small gardens 1-11
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South Bay Native Plants and Other S. CA Plants for Small Gardens & Small Spaces – Western L.A. County
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
Trees and Tree-like Large Shrubs
X Baccharis salicifolia Mule Fat To 10 ft Pink-white/ all year
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 2
X Ceanothus arboreus Catalina
Ceanothus <20 ft. t 8-10 ft w
Blue/Sp FS/PS Any well-drained
1 1, 3, 7, 9, 14, 19
X * Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud 6-20 ft tall 10-15 ft w
Magenta/ Sp
FS/PS Any incl clay
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 5, 6, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
Fall color (red,
orange); edible
fruit, flowers
X Cercocarpus alnifolius/
C. betuloides var. blancheae
Birchleaf Mountain
Mahogany 6-12 ft tall 4 ft. wide
Yellow-white/Sp
FS Well-drained
1-2 1, 7, 13 evergreen; upright form
Cercocarpus traskiae
Catalina Isl.
Mountain
Mahogony
7-24 ft tall Yellow-
white/Sp FS
Rocky
best 1 ?
X
Comarostaphylis
diversifolia ssp.
planifolia
Summer Holly < 18 ft tall White/Sp FS/PS Any well-
drained 1 10, 14, 16
X * Forestiera
neomexicana (pubescens) Desert Olive
8-15 ft t 8 ft wide
Yellow/Sp FS Any well-drained
1-2 to 2 6, 8
Berries for
birds; gray-green foliage
X * Garrya veatchii Canyon Silk Tassel
Bush
6-15 ft tall 6-8 ft wide
Cream/ W-Sp
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2 1, 13 Evergreen; silvery
X Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon 6-10 ft +
4-6 ft w White/Su FS/PS/FSH
Any well-
drained 1-2
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18
Berries toxic in
lg. amounts
X * Holodiscus discolor Creambush; Ocean
Spray 10-20 ft tall
White/Su-Fa FS/PS Any, incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 13, 14 Fragrant at a distance
X Lavatera
assurgentiflora ssp.
glabrata & assurgentiflora
Island (Rose)
Mallow 8-12 ft tall
& wide
Magenta/
yr round FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 1, 2, 13
X
Lyonothamnus
floribundus ssp.
aspleniifolius & floribundus
Catalina Ironwood To 50 ft t
15-30 ft w
White-yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Any well-
drained 1-2
1, 3, 7, 9, 13,
14 Evergreen
X * Prunus virginiana var.
demissa
Western
Chokecherry 6-25 ft tall 6-15 ft w
Cream/Sp FS/PS Any 2 to 2-3 6, 13 fruits for jelly, bird habitat
2
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia & lyonii
Holly-leaf and
Catalina Island
Cherries
< 50 ft White/Su PS any 1-2 1, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19
X Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea
Blue (Mexican)
Elderberry 8-25+ ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS
Well-drained
1-2 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 12-14, 16, 19
Edible berries
Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)
X Arctostaphylos
catalinae Catalina Manzanita
6-18 ft tall 5-8 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Any well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 13, 14 Well-drained soil
X Baccharis pilularis Coyote Bush To 8 ft Cream/F FS/PS any 1-2 1, 2, 3, 5, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
X Baccharis plummerae
subsp. plummerae
Plummer's
Baccharis < 7 ft tall
Buff-Wht/ Su-F
FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 Winter flooding
?
X * Calycanthus occidentalis Western Spicebush 6-12 ft tall 4-6 ft wide
Purple-bronze/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Pref.light deep rich
2-3 1, 13, 14 Spicy; wine-like fragrance
X * Carpenteria
californica Bush aneneme
6-8 ft tall
6-12 ft W
White-
Yellow/ Spr PS/FSH
Well-
drained 1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 7, 13, 14,
19
Showy, fragrant
flowers
* Ceanothus
integerrimus Deerbrush 3-6+ ft t White/Sp FS/PS Any 1 to 2 3, 13, 16
Drought decid; glossy leaves
X ** Ceanothus
thyrsiflorus ‘Skylark’
‘Skylark’
Ceanothus 3-6 ft t Lt blue/Sp FS/PS
Any incl clay
2 1, 3, 6, 13
* Ceanothus
tomentosus var.
olivaceus
Wooly-leaf
Ceanothus 6-12 ft t 4-8 ft w
Blues/Sp FS Sandy or rocky
1-2 1, 13, 14 Upright; evergreen; heavy bloomer
X Cleome isomeris
(Isomeris arborea) Bladderpod 2-6+ ft
Yellow/ Sp +
FS Well-drained
1 1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 13, 16
Unusual scent;
attractive branch
X Dendromecon harfordii Channel Island
Tree Poppy 8 ft tall 4 ft wide
Yellow/W-Sp FS Any well-drained
1-2 1, 9, 13, 14, 19
Showy; blue-green foliage
X Fremontodendron
californican X mexicanum Flannelbush
6-18 ft tall
4-12 wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su FS
Well-drained
essential 1 1, 3, 9, 13,
‘Ken Taylor’ smaller; can
espalier
X * Holodiscus discolor Creambush; Ocean
Spray 10-20 ft tall
White/ Su-Fa
FS/PS Any, incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 13, 14 Fragrant at a distance
X * Philadelphus lewisii CA Mock Orange 4-10 ft tall & wide
White/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Any, incl clays
2-3 1, 7, 13, 14, 19
Very fragrant
X Quercus dumosa var. elegantula
Coastal Sage
Scrub Oak 3-10 ft tall to 15 ft w
Yellow/Sp FS/PS Sandy best
1 to 1-2 7, 14 Evergreen
3
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X * Rhamnus californica California
Coffeeberry
6-12 ft t & wide; short cultivars
Buff/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18
'Eve Case', 'Mound San Bruno' smaller
X * Rhamnus crocea Redberry
Buckthorn 3-6 ft tall 6 ft wide
Yellow/Sp FS/PS/ FSH Any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 20
Pretty fruits; birds
X * Rhamnus ilicifolia Holly-leaf Redberry 12 ft tall 5-6 ft w
Yellow/Sp FS/PS/ FSH Any 1-2 to 2 1, 10, 12-14, 20, 21
Nice hedge plant’ holly-like leaves
X Ribes aureum var.
gracillimum Golden Currant To 10 ft
Yellow/ W-Sp
FS/PS/ FSH Any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 12, 14 Any well-drained; Birds eat berries
X Salix exigua Narrow-leaf Willow 6-15 ft
12-15 ft.w. Yellow/Sp FS/PS any
1-2; winter flooding
1, 2, 3, 14 Spreading via
roots
X * Simmondsia chinensis Jojoba 5-12 ft tall & wide
Yellow/Sp FS Well-drained
1-2 1, 8, 14, 16, 20
Fruit for birds; grey-green; evergreen
Smaller Shrubs ( < 6 ft. tall) ; includes woody sub-shrubs
X * Abutilon palmeri Indian Mallow 2-6 ft tall & wide
Yellow to Or/Sp-Su
FS Well-drained
1-2 1, 8, 13, 14
X * Acalypha californica California
Copperleaf 2-3 ft tall & wide
Red/Sp FS/PS Sandy/ rocky
1 to 1-2 1, 8, 13 Red foliage
X Adenostoma
fasciculatum Chamise
3-10 ft tall
3-6 ft wide White/Sp-Su FS any 1-2
1, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
X * Amorpha fruticosa False Indigo 6-12 ft
4-10 ft w.
