Acer macrophyllum
This stately and picturesque tree is native to stream banks and moist canyons from Southern Alaska to the foothills of California. A large, round-topped tree with large dark green lobed leaves and smooth silver-gray bark. Fast growing 30 ft or more tall. One of the few native trees to offer good fall color. Sun to partial shade, occasional to regular water. When planting in a sunny location, protect the trunk from sun-scald with a dilute application of white latex paint.
Acer negundo var. californicum
The box elder at maturity features a broad canopy supported by thick branches and a wide, gray trunk. In spring, the silky pink inflorescences hang from the tips of the branches as the leaves begin to emerge. Quickly grows to a height and width of up to 50 ft. Often used as a restoration plant in riparian zones. Full sun to part shade. Enjoys regular moisture. Deer seem to leave it alone once established.
Achillea millefolium – Bodega Bay form
Larger leaves up to 10 inches long distinguish this form from most other local yarrow selections. While most yarrow from our coastline have very green leaves, this strain is on the grey side. From spring through autumn, large white flower clusters sit upon stalks about to at least 2 feet in height. Water occasionally in areas away from the coast and provide full sun. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Lake County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Lake County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Napa County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Napa County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Sonoma County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Sonoma County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – Montara Mountain form
We discovered the parent of this giant seed strain on the lower slopes of Montara Mountain in San Mateo Co.. With broad, white flower clusters reaching up to 4 ft. high, this is the largest yarrow we've encountered. While seedlings can vary, we have high hopes for this new introduction. Give full sun and moderate to infrequent irrigation. Potentially an excellent spreading perennial for a tall meadow. Attracts all sorts of pollinators. The green, fuzzy leaves are usually considered to be deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Island Pink’
A color variant of the normally white California native yarrow from Santa Cruz Island. Dark green ferny foliage topped with clusters of bright pink flowers on 18 inch stems over a long period. Sun to partial shade, occasional to moderate water. Good habitat value, providing nectar for bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Red Velvet’
This yarrow is getting rave reviews for its deep-red flowers produced atop grey-green ferny foliage. Spreading 2 foot or so wide with flowers rising 2 – 2 ½ feet tall. Best in full sun with moderate to occasional watering. Popular with bees and butterflies. Often deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Sonoma Coast’
This is a local selection from the Sonoma County coast near Salmon Creek. Bright green foliage is topped with white flowers in dense heads on compact stems to around 1 ft. tall. Can bloom over a long period, spring through fall, depending on conditions. Best in sunny areas with some summer water, though it is drought tolerant. Flowers attract butterflies and other insects. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’
This hybrid yarrow forms a mat of grey-green ferny foliage 2 - 3 ft. wide with interesting earth-tone colored flowers. The long-lasting flower clusters simultaneously sport peachy-yellow tones through burnt orange, on sturdy non-floppy stems to around 2 ft. tall. Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer water once established. Bees and butterflies love yarrows, but they are not deer favorites. Excellent cut flowers too.
Adenostoma fasciculatum
Chamise is found on the poorest soils in hot, dry, exposed areas of chaparral plant communities. Bright green needle-like leaves cover this evergreen shrub. Late spring brings showy plumes of creamy white flowers in small dense sprays, persisting as they age to reddish brown. This tough shrub can grow 4-10 ft tall and wide depending on conditions. An excellent erosion control plant for tough sites where it holds soil, provides cover for wildlife and acts as a nurse plant, paving the way for the other species to get started. Plant in full sun with no water required once established.
Aesculus californica
Beautiful in all its seasons, this native tree is perfectly adapted to our summer dry climate. Broad headed, deciduous tree rapidly growing to 15 feet or more with smooth grey bark and a rounded shapely habit. Bright green palmate leaves unfurl in the spring. Striking, fragrant white to pink flowers in long spikes are followed by pear shaped fruits that split open to reveal large chestnut-brown shiny seeds dangling from branch tips. Buckeyes lose their leaves in summer to avoid the long dry season. Adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Sun to light shade, little to no water once established. Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and native bees.
