenium bigelovii
Native to moist meadows of California and S. Oregon, this summer flowering perennial makes a lovely addition to the garden. The cheerful golden-yellow petals turn down slightly from the rounded dome-like center. The golden daisy-like blossoms are held above the rosette of smooth green leaves on 2 - 3 ft. tall stems and attract a wide variety of insects including bees and butterflies. Despite the common name this plant does not cause allergies. It was originally used for snuff, hence the name sneezeweed. Plant in full sun to light shade with regular water. The seed for this crop is from the Pitkin Marsh in Sonoma County.
Helenium puberulum
Summer brings clouds of yellow pom-poms which age to brown on this native member of the sunflower family. The round flower clusters sit atop rings of small, down-turned petals, held up on flat stems lined with lanceolate leaves. The flower stalks reach 3 to 5 ft. in height and can be cut down once blooming has finished. Plant in full sun to light shade. Rosilla grows naturally by creeks and seeps and enjoys regular moisture, but will tolerate some drier periods. Attracts a wide variety of insects including bees and butterflies. Goldfinches love the seed. Reseeds readily.
Helianthella californica
Native perennial sunflower growing in chaparral and woodland communities throughout much of California. Forms clumps of dark green, lance shaped leaves under a foot tall. Blooms April through June with small, golden-yellow sunflower heads which rise above foliage 18 inches to 2 ft. tall. Plant in full sun to light shade where it will be quite drought tolerant once established. The flowers attract a wide array of pollinators and beneficial insects.
Helianthemum (Crocanthemum) scoparium
An interesting and little known member of the rockrose family, found in disturbed areas of chaparral, especially abundant after fires. Smooth, rush-like, green stems, lacking obvious leaves with age, grow 6 - 20 inches tall and wide. Summer brings an abundance of little, cheerful, bright-yellow blossoms. Perfect rock garden item or planted with other dryland species such as manzanita, California lilac or native sages. Plant in full sun with good drainage, where it will be very drought tolerant once established. Tolerant of serpentine soils too.
Helianthus californicus
This giant, perennial sunflower is native to riparian habitats in openings with decent light. Dormant in the winter, spring brings rapid growth, with narrow, bright green leaves on tall stalks rising 7 feet or more above a root system which spreads widely. Summer brings many small, golden-yellow sunflowers on the branch tips which are quite dramatic in full bloom. Flowers attract bees and butterflies and the seeds are relished by birds. Perfect for stabilizing soil where there is some summer water and plenty of space. Once established it can take it dryish, but will flower better with water. An excellent cut flower.
Heracleum maximum
Big, bold, native perennial 3 - 8 ft. tall, is striking in mass or as a specimen. Forms a rosette of large lobed leaves followed by stout flower stems carrying large umbels of white flowers. Thrives in rich soils with some moisture. Full sun along coast, part shade inland. As a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae) the flowers are very effective at attracting beneficial insects. Larval food source for anise swallowtail butterfly. Formerly known as Heracleum lanatum.
Hesperocyparis macnabiana
MacNab Cypress is native to dry, open, slopes, usually on serpentine, in chaparral and woodlands of Northern California. Fast growing tree or large shrub, 15 – 40 ft. tall, often with multiple trunks and a spreading crown, growing wider than it is tall. The pleasantly pungent, grey-green, foliage smells like gin and is arranged on flattened branches, giving it a somewhat lacey appearance. The bark is rough and furrowed and the cones are spherical and persistent. Plant in full sun with good drainage and little to no summer water once established. Deer resistant.
Hesperocyparis sargentii
This cypress makes its home in serpentine pygmy forests from Santa Barbara to Mendocino Counties. While often dwarfed in its native terrain, this species can grow quite happily off of serpentine and may reach up to 60 ft. tall. The small, dark-green, scale-like leaves form a bushy canopy against the gray-brown trunk. A good medium-sized tree for hotter inland areas, but will also tolerate coastal conditions. The sargent cypress can grow fairly rapidly, useful as a high privacy screen or wind break. Plant in full sun to light shade and water occasionally. Will be very drought tolerant once established. Needs good drainage. Deer resistant.
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon is a handsome native evergreen shrub 6 - 10 ft. tall and wide. Sun to part shade, drought tolerant. Clusters of lacy white flowers bloom in summer and areattractive to pollinators. Spectacular bundles of red berries are relished by birds and are a great winter decoration. Valuable as a specimen, screen, hedge or bank plant. Birds attracted to the fruit include the following species: Cedar waxwing, California towhee, spotted towhee, Western bluebird, robins, mockingbirds, bandtailed pigeon, waxwing and quail.