Purple-brown/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-
drained 1-2 to 2-3 1, 6, 13, 14
Can be weedy; cultivar: ‘Dark
Lance’
X Arctostaphylos
catalinae Catalina Manzanita
6-18 ft tall 5-8 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Any well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 13, 14 Well-drained soil
X * Arctostaphylos
edmundsii
Little Sur
Manzanita 2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft w Pink/W-Sp FS/PS
well-
drained 1-2 to 2 1, 3, 8, 13, 14 Cultivars:
‘Greensphere’
* Arctostaphylos
hookeri Hooker’s
Manzanita 2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft w Pink/W-Sp FS
well-
drained 1-2 to 2 1, 3, 13
Cultivars ‘Sunset’, ‘Wayside’, ‘Ken Taylor’
X Artemisia californica Coastal Sagebrush 3-6 ft tall
Gold/Su FS
Well-
drained 1
1, 7-10, 12,
13, 14, 16, 18 'Canyon Gray'
X Astragalus trichopodus
ssp. lonchus Rattlepod 2-3 ft White/Sp FS any 1 to 1-2 1, 2, 13
X Baccharis emoryi Emory Baccharis 6-12 ft T to 10 ft W
Buff-Wht/ Su-F
FS/PS any
1 to 1-2
Winter flooding
1, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16
Salt tolerant
4
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X ** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point Dwarf’
Dwarf Pigeon Point
Coyote Bush 6-12 ft T to 10 ft W
Buff-Wht/ Su-F
FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 Winter flooding
1, 6, 13
X * Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium Oregon Grape < 6 ft Yellow/Sp PS any 2-3 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14
X Brickellia californica California
Bricklebush < 4 ft tall to 4 ft w
Buff/Su-F FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 10, 12, 16
Fragrant flowers
* Brickellia nevinii Nevin’s
Brickelbush 1-2 ft tall Buff/F FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 to 1-2 12 Silvery foliage
X
Camissonia
cheiranthifolia spp.
suffruticosa
Beach Primrose
(Suncup) < 3 ft tall 2-5 ft wide
Yellow/W-F FS/PS Sandy best
1-2 to 2 1, 10, 13, 14, 16
Best near beach
X Coreopsis gigantea Giant Coreopsis 3-5+ ft Yellow/Sp FS/PS
Fertile, well-drained
1-2 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 16,
Unusual
X Constancea
(Eriophyllum) nevinii Catalina Silverlace
3-4 ft tall 2-4 ft wide
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Any well-drained
1 to 2-3 1, 6, 7, 13, 14 ‘Silver Canyon’
Croton californicus var.
californicus California Croton
1-5 ft tall 2-5 ft w
Cream/Sp-F FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 10, 16, 20 (?var)
Unusual flowers,
seedpods
Croton californicus var.
tenius California Croton 1-5 ft Cream/Sp-F FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 to 1-2 1, 10
Unusual
flowers, seedpods
X Dendromecon rigida Bush Poppy 4-8 ft tall 4-6 ft wide
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 3, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16
X Diplacus aurantiacus
ssp. aurantiacus
Bush
Monkeyflower 2-3 ft
Orange/ W-Sp
FS/PS Sandy 1-2 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16,
X Encelia californica CA Bush Sunflower 2-5 ft Yellow/ W-Sp
FS/PS Any well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19
Good winter color
X
Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria
californica)
CA Fuschia 1-3 ft Orange/F FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19
Tolerates winter flooding
X Ericameria ericoides Mock Heather 1-4 ft tall & wide
Yellow/ Su-F
FS
Any; sandy
best 1 to 1-2 1, 6, 10, 16
Good for seaside
X * Ericameria nauseosa Rabbitbush 2-5 ft tall & wide
Yellow/Su-F FS any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 10, 13, 16 Insect-eaters
Ericameria palmeri var.
pachylepis
Palmer's
Goldenbush 1-3 ft tall 2-5 ft wide
Yellow/Su-F FS 1 to 1-2 10, 16
5
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X * Eriodictyon
trichocalyx
Southern Yerba
Santa 4-6 ft Lilac/Su FS
Light-sandy best
1 to 1-2 10, 16 Aromatic leaves
X Eriogonum cinereum Ashy-leaf
Buckwheat 2-5 ft
Pink-wht/ Sp-F
FS/PS Any well-drained
1 to 2-3 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 16
Gray foliage
X * Eriogonum crocatum Conejo Buckwheat 1 ft tall 1-3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp-Su
FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 12, 14, 19
X Eriogonum elongatum
var. elongatum Wand Buckwheat
3-6 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
Pink/Su-F FS Any well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 8, 12
X Eriogonum fasciculatum California
Buckwheat 1-3 ft tall 3-6 ft wide
Pink/Sp-F FS/PS Any well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19
'Dana Point' tight, compact; ‘Bruce Dickinson’ - prostrate
X
Eriogonum giganteum
vars. formosum,
giganteum
St. Catherine’s
Lace 3-6 ft
Pink-white/ Su
FS/PS Any well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 19
Don’t plant near native buckwheats
X Eriogonum parvifolium Coastal Buckwheat 2-4 ft Pink-creme/ Su +
FS/PS/ FSH
Any well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 16
X Eriogonum gracile var.
gracile Slender Buckwheat 1-3 ft tall Pink/Su-F FS any 1-2 10, 16 (?var) unusual
* Eriophyllum
staechadifolium var.
depressum
Seaside Wooly
Sunflower 1-2 ft tall 2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su-F FS Any well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 10, 16
Tolerates
seaside conditions
X Euphorbia misera California Spurge 3-4 ft tall & wide
White-red/Sp
FS sandy 1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13 Tolerates seaside
conditions
X Gambelia (Galvezia)
speciosa
Catalina
Snapdragon 2-4 ft tall Red/Sp + FS/PS
Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14
X Grindelia camporum
var. bracteosa Bracted Gumplant
2-4 ft tall 2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su Fs Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 2, 6, 12, 16 Tolerates salty, alkali soils
X Hazardia squarrosa Sawtooth
Goldenbush 1-3 ft Yellow/Su-F FS
Any well-
drained 1 to 1-2 1, 2
X Isocoma menziesii var.
