California Native & Relatives

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    J    L    M    N    O    P    S    T    V
NEMOPHILA menziesii, Baby Blue Eyes NEMOPHILA menziesii
Baby Blue Eyes

Annual Herb: CA native with dainty little cup-shaped flowers. Good in meadows, borders, rock gardens, mass plantings, beds & pots. Bloom time: spring-summer. Bloom color: blue but can vary from white to blue some with black dots & some without. Ht: 6-12”. W: 12-18”. Trailing growth habit. Tolerates sand. Exposure: sun/part shade. Water: moderate. USDA Z7-10.

OXALIS oregana 'Klamath Ruby', Redwood Sorrel or Oregon Oxalis OXALIS oregana 'Klamath Ruby'
Redwood Sorrel or Oregon Oxalis

Perennial: Evergreen but dies down in cold climates. Native to coastal forests from WA to CA. Vigorous selection has dark green leaves with shiny burgundy undersides. Tolerates wet conditions, deer, drought and mowing. Good woodland, rock garden & ground cover plant. Attracts butterflies. Blooms: spring-fall. Color: white w/pink veins. Size: 8-10" x 2-3'. Part shade/shade. Water: moderate/moist. USDA Z7-10.

Photo unavailable PENSTEMON heterophyllus 'Blue Springs'
Foothill Penstemon, Blue Bedder Penstemon

Perennial: Evergreen. Tolerant of drought, coast, deer, gophers and fire. A seed strain from 1969 of the CA native P. heterophyllus. Border and rock garden plant with tubular flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooms: summer. Color: cobalt green buds open to vivid blue at maturity. Sun/part shade. Water: moderate/dry. USDA Z8.

Photo unavailable PENSTEMON heterophyllus 'Electric Blue'
Foothill Penstemon, Blue Bedder Penstemon

Perennial: Evergreen. Tolerant of drought, coast, deer, gophers and fire. Of the California native P. heterophyllus. Border and rock garden plant with tubular flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooms: summer. Color: intense gentian blue. Height: 18 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Sun/part shade. Water: moderate/dry. USDA Z8.

Photo unavailable PENSTEMON heterophyllus 'GMR White'
Foothill Penstemon, Blue Bedder Penstemon

Perennial: Evergreen. Related to CA native P. heterophyllus. Tolerant of drought, coast, deer, gophers, and fire. Border, container, and rock garden plant with tubular flowers that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Bloom time: spring-fall. Bloom color: creamy buds open to white bells. Height: 18-30 inches. Width: 18-24 inches. Exposure: sun/part shade. Water: moderate/dry. USDA Z6-10.

PENSTEMON heterophyllus 'Magarita BOP', Foothill Penstemon, Blue Bedder Penstemon PENSTEMON heterophyllus 'Magarita BOP'
Foothill Penstemon, Blue Bedder Penstemon

Perennial: California native. Tolerant of drought, coast, deer, gophers and fire. Border and rock garden plant with tubular flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Bloom time: spring-fall. Bloom color: sky blue-reddish purple. Height: 2'. Width: 3'. Exposure: sun/part shade. Water: moderate-dry. USDA Z6.

Photo unavailable PHACELIA californica
Rock Phacelia, California Phacelia, California Scorpionweed

Perennial Herb: Drought tolerant once established. Native to coastal N. Calif. & Oregon. Grows in chaparral, woodland, & coastal bluffs & grassland. Attracts bees, butterflies & pollinators. A food source for the Mission blue butterfly, endangered & native to San Francisco. Blms: spring-summer. Color: lav. to white. Ht: 6-18 in. W: 12-24 in. Exp.: sun/pt shade. Water: mod. (no water once est.). Good in a dry rockery, wildlife & prairie gardens. USDA Z6-10.

Photo unavailable PHACELIA campanularia
Desert Bells, Desert Canterbury Bells

Annual: California native. Deer resistant. Drought tolerant. Showy, fast grower! Produces 1" wide, upward-facing, bell-shaped blooms atop branchy red stems in spring. The deep gentian blue flowers have white anthers & make the perfect standout in front beds, borders, containers or rock gardens. One of the few wildflower seeds that can grow into a good cut flower. Ht: 6-12". Exp.: full sun. Water: mod./dry. Needs good drainage, self-sows. USDA Z3.

PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla'), Lippia, Frogfruit PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla')
Lippia, Frogfruit

Perennial: Evergreen, deer, drought & fire toler. CA native. Part of Greenlee Meadow Collection. Very good lawn substitute, especially in difficult spots, can take foot traffic. Especially useful in heavy traffic areas & for erosion control. Ht: 2". Plant 2' apart for a quick, dense, creeping turf. Attracts bees, butterflies & other beneficials. Tolerates clay, sand & loamy soils. Blms: spring-fall. Blm color lav.-pk. Exp.: sun. Wtr: mod./dry. Z8.

PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla'), Lippia, Frogfruit PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla')
Lippia, Frogfruit

Perennial: Evergreen, deer, drought & fire toler. CA native. Part of Greenlee Meadow Collection. Very good lawn substitute, especially in difficult spots, can take foot traffic. Especially useful in heavy traffic areas & for erosion control. Ht: 2". Plant 2' apart for a quick, dense, creeping turf. Attracts bees, butterflies & other beneficials. Tolerates clay, sand & loamy soils. Blms: spring-fall. Blm color lav.-pk. Exp.: sun. Wtr: mod./dry. Z8.

PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla'), Lippia, Frogfruit PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla')
Lippia, Frogfruit

Perennial: Evergreen, deer, drought & fire toler. CA native. Part of Greenlee Meadow Collection. Very good lawn substitute, especially in difficult spots, can take foot traffic. Especially useful in heavy traffic areas & for erosion control. Ht: 2". Plant 2' apart for a quick, dense, creeping turf. Attracts bees, butterflies & other beneficials. Tolerates clay, sand & loamy soils. Blms: spring-fall. Blm color lav.-pk. Exp.: sun. Wtr: mod./dry. Z8.

PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla'), Lippia, Frogfruit PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla')
Lippia, Frogfruit

Perennial: Evergreen, deer, drought & fire toler. CA native. Part of Greenlee Meadow Collection. Very good lawn substitute, especially in difficult spots, can take foot traffic. Especially useful in heavy traffic areas & for erosion control. Ht: 2". Plant 2' apart for a quick, dense, creeping turf. Attracts bees, butterflies & other beneficials. Tolerates clay, sand & loamy soils. Blms: spring-fall. Blm color lav.-pk. Exp.: sun. Wtr: mod./dry. Z8.

PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla'), Lippia, Frogfruit PHYLA nodiflora 'Tesla' (Lippia repens 'Tesla')
Lippia, Frogfruit

Perennial: Evergreen, deer, drought & fire toler. CA native. Part of Greenlee Meadow Collection. Very good lawn substitute, especially in difficult spots, can take foot traffic. Especially useful in heavy traffic areas & for erosion control. Ht: 2". Plant 2' apart for a quick, dense, creeping turf. Attracts bees, butterflies & other beneficials. Tolerates clay, sand & loamy soils. Blms: spring-fall. Blm color lav.-pk. Exp.: sun. Wtr: mod./dry. Z8.

POLYSTICHUM munitum, Western Sword Fern, Giant Holly Fern POLYSTICHUM munitum
Western Sword Fern, Giant Holly Fern

Fern: Evergreen, clumping habit. Deer resistant. Somewhat gopher resistant. Good for woodlands, beds, along house walls, ground cover, borders, containers and for cut foliage. Shiny dark green leathery foliage with toothed edges. Native from AK to MT & CA. Height: 2-6 feet. Exposure: shade (coastal sun is okay). Water: moist. Bog tolerant. USDA Z3-9.

Photo unavailable SALVIA 'Bee's Bliss'

Evergreen Shrub. California Native. Grows low to the ground, never exceeding 2 feet, and can reach 6 to 8 feet wide. Plant in full sun and water sparingly. A hybrid that is thought to be a cross of Salvia sonomensis or Salvia clevelandii with Salvia leucophylla. Drought tolerant.

Photo unavailable SALVIA 'Bee's Bliss'

Evergreen Shrub. California Native. Grows low to the ground, never exceeding 2 feet, and can reach 6 to 8 feet wide. Plant in full sun and water sparingly. A hybrid that is thought to be a cross of Salvia sonomensis or Salvia clevelandii with Salvia leucophylla. Drought tolerant.

