Dryopteris filix-mas
The male fern is a beautiful, large, deciduous fern, native to much of Europe, Asia as well as North America, where it is uncommon in California. Large and slightly arching, the medium green fronds can reach 3 ft. tall and form a sizable clump. This fern increases slowly from stout rhizomes making it a fine choice for containers. An excellent addition to the woodland garden where it is easy to grow in part to full shade. Prefers humusy soil, rich in organic matter, though it is adaptable and accommodating. Best with regular to moderate watering. Rabbit and deer resistant.
Epilobium ‘Bert’s Bluff’
A Las Pilitas Nursery selection, named for the founder, Bert Wilson. This California fuchsia sports grey foliage, growing 2 -3 foot tall and spreading. Blooming in late summer, the bright orange-red, tubular flowers are beloved by hummingbirds, but visited by bees as well. This cultivar is reputed as being particularly tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and growing environments. Plant in full sun with occasional deep summer watering.
Epilobium ‘Chaparral Silver’
This California fuchsia that we obtained from another grower appears to be identical to our ‘Roger’s U. C. Hybrid’ - same lovely gray foliage 12 -18 inches tall, spreading, with narrow red tubular flowers that the hummingbirds love. Provide full sun to bright shade. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium ‘Roger’s U.C. Hybrid’
A California fuchsia that is upright in habit with narrow silver-gray foliage and slender trumpet-shaped blossoms of orange-red. Reaches a height of about 1 1/2 ft. and spreads easily. Very similar to the selections ‘Carman’s Gray’ and ‘Chaparral Silver’. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Hummingbird favorite. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium ‘Schieffelin’s Choice’
This California fuchsia grows close to the ground - 10 - 12 inches tall with arching flower stalks. Gray foliage makes a wonderful foil for the bright orangey-red tubular flowers which appear summer through fall. Believed to be a cross between E. septentrionale and E. canum. Provide full sun to very light shade. One of the more drought tolerant selections but flowers best with occasional deep watering. Hummingbird favorite. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year. Perhaps more deer resistant than other California fuchsias.
Epilobium canum ‘Bowman’s Hybrid’
This California fuchsia has distinctive narrow, olive-green foliage and an upright habit about 2-3 ft. tall and spreading widely. The orange-red tubular flowers are petite but profuse. Plant in sunny areas. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvinate them for the following year. Hummingbird favorite.
Epilobium canum ‘Calistoga’
Phil Van Soelen’s selection of California fuchsia from the Palisades east of Calistoga. Forms a spreading mat of unusually wide, fuzzy, gray leaves. The flowers are the typical hummingbird attracting orange-red trumpet shape and appear on stalks reaching up to 18 inches high. For sunny areas. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Carman’s Grey’
We love California fuchsias and have grown this cultivar for over twenty years. Valued for their beauty and important late season nectar source for hummingbirds, California fuchsias offer many forms and foliage colors. 'Carman's Grey' has gorgeous grey foliage which contrasts beautifully with the masses of orangey-red, tubular flowers, late summer and fall. The grey, narrow leaves form soft mounds 2 foot tall, spreading by underground rhizomes, 4 foot or so wide. Plant in full sun to very light shade where it is tolerant of many soil types, even heavy clay, drought tolerant, but best with occasional summer watering. Hummingbird magnet and bees use it too.
Epilobium canum ‘Catalina’
An outstanding selection of California fuchsia growing 3 ft. tall or more. This may be the tallest cultivar available, sometimes reaching as much as 5 ft. tall. The foliage is silvery-gray with an abundance of large, brilliant orangey-red tubular flowers late summer through fall. This species from southern California is particularly drought tolerant. Hummingbird favorite. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Cloverdale’
This form of California fuchsia was selected by U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum from along the Russian River north of Cloverdale. Low, slightly mounding fuzzy olive-green foliage with an abundance of orangey-red tubular flowers the hummingbirds love. Usually stays bellow one ft. in height. 'Cloverdale' is one of the most orange selections of California fuchsia. Plant in full sun. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Coral Canyon’
This elegant and unusual form of the California fuchsia offers a prolific display of peachy-pink flowers, a departure from the more common orangey-red blossoms. The late-summer, autumn blooms are held on distinctly upright stems reaching 1 ½ ft. high above broader, bright green foliage. Unlike most native fuchsias, this selection is somewhat shy to spread, generally forming a rounded mound about 2 ft. wide. Enjoys full sun, but will benefit from a little afternoon shade in hot areas. Likes moderate to occasional irrigation. Hummingbirds and bees partake from the flowers. We must thank Cistus Nursery for discovering the parent plant on a high ridge above the North Fork of the American River.
