Yes Yes Nursery

All of our native plants are seed grown, local, and true wild type. We do our own seed production from plants that we have established here on our farm in certified Organic cultivation. Growing native plants from seed means ensuring genetic diversity as each plant is a unique individual.  In establishing a stand of native plants it is important to keep in mind that they may take on a summer dormancy during which time they can look a little bit stressed. No need to panic! Too much water at this point can harm the root system. Consider the strategy of gradually moving the irrigation source away from the crown of the plant so that it can seek the water that it needs without being over saturated. Trust these plants and their inherent toughness. Know that you are creating long-lasting habitat for native birds and pollinators and bringing some wild medicine close to your home.

Bay, California - Available - Umbellaria 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 pots, $15

Bee Plant, CA Figwort - Available -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. $8

Blazing Star - Available –Mentzelia laevicaulis. A rosette of silver, wavy leaves is followed by flowering stalks to 3’ tall with yellow flowers. Biennial or short lived perennial for dry, gravely or sandy soil and full sun. My mom calls it “4th of July” because of the amazing floral display. $8

Bladderpod, CA Cleome - Out of Stock - 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. $8

Blue Eyed Grass - Out of Stock - Sisyrinchium bellum. While not a true grass, this perennial has grass like leaves and blue flowers with a yellow center. If flowers winter through summer and tolerates clay soil with poor drainage but will grow in most environments. Summer dormant. $8

Buckwheat, California Native - Available – 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. $8

Buckwheat, Saffron - Out of Stock - Eriogonum crocatum. Rare native species of Buckwheat endemic to Ventura and northern Santa Barbara county. This is a small perennial, about 1' tall with silver foliage and yellow flowers that can grow in clay soils, full sun on the coast and partial shade inland. Seeds were ethically collected and gifted to me. $10 for 5" size.

Buckwheat, Seacliff - Available - 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. $8

Buttercup, California - Out of Stock - Ranunculus californicus. A local native perennial with shiny yellow flowers in very early spring. Perfect for part shade, oak understory, or north slope. Tolerates clay and serpentine soils and will go completely dormant in summer so mark your planting spot well. $8

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

California Hedgenettle, Native Woodmint - Out of Stock - Stachys bullata. Perennial native plant for shade, especially oak understory or north slopes. The pink flowers emerge in spring and are good nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Spreads gradually by rhizomes (like mint). Fragrant foliage is slightly prickly but does not sting like nettle and can be used for tea. Very easy to grow, it goes dormant in summer and does not need to be watered. $8

Cardinal Catchfly - Available -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. $8

Chaparral Bush Mallow - Out of Stock - Malacothamnus fasciculatus. A medium large perennial shrub for sun to part shade and great for planting in less than perfect soil conditions. The bush mallow will tough it out in some pretty rocky or otherwise disturbed soil and bless the landscape with gentle pink flowers through the summer months. It generally grows 6-10’ tall and on the order of 5’ wide. $8

Coyote Bush - Available - Baccharis pilularis. Mid sized perennial, dioecious evergreen shrub 5-7’ tall and wide. Can be pruned to desired height and shape. This is a pioneer plant that generally colonizes disturbed ground and acts as a nursery plant for the next succession as well as sanctuary for diverse birds and insects. $8

Desert Willow - Out of Stock - Chilopsis linearis. A small deciduous tree native to the desert southwest, generally growing along sandy washes or near water. It can grow to about 15’ tall and has fragrant pink tubular flowers through the summer. Tolerates heat and frost. Good hummingbird plant. 1-gallon, $15

Hedgenettle, Short-spiked - Out of Stock - Stachys pycnantha. Big soft silver leaves, kind of like lamb’s ears, and pale lavender flowers in spikes up to about 2 feet tall that keep blooming long into the summer and are much visited by bees and butterflies. The leaves are also fragrant, with a minty/earthy aroma. This plant, like its relative above, spreads underground by rhizomes, but instead of dry shade, prefers slightly moist ground and tolerates heavy clay and a good amount of sun. $8