Photo unavailable SALVIA 'Mrs. Beard'
Sonoma Sage, Creeping Sage

Perennial: California native ground cover. Deer resistant. Very drought tolerant. A vigorous hybrid of Salvia sonomensis & Salvia mellifera. Mat forming w/flowers that rise about 6" above the foliage. Creeps underground, though it is easily controllable. Leaves are heavily pungent when cut or crushed. Attracts bees, butterflies & hummingbirds. Blm time: spring-summer. Blm color: lavender-blue. Ht: 18-24". Width: 4-6'. Full sun. Water: dry. Needs good drainage. USDA Z8.

Photo unavailable SALVIA apiana
California, Bee, White Sage

Perennial Shrub: Drought, deer & gopher tolerant. California native (from Southern California's coastal sage scrub region). A good border plant and plant for attracting bees-they like the foliage. Attracts butterflies & hummingbirds. Spring bloomer followed by summer dormancy-needs no sumer water. Grows in winter. Bloom color: white or pale lavender. Height: 4-5 feet. Exposure: sun. USDA Z8.

Photo unavailable SALVIA apiana
California, Bee, White Sage

Perennial Shrub: Drought, deer & gopher tolerant. California native (from Southern California's coastal sage scrub region). A good border plant and plant for attracting bees-they like the foliage. Attracts butterflies & hummingbirds. Spring bloomer followed by summer dormancy-needs no sumer water. Grows in winter. Bloom color: white or pale lavender. Height: 4-5 feet. Exposure: sun. USDA Z8.

Photo unavailable SALVIA clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman'
Ornamental Sage, Jim Sage

Shrub: Evergreen. CA native. Tolerant of drought, deer & gophers. Good border plant. Fragrant dark blue flowers are held in ball-like clusters over fragrant gray green leaves, which are good for tea. More compact & upright than the species. Attracts butterflies & hummingbirds. Blooms: spring-summer. 3-4'. Exposure: sun. Water: dry. USDA Z8.

Photo unavailable SALVIA clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman'
Ornamental Sage, Jim Sage

Shrub: Evergreen. CA native. Tolerant of drought, deer & gophers. Good border plant. Fragrant dark blue flowers are held in ball-like clusters over fragrant gray green leaves, which are good for tea. More compact & upright than the species. Attracts butterflies & hummingbirds. Blooms: spring-summer. 3-4'. Exposure: sun. Water: dry. USDA Z8.

SALVIA leucophylla 'Point Sal Spreader', Mexican Purple Sage, Gray Sage SALVIA leucophylla 'Point Sal Spreader'
Mexican Purple Sage, Gray Sage

Perennial Shrub: Evergreen. Native to California. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant. More prostrate and has broader, greyer leaves than the species. New growth is apple green that becomes grey-white with warmer temps. Great ground cover for borders or on slopes for erosion control. Attracts butterflies. Bloom time: spring. Bloom color: light pinkish-purple. Height: 2-3'. Spread: 8-10'. Water: dry. USDA Z9.

SALVIA leucophylla x clevelandii 'Pozo Blue', SALVIA leucophylla x clevelandii 'Pozo Blue'

Shrub: CA native. Found as a seedling at Las Pilitas Nursery. Tolerates drought, deer and gophers. Good border plant. The fragrant light violet-blue flowers are held in ball-like clusters over fragrant grey foliage. Very tough and easier to grow than S. clevelandii. Attracts butterflies & hummingbirds. Blooms: spring-summer. Height: 3-6'. Exposure: sun. Water: dry. USDA Z7.

Photo unavailable SALVIA spathacea
Hummingbird Sage

Perennial Herb: Drought and deer tolerant. California native. Excellent border, rock garden, pot and edge plant or under oak trees. Ground hugging foliage is very fragrant, blooms are clusters of deep rose pink. Slowly spreads to form a colony. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooms: summer-fall. Color: deep rose pink. Height: 1-2' x 4-5'. Exposure: sun/part shade. Water: moderate.

Photo unavailable SALVIA spathacea 'Avis Keedy'
Hummingbird Sage

Perennial Herb: Evergreen. Drought & deer tolerant. CA native. Excellent border, rock garden, woodland, pot and edge plant, and under oak trees. Ground hugging foliage is very fragrant, the clusters of blms are held on bright green bracts. Clumping, spreading habit. Attracts bees, butterflies & hummingbirds. Blms: summer-fall. Color: lemon yellow fading to creamy white. Size: 24" x 24-36". Flower stalks to 36". Exp.: sun/pt shade. Water: mod. USDA Z8-11.

Pages

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    J    L    M    N    O    P    S    T    V