Epilobium canum ‘Everett’s Choice’
A low, spreading form of Californica fuchsia staying below one ft. in height. Distinctive for its fuzzy, gray-green foliage with many scarlet tubular flowers from summer through to fall. Good for sunny areas, though tolerates light shade. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Attracts hummingbirds. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘John Bixby’
A Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden introduction, 'John Bixby' is a chance seedling of Epilobium 'Everett's Choice'. Forming a broad patch with a dense rounded form of grey-green foliage 12 -18 inches tall or more. Showy, vivid red-orange tubular flowers put on a spectacular display from summer into fall and are highly attractive to hummingbirds. Vigorous perennial, spreading by underground rhizomes to form large colonies. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional deep watering for best appearance. Cutting plants down after flowering rejuvinates them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Liz’s Choice’
This selection of California fuchsia features particularly large, trumpet-shaped, scarlet flowers atop stems reaching 3 ft. tall. The flowers, blooming from summer into fall, are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees. The lance-shaped leaves are a pewter green, providing a striking contrast to the brilliant flowers. It spreads over time to create small colonies. Trim plants down to about 4 inches in winter for vigorous, tidy growth the next year. Provide moderate to infrequent irrigation and full sun. This beautiful cultivar was selected by Milo Baker Chapter CNPS Fellow Liz Parsons.
Epilobium canum ‘Marin Pink’
California fuchsias are appreciated for their abundant tubular flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, predominantly in different shades of orange-red. This unusual selection has beautiful PINK tubular flowers produced on sage green mounds of foliage to about 2 ft. tall and spreading by underground rhizomes. Vigorous and easy to grow in full sun to very light shade. Touted as drought tolerant, they will survive dry conditions but will thrive with occasional summer water. Beautiful against a rock wall, in dry stream beds, or naturalistic plantings where they have some room to spread. Hummingbird favorite. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Summer Snow’
While CA fuchsias are generally known for their abundant showy red flowers, this unusual variety offers surprising clean-white blossoms on low growing green foliage up to 10 inches tall. Spreading by underground rhizomes, this mat forming perennial grows in full sun to light shade with occasional to little summer water once established. Perfect in naturalistic plantings, on slopes amongst boulders, dry creek beds or rock walls. California fuchsias bloom heavily late summer into fall and their tubular flowers are hummingbird favorites. The habit of this plant can be improved with shearing in the winter.
Epilobium septentrionale ‘Select Mattole’
This California fuchsia forms tidy, low, 6 inch high mats of beautiful silver foliage with a matte finish. Late summer through fall brings orangey-red tubular flowers which attract hummingbirds. A somewhat redder flowering selection. Spreading by underground rhizomes, this Epilobium increases a little less vigorously than the others. Full sun to light shade. More shade tolerant than most California fuschias. Needs more water than most Epilobiums. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Erigeron ‘W.R.’
The "W. R." stands for the late Wayne Roderick, whom we can thank for many fine plant introductions. This hybrid involves the seaside daisy, Erigeron glaucus and some other native species more tolerant of heat. The lavender daisies sit on slender stalks about 10 inches above low rosettes of narrow leaves. The flowers bloom over a long period in summer and are very attractive to pollinators of all sorts. Provide full sun in cooler areas but will enjoy part shade in hot inland sites. Moderate to occasional irrigation. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches. Wayne discovered this surpisingly heat tolerant selection on the Del Norte coast. This selection should not be confused with 'Wayne Roderick', which is an entirely diferent selection of Erigeron.
Erigeron glaucus
Low growing native perennial to 1 ft. tall with lovely, lavender, daisy-like flowers blooming over a long part of the year. Native to coastal dunes and bluffs, but does well inland with some afternoon shade and a little extra summer water. A natural along the coast where it thrives with little to no summer water and tolerates wind and salt spray. Good nectar source for butterflies and many different pollinators. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Bountiful’
Forms a lush mound of foliage 10 inches - 1 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide. Exceptionally floriferous and long blooming, 'Bountiful' offers masses of lavender daisies with yellow centers held above loose rosettes of green foliage. It slowly spreads to form drifts which combine wonderfully with Iris and low grasses. A natural along the coast where it grows in full sun and is drought tolerant. Appreciates some afternoon shade and summer water inland. A reliable and easy to grow perennial. Butterfly and bee favorite. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Cal Flora’
This seedling appeared at the base of a decorative pot planted with Erigeron glaucus ‘Cape Sebastian’. The seedling's foliage and form appears to be intermediate between Erigeron glaucus 'Cape Sebastian’ and Erigeron glaucus 'Bountiful'. It has a nice dense habit, though a bit taller than ‘Cape Sebastian', with larger and darker flowers held just above the foliage at about 10 inches in height. A natural along the coast where it thrives with little to no summer water once established and tolerates wind and salt spray. In hotter inland conditions give some afternoon shade and additional summer water. Good pollen and nectar source for bees and butterflies. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Cape Sebastian’
This selection of the West Coast native seaside daisy is from Oregon, just north of the California border. A compact and dense mound up to 6 inches high, topped with lavender daisies over a long period. Full sun near coast, light shade in hot regions. Best with moderate to occasional summer water in hotter climates. A favorite of pollinators. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Ron’s Pink’
A delightful pink-flowered version of the useful seaside daisy, an easy to grow perennial native to the coast. Mounds of compact foliage topped with large, pink daisies, spring through autumn. At home on coastal bluffs in full sun with wind and salt spray. Requires afternoon shade and some summer water when grown in hotter interior locations. Looks beautiful when planted with Douglas iris, low fescues and woolly sunflowers. Attractive to a wide array of pollinators, including native bees and butterflies.