menziesii Coast Goldenbush
1-3 ft tall and wide
Yellow/ Su-F
FS Any 1-2 1, 14 Tolerates seaside conditions
X * Justicia californica Chuparosa 4-6 ft tall to 12 ft w
Red/Sp-F FS/PS Sandy best
1 to 1-2 1, 7, 8, 14
X Lepechinia fragrans Fragrant Pitcher
Sage 3-6 ft tall & wide
Lavender/Sp FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 12, 13, 14
‘El Tigre’
6
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X Lepidospartum
squamatum
Scale Broom; CA
Broomsage 4-6 ft tall and wide
Buff/ Su-F FS Sandy best
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 10, 13, 16
Aromatic; butterfly plant
* Lonicera involucrata Twinberry 4-6 ft tall to 10 ft w
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-drained
2-3 to 3 7, 18 Mulch soil
X Lotus scoparius var.
scoparius
Deer Vetch/ Deer
Broom 3-5 ft
Yellow-red/
Sp-Su FS
Any well-
drained 1 to 1-2
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
X Lupinus albifrons var.
albifrons Silver Bush Lupine
3-4 ft tall & wide
Purple/Sp FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19 ? var
X Lupinus chamissonis Dune Lupine 3-4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide Purple/W-Sp FS
Sandy
best 1 to 1-2 1, 2, 10, 14
Tolerates
seaside conditions
X Lupinus longifolius Long-leaf Bush
Lupine To 5 ft tall & wide
Purple/Sp FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 3, 10, 12, 13, 16
X Malacothamnus
clementinus
San Clemente Is.
Bush Mallow 2-4 ft tall to 8 ft wide
Light pink/ Sp
FS Any 1 to 1-2 1, 13
X * Perityle incana Guadalupe Island
Rock Daisy 2-3 ft tall 3-5 ft wide
Yellow/Sp FS coast
PS
Well-drained 1-2
1, 7, 13, 14, 19
Evergreen with silvery foliage
X Pluchea odorata ssp.
odorata
Sweetscent;
Saltmarsh
Fleabane
1-3 ft tall & wide
Lavender/ Su-F
FS Sandy incl. Alk
2-3 6, 10, 16 Tolerates seasonal
flooding
X Rhus trilobata Basket Bush; Sour
Berry; Skunkbrush 2-6 ft
Yellow-
green/Sp PS any 1-2
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
X Ribes californicum var.
hesperium Hillside Gooseberry To 3 ft
Red-white/ W-Sp
PS/FSH Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 10, 12, 13 (var. californicum)
Birds eat berries
X Ribes indecorum White Currant To 6 ft White/W-Sp FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2 1, 3, 12, 14 Birds eat berries
X Ribes malvaceum Chaparral Currant 5-8 ft Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 3, 13, 14, 19 Birds eat berries
X Ribes speciosum Fuschia-flowered
Gooseberry 3-6+ ft tall and wide
dark pink/ W-Sp
FS/PS/FSH Well-drained
2-3; 3 in sun
1, 3, 10, 12-14, 19
X * Ribes sanguineum
var. glutinosum
Red-flowering
Currant 4-10 ft Pink/Sp PS/FSH
Well-
drained 2-3
3, 5, 13, 14,
19
X Rosa californica California Wild
Rose 3-4 ft tall 3-10 ft w
Pink/ Sp-Su
FS/PS/FSH any 1-2;
3 (sun) 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16
Tolerates seasonal flooding
X Salvia apiana White Sage 3-5 ft White/ Sp-Su
FS Well-drained
1 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19
7
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X * Salvia brandegeei Santa Rosa Island
Sage
To 3-4 ft; often sprawling
Pale lavender/ Sp-Su
FS Well-drained
1 1, 6, 8, 14, 19 Dark-green foliage
X * Salvia clevelandii Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage 2-5 ft
Purple/lav. Sp-Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19
Cultivars: ‘Betsy Clebsch’, ‘Compacta’, ‘Winifred Gilman’,
X Salvia leucophylla Purple Sage 3- 5 ft Lavender/Sp FS/PS Well-
drained 1-2
1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14,
16,18, 19
Nice scent
X * Salvia munzii San Diego Sage 2-3 ft tall 3-4 ft w
Blue/Su FS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 17
Fragrant like Black Sage;
‘Baja Blue’, ‘Emerald Cascade’
X Senecio flaccidus var.
douglasii Butterweed 2-3 ft
Yellow/ Su-F
FS any 1 13, 14
Symphoricarpos albus
var. laevigatus
Common
Snowberry 3-5 ft, spreading
White/Sp PS Clays,
loams 2-3 7, 9, 13, 19
Fruit may be toxic to humans
X Symphoricarpos mollis Snowberry 2-4 ft tall &
wide Pink/W-Sp PS/FSH any 2-3 to 3 13, 14 mulch
X Trichostema lanatum Wooly Bluecurls 2-4 ft Purple/ W-Sp
FS/PS Well-drained
1 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19
difficult
X Urtica dioica ssp.
holosericea Hoary Nettle
3-6 ft tall spreading
Pink/Sp-F PS Rich soils ok
2-3 1, 10, 13, 16 Serious allergy on contact
X * Verbena lilacina Cedros Island
Verbena 2-4 ft tall 3-5 ft wide
Lilac/Sp-F FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14
Lovely year-round; showy
flowers
X * Viguiera laciniata San Diego
Sunflower 1-2 ft tall 1-3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp FS any 1 to 1-2 1, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
Perennial Vines
X Calystegia macrostegia California Morning
Glory To 30+ ft White/Sp-F
PS FS coastal
Well-drained
2-3 1, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
Invasive; can
look weedy; ‘Anacapa Pink’; ‘Candycane’
X * Clematis lasiantha Chaparral Clematis 8-20 ft vine
White/Sp-Su; sep. m/f
plants
FS (top) PS (roots)
any 1-2 to 2 1, 6, 8, 13
Winter decid.;
tolerates flooding
X Clematis ligusticifolia Virgin’s Bower To 15 ft White/Su PS/FSH Any 2-3 to 3 3, 5, 13, 14, 19
8
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
Cucurbita foetidissima Stinking Gourd;
Calabazilla To 20 ft Yellow/Su FS/PS
Sandy best
1-2 2, 13 Seeds edible; bad odor when fruits are young
X Keckiella cordifolia Climbing
Penstemon 3-4 ft
Red-Or/ Sp-Su
PS/PS/ FSH
any 1-2 1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14
X Lathyrus vestitus Wild Sweetpea;
Canyon Pea 3-9 ft
Purple-white/ Sp
PS/FSH any 1-2 1, 8, 13 Good under trees; drought deciduous
X Lonicera hispidula var.
vacillans
Western
Honeysuckle 5-18 ft Pink/Sp-Su PS/FSH clay 2-3
1, 5, 13, 14,
19
Tolerates
seasonal flooding
X * Lonicera involucrata Twinberry 3-5 ft Yellow/Su PS/FSH any 1-2 to 2-3 3, 7, 13, 19
X
Lonicera subspicata
var. denudate &
subspicata
Santa Barbara &
Southern
Honeysuckles
3-8 ft Cream/ Sp-Su
PS/PS/ FSH
any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 12, 13, 14
Edible fruit
Marah macrocarpus Wild Cucumber/
Manroot 20+ ft
White/
W-Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 to 1-2 1
Dies back in
summer
X ** Vitis californica
‘Roger’s Red’
‘Roger’s Red’
California Grape > 20 ft White/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13
X Vitis girdiana Desert Grape > 25 ft White/Su PS any 2-3 2, 3, 10, 13, 20
Perennial Groundcover Plants
Abronia maritima Red Sand Verbena to 6 ft Magenta/ Su-F
FS Sand 1-2 to 2 10, 13, 16 Adjacent to beach only
X Achillea millefolia Yarrow 1-2 ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 most Alkali soils fine
X * Adenostema
fasciculatum var.