Heuchera micrantha
This is our common alum root which is usually seen on shady cliffs and roadbanks adjacent to forests. Easy to grow in garden situations. Forms low mounds of foliage topped with dainty white flowers on long stems. Likes moisture, but tolerates considerable drought and takes deeper shade than most Heuchera species. This species attracts hummingbirds.
Heuchera pilosissima
Native to the coast from Mendocino to Santa Barbara Counties, this perennial forms compact, evergreen clumps of light-green scalloped leaves. Stocky flower stems 12 – 16 inches long carry small white-pink flowers in early summer. Perfect in coastal areas where it can grow in sun to light shade and will be drought tolerant once established. Must have part shade and some summer water inland. Plant in mass for a nice ground cover in a woodland setting or in mixed plantings with shrubs and ferns. Attracts hummingbirds.
Hierochloe (Anthoxanthum) occidentalis
Here is an interesting and elegant grass native to coniferous forests. Broad, bright green, sweetly scented blades grow a foot or more tall. Flowering culms rise another 6 inches or so above the foliage with tight panicles of spikelets. The leaves offer a sweet, vanilla fragrance when dried. Excellent for woodland gardens, compatible with many redwood forest plants. Best with some summer water, but is drought tolerant near the coast. A larval host for the Western branded skipper butterfly. Deer resistant.
Holodiscus discolor
An elegant, deciduous, native shrub growing 5 - 6 ft. tall or more, depending on the site, and at least as wide. Beautiful, cascading clusters of creamy white flowers hang from branch tips in early summer. The fragrant flowers attract pollinators and a number of butterflies use it as a host plant. Best with light shade. Drought tolerant, but will accept some moisture.
Hordeum brachyantherum
Native to a wide range of vernally wet plant communities throughout California and beyond. Once abundant throughout the Santa Rosa Valley where it could be found in grasslands, seasonal flood plains, moist meadow and open riparian areas. Forms perennial clumps with blades 6-10 inches tall, flower stalks to 30 inches are topped with narrow spikes of purple tinged upward facing bristles, looking like a small version of a classic cereal grain seedhead. Tolerant of heavy clay, alkaline or saline soils. Doesn't make a big impact standing alone, best used in mass or in a blend of other native meadow grasses where its slender flower heads make a pleasing effect. Plant in full sun with vernally wet soils. Deer resistant.
Iris douglasiana
Native to the California coast from Santa Barbara to Oregon. Grows both on the edge of coastal forests and on bluffs and prairies along the ocean. Clumps of evergreen, sword-shaped leaves increase readily and are topped with violet-purple blossoms early to mid spring. Important nectar producer for native bees. An adaptable garden subject for cool full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant once established, but occasional summer water will help keep foliage fresher. Deer resistant.
Iris douglasiana – Robust Form
We discovered this incredibly striking form of the popular Douglas iris near Tannery Gulch, outside of Occidental. The dark, evergreen leaves reach up to an astounding three feet in height, and are exceptionally broad. Even though these are grown by seed, the flowers are a dependable lavender-blue, with sprays of white and yellow, held on tall stalks reaching up to a foot above the foliage! Grows well in dappled shade in hotter areas, but can take full sun where there is coastal influence. While drought tolerant, occasional deep soaks keep them looking verdant and vigorous. Deer and gopher resistant.
Iris douglasiana ‘Pt. Reyes’
This is the classic iris seen along our coastline. A vigorous form with compact dark green leaves and a profusion of dark purple flowers, spreading to form large clumps. Beautiful when grown in a meadow of native grasses and coastal wildflowers. Prefers light shade in warmer areas and occasional water for it to look its best. Pruning the leaves down to the ground in the Fall can help the plant maintain a fresh appearance. Deer tolerant.
Iris douglasiana v. major
This rare form of the Douglas iris occurs throughout Marin County, offering a rainbow of possible flower colors, including blue-purple, mauve, creamy yellow and white, with all sorts of gradations in between. Since these are seed grown, the color will be a surprise when they bloom. The spring blossoms often have striking venation, and are held on stalks 1’ – 2’ high. Foliage clumps generally reach about a foot tall and spread to form extensive colonies of evergreen, strap like leaves. Plant in full sun in cooler areas, but provide some shade in hotter zones. Plants require little water once established, and are perhaps a little more drought and heat tolerant than the straight species. Deer and gopher resistant.
