Juniperus communis ‘Point Saint George’
A striking selection from our northern coast of a species that is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere but rare on the coast of California. Sadly, the original population no longer exists due to seaside erosion. Forming dense mats of silver-green foliage under six inches tall, it slowly spreads to several feet wide. A perfect addition to the rock garden, preferring decent drainage and occasional water once established. Also works well as a container plant where the branches can cascade over the sides creating silvery waterfalls. Likes full sun to light shade. 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.
Koeleria macrantha
An evergreen perennial bunchgrass forming a rounded tuft of narrow, bluish-green blades 6 - 12 inches long. Spike-like panicles of pale green florets rise another 6 - 12 inches above the blades in summer. This widespread species grows from coastal woodlands and prairies to high mountains. Best in sunny locations with well drained soil and moderate to a little summer water. Tolerates light shade, does NOT like heavy, wet soils or deep shade. Deer resistant.
Lepechinia calycina
A super fragrant sage relative with a wide distribution in California’s coastal ranges. White to pale pink or lavender, open-mouthed, tubular flowers appear in late spring and early summer. Fuzzy, grey leaves clothe the plant all year but less densely in the winter. Can grow 2 - 4 ft. tall and wide with a rather lank form which can be improved with regular pinching. A fast growing perennial for sunny to lightly shaded areas with good drainage. Very drought tolerant once established. Attracts hummingbirds. Deer resistant.
Lepechinia calycina ‘Rocky Point’
An excellent form of a native pitcher sage selected by Tilden Botanic Garden. Features a more compact habit, growing 2 ft. or more tall by 4 ft. or so wide. Pale lavender, tubular flowers appear in spring and summer, drawing hummingbirds into the garden. The fragrant, felted foliage is basically evergreen but is less dense in the winter. Plant in full sun to very light shade and provide good drainage. Very drought tolerant once established and deer resistant.
Lepechinia fragrans
This fragrant sage relative is endemic to Southern California, native to chaparral and woodlands of the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains and the Northern Channel Islands. Softly hairy and strongly fragrant, this woody perennial grows around 4 - 5 feet tall and wide. Showy, lavender-purple, wide-mouthed, tubular flowers bloom in mid to late spring, attracting bumble bees and hummingbirds. Will thrive in full sun to light shade, where it will be drought tolerant once established. Pinching back foliage helps form a dense growth habit. Deer resistant.
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.
Lepechinia hastata
A bold and beautiful sage relative which grows 4’-6’ tall and slowly spreads to form a small thicket. Large, fragrant, grey-green leaves are an excellent foil to the reddish-purple flowers which appear on branch tips in summer and early fall. Great in the flower border or out in the “wild” part of the garden. Easy and tough. Full sun to light shade with moderate to occasional water. Looks best when cut to the ground after blooming is done. Attractive to hummingbirds. Deer don’t seem to eat it.
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.
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.
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 albifrons var. albifrons
A popular California native lupine growing to around 3 ft. tall and wide. Beautiful silver foliage with intense blue-purple flower spikes in the spring. To thrive, this lupine needs full sun to very light shade and excellent drainage. Little to no water once established. Vulnerable to snail and slug predation. An excellent species for native pollinators and a larval host for several species of butterflies. Deer resistant.
Lupinus albifrons var. collinus
A beautiful low growing form of the silver bush lupine. Forms a mat of gorgeous silvery foliage 12 inches or so wide with spires of rich blue flowers rising 12-18 inches tall in the spring. Plant in full sun to very light shade with well drained soil. Flowers attract a wide array of beneficial insects, especially bees of all types. Drought and deer resistant.
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii
This variety of the popular silver bush lupine has the same wonderful wands of blue-purple flowers in spring and summer but also features larger, silvery leaves covered with fine hairs. The plant itself is also larger, reaching 3 – 5 feet in height. This variety grows from Marin County down to the Channel Islands. Plant in full sun with excellent drainage and little to no summer water once established. A nectar species for native bumblebees and hummingbirds. This is a butterfly host plant for several blues, hairstreaks and the northern cloudy-wing. Deer resistant.
Lupinus arboreus – blue flowered form
Native to coastal areas from Sonoma Co. down to Southern California, the blue bush lupine is distinctive for its grand size (reaching up to 6 ft. tall) and racemes of scented, blue and white flowers. The showy blooms which appear in spring and continue into summer are an excellent nectar source for native bees and hummingbirds. Various butterflies use this species as a larval host plant. The seeds are enjoyed by birds. Grow in full sun with good drainage and occasional to no irrigation once established. Not suitable for areas which get very cold in the winter. Not suitable for Mendocino Co. northwards where it can invade natural areas. Deer resistant.