prostratum
Prostrate Chamise < 2 ft 3-4 ft wide
Cream/Su FS Any incl. clays
1 to 1-2 1, 13, 14 ‘Nicolas’
Ambrosia chamissonis
ssp. bipinnatasecta Silver Beach Burr To 5 ft Buff/Su-F FS Sand 1-2 to 2 2, 10, 16
Sand dune plant Salt tolerant
* Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Parvifolia’
Little Sur
Manzanita 1-3 ft tall 3-6 ft wide
Pink/Sp PS best Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, Red berries in summer
* Arctostaphylos
edmundsii (incl. ‘Parvifolia’ & ‘Little Sur’)
Little Sur
Manzanita
1-3 ft tall
6-20 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp PS best Any incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 16
Red berries in summer
9
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Bert
Johnson’
Bert Johnson
Manzanita < 1 ft tall 6 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Any incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3 19 Better further inland
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Big Sur’ Big Sur Manzanita
< 4 ft tall 4-6 ft wide
White/W-Sp FS/PS Any; sandy ok
1-2 to 2-3 19, Open growth
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’
Carmel Sur
Manzanita 1 ft tall
to 20 ft w Pink/Sp FS/PS
Any incl.
clays 1-2 to 2-3 3, 6, 13, 19
Good for Coastal areas; fast growth
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Danville’ Danville Manzanita
1-2 ft tall
4-6 ft wide Pink/W FS/PS
Any incl.
clays 1-2 to 2-3 6,
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Sandsprite’
Sandsprite
Manzanita Pink/W FS/PS
Any incl.
clays 1-2 to 2-3 8, 13
** Arctostaphylos
hookeri ‘Monterey
Carpet’
Monterey Carpet
Manzanita 1 ft high 5+ ft wide
White/Sp PS Sandy best
1-2 1, 3, 6, 13
* Arctostaphylos pumila Dune Manzanita 2-4 ft tall 3-6 ft wide
White/ Sp FS/PS sandy 1 to 1-2 8 Monterey Bay dunes plant
* Arctostaphylos uva-
ursi
Bearberry;
Kinnickinnick 1 ft tall spreading
Pink/Sp FS/PS Well-drained
2-3 1,
** Arctostaphylos uva-
ursi ‘Pacific Mist’
Pacific Mist
Manzanita 1 ft tall 6-8 ft wide
White/Sp FS/PS sandy 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 6, 8, 13
Best along
coast; needs pruning
** Arctostaphylos uva-
ursi ‘Point Reyes’
Point Reyes
Manzanita <1 ft tall to 10 ft
Pink/Sp PS Well-drained
2-3 1, 3, 8, 13, 16, 19
** Arctostaphylos uva-
ursi ‘Radiant’ Radiant Manzanita
<1 ft tall 8-10 ft w
Pink/W-Sp PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13, 19
** Arctostaphylos
’Emerald Carpet’
Emerald Carpet
Manzanita < 1 ft tall 3-6 ft wide
White/W-Sp FS/PS Rich, sl. acid
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13 A. uva-ursi X A. nummularia hybrid
** Arctostaphylos
‘Wood’s Compact’
Wood’s Compact
Manzanita < 1 ft tall to 6 ft w.
Pink/Sp PS Needs rich soil
1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi X A. nummularia
** Arctostaphylos ‘John
Dourley’
John Dourly
Manzanita 2-3 ft tall to 8 ft wide
Pink/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 16, 19
X Argentina/Potentilla
anserina Pacific Cinquefoil
1 ft tall 2-3 ft w
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Sandy 2 to 3 13 (? ssp) Seaside plant; can be weedy
** Artemesia californica
‘Canyon Gray’
Canyon Gray
Sagebrush 1-2 ft tall 8-10 ft w.
Green-gold/ Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 19
10
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
** Artemisia californica
‘Montara’
Montara
Sagebrush 2-3 ft tall 3-4 ft wide
Green-gold/ Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 6, 8, 13, 16, 19
X Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort 2-4+ ft tall
& wide Cream/Su PS
Well-
drained 1-2 to 2-3
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Tolerates seasonal flooding
X Artemisia dracunculus California
Tarragon; 1-3 ft tall 2-3 ft wide
White/F FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 10, 16
X **Artemisia
pycnocephala ‘David’s
Choice’)
Beach Sagewort /
Sandhill Sage 1-2 ft. tall 2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Su FS/PS Sandy best
1-2 1, 3, 5, 7, 8,
9, 10, 13, 14,
18
‘
X ** Aster chilensis ‘Point
St. George’
Point St. George
Coast Aster 1-3 ft tall
spreading Lavender/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 1, 8, 11, 13
Good habitat
plant
Atriplex californica CA Saltbush 1 ft t; spreading
Yellow/Sp-F FS sandy 1-2 to 2 1, 6, 20 Tol. seaside conditions
Atriplex leucophylla Beach Saltbush 1 ft tall
3-7 ft w. Green/Su FS
Sandy
best 1-2 to 2 10, 16
Tol. seaside
conditions
Baccharis douglasii Marsh Baccharis < 3 ft White/Su-F FS/PS Any incl. clays
2-3 1, 13
** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point’
Pigeon Point Dwarf
Coyote Bush 2 ft tall 6-8 ft wide
White-gold/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Any incl. clays
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 16
Light green leaves; good for
coastal region
** Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks 2’
Twin Peaks Dwarf
Coyote Bush 1-3 ft tall to 10 ft w
White/F FS/PS Any incl. clays
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 13 Small dark leaves; can shear to size
** Baccharis ‘Centennial’ Centennial
Baccharis 2-3 ft tall 5-6 ft wide
White/F Female - seeds
FS Any 1-2 to 2-3 3, 8,
Baccharis pilularis X B. sarathroides hybrid
** Baccharis ‘Starn’ Starn Baccharis 2-3 ft tall
5-6 ft wide
Yellow/F
male FS Any 1-2 to 2-3 8
Baccharis pilularis X B.