Canyon Sunflower - Out of Stock- Venegasia carpesioides. Local native perennial bush sunflower for shady areas including oak understory. 2” yellow flowers are bourne in profusion on a 3-4’ tall bush with bright green leaves. Really brightens up a shady area and blooms almost year round. 1-gallon $12

Ceanothus, Island - Available - 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. $8

Ceanothus, Greenbark - Out of Stock - Ceanothus spinosus. An evergreen perennial shrub to about 10’ tall with fragrant, pale lavender flowers in early spring. Tolerates clay soils and good for stabilizing banks. The leaves are shiny green and the bark is also green. Seed grown! $8

Ceanothus, bigpod - Available. 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. $8

Ceanothus, Common Buckbrush - Available - 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. $8

Checker Bloom - Available - 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. Native bees like to sleep in the flowers and the plant is very gentle. $8

Chia -Available - Salvia columbariae. Please see the section on native grasses and wildflowers.

Coastal Bush Sunflower - Available - Encelia californica. Perennial bush sunflower for sunny spots on the coast and part shade inland. Bright yellow flowers in masses during the early spring to mid summer. Pollinators! $8

Cobweb Thistle - Available -Circium occidentale. A local native thistle with pure scarlet red flowers. Edible/medicinal (very bitter) and great for hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies. Multiple flowers on a 5-6’ tall branching plant. Annual or biennial. Re-seeds, but sparsely. Everyone takes pictures of these when they see them in the wild, don’t be afraid to put one in your back yard! $8

Coffeeberry - Out of Stock– Frangula californica. Also known as California buckthorn, this is an evergreen perennial shrub 6-8’ tall with red to purple berries in mid summer. An excellent hedgerow plant and good habitat for birds. The flowers are not showy, but they really attract bees and other pollinators. Not related to coffee! $12

Columbine - Out of Stock– Aquilegia eximia.   A long-lived perennial for full to part shade and moist soils, especially near a creek or pond. Exquisite flowers are red with yellow centers and hang from stalks about 18” tall. Good hummingbird plant. $8

Coyote Mint - Available - Monardella hypoleuca. A local native to our area, seeds were gifted to me from a collection on private land in the SB foothills. The leaves are small and fragrant when touched (can be used for tea), and the flowers are the cutest little pink pom-poms. A great pollinator plant and much loved by butterflies. Full sun to part shade, minimal water once established. $8

Currant, Chaparral - Available - (Ribes malvaceum). Local native currant for part shade, especially oak understory. The mid-winter flowers are pink followed by yellow fruits which are edible. $8

Deergrass - Available - 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. $8

Deerweed - Out of Stock - Acmispon glaber. Delicate foliage supports yellow/orange flowers in late spring and early summer. This is a particular host plant for little butterflies and is nitrogen fixing for the soil. Good for hillside stabilization, reclamation of disturbed or damaged soils. Minimal water, full sun to part shade. $8

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 - Available – Sambucus mexicana. This is our native elderberry – a perennial, mostly evergreen shrub or small tree 10-15’ tall. Large umbels of white flowers in spring and summer are followed by clusters of dark purple berries in fall. The berries and flowers are edible and medicinal (Leaves are not edible). Excellent choice for a hedgerow, and a great habitat for birds. $8

Evening Primrose - Available - see medicinal plants

Flannelbush - Available - Fremontodendron californicum. Local native evergreen bush, growing to 15’ and covered with yellow flowers in the spring. Super tough and drought resistant. 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 $15

Fuchsia Flowered Gooseberry - Out of Stock, not in production this year - Ribes speciosum. This is a spiny shrub to 3’ tall with slightly palmate leaves and clusters of vibrant red flowers that dangle off the stems during the winter. The flowers are followed by yellow/red fruits that are edible for both humans and birds. A super important hummingbird plant as it blooms when there is not much else happening and provides safe nesting spaces in among the thorns. Summer dormant, so it can look a bit thorny and leafless through part of the season. $8

Goldenrod, California - Out of Stock– Solidago californica. Bunches of yellow flowers in late summer and fall make this plant a top notch pollinator party. A perennial for part shade and wet winter/dry summer soils. Oak understory or riparian but also does well in regular garden conditions. Medicinal. $8

