Abies grandis
Grand indeed. Glossy, dark green needles and a symmetrical form make this native fir one of our choicest conifers. Native from coastal Sonoma County, just south of the Russian River, north to British Columbia and east to the Rockies. Grows up to a foot a year and is not suitable for the small garden. Plant in full sun along the coast but protect from hot afternoon sun in the interior. Occasional deep waterings are required when young. Combines well with redwoods and bigleaf maples. Often used as a Christmas tree.
Abutilon palmeri
Lovely, tangerine-orange flowers and fuzzy, grey-green, heart-shaped leaves make this evergreen native a real treat for the gardener. The cup-shaped blossoms appear throughout spring, attracting butterflies, followed by striking seed pods which can accent flower arrangements. A smallish shrub, reaching 4 – 5 ft tall and wide, suitable for full sun or part shade. Plant in soil with decent drainage and water infrequently once established. While native to Southern California, it does well in our area in places which don’t drop below 25F in winter.
Acer macrophyllum
This stately and picturesque tree is native to stream banks and moist canyons from Southern Alaska to the foothills of California. A large, round-topped tree with large dark green lobed leaves and smooth silver-gray bark. Fast growing 30 ft or more tall. One of the few native trees to offer good fall color. Sun to partial shade, occasional to regular water. When planting in a sunny location, protect the trunk from sun-scald with a dilute application of white latex paint.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Lake County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Lake County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Napa County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Napa County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Sonoma County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Sonoma County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – Montara Mountain form
We discovered the parent of this giant seed strain on the lower slopes of Montara Mountain in San Mateo Co.. With broad, white flower clusters reaching up to 4 ft. high, this is the largest yarrow we've encountered. While seedlings can vary, we have high hopes for this new introduction. Give full sun and moderate to infrequent irrigation. Potentially an excellent spreading perennial for a tall meadow. Attracts all sorts of pollinators. The green, fuzzy leaves are usually considered to be deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Island Pink’
A color variant of the normally white California native yarrow from Santa Cruz Island. Dark green ferny foliage topped with clusters of bright pink flowers on 18 inch stems over a long period. Sun to partial shade, occasional to moderate water. Good habitat value, providing nectar for bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Sonoma Coast’
This is a local selection from the Sonoma County coast near Salmon Creek. Bright green foliage is topped with white flowers in dense heads on compact stems to around 1 ft. tall. Can bloom over a long period, spring through fall, depending on conditions. Best in sunny areas with some summer water, though it is drought tolerant. Flowers attract butterflies and other insects. The foliage is deer resistant.
Acmispon (Lotus) glaber (scoparius)
Bees go nuts over the bright-yellow flowers of this California native. From spring and into summer you can find this plant covered in blooms at the edges of chaparral throughout much of California. The intricate, pea-shaped flowers, often colored burnished red as they are pollinated, emerge along wand-like stems. Deerweed usually reaches a height and width of about 2 – 3 ft. Plant in full sun to light shade. Needs good drainage and no summer water once established. A remarkable number of butterflies use this species as a larval host plant, including the bramble hairstreak, orange sulphur, funeral duskywing, silvery blue, acmon blue and the avalon hairstreak.
Adelinia (Cynoglossum) grandis
From woodlands throughout Northern and Central California comes this alluring bluebells relative. Dainty flower clusters ranging in color from periwinkle blue to lavender appear on slender stalks in the spring. The leaves are what gives this plant its name: grey-green and tongue-shaped, emerging in the winter from basal roots. Plant in bright shade and don’t water once established. Needs decent drainage. Once this plant goes to seed it will go dormant, re-emerging in late winter. A great accent plant for under the dry shade of deciduous oaks.
Adenostoma fasciculatum
Chamise is found on the poorest soils in hot, dry, exposed areas of chaparral plant communities. Bright green needle-like leaves cover this evergreen shrub. Late spring brings showy plumes of creamy white flowers in small dense sprays, persisting as they age to reddish brown. This tough shrub can grow 4-10 ft tall and wide depending on conditions. An excellent erosion control plant for tough sites where it holds soil, provides cover for wildlife and acts as a nurse plant, paving the way for the other species to get started. Plant in full sun with no water required once established.