sarathroides hybrid
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium var. repens
Creeping Oregon
Grape 1 ft tall
< 6 ft wide Yellow/Sp PS/FSH
Any;
acidic 1-2 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14
Good habitat;
edible berries
** Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium ‘Compacta’
‘Compacta’ Oregon
Grape 2-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide Yellow/Sp PS/FSH
Any;
acidic 1-2 to 2-3 1, 13
Good habitat;
edible berries
Cardionema
ramosissimum Sandmat
1 ft tall to 5 ft w
White/Sp-Su FS Sand 1-2 to 2 10 Beach dune plant; prickly
11
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
* * Ceanothus “Joyce Coulter’
Joyce Coulter
Ceanothus 2-3 ft tall 10 ft wide
Blue/W-Sp PS Any 1-2 1, 3, 7, 8, 13 C. impressus X papillosus; mounding
** Ceanothus ‘Dark
Star’
Dark Star
Ceanothus To 6+ ft To 6 ft
Dk. Blue/ W-Sp
FS Well-drained
- to +/- 1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 19
C. impressus X papillosus
* * Ceanothus ‘Centennial’ Centennial
Ceanothus 1 ft tall 4-10 ft w
Dk Blue/Sp FS (coast)
/ PS
Well-drained
1-2 3, 7, 9, 19 C. griseus X C. foliosus; sm leaf
X * Ceanothus gloriosus Point Reyes
Ceanothus 1-2 ft tall to 8 ft wide
Lt. blue/Sp FS (coast)
/ PS
Well-drained;
sandy 2-3 3
Dense foliage; holly-like
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Anchor Bay’
Anchor Bay
Ceanothus < 1 ft tall to 8 ft wide
Dk blue/Sp FS (coast)
/ PS any 1-2 to 2-3 8, 9, 19 Dense, compact
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Heart’s Desire’
Heart’s Desire
Ceanothus 1-3 ft tall 4-6 ft wide
Dk blue/ FS (coast)
/ PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 8
X * Ceanothus griseus
horizontalis
Carmel Creeper
Ceanothus 1-3 ft tall 5-15 ft w
Lt. blue/ FS/PS Any incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13
** Ceanothus griseus horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’
Yankee Point
Ceanothus To 4-5 ft
To 10 ft Med. Blue/
FS (coast) / PS
Any incl.
clays 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13, 19
Best near coast;
fast grower
** Ceanothus griseus
'Kurt Zadnik'
Kurt Zadnick
Ceanothus 3-4 ft 8-10 ft
Dk purple/ FS Any 1-2 to 2 13 More reliable than ‘Yankee Point’
* Ceanothus hearstiorum Hearst’s
Ceanothus 1 ft tall
6-8 ft wide Blue/W-Sp PS
Any incl
clays 1 to 1-2 3, 7, 8, 16, 19
Sticky; mat-like; best near coast
* Ceanothus maritimus Maritime (Bluff)
Ceanothus 1-3 ft tall 3-8 ft wide
White-lavender/
FS (coast) / PS
Any incl clays
1-2 3, 6, 8,
Dark holly-like
leaves; best near coast
** Ceanothus maritimus ‘Frosty Dawn’
Frosty Dawn
Ceanothus 1-2 ft tall 4 ft wide
Dk. blue/Sp FS (coast)
/ PS Any 1 to 1-2 8, 19 Sm. dark leaves
** Ceanothus maritimus ‘Point Sierra’
Point Sierra
Ceaonothus 1-3 ft tall 4-6 ft wide
Med. Blue/W-Sp
FS/PS Any 1 to 1-2 3, 8, 19 Dense; more drought tolerant
** Ceanothus maritimus ‘Popcorn’
Popcorn Ceanothus 2-3 ft tall 6 ft wide
White/W-Sp FS (coast)
/ PS
Well-drained
1-2 1, 8, 13 Low & dense; best on coast
X * Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens
Creeping
Blueblossom 1-3 ft tall
6-10 ft Blue/W-Sp FS
Well-
drained 1-2 to 2-3 Dense foliage
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens ‘Ken Taylor’
Ken Taylor
Ceanothus 1 ft tall
Dk Blue/ W-Sp
FS/PS Sandy best
1-2 to 2-3 Dark leaves
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens ‘Louis Edmunds’
Louis Edmunds
Ceanothus 1-2 ft tall 6-10 ft w
Med. Blue/ FS (coast)
/ PS
Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 3, 8, 9 Much confusion with name
12
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Skylark’
Skylark Ceanothus 4-5 ft tall 4-7 ft wide
Med Blue/Sp FS/PS Any, incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3 6, 8, 13, 19 Quite shade & water toleratant
** Ceanothus ‘Wheeler Canyon’
Wheeler Canyon
Ceanothus 4-6 ft tall to 8 ft wide
Dk Blue/Sp FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 6, 8, 9, 11, 19
Dark leaves; ?
Ceanothus papillosus var. roweanus hybrid
Chamaesyce
albomarginata Rattlesnake Weed
< 6 in t.
White/Sp-F FS Any 1 to 1-2 2 ?Toxic
X * Clinopodium (Satureja) chandleri
San Miguel Savory 1-2 ft tall
2-3 ft wide White/Sp PS/FSH
Well-
drained 1-2 to 2-3
3, 14 minty
X Clinopodium (Satureja)
douglasii Yerba buena
< 6 in spreading
White/Sp-Su PS/FSH Well-drained
2-3 to 3 1, 3, 7, 13, 14
* Clinopodium
(Satureja) mimuloides
Monkeyflower
Savory 1 ft tall
2-4+ ft w
Red-Or/
Su-Fa FS/PS
Well-
drained 2-3 to 3 3, 8
hummingbird
plant
X
** Corethrogyne
(Lessingia) filaginifolia
‘Silver Carpet’
Silver Carpet Sand
Aster 1 ft tall 2-3 ft w
Violet/Sp-Su FS/PS
Any; sandy
best 1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13, 16
Cressa truxillensis Alkali Weed < 1 ft tall spreading
White/Su-F FS Any; alkali OK
1-2 to 2 10 May be invasive
X
Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria
californica)
CA Fuschia 1-3 ft
3-5 ft wide Orange/F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Tolerates winter
flooding
** Epilobium canum
‘Catalina’ Island CA Fuschia
2-3 ft tall 3-5 ft wide
Red/all year
(S/F/W most) FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 13, 19
Gray foliage;
upright, shrub-like
** Epilobium canum
‘Everett’s Choice’
Everett’s Choice
CA Fuschia 1 ft tall 3 ft wide
Dark Or-red/ Spr-Su
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 3, 11, 16 Low-growing
** Epilobium canum
‘Hurricane Point’
Hurricane Point CA
Fuschia 1 ft tall 2 ft wide
Or-red/Su-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 8, 19 Low-growing
** Epilobium
septentrionalis ‘Select
Mattole’
Humbolt County
Fuschia 1 ft tall 4-5 ft wide
Or-red/Su-F FS/PS Prefers rocky
2-3 19 Low mat-like; silvery foliage; winter dormant
X ** Erigeron glaucus
‘Bountiful’
Bountiful Seaside
Daisy < 1 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
Lavender/ Sp-Su
PS best Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 8, 9, Green foliage; large flowers
X ** Erigeron glaucus
‘Sea Breeze’ Seaside Daisy
1 ft tall 2 ft wide
Lavernder/ Sp-Fa
FS/PS/FSH Well-drained
1-2 to 3 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14
Attractive flowers, foliage;
habitat
X ** Erigeron glaucus
'Wayne Roderick'
Wayne Roderick
Daisy < 1 ft tall 2-3 ft wide
Lavender-blue/Sp-F
FS/ PS (hot)
Well-drained
1-2; 2-3(sun)
1, 3, 6, 8 Silvery foliage; butterfly nectar
13
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
** Eriogonum
fasciculatum ‘Warriner
Lytle’
Warriner Lytle CA
Buckwheat < 1 ft spreading
Pink/Sp-F FS Any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 7, 8, 13
X
* Fragaria chiloensis
ssp. pacifica (and
cultivars)
(Pacific) Coast
Strawberry < 1 ft spreading
White/Sp-Su PS Sandy best
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
Let dry between
waterings; edible fruit
X * Fragaria vesca
(californica)
CA/Wood
Strawberry < 2 ft spreading
White/Su PS/FSH any 1-2 to 3 1, 13, 20 Edible fruit
* Fremontodendron
decumbens
Prostrate
Flannelbush 2 ft tall
10 ft wide
Orange/
Sp-Su FS/PS
Well-
drained essential
1 1, 8, 13
X Grindelia camporum Large Gumplant 2-3 ft tall 3-5 ft wide
Yellow/ Sp-Fa
FS Well- drained
1-2 1, 2, 6, 12, 16 Spreading
X
* Grindelia stricta ssp.
