Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus ‘Tilden Park’
Here is a particularly fine selection of the native snowberry, notable for its dependable crop of showy white berries on arching branches. A deciduous shrub, snowberry grows to about 4 ft. tall and spreads to form drifts. A good choice for a shady bank, woodland edge, or under oaks. Appreciates and responds to moisture, but once established will tolerate dry conditions. Fruit may be toxic to humans. Hummingbirds like the flowers. Berries are palatable to hermit thrush, Swainson’s thrush, robins and other birds. Also creates good cover for birds.
Symphyotrichum (Aster) chilense
This native aster is found throughout much of Sonoma County, usually in moist soils. More slender in form than the burly Point St. George selection. Spreads vigorously but with a lighter touch, integrating itself well with native grasses and bulbs. Its summer-to-fall blossoms are white to lavender blue and provide excellent nectar for butterflies and beneficial insects. 1-3 ft. tall and spreading. Thrives in sun to light shade with moderate to little summer irrigation.
Symphyotrichum (Aster) chilense ‘Olema White’
Clear white flowers replace the class purple ones in this unusual selection of California aster that we found near the town of Olema in Marin County. In summer and into fall, a profusion of flowers bursts forth on this VIGOROUSLY spreading native perennial. An extremely adaptable groundcover reaching up to 3 ft. tall. Accepts regular to very little irrigation and full sun to light shade. This prolific bloomer is a bee magnet and also enjoyed by butterflies. Tolerant of clay and periodic flooding. Looks best when sheared to the ground after blooming.
Symphyotrichum (Aster) chilense ‘Plumas Purple’
This form of the California aster is remarkably compact and refined, featuring blue-purple daisies which are darker than any other selection we have seen. Grows to a height of under a foot and so far has been much less likely to spread aggressively, though it should get to at least 3’ wide. In late summer and early autumn, the dense blooms turn plants into bonbons of flowers. Grow in full sun, where they will be drought tolerant once established, but will enjoy an occasional soak. California asters provide an important late nectar and pollen source for bees, while butterflies enjoy the nectar and are reported to utilize them as a larval hosts. Thank you to Pete Veilleux for giving us this stellar selection! It’s thought to have been found in Plumas County, so should be quite heat and cold tolerant.
Symphyotrichum (Aster) chilense ‘Point Saint George’
A low-growing native perennial, reaching up to 1.5 feet in height and spreading widely and vigorously. Covered with soft lavender daisies over a long period, summer through fall and often into winter. Careful thought should be given to its placement as this plant really spreads. Far too vigorous for many settings, perhaps best used in planters, garden boxes or other contained areas or in large, naturalistic plantings. For sunny areas with at least a little summer water. Will tolerate flooding and periodic inundation. An excellent nectar source for bees and butterflies and seeds for birds.
Symphyotrichum (Aster) chilense ‘Purple Haze’
A wonderful selection of our native Pacific aster, chosen by the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden for its deep lavender blossoms. Blooms late summer through fall and often into winter with one-inch daisies opening from dark purple buds. This plant SPREADS VIGOROUSLY by underground rhizomes, so works best when constrained by a planter or garden box or in a meadow planting. Excellent for areas needing soil stablization. The dense foliage grows quickly to 2-3 feet tall each spring, and can be annually pruned to the ground in winter. Tolerates many soil types and full sun to part shade. Requires minimal water, but occasional deep soaks keep it blooming longer. This easy to grow habitat plant will delight bees and butterflies.
Triteleia laxa ‘Corrina’
A beautifully dark flowered form of our Ithuriel’s spear, with flowers a darker blue-purple than the more common ‘Queen Fabiola’. The trumpet-shaped flowers form circular clusters at the top of slender stalks 12 to 18 inches high. This easy to grow bulb sends up slender, grass-like leaves in late winter followed by the striking flowers in late spring. Multiplies readily forming colorful drifts which mix well with grasses and smaller perennials. Tolerant of pretty much all soil types and can be allowed to dry out completely in summer when it goes dormant. Unlike most grassland bulbs, this species will also tolerate moderate irrigation. Plant in full sun to light shade. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Triteleia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’
Trumpets of bluish-purple blossoms make a dazzling display at the height of spring on this easily grown lily relative. The showy flowers rise up to 18 inches tall in dense whorls on slender stalks above grasslike leaves. The small bulbs increase rapidly to form small, colorful drifts. Give full sun to light shade. Tolerant of dry conditions but accepts occasional irrigation. Will go dormant by mid-summer but reemerges in early winter. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in openings between low, evergreen plants or in meadows with yarrow, California fuchsia and grasses.
