Sidalcea reptans
From moist meadows in the Sierra Nevada comes this charming checkerbloom groundcover. In early summer, soft-pink, cup-shaped flowers perch along stems up to 2 feet high. Thick, bright-green leaves with scalloped edges carpet the ground. Plant in full sun to light shade and don’t let them dry out completely. The Sierra checkerbloom is an easy-to-grow mountain species which combines nicely with umbrella plant, rushes and Dunn’s lobelia. Great in a container, too!
Solidago lepida v. salebrosa
Golden-yellow, pyramid shaped inflorescences sit atop stems flanked with bright green leaves on this unusual native goldenrod. This selection is more compact and refined than the California goldenrod, with flower stalks reaching only about 2 feet tall and a spreading habit which is less aggressive. A superb plant to attract all sorts of bees and butterflies when it blooms in late summer and into autumn. Plant in full sun to light shade and water moderately to occasionally. This variety grows throughout western North America but is rare in California, only occurring in the northeast part of the state.
Solidago spathulata
Native to coastal strand and coastal scrub communities where it forms low mats of spreading bright green foliage. Summer brings flower stems a foot or so tall made up of small bright golden-yellow daisies. Full sun to light shade with some summer water. Tolerates heavy soils. The flowers support native bees, honey bees, beneficial insects and butterflies. It is a larval food source for the northern checkerspot butterfly.
Stachys bullata
A native perennial from the mint family, found primarily near the coast from San Francisco southward, where it inhabits oak, pine and fir woodlands. Medium-green leaves are softly fuzzy with scalloped edges, growing around 2 ft. or more tall and spreading by underground rhizomes to form a colony. Blooming spring through summer, with lavender-pink tubular flowers in whorls, which attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Tends to grow in somewhat drier areas, but responds well to moisture and also tolerates inundation. A natural with rushes, ferns and snowberries. Useful for partly shaded bioswales and oak/mixed conifer woodlands. The underground rhizomes make it a good choice for erosion control. Deer resistant.
Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus ‘San Bruno Mountain’
This attractive low-growing form of our native snowberry is a Cal Flora Nursery selection from San Bruno Mountain. Its dimensions are about 8 inches tall and spreading. Indeed the spreading nature of this plant is robust and it should be included in areas where that is an asset rather than a liability. The wiry arching branches hold light green rounded leaves and the effect of the new growth is delicate and appealing. Tiny pink urn-shaped flowers decorate the branch tips, followed by small white fruits. Perfect for a lightly shaded bank or the light shade of a tree where it will be very drought tolerant. With total drought it may go summer deciduous but occasional summer water will keep it looking fresh. The flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.
Symphoricarpos mollis
Low growing, spreading groundcover, usually staying around a foot tall by 3-6 feet wide. Rounded blue-green leaves on arching stems makes an excellent low growing thicket which competes well with tree roots. An amenable plant, able to grow in full sun in coastal areas and different depths of shade elsewhere, even fairly deep shade. The tiny, pink, bell shaped flowers are attractive to bees and hummingbirds and the white fruits that follow are eaten by birds. Good for erosion control and does well under oaks. Offers excellent habitat value with its flowers and fruits and provides cover for ground nesting birds. Drought tolerant once established. Deer often leave it alone.
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’ve 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. CA 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.
Tanacetum bipinnatum (camphoratum)
Native to sand dunes from the Bay Area north, this shrubby evergreen groundcover spreads quickly to create drifts of soft fern-like foliage. Yellow, button-shaped flowers form small clusters atop stalks up to 2 ft. tall. Enjoys full sun to light shade. Tolerant of clay soils and excessive moisture but will thrive with only occasional water once established. Reducing irrigation can temper this tansy's somewhat aggressive nature. Dune tansy has a strong scent of camphor and is valued for its medicinal uses. Beautiful when combined with ceanothus, Douglas iris and other plants from our coastal areas. Good for erosion control.
Teucrium cossonii (majoricum)
A beautiful little shrublet that hugs the ground to 2 ft. or more wide. Narrow gray-green foiage is topped with dense clusters of rosy-lavender flowers, nearly the entire growing season. Requires decent drainage with moderate to occasional summer water once established. Great rock garden plant. Pollinator friendly and deer resistant.
Tiarella trifoliata v. unifoliata
The native sugar-scoop makes an attractive groundcover in a shady spot with some moisture. Blooms in early summer with spikes of little white stars; seed pods are shaped like little scoops. Removing spent flower stalks often prompts reblooming. Native to the dark and damp forest floor of northern California. A sweet addition to the woodland garden where there is summer moisture.
Tolmiea menziesii ‘Taff’s Gold’
An excellent foliage plant for shady spaces, this selection of the native piggy-back plant can light up a dark spot with its gold-speckled foliage. Tiny maroon flowers on slender stalks in spring are interesting though not super showy. The foliage doesn't reach more than a foot high with the flower stalks rising up to 2 ft. This plant has an unusual method of reproduction. New plants grow from the center of the scalloped leaves, hence the common names "piggy-back plant" and "youth on age". Needs shade with regular moisture. Tolerates root competition, making it a great plant for under redwoods. Wonderful in containers too.
Trautvetteria caroliniensis
From moist woodlands in mountainous areas of northern California comes this lush and verdant buttercup relative. Large, serrated, palmate leaves up to 8 inches wide spread densely across the ground on slender stems. In summer through early fall, icy white flowers made up of thin filaments form flat topped clusters up to 5 inches wide. These delicate flowers sit atop stems reaching up to 3 ft. high. Plant in moist areas with part to full shade. The leaves will die down in winter only to re-emerge in spring. While very rare in California, false bugbane is more common in other parts of the country. Our form comes from the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California.
Trientalis latifolia
Shade loving native perennial, inhabiting open woods from San Luis Obispo County to British Columbia. Forming small colonies from underground tuberous rootstock. Slender stems rise 6 inches tall with a whorl of neat leaves at the top of the erect stems. Dainty pink star-shaped flowers are suspended above the leaves on thread-like pedicels. Flourishes in loose, woodsy, acidic soils in lightly shaded areas. Thrives with the spring rains, then goes dormant in the summer dry period. A charming addition to the shade garden.
Vancouveria hexandra
A useful ground cover for shady areas with delicate apple green, fern-like foliage and creeping rootstocks. Grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. Dainty, nodding, white flowers with reflexed petals give the impression of being turned inside out and can appear over a long period from April through June. This western native grows profusely in moist woodland conditions but tolerates dryish conditions once established. Competes well with tree roots too.
Viola palustris
Native to moist environments in both coast and mountain plant communities of N. America and Eurasia. Rare in California, where it is found in the northern counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte. Rounded to heart shaped leaves with shallow scalloped edges grow from basal rosettes and spread by slender rhizomes. The charming flowers bloom April through July and range from white through lavender in color with dark-purple nectar guides. Used by Fritillary butterflies as a larval food source. Easy to grow, this is not a violet for heavy shade, but prefers brighter locations with light shade and moist, but well drained soils.
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.