venulosa (var.
platyphylla)
Spreading Gum
Plant 1 ft tall 3+ ft wide
Yellow/Su FS/PS sandy 1 to 1-2 5, 19 Mat-like; Coastal best
X Heliotropum
curassivacum Seaside Heliotrope
< 2 ft 4-8 ft w.
White-purple/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any; alkali best
2-3 2, 10, 16
Great butterfly nectar plant; don’t eat – toxic foliage
X
* Heuchera maxima
(incl. many cultivars &
hybrids)
Island Alumroot 1- 3 ft
White/Spr PS/PS/ FSH Any, incl. clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 14
X * Heuchera micrantha Crevice Alumroot 1-3 ft Pink/Spr
PS/PS/ FSH See note
2-3 to 3 1, 3, 8 Well-drained
soil
X * Iva hayesiana San Diego Marsh
Elder 2-4 ft tall 4-6 ft wide
Yellow/Su FS/PS/ FSH Any, incl. clays
1 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13
Lotus heermannii Heerman’s Lotus < 1 ft Yellow/Spr-F FS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 10, 16
X Malacothamnus
clementinus
San Clemente Is.
Bush Mallow 2-4 ft tall to 8 ft wide
Light pink/Spr
FS Any 1 to 1-2 1, 8, 13
Malvella leprosa Alkali Mallow < 1 ft tall
1 ft wide White/Su-Fa FS Any 1-2 2, 10
X ** Monardella villosa
‘Russian River’ Coyote Mint
1-2 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
Pink/Spr-Su PS Well-drained
1-2 1, 3, 8, 13, 14, 19
X Phacelia ramosissima Branching (Strand)
Phacelia 2-4 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Spr-Su FS/PS any 1 to 2-3
1, 2, 10, 12,
16
Hairs may cause
rash
X Ribes viburnifolium Catalina Perfume 1-3 ft Pink/ PS/FSH See note 2 to 2-3 1, 3, 9, 13, 14, 20
Well-drained soil
14
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X Ranunculus californicus California
Buttercup < 2 ft Yellow/ PS sandy 2-3 to 3
Pac Coast Seed
Very well-drained soils
X * Salvia clevelandii
‘Compacta’
Compact Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage 3 ft tall & wide
Lavender/ Spr-Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 ? Showy
** Salvia ‘Gracias’ ‘Gracias’ Sage < 1 ft 6 ft wide
Lavender/ Spr-Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 6, 8, 13
Fragrant; good
for slopes; ? S. Clevelandii hybrid
** Salvia ‘Bees Bliss’ ‘Bee’s Bliss’ Sage 1-2 ft tall 6-8 ft wide
Lavender/ Spr
FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2
no overhead
1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 19
S. leucophylla hybrid; showy
X Salvia leucophylla
‘Point Sal’ & ‘Point Sal
Spreader’
Point Sal Sage 2-3 ft tall 8-10 ft w
Pink-violet/ Spr-Su
FS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, 19
Dense, evergreen; fast-growing; aromatic
X ** Salvia mellifera
‘Tera Seca’
Tera Seca
(Prostrate Black)
Sage
2 ft tall 6-8 ft wide
Light purple/Spr
FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13, 16 Dense; Good for slopes; aromatic
** Salvia mellifera
‘Green Carpet’ Green Carpet Sage
1-2 ft tall 8 ft wide
Light blue/ Spr-Su
FS Well-drained
1-2 1, 13, 19
** Salvia munzii
‘Emerald Cascade’
Emerald Cascade
Sage 2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide Light blue/ FS
Well-
drained 1-2 1, 8, 11, 13 Evergreen
X Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage 1-3 ft Magenta/Spr PS/FSH 1-2 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 19
Cut back yearly
X Stachys albens
Whitestem
Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-3 ft White/Spr-Su
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 6, 12
X Stachys bullata
California
Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-4 ft Pink/Spr-Su PS Well- drained
2-3 1, 3, 7, 12, 14 Tolerates seasonal flooding
X
Stachys rigida var.
rigida (Stachys
ajugoides)
Rigid Woodmint
(Hedgenettle) 1-2 ft Pink/Spr-Su FS/PS Clay 2-3 to 3 1, 13
Verbena bracteata Big Bract Verbena ½ - 2 ft Lavender/S
U-Fa FS ?any 2-3 to 3 ?
X Verbena lasiostachys California Verbena 1-4 ft Lavender/Spr-Fa
FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 10, 13, 16 No water after flowering
15
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
Herbaceous Perennials
Abronia maritima Red Sand Verbena to 6 ft Magenta/ Su-F
FS Sand 1-2 to 2 10, 13, 16 Adjacent to beach only
Anemopsis californica Yerba Mansa 1 ft tall & wide
White/Sp-Su PS/FSH Any incl clay
2 to 3 3, 10, 14, 16 Tolerates flooding
X * Aquilegia formosa Western
Columbine 1-2 ft
Red-yellow/Su
PS/FSH Well-drained
2 to 3 1, 3, 5, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20
Good for shade
X Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort 2-4+ ft tall
& wide Crème/Su PS
Well-
drained 1-2 to 2-3
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Tolerates seasonal flooding
X Artemisia dracunculus California
Tarragon; 1-3 ft tall 2-3 ft w
White/F FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 10, 16 Leaves - raw or
a flavoring in soups, etc.
