Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Rocky Point’
A vigorous selection of dwarf blue-eyed grass discovered on Rocky Point south of Carmel in Monterey County and introduced by Native Sons Nursery. Robust, rich green clumps of wide, iris-like leaf blades 4 - 6 inches tall feature vibrant blue-purple flowers with yellow centers. A great rock garden item. Plant in full sun to part shade. This spring bloomer will go semi-dormant in summer if allowed to go somewhat dry. With moderate irrigation it will be evergreen and have an extended bloom preiod. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum ‘Stripey’
An eye-catching cultivar of blue-eyed grass, forming compact clumps of narrow variegated foliage. The gray-green blades have pale yellow margins growing around 6 inches tall and a foot or so wide. The chubby clumps of narrow, variegated leaves are topped with cool blue flowers in the spring. Perfect rock garden item or container accent for sun to light shade with moderate water. Deer resistant.
Solanum umbelliferum
A perennial subshrub from chaparral and oak woodland plant communities, often growing on the edge where they may receive some relief from the full sun. Grows quickly, to as much 3 ft. high with pale green oval leaves on green stems, often sprawling wider. Blooms over a long period with a multitude of blue-purple saucer shaped flowers followed by small tomato-like fruits. Plant in full sun to partial shade with little to no summer water. May go summer deciduous with drought, becoming twiggy and leafless until the rains return. All parts of the plant are poisonous which should make them dependably deer resistant.
Solanum xanti ‘Mountain Pride’
Outstanding selection by Carol Bornstein from the hills surrounding Santa Barbara,following the wildfires of 2008. Chosen for its particularly dark purple flowers, this subshrub grows 3 ft. tall and at least as wide. Clusters of rich purple one inch blossoms with bright yellow stamens bloom over a long period but heaviest in spring. In nature it is often found growing along the borders of coastal scrub,chaparral and woodlands. Plant in full sun along the coast with a little shade inland, where it will be drought tolerant once established. Prune to promote bushy habit. A good container subject. Should be deer resistant as all parts of the plant are poisonous.
Sporobolus airoides
A robust, warm season bunchgrass, which was common in California’s Central Valley prior to agricultural conversion. This western native is found in the Sierra foothills, South Coast Ranges as well as deserts from eastern Washington to Mexico. Forms a dense bunch of fine textured, grey-green blades, on average 3 foot tall and wide. Graceful flowering stems carry airy, pinkish flower heads that produce a pink-hued haze, which age to tan. The abundant seeds are relished by birds, but do not tend to reseed in gardens. Tolerant of many soil types and water regimes. Best with full sun to light shade. This grass will be drought tolerant, but does best with some summer water in dryer inland sites. Leaves turn butter-yellow in autumn prior to winter dormancy. Deer resistant.
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.
Stipa (Nassella) cernua
A beautiful native grass said to be a more impressive horticultural subject than the tough and useful Stipa pulchra. Forms a tufted bunch of foliage with elegant flower stems to about 2-3 ft. tall. The panicles of thin, fine, nodding awns have a silky aspect and are purplish at first drying silver. They glimmer when backlit. Prefers full sun (but will tolerate light shade) and well drained soils, but has proven adaptable. Drought tolerant. Often self sows. Deer resistant.
Stipa (Nassella) lepida
The native foothill needlegrass is a fine-bladed, medium-sized, perennial bunchgrass perfectly adapted to our Mediterranean climate. Growing vegetatively during the cool season and flowering in mid to late spring, going dormant with the dry of summer. Tufts of fine-textured blades 8 - 12 inches tall, give rise to slender, graceful flowering stems, 2 ft or more tall with panicles of silky awns which shimmer when back lit. Well suited for the dry garden, open woods, meadows and rocky slopes. Easy to grow, disease and pest resistant, tolerating more shade than other Stipa species. A strong re-seeder and deer resistant. Host plant for a number of butterflies. Deer resistant.
Stipa (Nassella) pulchra
Purple needlegrass is a major species in California grasslands. An excellent choice for naturalistic settings, native plantings, meadows or dry slopes in full sun. Handsome in mass where its purple awns shimmer. The entire plant turns golden come summer then goes dormant, reviving with the rainy season. Very drought tolerant. Can reseed vigorously. Deer resistant.
Stipa hymenoides
This rugged, incredibly drought tolerant bunchgrass hails from hot, sunny locations in desert areas and juniper woodlands of California. The inflorescences which emerge above the green foliage in spring and summer, are incredible airy and delicate. By the end of summer, plants take on an ivory color, appearing like billowing little clouds which create a wonderfully soft texture for the late season garden. Plants reach to about 2’ around. In winter, plants will go dormant. Little to no water once established. Needs decent drainage. Deer resistant.
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) oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’
This late-blooming American aster offers dazzling bright blue-purple daisies in late summer through fall. Forms a dense mound 2-3 feet tall, with flowers nearly covering the foliage when in full bloom. A fine, reliable selection of aromatic aster, a species native to the eastern half of the United States. A good choice for borders and other areas needing a compact splash of color. Plant in full sun and provide with moderate summer water to keep it looking its best. Highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
Tellima grandiflora
Fringe cups is a sweet native perennial for the shade garden. Slender flower stalks rise above the soft mounds of foliage 18 inches to 2 ft. The small, urn-shaped flowers have tiny fringed petals which open green and then age to pink. Seeds about in a nice way. Tolerates dry shade. Deer resistant.
Teucrium chamaedrys
Tough, neat looking evergreen shrublet-good for hot dry places. Excellent edging for herb gardens. Grows 1 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide. Dark green foliage topped with light magenta flowers in spikes. Shear after blooming. Deer seem to leave it alone. Bee favorite.
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.
Torreya californica
Rarely seen in cultivation, this unusual conifer is endemic to California. Found in the coast ranges and foothills of the Sierra Nevada, where it is scattered here and there, usually in cool habitats of canyons and steep ravines. Growing at a leisurely pace 15 to 40 ft. tall with dark- green, stiff, rather broad needles. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees, with cream colored pollen cones on the males and unusual plum-like fruits on the females, which become purplish with age. Does well in part shade with moderate to little watering. Useful as a specimen tree or pruned into a hedge. An excellent container plant too.
Trichostema lanatum
Woolly blue curls is a much sought after evergreen shrub with pungent, dark green, narrow leaves and spectacular flower spikes. Grows up to 5 ft tall and often wider, and blooms over a long period. Blue-purple to pink flowers, covered in purple hairs with protruding, long, curving stamens are a sight to behold. Native to coastal scrub and chaparral communities from Monterey county to northern Baja. Requires full sun, good drainage and is drought tolerant once established. Avoid regular irrigation, fertilizer and organic mulches. Pollinated by hummingbirds and visited by bumblebees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
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.
Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’
Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ delights with dense clusters of rich lavender blossoms that are highly attractive to butterflies. Can bloom nearly year round along the coast, spring through fall elsewhere. Native to Cedros Island off of Baja, Mexico, ‘De La Mina’ was selected by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for its darker shade of lavender flowers. Generally cold-hardy to 25°F, the deliciously aromatic, evergreen foliage may need light trimming when subject to winter frost or extreme heat. Forms a lacy mound 1-2 ft. tall and 2-4 ft. wide. Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer water. Makes for an excellent border or container plant, and is reportedly deer resistant.
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.
