1. The document provides a list of native California plant species that are good sources of nectar for butterflies. It includes trees, shrubs, and smaller plants and provides information on the size, flowering period, light and soil requirements, water needs, hardiness zones, and notes for each species.
2. Many of the plants listed are drought-tolerant once established and suitable for California climate zones 1-3, including species like California lilac, toyon, California fuchsia, and California buckwheat.
3. The guide contains over 80 plant species and subspecies organized by size from trees to small shrubs, making it a useful resource for landscaping with
1. 1
CA Native Plants for Western L.A. County – Best Butterfly (Adult) Nectar Sources
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
Trees and Tree-like Large Shrubs
X Aesculus californica CA Buckeye
12-30+ ft
tall & w
White/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any well-
drained
1
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
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
** Ceanothus ‘Ray
Hartman’
‘Ray Hartman’
Ceanothus
To 20 ft t
10-15 w
Lt. blue/Sp FS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 6, 9, 13
Spreading;
evergreen;
good for garden
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
* Chilopsis linearis ssp.
arcuata
Desert Willow
5-25 ft tall
and wide
Pink/ Sp-F FS/PS
Any well-
drained
1 to 1-2
1, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
Showy flowers;
winter decid.
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
* 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
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
Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)
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 pilularis
‘Pigeon Point’
Pigeon Point
Coyote Bush
6-12 ft T
to 10 ft W
Buff-White/
Su-F
FS/PS any
1 to 1-2
Winter
flooding
1, 2, 7, 8, 10,
13, 14, 16, 20
** Ceanothus cyanus
‘Sierra Blue’
Sierra Blue
Ceanothus
To 15 ft t.
& wide
Dk blue /Sp FS
Any well-
drained
1-2 to 2 3, 6, 8
Fast; easy;
showy
* Ceanothus
integerrimus
Deerbrush 3-6+ ft t White/Sp FS/PS Any 1 to 2 3, 13, 16
Drought decid;
glossy leaves
X
* Ceanothus
leucodermis
Chaparral
Whitethorn
8-12 ft t
10 ft wide
Lt. blue-
white/Sp
FS
Sandy/
rocky
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
14, 20
Very showy;
open growth
2. 2
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Ceanothus megacarpus Big-pod Ceanothus
To 12 ft
tall
White-
lavender/ Sp
FS/PS
Any well-
drained
1
1, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
** Ceanothus ‘Concha’
Ceanothus papillosus var.
roweanus X C. impressus
‘Concha’
Ceanothus
4-6 ft. tall
& wide
Dark Blue/
Sp
FS/PS Most 1-2 to 2
3, 6, 8, 9, 14,
24,
Alkali & garden
tolerant
X
** Ceanothus
thyrsiflorus ‘Skylark’
‘Skylark’
Ceanothus
3-6 ft t Lt blue/Sp FS/PS
Any incl
clay
2 1, 3, 6, 13
X
** Ceanothus
thyrsiflorus 'Snow
Flurry'
‘Snowflurry’
Ceanothus
6-10 ft t
10 ft w
White/Sp FS/PS
Any well-
drained
2
1, 3, 6, 9, 13,
14
Dense;
shrubby; fast
* 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
** Ceanothus arboreus
x thrysiflorus ‘Frosty Blue’
‘Frosty Blue’
Ceanothus
6-10 ft t
8 ft wide
Med blue/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Well-
drained,
sandy
2 1, 3, 6, 13
Dense;
evergreen;
prune or hedge
* Ceanothus verrucosus
White Coast (Wart-
stemmed) Ceanothus
5-8 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
White/ FS 1-2 3, 6, 14, 20 Dense foliage
** Ceanothus ‘Blue
Window’
‘Blue Window’
Ceanothus
10-15 ft t
8-10 ft w
Med Blue/ FS
Sandy
best
1-2 1, 13
Dense;
evergreen
** Ceanothus
‘Tassajara Blue’
‘Tassajara’
Ceanothus
To 8 ft t
5-8 ft w
Lt. blue/ Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2 1, 13 Can be hedged
* Cephalanthus
occidentalis
Buttonbush
5-12 ft tall
4-8 ft wide
Cream/Sp FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 11, 13
Good for
pondside
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
* Mahonia (Berberis)
aquifolium
Oregon Grape < 6 ft Yellow/Sp PS any 2-3 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14
X
Mahonia (Berberis)
nevinii
Nevin’s Barberry
3-8+ ft tall
6-12 ft w
Yellow/Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 1, 7, 13, 14
Edible berries;
good bird
habitat
Malacothamnus
fasciculatus
Chaparral Mallow
To 12 ft t
4-6 ft wide
Pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS any 1 to 1-2
1, 3, 5, 10, 13,
19
‘Casitas’ good
for gardens
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
3. 3
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry
2-10 ft
3-20 ft w.