X Asclepias eriocarpa Indian Milkweed 2-3 ft Pink/Su FS/PS Sandy 1-2 13
X Asclepias fascicularis Narrow-leaf
Milkweed 2-3 ft
Cream-pink/Su
FS/PS Sandy 1-2 1, 3, 10, 14 Needs seasonal flooding
X Astragalus trichopodus
var. lonchus Coast Rattlepod
2 ft tall &
wide
White/W-
Spr FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 1, 2, 13
Atriplex leucophylla Beach Saltbush 1 ft tall
3-7 ft wide Green/Su FS
Sandy
best 1-2 10, 16
Tolerates seaside
conditions
Castilleja affinis subsp.
affinis Indian Paintbrush 1-2 ft Red/Spr FS
Well- drained
1-2 10, 13 Summer drought for seeds
Castilleja foliolosa Wooly Indian
Paintbrush 1-2 ft
Red-Or/Spr-Su
FS Well- drained
1 ? Summer drought for
seeds; difficult
X Coreopsis gigantea Giant Coreopsis 3-8 ft tall 3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 to 2 1, 2, 3, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16,
X * Coreopsis maritima Sea Dahlia 1-2 ft tall & wide
Yellow/Spr FS/PS Sandy best
1-2 8, 13, 14 Tolerates seaside
conditions
X Corethrogyne
filaginifolia
Common Sand
Aster 1-4 ft tall &
wide
Violet/Spr-
Su FS/PS
Any; sandy best
1 to 1-2 1, 8, 10, 16 ‘Silver Carpet’
X Delphinium parryi ssp.
maritimum & parryi
Parry’s Blue
Larkspur 1-5 ft
Blue-purple/Spr
FS/?PS Well-drained
1 8, 20 Good under oaks
X * Delphinium cardinale Scarlet Larkspur To 6 ft Red/Spr-Su FS Well- drained
1 to 1-2 10, 16, 19
16
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X Diplacus aurantiacus
ssp. aurantiacus
Bush
Monkeyflower 2-3 ft
Orange/W-Spr
FS/PS Sandy 1-2 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16,
X Diplacus (Mimulus)
linearis
Chaparral Bush
Monkey Flower 2-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Yellow/W-
Spr FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 to 1-2 3, 10, 13
Epilobium ciliatum ssp.
ciliatum
Fringed Willow
Herb 2-5 ft tall Pink/Su-F PS any 2-3 to 3 2, 10
Can become weedy
X Erigeron foliosus Fleabane Daisy
(Aster) 2-3 ft
Lavender/
Sp-Su FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 to 1-2 1?
X *Erigeron glaucus Seaside Daisy ½ ft Lavernder/ Sp-Fa
FS/PS/FSH Well-drained
2-3 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14
Attractive flowers, foliage
X Eriogonum elongatum
var elongatum Wand Buckwheat
3-5 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
Pink/Su-F FS Any, incl clay, Alk.
1 to 1-2 1, 8, 12 Tough plant
X * Eriogonum grande
var. rubescens Red Buckwheat
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Red-pink/
Su-F FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 5, 7, 8, 14
Tol. moderate
salt, alkali soils
* Eriogonum saxatile Rock Buckwheat 1 ft tall & wide
Red-yellow/ Su
FS/PS gravelly 1-2 1, 13 Desert mtns plant; compact
* Eriogonum
umbellatum
Sulfur-flowered
Buckwheat 1 ft tall 3 ft wide
Yellow/ FS/PS Well-drained
1-2 1, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
X
Eriophyllum
confertiflorum var.
confertiflorum
Golden Yarrow 1-3 ft Gold-yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Sandy best
1-2 1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18
Tol. moderate salt, alkali soils
X Erysimum capitatum
var. capitatum Western Wallflower
1-3 ft 1-2 ft wide
Yellow-Or/ W-Sp
FS Well- drained
1-2 to 2 13
X Erysimum insulare ssp.
suffrutescens Dune Wallflower
1-3 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
Yellow/W-Sp FS/PS Sandy 1-2 to 2-3 1, 2, 10
Frankenia salina Alakali Heath 2 ft tall Magenta/ Su-F
FS sandy 1-2 to 2-3 10 Saltmarsh plant
X Galium angustifolium
ssp. angustifolium
Narrowleaf
Bedstraw
1-3 ft tall & wide
White/Spr PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 10, 12, 14, 16
X Grindelia camporum Large Gumplant 2-3 ft tall 3-5 ft wide
Yellow/ Sp-Fa
FS Well- drained
1-2 1, 2, 6, 12, 16 Spreading
X Grindelia hirsutula var.
hirsutula Hairy Gumplant
1-2 ft tall & wide
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 10 Butterfly plant
X Horkelia cuneata ssp.
cuneata
Wedgeleaf
Horkelia < 1 ½ ft T 2 ft wide
White/Sp-Su FS/PS sandy 1-2 to 2-3 1, 2, 6, 10, 13 (ssp. puberula)
Dies back in
summer drought
17
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X Limonium californicum California Sea-
Lavender 1-2 ft tall and wide
Purple/Su-F FS
Any; sand to clay
2-3 to 3 10, 14, 16 Tolerates seaside conditions
X *Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower 1-2 ft tall 1 ft wide
Red/Sp-Su FS/PS/ FSH any 2-3 to 3 3, 8, 13, 19 Toxic
X Lotus grandiflorus var.
grandiflorus Showy Lotus 8-24 in tall Cream/Sp PS
Well-
drained 1-2 1, 13 Short-lived
Lotus heermannii Wooly Lotus 1 ft tall 1-3 ft w
Yellow/Sp-F FS/PS Well-drained
2-3 10, 16
X Malacothrix saxatilis
var. tenuifolia Cliff Aster
2-4 ft tall
1-3 ft wide White/Sp-F FS/PS
Well-
drained 1 to 1-2 1, 10
X Malacothrix saxatilis
var. tenuifolia Cliffaster
1-4 ft tall & wide
White/Sp-F FS/PS Well-drained
1 10
X Mimulus cardinalis Scarlet
Monkeyflower To 3 ft Red/Sp-Fa FS/PS any 2-3 to 3
3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19
easy
X Mimulus guttatus Seep
Monkeyflower 1-5 ft Yellow/W-Sp FS Any 2-3 to 3
1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16
X Mimulus moschatus
(var. moniliformis)
Musk
Monkeyflower 1 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su FS/PS any 2-3 to 3 8
leaves: boiled
as greens
X Mirabilis laevis var.
