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.
Holodiscus dumosus ‘var. cedrorus’
A recently described endemic shrub discovered by the extraordinary plantsmen Roger Raiche, growing on serpentine soils of the Cedars in northwestern Sonoma County. An open deciduous shrub, approximately 3 ft. x 3 ft. with wiry ruby-red stems and elegant small, shiny, dark green to bronze leaves. Early summer brings erect panicles of cream colored flowers that are suffused in light wine-red or pink coloration. Seems to tolerate a wide range of conditions from full sun to deep shade. Once established has proven durable and drought tolerant. This lovely small creambush is perfect for those who want something completely new and different. It does well in containers and should be interesting to experiment with in different applications and settings.
Iris chrysophylla
Native to far northern California and into western Oregon, this uncommon iris grows in fast draining soils in open forests and woodlands. A small scale iris, usually under 12 inches tall in bloom, spreads slowly from slender rhizomes. The delicate blossoms flower in the spring and can vary in color from white to cream to yellow, with a central yellow splash and prominent dark venation. Grow in sun to light shade with occasional to little watering. Visited by bees and hummingbirds. 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 ‘Canyon Snow’
A dependable and floriferous selection of the native Douglas iris, with springtime flowers that are pure white with yellow markings on the falls. Broad shiny blades are mostly evergreen and grow a foot or more tall and form compact clumps. Plant in sun to part shade, particularly in hot inland areas, with moderate to little summer water. Prefers good drainage but will grow well on clay soils provided they are mounded up. Too much summer water on heavy soils will prove fatal. Deer resistant.
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 innominata
A choice iris with slender, glossy, dark-green leaves and dainty flowers in late spring. Flower color can be from brilliant yellows to shades of purple. Native to the Siskiyou Mountains in Del Norte County, California, into southern Oregon where it forms low, dense, evergreen clumps in openings of woodlands or coniferous forests. This species does better in hot, inland areas than the Douglas iris. Requires good drainage and some summer water. This Del Norte County iris has been used in hybridization programs to produce the popular Pacific Coast Hybrid Iris. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Ligusticum apiifolium
We love members of the carrot family, with their flat-topped clusters of star-like flowers and excellent habitat value. This species is no exception, though it is rarely grown in nurseries. In spring the clear-white flowers appear in delicate umbels on slender stalks 2 - 4 ft. high. The ferny, bright-green foliage stays close to the ground, rarely reaching more than a foot tall. Occurs in the Coast Range from the San Francisco Bay Area northwards. You may find this species in full sun near the coast or in bright woodlands further inland. Needs decent drainage and occasional to infrequent summer water.
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.
Lomatium californicum
Native to lightly shaded banks or brushy slopes, this interesting native forms clumps of beautiful, ferny, blue-green leaves. The foliage has a pungent celery flavor and grows 1 ft. or so tall. The yellow-green flowers form broad umbels that reach up to 4 ft. high. Good for brightly lit woodlands that go summer dry. Plant with Heucheras, California fescue and Iris. A larval food source for the Anise Swallowtail butterfly.
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.
Maianthemum (Smilacina) stellatum
Native to California and much of North America, this woodlander makes a worthy and useful addition to the shade garden. Spreading by stout rhizomes forming colonies of lush, green foliage one foot to 18 inches tall. Small, white, star-shaped flowers top the slender stems in the spring and early summer. Berries follow that are often striped with purple or black, eventually turning red. Thrives in shade with moisture but tolerates dryish conditions once established. Can grow in quite a bit of light as long as there is moisture. A variety of insects seek nectar or pollen from the flowers and woodland song birds love the berries.