Erigeron glaucus ‘Wayne Roderick’
This selection offers the darkest flowers of any of the seaside daisies. Deep purple petals surround golden discs on flowers 1 ½ inches wide. The prolific blooms begin in spring and can continue into autumn if the spent flowers are removed. Bright green leaves create a slowly spreading mound up to a foot high with the flowers perched just above. Plant in full sun near the coast but protect from the hot afternoon sun in inland locales. Enjoys moderate to occasional irrigation. The seaside daisies make a great addition to the meadow garden, combining beautifully with iris, blue fescues and spreading gumplant.
Erigeron glaucus ‘White Lights’
This unusual white flowering form of seaside daisy was discovered along a coastal bluff in Sonoma County by Roger Raiche. It has been a long bloomer, starting in spring and continuing into autumn. Reaches a height of up to 1 ft. and spreads to form a small clump. Prefers sun, decent drainage, and is drought tolerant once established. A little shade and moderate to occasional water is best in hot inland sites. A member of the sunflower family, seaside daisies are excellent sources of both nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Their seeds are favored by juncos and finches.
Eriogonum fasciculatum
This adaptable buckwheat is a native of central and southern California. It is a pioneer plant capable of surviving and colonizing some of the hottest driest sites. These attributes are very useful in a garden setting but it should not be planted in or adjacent to wildlands where it may escape and displace local natives. Small native shrub, forming a broad mound 3-4 ft. high and at least 4 ft. wide. Flower clusters are creamy white to pink, turning an attractive rust color with age. Good erosion control plant - best in a well drained, sunny site. Flowers attractive to bees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Warriner Lytle’
An interesting form of California buckwheat introduced by the Theodore Payne Foundation. Grows quickly into a low and spreading evergreen groundcover clothed with small, needle-like leaves, 18 inches tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. From late spring to early fall, tight clusters of creamy-whitish pink flowers appear which are very attractive to bees and butterflies. As the flowers go to seed they gradually turn dark russet and are attractive to seed eating birds and mammals. Excellent for dry slopes where it will grow in full sun to light shade with good drainage. Quite drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
Eriophyllum lanatum – inland form
A cheerful native perennial with yellow, daisy-like flowers from spring to fall. While the species varies in size and habit, our seed-grown strains are upright, reaching around 1.5-3 feet tall and wide when in full bloom. The woolly foliage tends to be silvery, but comes in shades of green, and is most lush and dense around the base. Woolly sunflower is found in a range of plant communities from Central California through the Pacific Northwest, thriving in sun to part-shade. Our seed-grown plants come from hot, inland sites where they grow on dry, rocky slopes and bluffs. Tolerates various soil types with good drainage and minimal irrigation once established. The sunny, 2-in. blossoms are butterfly favorites and attractive to bees and other pollinators. A good choice for rock and habitat gardens. Deer and gopher resistant.
Eriophyllum lanatum ‘Horseshoe Cove’
This western native grows on rocky slopes and bluffs over a wide range of plant communities in California, Oregon and Washington. This low dense coastal selection forms a mat of woolly, bright green foliage just a few inches tall and 1-2 ft. across, topped with cheerful golden yellow daisies rising to 6 inches tall, late spring and summer. The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Plant in full sun to light shade inland with good drainage and moderate summer water.
Eriophyllum lanatum ‘Siskiyou’
An extremely variable species ranging from the immediate coast to the high mountains of California and into Oregon. The cultivar 'Siskiyou' is a Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery selection. Lush gray-green woolly foliage forms low mats up to 10 inches and 3-4 feet wide. Blooms over a long period, spring into fall with cheery 2 inch golden-yellow daisies. This tough perennial will thrive in full sun to light shade, decent drainage and moderate to infrequent summer water once established. The open-faced daisies are an excellent sources of pollen and nectar and make good platforms for insects to perch, attracting butterflies, bees and other insects.