crassifolia
Wishbone Plant;
CA Four O’Clock 1-3 ft tall &
wide Pink/Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained 1
1, 10, 13, 14,
16 reseeds
X * Monardella
macrantha Red Monardella
1-2 ft tall & wide
Red/Su-F PS best Any; no alkali
2-3 1, 6, 8, 13, 14, 19
Hummingbirds; scented; ‘Marion Sampson’
X * Monardella villosa
(ssp. subserrata) Coyote Mint 1 ft Pink/Sp-Su PS See note 1-2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14, 19
Well-drained soil best
X * Oenothera cespitosa White (Tufted)
Evening Primrose < 1 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
White/Sp FS Well-drained
1 to 2-3 ? Musty-sweet; night-flowering
* Penstemon
centranthifolius Scarlet Bugler 1-3 ft
OR-Red/ Sp-Su
FS Well- drained
1 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14
May be difficult
X * Penstemon grinnellii Grinnell’s
Penstemon 1-2 ft Purple/Su FS
Well-
drained 1
1, 6, 8, 10,
13, 14
X Penstemon
heterophyllus Foothill Penstemon 1-2 ft
Purple/ Sp-Su
FS/PS sandy 1 to 1-2 14 Many blooms
X * Penstemon laetus Gay Penstemon 1-3 ft Lavender/ Sp-Su
FS/PS 1 to 1-2 1, 13
* Penstemon palmeri Pink Wild
Snapdragon 4-5 ft tall 1-2 ft wide
Lavender/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 14
18
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
X Penstemon spectabilis
ssp. subviscosus Showy Penstemon 3-4 ft
Lavender-pink/Sp-Su
FS Sandy or rocky
1 1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16
Phacelia distans Common Phacelia;
Wild Heliotrope 1-2 ft tall Violet/Sp FS/PS
Well-drained
1 to 1-2 10 Good under other plants
X Pluchea odorata ssp.
odorata
Sweetscent;
Saltmarsh
Fleabane
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Su-F FS
Sandy
incl. Alk 2-3 6, 10, 16
Tolerates seasonal flooding
X Pseudognaphalium
californicum
California
Everlasting 2-4 ft White/Sp FS/PS
Any, incl. clay
1-2 1, 2, 10, 13, 16
Sweet-scented
X
Pseudognaphalium
canescens ssp.
beneolens
Wooly Everlasting 1-2 ½ ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS Any, incl. clay
1-2 1, 16 Spreads; gray foliage
X Rumex salicifolius var.
salicifolius Willow Dock
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Pink bract /
Su FS
Well-
drained 2 to 3 10, 13 (? var.) Seaside fine
X Sairocarpus (Antirrhinum)
coulterianus
Coulter’s (White)
Snapdragon 2-4 ft tall
White to lavender/Sp
FS Well-drained
1 1, 10, 13
X Scrophularia californica
ssp. floribunda CA Bee Plant 2-3 ft Red/Spr PS 2-3 to 3
1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16
Afternoon shade
X Sidalcea malviflora ssp.
malviflora
Dwarf Checker
Mallow To 1 ½ ft
Pink-
lavender/ FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 1, 8, 13, 19
* Silene californica Indian Pink 1-2 ft tall 2-4 ft wide
Red/Su PS/FS Well-drained
2-3 19 difficult
X Silene laciniata Indian Pink 1-3 ft Red/Sp-Su FS/PS Sandy or rocky
1-2 to 2-3
12
Solanum americanum American Black
Nightshade 2-3 ft tall White/Sp-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 13
Berries very poisonous
Solanum douglasii White (Douglas’)
Nightshade 2-5 ft tall White/Sp-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 10, 14
Berries very poisonous
X Solanum xanti Purple (Chaparral)
Nightshade 2-4 ft tall
Purple/Sp-Su
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 7, 13 Berries very poisonous
X Solidago californica California
Goldenrod 2-4 ft tall spreading
Yellow/Su-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 10, 14 Tolerates seasonal flooding
x Solidago spectabilis
var. confinis
Southern
Goldenrod 3-6 ft tall spreading
Yellow/Su-F FS/PS Any 2-3 10 Tolerates seasonal flooding
Stephanomeria blairii Blair’s Wirelettuce 2 ft tall
3 ft. wide Pink/Su-F FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to
2-3 13
Good bird,
pollinator plant
19
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
* Thalictrum fendleri
var. polycarpum
Mountain
Meadowrue 3-5 ft tall 2-3 ft wide
White/Su PS/FSH Well-drained
2-3 to 3 1, 3, 8, 10, 12-14, 19
Well-drained soils
X Urtica dioica ssp.
holosericea Hoary Nettle
2-5 ft tall 3-4 ft wide
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 2, 10, 13, 16, 20
Wear gloves to handle; edible
Verbena bracteata Big Bract Verbena ½ - 2 ft Lavender/ Su-Fa
FS ?any 2-3 to 3 10
X Verbena lasiostachys California Verbena 1-4 ft Lavender/ Sp-Fa
FS/PS Any See note 1, 10, 13, 16 None after flowering
Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals) – no water after flowering
CA native annuals and biennials are all small plants and are suited for small gardens (see Native Annuals list)
Cacti and Succulents
* Dudleya cymosa Canyon Live-
forever To 1 ft tall & wide
Yellow-red/ Sp
PS Well- drained
1-2 to 2 1, 3, 8, 13
Santa Monica
Mtns; good in stone walls
X * Dudleya edulis Fingertips Dudleya To 1 ft tall & wide
Pale Yellow/ Sp-Su
PS Sandy best
1 to 2 1, 8, 13, 20 Santa Monica Mtns; good groundcover
X Dudleya lanceolata Lance-leaf Dudleya 1-2 ft tall
& wide
Yellow-
Orange/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-
drained 1 to 1-2
1, 7, 13, 14,
15
* Dudleya palmeri Palmer's Live-
forever To 1 ft tall
& wide
Yellow-red/
Sp PS
Well-
drained 1 to 2 1, 13
Santa Monica
Mtns; slopes
X Dudleya pulverulenta
(ssp. pulverulenta) CA Chalk Dudleya
< 2 ft & wide
Pink-Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 14, 19 With good drainage
X Dudleya virens ssp.
hassei
Bright Green
Dudleya <1 ft tall 1 ft wide
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 8, 9, 14, 20 Good groundcover
X Dudleya virens ssp.
insularis Island Dudleya
1-2 ft tall & wide
Yellow/ Sp-Su
FS/PS Well-drained
1 to 1-2 1, 14, 20
Dramtic accent
plant; edible leaves
X * Sedum spathulifolium Broadleaf
Stonecrop < 1 ft tall spreading
Yellow/Su-F FS/PS Any 2 to 3 1, 3, 6, 8, 13 San Gabriels
Ferns and Fern-like Plants
All CA native ferns, with the exception of Woodwardia, are small enough to be suitable for a small garden (see Ferns & Fern-like Plants list)
20
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/ season
Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes
Bulbs and Corms
All CA native bulbs are suitable for small gardens (see Bulbs and Corms list)
Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)
Most CA native grasses are suitable for small gardens (see Grasses & Lawn Substitutes list)
I : X = Gardening Information Sheet :http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants.html or at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center
* may not be immediately local, but is a CA native plant ** horticultural cultivar ++
light: FS=full sun; PS=part shade; FSH=full shade + Water Zones: 1 = no summer water; 1-2 = very occasional summer water (several times per summer); 2 = let soil dry out between waterings;
2-3 some regular summer water (about once a week); 3 = regular watering/moist soil (like a conventional lawn) Availability: numbers correspond to the Plant and Seed Sources List at: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/where-to-purchase-native-plants.html
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