Bay, California - Umbellularia californica. Our native Bay Laurel is an evergreen tree that will grow slowly to 40-50’ tall. The leaves are aromatic and can be used sparingly as a flavoring (they are much stronger than the Greek Bay and too much can give you a headache). The nuts are edible and delicious with some processing. It can be planted in full sun along the coast, but benefits from partial shade inland and occasional water. 1-gallon size

Bee Plant, CA Figwort -Scrophularia californica. This is not really that special of a plant unless you are a bee or a butterfly, in which case it is SUPER special. You see, the tiny burgundy flowers are just filled to the brim with nectar that is so sweet and good. I find that it does best here (inland valley) when planted in the company of another plant like a big and scruffy Grandfather sage (Artemisia californica) where it can vine up and poke out the edges. Generally considered to be not edible for people.

Bladderpod, CA Cleome Peritoma arborea. This is a highly recommended plant for a hot sunny location where it will grow into a 2-3’ roundish shrub. It blooms almost all year with yellow flowers that the bees and hummingbirds visit often. The seed pods are strangely shaped with large brown seeds inside that rattle around when dry. It has a kind of a funny smell that some people find stinky, but others enjoy. Flowers, leaves and unripe seed pods are edible. Full sun.

Buckwheat, California Native Eriogonum fasciculatum. Low growing perennial prefers full sun and well drained soils. In spring, the pinkish-white flower balls attract many native pollinators. By fall the seed heads have turned a rusty color. Buckwheat looks attractive all year even with no supplemental water. The small seeds are edible, but it is not the same as the grain found in the store.

Buckwheat, Seacliff. Eriogonum parvifolium. This is a perennial low growing bush that is common along the coast on sunny banks but can also be grown inland with a bit of shade. Flowers are pale pink in spring and turn a rusty red in late summer. Nectar source for butterflies and bees and very low maintenance, zero to low water needs and looks good pretty much all year. The undersides of the leaves are slightly fuzzy and make a pretty contrast with the shiny green tops.

California Fuchsia - Available – Epilobium canum. A low-growing perennial bush 18”-2’ with tubular red flowers in late summer and fall. One of the best hummingbird plants around, and it blooms at a time when not much else is going on. This does well in sun to part shade and will spread slowly by runners. Very good for stabilizing slopes and it will tolerate some flooding in winter and dry soil in summer. $8

Cardinal Catchfly - Silene laciniata. Perennial sub-shrub to 2’ tall with striking red flowers over a long bloom season, generally spring through mid summer. An obvious hummingbird magnet, it does best with part shade (especially inland) and some rocks or other plants for company.

Ceanothus, Island Ceanothus arboreus. A species of California lilac that is endemic to the Channel Islands. It is fast growing to 15’ tall and evergreen with shiny soft leaves. The flowers occur in spring - pale purple and fragrant clusters of sweet nectar for local bees. Good hedgerow plant for full sun. Drought tolerant to the extreme and it looks oh so cottage garden.

Ceanothus, bigpod Ceanothus megacarpus. This is a white flowering perennial evergreen shrub about 6' tall and wide that is common along the local coast. The bloom time is early spring and along with the sweet aroma of the flowers come myriad pollinators.

Ceanothus, Common Buckbrush - Ceanothus cuneatus. This species is similar to the bigpod ceanothus, but is more likely to be found inland from the coast. The flowers are whit with a lavender tinge. Super drought tolerant, positive shrub.

Ceanothus, Common Buckbrush - Ceanothus cuneatus. This species is similar to the bigpod ceanothus, but is more likely to be found inland from the coast. The flowers are whit with a lavender tinge. Super drought tolerant, positive shrub.

Checker Bloom, Sidalcea malviflora. This is a local native member of the mallow family that grows in open woodlands and meadows. The flowers are a light pink color and occur along spikes that reach or arc to about 2 feet long. Not very picky about soil type, Checkerbloom can tolerate clay soils with seasonal flooding, and equally enjoys well drained loamy soils. Aslo, not picky about watering - if you do not irrigate once established, it will go summer dormant; if you give summer water, it will have a longer bloom cycle. Native bees like to sleep in the flowers and the plant is very gentle.

Coffeeberry – Frangula californica. Also known as California buckthorn, this is a very handsome evergreen perennial shrub 6-8’ tall with red to purple berries in mid summer. An excellent hedgerow plant and good habitat for birds who love the berries. The flowers are not showy, but they really attract bees and other pollinators in the early summer. Not related to coffee!