Lupinus arboreus – yellow flowered form
Native to coastal plant communities from Sonoma County south to Ventura County. Showy, fragrant, clear-yellow flowers in long, dense spikes in mid spring and into summer. A fast-growing, floriferous shrub, 3-6 ft. tall and wide. Excellent choice for coastal areas in full sun with good drainage. Not suggested for gardens in coastal Mendocino County due to its ability to quickly naturalize and take over fragile plant communities. Drought and wind tolerant. Lupines have great habitat value, offering nectar for pollinators and nourishing seeds for birds. Great for hummingbirds and a larval food source for various butterflies. Deer resistant.
Lupinus latifolius var. parishii
A moisture loving lupine that grows along streambanks and throughout woodlands in central and southern California. A lush perennial, growing 3-4 feet tall and wide, with foot long flower spikes of scented, pink to lavender flowers in late spring-early summer. The large, dark green leaves create a bold texture beneath the slender flower stalks. Plant in lightly shaded conditions with some summer water. Dies back to the ground in winter. Attractive to bees and hummingbirds. 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.
Lupinus sericatus
A rare species from Sonoma, Lake and Napa Counties, this lupine forms a low, wide mound of gorgeous, broad, silver leaves with thick,1 -2 foot spikes of mauve-pink to violet flowers in spring. Requires full sun to very light shade and good drainage. Do not water much once established. Lupine flowers attract a wide array of insects, especially bees. Deer resistant.
Lupinus stiversii
A striking ANNUAL lupine, endemic to California, with a disjunct distribution in the Sierra foothills and separate mountain ranges in Southern California. Instead of the more typical blue or purple flowers, this lupine sports beautiful, bicolored flowers of yellow and pink, on low foliage 6 - 18 inches tall. Grows in open, exposed areas, in full sun with good drainage, and is extremely drought tolerant. Blooms in the spring and offers excellent pollinator value, attracting a variety of insects, and a larval food source for a number of butterfly and moth species. Deer resistant.
Malacothamnus fasciculatus
Native to western Southern California, this fast growing, evergreen shrub grows to 6 + feet tall and spreads to form colonies. A multi-branched mallow with hairy, gray-green, leaves often shaped like those of maples. The pale pink, cup-shaped flowers held in clusters along the stem, bloom from spring into summer. A native bee magnet. Useful as an evergreen screen for full sun. Occasional irrigation to drought tolerant once established. A larval food source for the west coast lady and the northern white-skipper butterflies. Reported to be deer resistant.
Malacothamnus fremontii
A fast growing, thicket forming, native shrub with silvery white, felted foliage 4 - 6 ft. tall and spreading. A profusion of pale-pink, cup-shaped flowers decorate the branch tips in summer. A tough and adaptable shrub for sunny dry areas, appreciating occasional summer water once established. Useful on banks or other challenging sites. Host plant for the Painted Lady and West Coast Lady butterfly. An excellent nectar source for orioles. Deer often seem to leave it alone.
Malacothamnus palmeri var. lucianus
From the hot valleys of the Santa Lucia mountains in central California comes this rare form of the native bush-mallow. Deep pink, cup-shaped flowers appear in late spring and early summer above the fuzzy, light green leaves. Reaches a height of about 6 ft and slowly spreads to form colonies. Give full sun to light shade and provide little to no water once established. A good choice for hot, dry banks with Toyon, Ceanothus and Manzanita. An excellent nectar source for orioles. Deer seem to leave it alone.
Malacothamnus palmeri var. lucianus ‘Hanging Valley’
Description coming soon!
Marah oregana
A native perennial vine found in coastal counties from Santa Clara, California to British Columbia. Growing from a massive, enlarged tuber in forest edges and riparian habitats. The lush-green, palmate leaves with spiraling tendrils clamber along the ground and climb and sprawl over shrubs and trees. White, star-like flowers bloom in the spring and are favored by native bees as well as honeybees. The flowers lead to showy, inflated, bright-green, fruits with soft spines. The generic name Marah comes from the Hebrew word for bitter, in reference to all parts of the plants being extremely bitter to taste. Completely herbaceous, dying back to the woody root in late summer or fall, returning in the spring. Best with part shade. Quite drought tolerant but will accept moderate irrigation. Probably deer resistant.
Melica californica
Here is a tough and handsome bunchgrass native to the grasslands and oak woodlands of northern and central coast ranges and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Bright green blades grow about one foot tall. The flower spikes are made up of glistening papery bracts and grow 2 - 4 ft. tall. The ornamental flowering culms remain attractive even after this grass has gone dormant, and is also useful as a “cut” in floral arrangements. Tolerant of many soil types, though it requires good drainage. Plant in full sun to light shade where it is very drought tolerant. Deer resistant.