Iris Pacific Coast hybrid
A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
Iris Pacific Coast hybrid – lavender
A native iris hybrid thought to be a cross with Iris douglasiana. Flowers are a deep lavender in color, with purple-veined petals and yellow throats. Evergreen foliage is 12-18 inches tall and spreads to form 2-3 foot-wide clumps. Tolerates full sun on the coast but does best with afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking good in summer. Like other Pacific Coast iris hybrids, it can be planted in the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Iris Pacific Coast hybrid ‘Canyon Sunshine’
One of a diverse group of hybrid native irises, this butter-yellow selection with a lemony center is the result of a cross with Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow.' The evergreen foliage grows about 1 - 2 feet tall and spreads by rhizomes to form clumps up to 3 feet wide. Tolerates full sun on the coast but does best with afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking nice in summer. A good plant for the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Iris Pacific Coast hybrid ‘Purple & White’
A Pacific Coast hybrid iris with thick purple veins and a splash of yellow at the center of white flowers. The evergreen foliage gets 12-18 inches tall and spreads by rhizomes to form clumps up to 3 feet wide. Does well in full sun in cooler, coastal areas, but needs afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking good in summer. A suitable plant for the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Iris Pacific Coast hybrid ‘Sebastopol’
A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
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 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.
Juncus patens ‘Elk Blue’
Introduced by San Marcos Growers, this form of Juncus patens was selected from the hills southeast of the town of Elk in Mendocino County. Features exceptionally blue foliage and and a vigorous spreading habit. This selection is shorter than the typical grey rush only reaching about 18 inches tall. An adaptable species, will thrive in moist soils, even shallow water but once established tolerates dry conditions too. Grows in sun to moderate shade. An excellent accent plant with its stiff, vertical foliage. Deer resistant.
Keckiella cordifolia
This Penstemon relative produces a profusion of bright red-orange, tubular flowers on the branch tips late spring into summer which are adored by hummingbirds. It likes to climb through tall chaparral shrubs or spill down slopes. Forms an open arching mound 3 ft. by 3 ft. but can climb 6 ft. or more. Deciduous with winter cold or summer drought, semi-evergreen in milder coastal regions. Requires good drainage in sun to part shade. Moderate to little summer water. Deer resistant.
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 platyglossa
Easy to grow native ANNUAL for open sunny areas. Cheerful lemon-yellow daisies with pure white tipped petals entice bees and butterflies. Foliage grows 6-12 inches tall in lean soils and taller with more fertility. Wide distribution, from the coast to inland valleys, Mendocino County to Baja. Birds love the seeds. A knock-out mixed with blues and purples of lupines or baby blue eyes. Does not need water once established.
Lepechinia fragrans ‘El Tigre’
A wonderful addition to the dry garden, this rare fragrant pitcher sage is native to the Channel Islands off of California but is quite happy in Sonoma County gardens. Forms a shrub 4 - 5 ft. tall, with soft lavender flowers in the spring hanging gracefully from slender, arching stems. The long, angular leaves are colored soft, gray-green and covered in white hairs. This selection was chosen for its more saturated flowers with darker calyces. Adored by hummingbirds and bees. Plant in full sun on the coast, but provide partial shade inland. Needs good drainage and is drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
Lessingia (Corethrogyne) filaginifolia
This California native perennial often hugs the ground, spreading widely, it threads its silvery foliage decoratively among other plants. Bright lavender, yellow centered aster-like flowers give a summer long season of bloom. Provide full sun to light shade, some summer water and reasonable drainage. A nectar and larval food source for butterflies. Deer resistant.
Lessingia (Corethrogyne) filaginifolia ‘Silver Carpet’
A variable species, this selection hails from the Big Sur Coast and was discovered by Carol Bornstein. Forms an attractive ground hugging mat 4 ft. or more wide. The gorgeous silver foliage is the perfect foil for the 1 inch lavender-pink daisies with yellow centers. Tolerates a wide range of conditions including full sun to light shade, drought and wind. Useful groundcover, meadow plant or spiller where its flowers are enjoyed by bees and butterflies. Best with some summer water inland. Deer resistant.
Lilium humboldtii ‘ssp. humboldtii’
From the mountains of northern California comes this dramatic, drought tolerant lily, reaching upwards of 10 feet tall in its native habitat of chaparral and open forest. Lowland gardeners can expect a height of 6 feet or so. Large, orange flowers with magenta spots form many stately tiers around the robust stalks with lance-shaped leaves climbing up the base in tidy whorls. Give this rare lily excellent drainage and withhold summer water. Plant in dappled shade.