Pink/Sp FS/PS any 1-2
1, 3, 7, 9, 10,
12, 14, 16, 18
Edible fruits
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
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 * 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 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
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, 3, 6, 13
X
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium
Oregon Grape < 6 ft Yellow/Sp PS any 2-3 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14
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
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; silvery
foliage
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
Butterflies &
other insects
X Eriodictyon crassifolium
Feltleaf Yerba
Santa
4-8 ft tall
5-10 ft w
Lilac/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2
1, 10-14, 16,
20, 24
Lovely leaf
color, texture
4. 4
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
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
Gutierrezia
californica
Matchweed
1-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su-F FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2 10, 16
Brillian yellow
flowers
X Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom snakeweed
1-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su-F PS best
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2 10, 16, 20, 59
Nice shape;
bright flowers
Hazardia cana Island hazardia
3-6+ ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Su-F PS best Most 2 13
Island native;
nice foliage
X Hazardia squarrosa
Sawtooth
Goldenbush
1-3 ft Yellow/Su-F FS
Any well-
drained
1 to 1-2 1, 2
X
*Helianthemum
scoparium
Broom rose
1-2 ft tall
1-5 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-F
FS/PS Most 1-2 to 2
8, 10, 11, 13,
14, 17, 20, 24
Very pretty
flowers
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 * Keckiella antirhinnoides
Yellow Bush
Penstemon
3-8 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16, 22, 24
Fragrant flowers
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
5. 5
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
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 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 Rhus trilobata
Basket Bush; Sour
Berry; Skunkbrush
2-6 ft
Yellow-
green/Sp
PS any 1-2
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
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
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’,
** Salvia apiana X S.
clevelandii ‘Vicki Romo’
‘Vicki Romo’ Sage
3-4 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/Sp FS Most 1-2 to 2 6, 8
Silver-white
foliage; fragrant
X
** Salvia clevelandii X
S. leucophylla ‘Allen
Chickering’
Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Light blue/
Sp-Su
FS
Well-
drained
1 to 1-2 1, 3, 13, 14
Silvery foliage;
prune back by
1/3 in fall
** Salvia clevelandii X S.
leucophylla ‘Pozo Blue’
‘Pozo Blue’ Sage
3-4 ft tall
4-5 ft wide
Bright blue/
Sp-Su
FS/PS Many 1-2 to 2 1, 3, 6, 13
Excellent
butterfly plant
6. 6
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
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 mellifera Black Sage 3-5 ft
Light
purple/Sp
FS
Well-
drained
1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18, 19
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 1-2 to 2 13, 14
X * Sphaeralcea ambigua
Globe Mallow/
Desert Mallow
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Orange/
Sp-Su
FS Most 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
Reseeds; silvery
to white foliage
X
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 * 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
Perennial Vines
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
Great for
butterflies,
other insects
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 ciliosa
Orange
Honeysuckle
15-20 ft
Orange/ Sp-
Su
PS/FSH Any 2-3 2, 8
Not for hot
gardens
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
7. 7
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
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
Perennial Groundcover Plants
X 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
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
* * 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
* 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
8. 8
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
** 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
** 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
9. 9
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
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
X
Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria
californica) & cultivars
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
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
** 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 *Glandularia gooddingii
Southwest mock
verbena
1-2 ft
spreading
Lilac/Sp-Su PS
Well-
drained
2 to 2-3 3, 8, 13, 16, Lovely flowers
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
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
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 Ranunculus californicus
California
Buttercup
< 2 ft Yellow/ PS sandy 2-3 to 3
Pac Coast
Seed
Very well-
drained soils
10. 10
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X
* Salvia clevelandii
‘Compacta’
Compact Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage
3 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Spr-Su
FS
Well-
drained
1 to 1-2 ?
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
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
X
* Symphyotrichum
chilense (Aster
chilensis)
Coast Aster
1-3 ft tall
spreading
Lavender/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 1, 8, 11, 13
Good habitat
plant
Herbaceous Perennials
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
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 Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed
2-3 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Pink/Su FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 2, 8, 19
Tol. Flooding;
Monarch host
plant; silvery
11. 11
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X
Astragalus
trichopodus ssp.
lonchus
Rattlepod 2-3 ft White/Sp FS any 1 to 1-2 1, 2, 13
X Baileya multiradiata *Desert marigold
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/Sp-
Su
FS Most 1-2 to 2
8, 10, 13, 14,
16, 38, 47, 66
Charming;
pollinators
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
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
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
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 kennedyi
Cushion
Buckwheat
< 1 ft
1-3 ft wide
Pink/ FS
Sandy/
rocky
1-2 to 2 13, 14
Alpine plant;
silvery-white
* Eriogonum saxatile Rock Buckwheat
1 ft tall &
wide
Red-yellow/
Su
FS/PS gravelly 1-2 1, 13
Desert mtns
plant; compact
X
* 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
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
X Euthamia occidentalis Western Goldenrod 3-6 ft tall Yellow/Su-F FS Any 2 to 3 13, 16
Butterfly plant;
can be invasive
12. 12
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
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
vars. hirsutula &
maritima
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
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
* Lobelia dunnii var.