Iris fernaldii
Rarely offered in nurseries, the creamy-white to soft, buttery-yellow flowers of Iris fernaldii brighten up any dry shade to part-sun, inland garden in April. The flowers rise a foot above the evergreen, narrow, strap-like, deep-green foliage. This patch-forming Iris can be found in the more inland canyons of Northwestern California, from the Santa Cruz mountains, throughout inland Sonoma County, to Lake, Colusa, and Glenn counties. Fernald’s iris is well adapted to both extreme heat and cold, but can also perform well in full sun on the coast. Native bees and butterflies are attracted to the cheery flowers of this iris. This species prefers decent drainage and is drought tolerant and deer resistant once established.
Iris longipetala
Restricted to swales and moist areas in coastal grasslands from San Francisco to Monterey, this uncommon native is well worth growing. Bluish-green evergreen blades form erect clumps one foot to 20 inches tall. Early spring brings beautiful lavender-blue flowers with dark purple venation. Full sun in coastal areas, a little shade inland with regular water through the bloom period. Can go dryer once flowering is finished. Deer resistant.
Iris macrosiphon
A widespread and variable species growing throughout Northern California’s coast ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills. Our crop is grown from seed collected in western Sonoma County which has lovely lavender-blue blossoms April through May. Forms small clumps of narrow and slightly arching blades under 18 inches tall. Often found on wooded slopes, in openings or edges of forests where it will form small patches. Prefers good drainage, drought tolerant, or just a little summer moisture. Deer resistant.
Juglans hindsii
Beautiful, deciduous tree native to riparian areas in Northern California. Canopies of pinnately compound leaves form a round-topped tree 20 - 60 ft. tall. Flowers in early spring are dangling catkins, followed by round nuts in a fleshy husk. The delicious nuts are small and held in thick, hard to crack shells. An important food source for wildlife. Prefers deep soils and is drought tolerant once established. A natural for along the upper slopes of creeks and rivers.
Juncus effusus
Striking plant with bright green, erect, cylindrical blades that arch somewhat toward the tips. Creamy-gold, tassel-like flowers appear near the tips in spring and early summer. Grows 3 ft. or more tall and wide. Native to moist habitats in temperate regions of the world. Can grow in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. A natural for water features, making a great foliage accent for pools, ponds, or streamsides. Can grow in shallow water. Great in containers too. Deer resistant.
Juncus patens
This handsome evergreen rush provides a striking vertical accent 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 ft. tall with grey-green to grey-blue foliage. Brownish-yellow, tassel-like flowers appear in the spring and early summer. Very adaptable, tolerating a wide range of conditions. Enjoys sun with moisture, but will tolerate dry conditions once established. Accepts moderate shade. Robust root systems are excellent for soil stabilization. Deer resistant.
Koeleria macrantha
An evergreen perennial bunchgrass forming a rounded tuft of narrow, bluish-green blades 6 - 12 inches long. Spike-like panicles of pale green florets rise another 6 - 12 inches above the blades in summer. This widespread species grows from coastal woodlands and prairies to high mountains. Best in sunny locations with well drained soil and moderate to a little summer water. Tolerates light shade, does NOT like heavy, wet soils or deep shade. Deer resistant.
Lasthenia californica ssp. macrantha
Native along the immediate coast of California and just into Oregon, where it forms low, tight mounds of deep green succulent foliage. Cheerful, bright yellow daisies bloom over a long period. Best in full sun with some summer water and good drainage. Long blooming, open faced flowers are excellent sources of nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Lathyrus vestitus
From woodland to chaparral throughout much of the California coast ranges comes this charming sweet pea relative. Clusters of dainty flowers ranging in color from white to pink and lavender grace this evergreen vine in the spring, followed by clusters of small peapods. Plant along a fence or amongst shrubs where it will climb up to 8 ft. tall and wide. Provide light shade inland but will tolerate full sun near the coast. Drought tolerant once established but will also accept occasional irrigation. This vine is a host plant to the silvery blue butterfly and the arrowhead blue butterfly.
Layia chrysanthemoides
Light up your plantings or containers with this cheerful, ANNUAL wildflower. Boasting clear, bright yellow daisies with pure white-tipped petals, providing a spectacular springtime display. Similar to the common tidy tips, this species is a little smaller, though the flower heads are equally large. Mostly found in the northern part of the state where it is native to vernal pools, grasslands, and valley bottoms, growing in heavy soils and full sun. Attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies. Birds relish the seeds.