Currant, Chaparral - (Ribes malvaceum). Local native currant for part shade, especially oak understory. This is a small shrub to about 6 feet tall that can be summer deciduous. The pink flowers occur in early winter and are one of the first things to bloom which makes them an especially important nectar source for hummingbirds and other native pollinators since there is not much else blooming at this time. Flowers are followed by yellow fruits which are edible and are a special treat for birds in the spring.

Deergrass - Muhlenbergia rigens. This is one of the iconic native grasses in California and it grows quickly to about 3’ in diameter with flowering spikes in summer to about 2’ tall. It can be planted in full sun to part shade in areas where it gets seasonal runoff from a dry creek, rain gutter or the edge of a driveway or in an occasionally irrigated landscape setting. This plant will send roots 10’ deep or more and creates a moist shady habitat in its understory for lizards and frogs, all the while creating organic matter and stabilizing the landscape from erosion. Especially beneficial for holding the edges of seasonal creeks or watersheds.

Dudleya, Live-Forever – We grow four species of our local native succulents. These are plants that we have propagated from seed. I like to think of them as “garden jewelry.”  As the name suggests, they are very long-lived and all are frost-hardy.

Dudleya cymosa - Available -Rock Lettuce. Grey purple leaves and yellow or orange flowers. Does best in part sun, rock garden or sloping bank. $8

D. pulverulenta, Chalk Dudleya. - Available - A beautiful silver rosette like a giant mandala which can get to be up to 2’ in diameter. Tolerates full sun. It is best to plant this one at a slight angle or on a sloping bank so that water does not puddle in the crown (this can cause it to rot). Orange-red flowers in late spring. $10

D. palmerii., Palmer’s Dudleya. - Out of Stock- Juicy dark green leaves distinguish this from the others and it will grow about 18” in diameter in part shade, rock garden, or hillside. Gaviota Coast endemic. $8

Dudlyea edulis - Available - Sometimes called fingers dudleya, this native succulent has long thin and cylindrical leaves that emerge from a common center forming clusters. Over time it can get to be a large clump and the silver/white color makes a great accent to rock walls. $8

Elderberry - Sambucus mexicana. This is our local native elderberry – a perennial, mostly evergreen shrub or small tree 10-15’ tall. Large umbels of white flowers in spring are followed by clusters of dark purple berries in the early summer. The berries and flowers are edible and medicinal (Leaves are not edible). Excellent choice for a hedgerow, and a great habitat for birds.

Flannelbush - Fremontodendron californicum. Local native evergreen bush, growing to 15’ and covered with yellow flowers in the spring. Super tough and drought resistant. Carpenter bees especially enjoy these flowers. The bark has medicinal properties similar to slippery elm. Some people are sensitive to the itchy/scratchy hairs on the undersides of the leaves. 1-gallon

Madrone - Available - Arbutis menziesii. Two year old trees, seed grown from berries collected in the Santa Ynez Mountains, pretty much the farthest south natural stand of this beautiful tree. They are fairly fast growing once established and do appreciate a little summer water especially if you are gardening in an inland valley. Madrone can eventually grow over 40 feet tall and as a relative of the manzanita, has the characteristic exfoliating bark during the summer months which exposes the pale yellow skin of the tree. These are so beautiful. 1- gallon pots

Mallow, Island Bush - Lavatera assurgentiflora. This plant is a perennial evergreen shrub to about 10’ tall and wide with pink flowers over a long bloom season. It looks super lush and cottage garden-y especially considering how drought tolerant it is and makes an excellent addition to a wildlife friendly hedgerow. Because it is a member of the mallow family, bun rabbits, gophers and all other manner of creatures find it to be quite delicious, so you may want to protect the plants while they are small. Once it has established, it's super easy to maintain, especially along the coast.

Milkweed, Narrowleaf - Asclepias fascicularis. One of our local native milkweeds, and a food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. This plant is super easy to grow and can be placed anywhere in the landscape, including the edges where it gets minimal water and the soil is not so good. It is also a favorite of nectar source for many pollinators including native bees and other butterflies. Don’t be alarmed if you see yellow aphids and red milkweed bugs – they only like the milkweed and will not harm other plants in your garden. The milkweed is one of our best pollinator plants for mid-summer, and develops a sturdy root system. It also takes on a winter dormancy to rest from all the excitement of summer.