serrata
Dunn’s Lobelia
1 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Lavender/Su PS
Well-
drained
2-3 to 3 1, 6, 8, 13 Lovely blooms
X Lomatium utriculatum Common Lomatum 2-3 ft tall Yellow/Sp FS
Any, incl.
clays,
alkali
2-3 to 3 30
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 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 *Monardella linioides
Willowy
monardella
1-2 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Lavender/
Su-F
FS.PS
Well-
drained
2 to 2-3
1, 8, 11, 13,
14, 19
Many butterflies
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
Hummingbird
plant; scented;
‘Marion Sampson’
X
*Monardella
odoratissima
Mountain/Desert
Monaradella
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Pink/Sp-Su PS Most 2
1, 3, 6, 8, 11,
13, 14, 24, 28
Lovely scent;
many butterflies
X
* Monardella villosa
(ssp. subserrata)
Coyote Mint
1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Pink/Sp-Su PS
Well-
drained
2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14,
19
Many butterflies
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 * 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
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
13. 13
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
* Phacelia californica CA Phacelia
1-2 ft tall
and wide
Lavender/ FS
Well-
drained
2 13, 19
Gray-green
foliage
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
*Sidalcea calycosa ssp.
rhizomata
Pt. Reyes
checkerbloom
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Magenta/
Sp-Su
PS
Any but
alkali
2-3 to 3 5, 46 Lovely blooms
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
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 1, 6, 8, 10, 13
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
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
X
Chaenactis glabriuscula
var. glabruiscula & var.
orcuttiana
Yellow Pincushion 1-3 ft tall
Yellow/Sp
FS any 1 10, 13
X
Cirsium occidentale
var. californicum &
occidentale
Cobwebby Thistle
4-6 ft tall
1-2 ft w.
Pink/Sp-Su FS
Well-
drained
1-2 13, 19, 21
May survive
several seasons
X Clarkia unguiculata Elegant Clarkia 2-5 ft tall
Pink-purple/
Sp-Su
FS/PS any 1 to 2-3
2, 5, 10, 13,
16
Needs drought
for seeds
X
Claytonia perfoliata
ssp. perfoliata
Miner’s Lettuce 1 ft tall White/Sp-Su PS/FSH any 1-2 2, 5, 10
Croton setigerus
Doveweed; Turkey
Mullein
< 1 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Su FS
Well-
drained
1 to 1-2 2, 10, 16
Somewhat
invasive;
stinging hairs
X
Gilia capitata ssp.
abrotanifolia
Globe Gilia 1-2+ ft
Purple-blue/
Sp
FS
Any well-
drained
1 to 1-2 5, 13 easy
14. 14
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Gilia tricolor Bird’s Eye Gilia 1-2 ft tall
Yellow/Blue
Sp
FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 2, 5, 10, 13 Easy; fragrant
X Helenium puberulum
Rosilla;
Sneezeweed
1-5 ft tall
1 ft wide
Yellow-
brown/ Su
FS any 2-3 to 3 6, 13, 21
Edible;
pollinator plant;
X Helianthus annuus
Common (Annual)
Sunflower
5-8 ft tall Yellow/Su-F FS any 1-2
2, 10 (local
var.)
easy
X Hemizonia fasciculata Slender Tarweed
Med/tall Gold-
yellow/Su
FS Any 1 10, 16
X Heterotheca grandiflora Telegraph Weed 4-5+ ft tall Yellow/Su-F FS Any 1 to 1-2 1, 2, 10, 16
Abundant
reseeder
X
Heterotheca sessiliflora
ssp sessiliflora
Erect Goldenaster
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
Yellow/F FS Sandy 2
3, 8, 13, 16 (?
ssp)
Dune plant
X Lasthenia californica
California
Goldfields
< 1 ft tall Yellow/W-Sp FS any 1 to 1-2 10, 13 Salt tolerant
Lasthenia coronaria Royal Goldenfields < 1 ft tall Yellow/W-Sp FS any 1 to 2-3 10,
Moderately salt
tolerant
X
Lasthenia glabrata ssp.