Triteleia laxa ‘Rudy’
An interesting flower color variation of this easy to grow native bulb. Grasslike blades 12 - 18 inches tall produce flower stems with large clusters of showy, funnel-shaped, pale blue-lavender blossoms with a vivid violet stripe down the center of each petal. An eye catching addition to a naturalistic planting, in sun to light shade. A willing grower which will multiply if happy. Enjoys dry conditions once done flowering, but will accept some moisture. Good container subject. Attracts bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.
Triteleia laxa ‘Silver Queen’
A white form of Ithuriel’s spear! We kid you not. You may be familiar with this species and its traditionally blue-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers perched in whorls atop stalks a foot or more tall. We now have a selection featuring soft white flowers. This native bulb sends up grass-like foliage in the winter followed by the charming flowers in spring and early summer. The bulbs multiply readily, forming small colonies over time. While it tolerates dry conditions in summer, it will also accept occasional irrigation, making it very useful in the garden. Enjoys full sun to light shade and will tolerate clay soil.
Vaccinium ovatum
A handsome evergreen shrub native to moist forests of the Pacific Coast. Leathery dark green leaves with new growth flushed bronzy-red. Small pinkish flowers in the spring are followed by delectable black berries prized in pies and jams. A slow growing shrub for shady situations or cool sun along the coast with moderate to regular water. Grows 4 - 5 ft. tall and wide or as much as 8 ft. in especially prime locations given time. Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and bees, fruit for many species including humans. Fire resistant. Deer resistant.
Vaccinium ovatum ‘Scarlet Ovation’
A round of applause for this cultivar of the evergreen huckleberry, featuring an especially compact habit and stand out bronzy-red new growth. Forms a small, dense shrub, 3 -4 ft. tall and wide. The new growth in the spring is dependably fiery-red, contrasting beautifully with the neat, dark-green older foliage. Small, urn-shaped, pinkish-white flowers are rich in nectar and attract an array of pollinators, including hummingbirds. The small, dark-blue berries are tasty and enjoyed by wildlife and humans. Huckleberries can grow in full sun along the coast, but require some shade in hot areas. Moderate to regular summer water. Fire and deer resistant.
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.
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 californica ‘Russian River’
Our own selection of what is likely a hybrid between the native Vitis californica and the European wine grape Vitis vinifera, originating along the Russian River near Rio Nido in Sonoma County. Similar to 'Roger’s Red’ in vigor and heavy fruit production, this cultivar has deeper purple-red fall colored leaves that tend to hold on to the vine longer than the selection 'Roger’s Red'. An adaptable vine, thriving in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. Will grow well with far less summer water, though plants in dryish conditions tend to be less rampant. Good habitat plant.
Vitis californica x ‘Roger’s Red’
Selected by Roger Raiche, this cultivar is now thought to be a natural hybrid between the native Vitis californica and the European wine grape, Vitis vinifera. A beautiful and vigorous vine used to cover fences, trellises, arbors, or used as a ground cover. This selection has gorgeous warm red fall color and ample fruit clusters that are small (with seeds), but sweet and tasty. An adaptable vine, thriving in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. Will grow well with far less summer water, though plants in dryish conditions tend to be less rampant. Good habitat plant.
Whipplea modesta
The common name “modesty” fits this unassuming evergreen creeper. Though not super showy, one has to admire its ability to thrive on difficult sites. A good stabilizer native to forests of the Coast Ranges where it tolerates dry shady situations. Will appreciate a little summer water, but it is drought tolerant once established. Numerous tiny white flowers in late spring. Deer seem to leave it alone.
Woodwardia fimbriata
The evergreen giant chain fern is the largest American fern, with striking fronds 4 - 6 ft. tall. Prefers part shade but will accept darker conditions. Will grow in open, somewhat sunny areas within the fog belt, as long as it has access to moisture. Great in moist woodland gardens near a stream or against a shady wall. Keep in mind, this fern likes some moisture but does not want to be kept wet. Allowing it to dry out just a little between waterings can be beneficial. To keep it looking fresh and vigorous, cut back to the ground in late winter just before the new fiddleheads begin to emerge. Deer resistant.