Milkweed, Indian (Kotoku Milkweed) – Asclepias eriocarpa. Another local native milkweed for the Monarch Butterflies. This one takes a little bit longer to get established, but is really worth the time. It has giant fuzzy, silver leaves and the flowers form in a cluster up to 8” in diameter like a giant fireworks display of lavender and cream. Winter dormant, long-lived perennial for full sun to part shade and minimal to no summer water. 5” pots

Willowy Monardella - Monardella linoides. Perennial member of the mint family with purple flowers and fragrant slightly silver foliage. Plant in part to full sun with adequate drainage. Excellent tea and great for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees of all types. This species is found growing in the inland portions of Ventura county and the Cuyama valley.

Monkeyflower, Sticky - Diplacus aurantiaca. This is sometimes called the bush or sticky monkeyflower and has apricot colored flowers. A low-growing perennial that blooms in the spring and early summer then takes on a bit of dormancy for fall through early winter. It will look like it wants water, but can be killed by too much summer moisture, although an occasional sip will keep the foliage more green through the semi-dormant phase. Good hummingbird plant and a joyful profusion of flowers.

Mugwort, California - Artemisia douglasiana. Silver-green perennial 4-5’ tall with aromatic foliage. The flowers occur in late summer and are not particularly showy. Our native mugwort has great medicinal value and is super easy to grow. It will naturalize along streambanks, partly shaded woodland areas, and disturbed areas. If it is grown in the part shade, it really doesn’t need any extra water. Cut back in the winter for new growth in the spring.

Penstemon, Foothill – Penstemon heterophyllus. A very showy low growing perennial shrub with loads of purple flowers from early spring all through summer. This is such a beautiful plant and it grows in full sun to part shade with very little maintenance. Summer water will extend the bloom time. Hummingbirds and native pollinators. The common cultivar of this plant is called 'Margarita Bop' and was developed by Las Pilitas nursery. While the cultivar may be more consistent, the plants offered here are seed grown and have natural genetic diversity.

Penstemon, Heartleaf - Keckellia cordifolia. Also known as climbing penstemon, this is a native perennial resident of the chaparral with red flowers that occur in late spring and early summer. Great hummingbird plant and does well in part shade, north slope, or tucked in with a larger shrub where it can clamber through and peek out the edges. Late fall and winter deciduous.

Penstmon, Grinnell's - Penstemon grinnellii. Also known as Grinnell's Beardtongue. This is a perennial desert penstemon that forms a small mound covered in large, light pink, tubular flowers in the summer. The foliage is pale green with occasional purple speckles. Full sun, well drained soils. Perfect for rock garden or south facing hillside.

Penstemon, Scarlet Bugler - Penstemon centranthifolius. Native perennial penstemon with bright red tubular flowers that occur along a spike 2-3 feet tall in late spring – summer. A favorite hummingbird plant with silver foliage. Best grown in full sun with minimal summer water. Pairs well with white sage, CA buckwheat, manzanitas and native grasses.

Pitcher Sage - Lepechinia calycina. This wonderful perennial grows as a medium sized bush to about 4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. The flowers are bell shaped, light lavender in color and invite hummingbirds and bumblebees all through the spring. The entire plant has a lovely fragrance and it is widely adaptable to sun or part shade with minimal water needs. If you are near the coast, plant it in more sun, inland gardens can give them a bit more shade.

Sage, Black -Salvia mellifera. Often passed by unnoticed, most people recognize black sage as the smell of our local mountains. Glossy green leaves and white flowers in whorls that attract bees of all types. The first of our native sages to bloom, this is an important pollinator plant. The species name ‘mellifera’ comes from the Latin ‘mel’ meaning honey. Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Supplementary summer water keeps the foliage green in summer - if you do not give summer water, they will be somewhat summer deciduous. Excellent for tea. 

Sage, Hummingbird – Salvia spathacea. One of my favorite plants, and perfect for shady areas, Hummingbird Sage blooms in the early spring with thick fragrant corollas adorned with magenta flowers. True to its name, the hummingbirds will be busy around it. The flowering stocks can reach 4 feet tall, and the plant will gradually colonize an area. Evergreen perennial, part shade and occasional summer water. The leaves make a nice tea and the flowers are edible.

Sage, Purple – Salvia leucophylla. A hardy shrub with silver fuzzy leaves and purple flowers in whorls. This is a very drought tolerant sage, though it does look better with occasional summer water and will eventually become quite large (up to 4’ tall and wide). Full sun, good drainage. Can be formally pruned into a tidy hedge or shrub if that is what you desire. Otherwise, let it ramble and if you feel like breaking off the old seed heads you can do that in the fall once the birds have had their fill. Pairs well with grandfather sage (Artemisia) and Deerweed.