Limnanthes douglasii
California native ANNUAL occurring in grasslands and vernal pools throughout California. Low growing, shiny green foliage is topped with a profusion of sweetly fragrant, cup shaped, bright yellow blossoms with white tips. An excellent choice for low, winter wet areas, drainage swales, retention basins or seasonally dry stream beds. Thrives in heavy soils where it often naturalizes. Plant in full sun to part shade with regular water through the growing season. Fabulous container plant too. Meadowfoam is excellent for encouraging native pollinators, bees and butterflies.
Linum lewisii
A profusion of sky-blue, five petaled, shallowly cupped blossoms flower in late spring and into summer. Growing 12 to 18 inches tall with slender stems and narrow leaves. Can be short lived but often reseeds. A lovely filler, whose true blue flower color seems to go with everything, and the fine foliage contrasts nicely with a variety of leaf colors and shapes. Plant in full sun with moderate to infrequent summer water. 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 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.
Muhlenbergia rigens
With its graceful, arching habit and tall, attractive seed stalk, this versatile, adaptable native grass is a striking addition to any garden. Forms a tidy, dense clump 3 ft. tall and 3-4 feet wide, making it useful as a specimen and also wonderful planted in mass. Remains mostly evergreen with occasional summer water, but can be periodically chopped down to spur fresh growth. Plant in full sun to light shade. Tolerates moist or dry soils and performs well in clay. Its extensive root system makes it an excellent for soil stabilization. Good habitat value offering seeds for songbirds and is a larval food source for a number of butterflies species. Deer resistant.
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.
Penstemon centranthifolius
Custom made for hummingbirds, this Penstemon sports an abundance of bright-red to orange-red tubular flowers from late spring into summer. Native to dry habitats in the North Coast Ranges south to Mexico and east to the Southern Sierra, growing in chaparral and openings in woodlands below 6000 ft. Thick, blue-green leaves form a rosette 1 – 2 ft. tall and wide. Long flower spikes rise 2 – 4 ft. above the waxy leaves with many narrow, tubular, scarlet blossoms. Likes full sun, lean soils and good drainage. Drought and cold tolerant. Hummingbird and butterfly favorite.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’
A fine selection of a native penstemon from Las Pilitas Nursery where this chance hybrid seedling was discovered at the “Bottom Of the Porch”. Forms a tidy mound 18 inches tall by 2 ft. or so wide. Iridescent blue-purple tubular flowers in short spikes put on a good show over a long period in spring and early summer. The spent flower spikes should be cut off to encourage more blooming, better form, and longer life. Best in full sun with well drained soils and moderate to little water once established. 'Margarita BOP' has proven particularly adaptable and has survived longer than other cultivars. Hummingbird favorite.
Phacelia imbricata
Native to dry slopes and open woodland throughout much of California, this rarely-offered perennial phacelia thrives in heat. Creamy-white flowers form curly clusters atop stalks ranging from 1 to 3 feet. Bees and butterflies find them irresistible. The soft, dense foliage hugs the ground in an up-to-2-ft-wide mound. Plant in full sun to light shade in areas with good drainage and minimal irrigation once established. Drought tolerant.
Philadelphus lewisii ‘Covelo’
Sweetly fragrant, pure white blossoms with yellow stamens cover this desirable, deciduous native shrub in late spring, attracting bees and butterflies. Reaches to 8 ft. tall and wide with a vaguely umbrella shape. This selection is somewhat denser than 'Marjorie Schmidt', in both foliage and flower, with leaves that are less serrated. Enjoys full sun to light shade and moderate to occasional summer water. Tolerant of clay soil. Works well in a conatainer.
Philadelphus lewisii ‘Goose Creek’
This unusual selection of our native mock orange offers fully double flowers! We aren't usually fans of extra petals on our flowers, but this selection is quite appealing, with blossoms looking like fluffy snowballs held along the stems in late spring. This form was discovered near the Smith River in Del Norte County. Mock orange is a large deciduous shrub up to 8 ft tall and wide with sweetly fragrant, white flowers in late spring and early summer. Useful as a specimen or in mixed plantings. Sun to light shade, moderate to little water when established. A good container plant and clay tolerant.
Philadelphus lewisii ‘Marjorie Schmidt’
This native mock orange was selected by Roger Raiche and Ron Lutsko in Shasta County. It caught their eye while driving along Route 36 west of Red Bluff, as being larger-flowered and more floriferous than surrounding shrubs. Large deciduous shrub up to 8 ft tall and wide with fragrant white flowers in early summer. Sun to light shade, most soils, moderate to little water once established. Flowers attractive to bees and butterflies.