coulteri
Coulter's Goldfields < 1 ft tall Yellow/Sp FS any 1 to 2-3 5, 10
Good for water
gardens; salt
tolerant
X Layia platyglossa Coastal Tidy-Tips 1-2 ft tall
Yellow/white
/ Sp
FS any 1 to 2-3 5, 10, 13 easy
X Limnanthes douglasii Meadowfoam < 1 ft tall
Yellow/white
Sp
FS any 1 to 2-3 5,
Linanthus dianthiflorus Linanthus < 1 ft tall Purple-blue FS any 2-3 16
X Lupinus succulentus
Arroyo (Succulent)
Lupine
1-3 ft tall
Blue-
purple/Sp
FS/PS any 1 to 1-2
1, 2, 5, 8, 10,
13, 16, 18
Easy
X * Madia elegans Common Madia 1-3 ft
Yellow-red/
Su-F
FS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2 5, 10, 16, 19
Foliage aroma
of tropical fruit
X
Oenothera elata ssp.
hirsutissima & hookeri
Hooker’s Evening
Primrose
5+ ft tall Yellow/Su FS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3 10, 16
Abundant
reseeders
Perityle emoryi Rock Daisy < 1 ft tall
White-
Yellow/ Sp
FS
Any
- to +/- 10
More common
in desert areas
Phacelia cicutaria var.
hispida
Caterpillar Phacelia 1-2 ft tall Light Purple FS
Any well-
drained
1 10, 16
X Phacelia grandiflora
Large-flowered
Phacelia
1-3 ft tall Purple/Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained/
sandy
2 to 3
8, 10, 13, 16,
17, 19
Very showy
15. 15
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Phacelia parryi
Parry’s Phacelia
(Fiddleneck)
1-3 ft tall
Purple-
white/Sp
FS/PS
Any well-
drained
2-3 13, 16
X Phacelia tanacetifolia Purple fiddleneck 1-3 ft tall
Purple/Sp-
Su
FS/PS
Any well-
drained
2-3 to 3 5, 10, 13,
Easy, pretty,
scent, cut
flower
X Phacelia viscida Sticky Phacelia 1-2 ft tall
Blue-
White/Sp
FS/PS any
1-2 to
2-3
2, 8, 19 Easy, pretty
X Plantago erecta
California
(Dotseed) Plantain
< 1 ft tall White/green FS/PS any 2-3 2, 16
X Salvia carduacea Thistle Sage 1-2 ft tall
Lavender/
Sp
FS
Sandy or
rocky
1 10, 13, 16
X
Salvia columbariae var.
columbariae
Chia Sage 1-2 ft
Blue-purple/
Sp
FS
Sandy or
rocky
1 to 1-2 5, 10, 13, 16
X
Trichostema
lanceolatum
Vinegar Plant Med-tall Purple FS
Any well-
drained
1 10, 13,
X
Trifolium
albopurpureum
Indian Clover < 1 ft
Purple-
white/Sp
FS
Any well-
drained
1-2 to
2-3
5, 16
Pollinator plant;
edible
X Trifolium ciliolatum Tree clover 1-3 ft
Pink-
purple/Sp
FS/PS
Any well-
drained
1-2 to
2-3
5, 10
Pollinator plant;
edible
X Trifolium fucatum
Bull Clover/Sour
Clover
1-3 ft Yellow/ FS
Any well-
drained
1-2 to
2-3
5, 16
Pollinator plant;
edible
X Trifolium gracilentum Pin-point Clover 1-3 ft
Pink-
purple/Sp
FS
Any well-
drained
1-2 to
2-3
10, 16
Pollinator plant;
edible
X
Trifolium
microcephalum
Small-head Clover
Pink-purple/
Sp-Su
FS
Any well-
drained
1-2 to
2-3
10, 16
Trifolium obtusiflorum
Creek (Clammy)
Clover
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any well-
drained
2 to 3 10, 16
Pollinator plant;
edible
X Trifolium willdenovii Tomcat Clover 1-2 ft Pink/Sp-Su FS/PS Any
1-2 to
2-3
10, 16, 19 Can spread
Trifolium wormskioldii Coast Clover 1 ft. tall Pink/Sp FS/PS Any
1-2 to
2-3
Pollinator plant;
edible
Bulbs and Corms
X
Bloomeria crocea
var. crocea
Golden Stars 1-2 ft Yellow/Sp FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1
1, 8, 10, 13,
16
Fine in grass
X
Brodiaea jolonensis (B.
terrestris)
Harvest Brodiaea 1-2 ft
Purple/
Sp-Su
FS
Any, incl.
clays
1 1, 8, 20
X
Dichelostemma
capitatum
Blue Dicks/Wild
Hyacinth
< 2 ft Blue/Sp FS/PS
well-
drained
1
1, 2, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
16. 16
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Ranunculus californicus
California
Buttercup
< 2 ft
Yellow/
Sp-Su
PS sandy 1-2 to 3 1, 13
Very well-
drained soils
X Sisyrinchium bellum
Western Blue-eyed
Grass
1-2 ft
Purple-
yellow/Sp
FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
7/3/2016
I : X = Gardening Information Sheet :( http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html)
* 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