Agrostis pallens
A fine textured, drought tolerant, spreading, perennial grass that forms an undulating, naturalistic, meadow look, or can be mowed and used as a lawn substitute. Native to meadows, open woodlands and forests in many plant communities in California north to British Columbia. Grows 1 -2 ft. tall with airy flower stems in late spring to early summer. May be shy to flower in shady areas. Plant in sun to light shade, with decent drainage, where it will accept both water and drought. Will go dormant in summer without irrigation. If using as a lawn substitute, it will need summer irrigation, though requiring far less than a traditional lawn. Excellent understory among trees or shrubs, for rain gardens, bio-swales, meadows or mowed as a lawn substitute. Host plant for a number of butterflies. Deer resistant.
Allium amplectens ‘Graceful Beauty’
This western native onion grows in sunny openings in forests and woodlands, often on serpentine. Narrow, fragrant leaves make way for globe shaped flower heads on sturdy stems 12 - 16 inches tall. The flower heads which emerge in late spring and early summer are made up of many starry, white florets with elegant lavender anthers and pale pink veins. Papery bracts persist after blossoms fade, adding interest. If happy can reseed readily. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Very drought tolerant. Reported to be gopher resistant, but may need further analysis. Deer resistant.
Alnus rhombifolia
From creeks and rivers throughout California, the white alder rapidly grows to become a large tree, reaching to 50 ft. or more at maturity. Serrated green leaves produce an excellent canopy above the straight, silvery-gray trunk. In winter, when the leaves have fallen, the ghostly branches make a striking silhouette with dangling catkins from the branch tips. An excellent plant for creek restoration where its aggressive roots help to stabilize banks. Keep away from irrigation pipes and foundations. Needs regular moisture and sun to light shade.
Anaphalis margaritacea
An adaptable plant with silver-green leaves that are densely white and woolly beneath. The flowers appear in summer and are made up of pearly white papery bracts surrounding yellow centers. The “straw flowers” retain their shape and color and are often used in dried arrangements. Tolerant of almost any soil type, it prefers full sun where it will grow in moist to somewhat dry conditions. Can spread vigorously, perhaps best used in meadow plantings or other naturalistic settings. Grows 1 - 3 ft. tall and spreading. Dies back to the ground in the winter. Larval food source for the painted lady and American lady butterflies. Deer resistant.
Aquilegia eximia
Large, orangey-red flowers with yellow stamens adorn this beautiful and uncommon native columbine. The pendant, brightly colored blossoms are larger than those of the western columbine but just as attractive to hummingbirds. Forms a 1 ft. high mound of foliage with flowering stalks reaching up to 5 ft. tall. Native to the Coast Ranges from Mendocino to Ventura Counties often on serpentine soils. Provide full sun to part shade and only water enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely. In areas far away from the coast provide a little shade from the hot afternoon sun. This species is a little more drought tolerant than the more common Western columbine.
Aquilegia formosa
A popular native perennial with fern-like foliage and wonderful, nodding, spurred blossoms of red and yellow. Best with a little shade and moderate to regular moisture, but will tolerate full sun in somewhat cooler climates. The flower stalks reach 1 1/2’ to 3’ tall, with the grey-green foliage forming a mound of about 1 ft tall and wide. Flowers attract hummingbirds, while the seeds are relished by small birds such as sparrows and Juncos. If seed pods are left on the plants, you may get volunteer seedlings in the fall.
Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald Carpet’
This popular manzanita forms a wonderful, dense, green groundcover around 1 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide. Clusters of small, white, urn-shaped flowers decorate the plant in early winter. A natural hybrid discovered on Haven's Neck on the southern Mendocino Coast. Often planted en mass to create a large scale groundcover. Somewhat slower growing than bearberry and slightly taller over time. Enjoys full sun near the coast but does best in hotter areas with some afternoon shade. Needs moderate water once established.
Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’
One of the most popular of the manzanitas, for several good reasons. It is rounded in form and profusely branched, growing 5 - 7 ft. tall. It has shiny green leaves and abundant light pink flowers. Beautiful mahogany trunks create a wonderful sculptural effect. The dense foliage responds exceptionally well to pruning - even shearing, and tolerates a far greater range of soils and watering regimes than most manzanitas.
Arctostaphylos ‘John Dourley’
A beautiful mounding manzanita growing 3-4 ft. tall and 6 ft. wide.Bluish-green leaves with gorgeous bronzy new growth, abundant pink flowers followed by red fruits make this vigorous grower a wonderful addition to the garden. Plant in sunny areas with little to no water once established. The early blooming manzanitas provide an important nectar source for hummingbirds and bees.
Arctostaphylos ‘Pacific Mist’
A broadly spreading shrub, fast growing for a manzanita, eventually forming a good dense ground cover 1.5 - 2.5 ft. tall by 10 ft. wide. Handsome gray-green leaves with deep reddish-brown bark. Small clusters of white urn-shaped flowers in late winter are pretty, but it is not a heavy bloomer. This fine introduction from Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is proving to be dependable and disease resistant. Plant in sun or light shade. More drought tolerant than the popular bearberries. In cool summer areas may need no additional summer water once established. In hotter inland sites,occasional deep summer waterings is best. It is believed to be a cross involving the rare Bonny Doon manzanita.
Arctostaphylos ‘Sentinel’
Somewhat more upright in habit but less dense and less uniform than Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn', it is a far heavier bloomer with LOTS of vivid pink blossoms and soft grey green leaves. A relatively easy and dependable manzanita, growing 6 - 8 ft. tall and wide, though reputed to be less tolerant of irrigation and heavy soils than A. ‘Howard McMinn’, the most adaptable of all manzanitas. Distinctive burgundy-colored bark. Early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumble bees.
Arctostaphylos ‘Sunset’
A handsome manzanita growing 6 ft. tall and wide with especially attractive coppery-red new growth. Flowers are urn-shaped pinkish-white. Exfoliating shaggy bark reveals smooth red toned trunks. Can be pruned to expose the beautiful sinuous branching structure. A naturally occuring hybrid discovered near Prunedale in Monterey Co. involving A. pajaroensis and A. hookeri. Tolerant of heavy soils and heat as well as occasional irrigation.
Arctostaphylos bakeri ssp. bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’
A beautiful and durable upright manzanita reaching 5 - 7 ft. tall and nearly as wide. This species is native to Sonoma Co. where it is considered very rare and threatened by development. Handsome gray-green foliage with wonderful purplish-brown trunks contrast nicely with showy clusters of pink urn-shaped flowers in spring. Great for sunny areas where it endures heat and drought but enjoys an occasional deep watering. The manzanita berries can attract mockingbirds, robins, and cedar waxwings. It provides low shrubby cover for quail and wrentits and its flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds.
Arctostaphylos cruzensis
This rare, low-growing manzanita comes from the San Luis Obispo coast. Features grey-green, wedge-shaped leaves and soft pink flowers in the winter. Its distinctive creeping habit makes it ideal for crawling over walls or lining walkways. Provide full sun to light shade and moderate to infrequent irrigation once established. Good in containers.
Arctostaphylos densiflora
One of California's rarest natives, this is the pure, true species. Exists only in a very small preserve in western Sonoma Co.. Distinctive for the profusion of beautiful pink to white urn-shaped blossoms they produce in winter and small, shiny bright green leaves. Variable in height but typically grows 3 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide. Does best in its native Sebastopol sandy soils with full sun to light shade and occasional to no summer irrigation.
Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘James West’
This wonderful, drought tolerant, low growing manzanita from Sonoma County appears in form and other details to be a selection of the pure species of the very rare Vine Hill Manzanita. It is a very choice cultivar, seldom available in the trade. Grows 18 - 24 inches by 6 ft. in ten years and flowers from January through March with thick heads of shell pink flowers. Good drainage, as with all manzanitas and occasional to no irrigation once established. Full sun.