Sage, White –Salvia apiana.  A truly beautiful long lived perennial, the leaves are silvery–white and the flower spikes in early summer can reach 6ft tall.  The species name 'apiana' comes from the latin word for bee, and true to this naming, you will see lots of pollinators visiting the white flowers. Full sun and well drained soil are the preferred conditions, though a bit of shade is fine and some clay soil will be tolerated as long as there is a bit of a slope. White sage can naturalize in it's first year and generally looks good without additional water, but if you feel the need to irrigate, one good option is to gradually move the source of water away from the base of the plant - this avoids the risk of root rot.

NOTE: Due to its increasing popularity as an incense or ‘Smudge’, wild stands of White Sage are being harvested to fuel the demand. If you use this plant, then the best way that you can protect it is to grow your own. Avoid purchasing “wild crafted” white sage – instead, seek out and support local farmers who are tending plants in cultivation.

Sage, Grandfather – Artemisia californica. Not a true sage (Salvia), but an Artemisia. A member of the California coastal sage wildlands, this is a common and unforgettable fragrance of our open spaces. A long-lived, aromatic, super tough native plant for full sun and minimal water once established. Grows to 3-4 feet tall and wide with flowers in fall that are not showy. Fragrant and medicinal. Evergreen or somewhat stress-decidious. This is a major wildlife rehabilitation plant as it often grows as first succession to disturbance of the land and will act as a 'nursery' plant in the sense that it provides shade and protection for the next layer of growth. Beeplant and heartleaf penstemon can be planted near the base and will climb up through the branches creating interesting drama in the garden. Pairs well with purple sage and deerweed.

The Grandfather Sage goes by many names – we we'y, sagebrush, old man sage, brush sage....

Saltmarsh Fleabane - Pluchea odorata. Herbaceous perennial with tight clusters of purple flowers in mid summer to a height of about 30 inches. The foliage is interestingly fragrant and may have some medicinal uses. Aside from that, it is the perfect plant for areas of heavy clay, alkaline, salty or otherwise difficult locations that receive flooding during winter rains. Alternately, it can be grown in regular cultivation with summer water. You can cut back the flower stalks once they have gone to seed. Bees and butterflies!

Seaside Daisy- Erigeron glaucus. This is such a small and cute perennial with pale purple flowers throughout the summer. Growing no more than 8" tall and spreading 1-2 feet around they are perfect for garden edges or small spaces. Tolerant of coastal fog and salty soils, they can also grow inland if given a bit of shade and occasional water.

Sugarbush - Rhus ovata. Here is an amazing and indestructible evergreen shrub for inland areas that can be hot and dry in summer with cold, rain and frost during the winter. Similar to our coastal lemonadeberry, this plant is dioeciuous meaning male and female plants are independent. These are seed grown so the chance of having a male or female plant is 50/50. If both are present then the female plants will have seeds that are coated with a sticky and lemon-flavored substance that is similar to the 'sumac' used in making a Za'atar spice blend. Gorgeous. See also Lemonadeberry if you are near the coast.

Turkey Tangle Frogfruit - Phyla nodiflora. Yes, that really is its name and so you should get one. This is a low growing and spreading groundcover for moist soil or lightly irrigated areas. The flowers are in small clusters of pink with yellow centers and they are like tiny pollinator magnets, especially for butterflies and little bees. An excellent lawn-replacement strategy for areas with light foot traffic.

Yarrow – Achilea millefolium. Common yarrow (white flower) is native to most regions of the world, from the edges of the deserts to the arctic circle, and has found its way into the medicinal practices of all cultures who live where it grows. Because of it's wide distribution, Yarrow is not picky about sun exposure, soil type, or watering schedules. The only thing I would say is that if you live inland and want to grow it in full sun, then its probably best to water occasionally in summer. The yarrow plants offered here are a local native ecotype which has fuzzier leaves and a more upright habit than some of the common cultivars.

Yerba Buena – Satureja douglasii. Perennial woodland or stream-side creeper, the Yerba Buena is our wonderful native mint and makes a great tea herb. Given part shade and moist soil, it will gradually spread for form an evergreen aromatic groundcover.

Yerba Santa, California - Eriodictyon californica. Local native perennial with shiny green aromatic leaves and pale pink flowers in late spring through early summer. Great for pollinators of all sorts (especially loved by swallowtail butterflies), and a highly regarded medicinal plant. Can spread by runners, so be aware of your planting location. Pairs well with black sage and monkeyflowers.