Aesculus californica
Beautiful in all its seasons, this native tree is perfectly adapted to our summer dry climate. Broad headed, deciduous tree rapidly growing to 15 feet or more with smooth grey bark and a rounded shapely habit. Bright green palmate leaves unfurl in the spring. Striking, fragrant white to pink flowers in long spikes are followed by pear shaped fruits that split open to reveal large chestnut-brown shiny seeds dangling from branch tips. Buckeyes lose their leaves in summer to avoid the long dry season. Adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Sun to light shade, little to no water once established. Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and native bees.
Agoseris grandiflora
With a wide distribution throughout the state, the California dandelion is much more refined and well-behaved than its European, weedy look-alike. Found in oak woodland, chaparral, and many other plant communities in part-shade or bright dappled light. Slender, dissected, low, fuzzy gray-green leaves give rise to stem-like peduncles up to 2+ feet tall that are topped with rounded, flat, gold-yellow flower clusters from March-May, followed by large, perfectly rounded white globes of seeds that are wind-dispersed. Plant in part-sun or in areas with bright dappled light that drain well and are summer dry. Does not reseed aggressively like the European dandelion. Drought-tolerant.
Agrostis pallens
A fine textured, drought tolerant, spreading, perennial grass that forms an undulating, naturalistic, meadow look, or can be mowed and used as a lawn substitute. Native to meadows, open woodlands and forests in many plant communities in California north to British Columbia. Grows 1 -2 ft. tall with airy flower stems in late spring to early summer. May be shy to flower in shady areas. Plant in sun to light shade, with decent drainage, where it will accept both water and drought. Will go dormant in summer without irrigation. If using as a lawn substitute, it will need summer irrigation, though requiring far less than a traditional lawn. Excellent understory among trees or shrubs, for rain gardens, bio-swales, meadows or mowed as a lawn substitute. Host plant for a number of butterflies. Deer resistant.
Allium amplectens ‘Graceful Beauty’
This western native onion grows in sunny openings in forests and woodlands, often on serpentine. Narrow, fragrant leaves make way for globe shaped flower heads on sturdy stems 12 - 16 inches tall. The flower heads which emerge in late spring and early summer are made up of many starry, white florets with elegant lavender anthers and pale pink veins. Papery bracts persist after blossoms fade, adding interest. If happy can reseed readily. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Very drought tolerant. Reported to be gopher resistant, but may need further analysis. Deer resistant.
Allium falcifolium
This is one of our favorite native bulbs and it is rarely available in nurseries. In spring or summer, dense, rounded clusters of flowers, ranging in color from light to deep pink, sit atop thick, flattened stems up to 10 inches high. The strap-like leaves are few and don't distract from the chunky blooms. Needs excellent drainage and a lean, rocky soil. Once the flowers are done, allow the plant to go dormant with no irrigation. Native to rocky, sunny outcrops from Santa Cruz up to southwestern Oregon. Nestle among rocks and little succulents to show this unusual onion off to your friends. Works well in a container where its somewhat tricky requirements can be more easily met.
Allium unifolium
An adaptable and easy to grow native onion with handsome blue-green foliage. Late spring brings beautiful lavender-pink flowers on short stems 6 - 8 inches tall. Native in the Coast Range from the Central Coast, northwards. The flowers on this form have a particularly appealing saturated color. The original plants were given to us by the internationally known bulb expert and native plant horticulturist, Wayne Roderick. Fairly water tolerant, often found on seasonally moist and heavy soils. Spreads vigorously by seeds or bulb offsets. Goes dormant after bloom and will tolerate dry conditions at that time. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Reported to be gopher resistant. Deer resistant.
Amelanchier alnifolia
A common native shrub or small multi-trunked tree often found growing along seasonal streams. Serviceberries provide a touch of autumn color where the leaves turn a lovely butterscotch yellow. The white spring flowers are followed by dark blue-purple fruits coveted by ring neck doves in the wild. Sun to partial shade. Moderate to infrequent water. Many butterflies use this species as a larval host, such as the California hairstreak and the Ceanothus silkmoth. Grows well in a large container.
Amorpha californica var. napensis
A lovely and rare native shrub of the pea family, occasionally seen in woodland and chaparral communities in the coast ranges around the San Francisco Bay Area. Offering a delicate, airy quality, this deciduous shrub grows to around 6 ft. tall and wide, though can get bigger in the wild. Intricate flowers are closely set on slender spikes and are made up of tiny, intense indigo-purple petals with protruding bright orange stamens, charming on close inspection. This rare and threatened shrub is the larval food source for the California dogface butterfly, our state insect! Bees and butterflies nectar on the flowers as well. Best in lightly shaded areas with occasional to no summer water needed once established. Deer resistant.
Anaphalis margaritacea
An adaptable plant with silver-green leaves that are densely white and woolly beneath. The flowers appear in summer and are made up of pearly white papery bracts surrounding yellow centers. The “straw flowers” retain their shape and color and are often used in dried arrangements. Tolerant of almost any soil type, it prefers full sun where it will grow in moist to somewhat dry conditions. Can spread vigorously, perhaps best used in meadow plantings or other naturalistic settings. Grows 1 - 3 ft. tall and spreading. Dies back to the ground in the winter. Larval food source for the painted lady and American lady butterflies. Deer resistant.
Angelica californica
Striking stalks up to 6 or more feet tall hold flat topped clusters of white flowers above low growing emerald-green leaves. This uncommon member of the carrot family needs only occasional water once established. Naturally occurs under the dappled shade of oaks where it cohabitates with ferns, hound's tongue, yerba buena and woodland strawberries. Excellent for attracting beneficial insects and is a larval food source for the anise swallowtail butterfly. May go summer dormant when allowed to dry out.
Anisocarpus (Madia) madioides
A quiet perennial, native to woods and coniferous forests of California from sea level to 4000 ft. Dark green, narrow leaves are covered with soft hairs and form a sturdy, low, perennial clump. The bright yellow daisies top 8-10 inch flower stems over a long period, from late spring into summer. Able to thrive in dry shady conditions.May seed about in a friendly way.
Antennaria rosea
A charming, native, mountain dweller which grows among rocks and onto boulders at meadow edges. Forms low mats only a couple of inches high of woolly, gray leaves that creep and cascade. Short flower stems with small, creamy-white and rosy-pink papery bracts, bloom summer into fall. Plant in full sun to very light shade with good drainage and a little summer water. Good addition for the pollinator garden and is the larval food source for a number of butterflies including the American lady. This is one of the few natives which is so low growing you can plant it between stepping stones.
Apocynum cannabinum
Native throughout much of North America, California and our own Santa Rosa Valley. Grows 3 ft. tall and spreads vigorously by roots to form large patches. Small white flowers in summer. Turns beautiful shades of yellow in the autumn then dies back to the ground in the winter. Good for wild meadow or ethnobotanical garden. Important to Native Americans who used the stems for cordage, rope, twine nets etc. Sun to light shade with some moisture. Will tolerate dry conditions after blooming. Very attractive to butterflies. BEWARE! SPREADS VIGOROUSLY!
Arbutus menziesii
A beautiful native evergreen tree which features handsome, smooth, reddish bark that peels in thin flakes. Leaves are leathery and shiny dark green. Large clusters of white flowers give way to red-orange berries that can remain into winter if the birds don't get them. It can be tricky to establish, necessitating planting in the fall. MUST have good drainage and just enough water to establish. Once established give only infrequent deep waterings or no water at all. Bees and hummingbirds love the flowers.
Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’
One of the most popular of the manzanitas, for several good reasons. It is rounded in form and profusely branched, growing 5 - 7 ft. tall. It has shiny green leaves and abundant light pink flowers. Beautiful mahogany trunks create a wonderful sculptural effect. The dense foliage responds exceptionally well to pruning - even shearing, and tolerates a far greater range of soils and watering regimes than most manzanitas.