Gumplant - Out of Stock – Grindelia camporum. Perennial bush to about 2’ tall with yellow flowers. Before opening, the flower buds cup a basin of sticky white gum, hence the name. This is a really hardy plant for full sun and moderately good drainage. It can bloom almost year round and is a good nectar source for bees and butterflies. Gumplant is a well respected medicinal plant throughout its range. $8

Humboldt Lily - Out of Stock - Lilium humboldtii. One of our most spectacular native lilies and truly a special offering. Seed grown and now in their third year, these should begin flowering in another year or two. These are best planted in dry shade, any soil type should be fine so long as there is some drainage (clay is ok, if it is on a slope). The flowers are orange with dark speckles and recurved petals. Bloom time is in June after which the plant takes on a late summer dormancy. They can be grown in pots, but it is important to keep them in the shade and do not water them during their dormant stage or the bulb will rot. 5” pots, $15

Larkspur, Purple (Umbrella Larkspur) -Available- Delphinium umbraculorum. (I have previously mis-identified this as D. patens) A native perennial larkspur with deep purple/blue flowers in mid spring. Part shade, oak understory. Fully dormant in summer. (As far as we know this plant is not edible) $8

Larkspur, Scarlet - Available - Delphinium cardinale. Native perennial for full sun and good drainage with red flowers in late spring on stalks up to 5 feet tall. This might not bloom in the first year. Goes completely dormant in late summer so be sure to mark its location. Spectacular red flowers! $8

Lemonadeberry - Out of Stock - Rhus integrifolia. A medium to large sized shrub for coastal gardens, this is an evergreen perennial with pink flowers in spring. The plant is dioecious meaning male and female plants are different and it is the femal plant which produces the fruit which has a lemony tasting outer coating. Since these are seed grown, it is a 50-50 chance that you will get either a male or a female plant. The best approach is to plant 3 in a given area, spaced 10-15’ apart. $10 for 5" size. See also Sugarbush if you are inland from the coast.

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. 1- gallon pots $15

Mallow, Island Bush - Available - 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. $12

Milkweed, Narrowleaf - Available, winter dormant – Asclepias fascicularis. One of our local native milkweeds, and a food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. This is a very easy to grow plant 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 honeybees. 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. $8

Milkweed, Indian – Out of Stock- 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, $8

Willowy Monardella - Available - Monardella linoides. Perennial member of the mint family with purple flowers and fragrant foliage. Plant in part to full sun with adequate drainage. Excellent tea and great for hummiingbirds, butterflies and bees of all types. $8

Monkeyflower, Cardinal - Out of Stock – Mimulus cardinalis. A red-flowering low bush that will bloom prolifically in moist soil through the summer. Part shade. Tolerates poor drainage, clay soils. Hummingbirds! $8

Monkeyflower, Red - Available – Diplacus puniceus Spring, summer. Native to just slightly south of our area, this is a beautiful and long-blooming perennial shrub to about 2’ tall and wide. Red flowers are magnets for hummingbirds. It grows well in a partly shaded location with minimal summer water. $8

Monkeyflower, Sticky - Available – Dplacus 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. Good hummingbird plant. $8

Monkeyflower, Seepspring – Out of Stock- Mimulusguttatus. Yellow flowers with red speckles and marking in the throat. The seep monkeyflower grows near creeks and streams and will thrive in a moist place in the garden with some sun. Great nectar plant for native bumblebees. Self seeds in favorable locations. Perfect for a moist area and tolerates poor drainage, standing water, clay soil. $8

Monkeyflower, Island bush - Out of Stock - Diplacus parviflorus. A perennial red flowered bush monkey endemic to the channel Islands. $8

Mugwort, California - Out of Stock - Artemisia douglasiana. Silver-green perennial to 3’ tall with aromatic foliage. Classic preventitive remedy for poison oak (experiment at your own risk!). 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. $8

Nettle, Stinging - Out of Stock – Urtica dioica ssp. Holosericea. This is our local native Giant Creek Nettle, a summer dormant perennial for moist soils and part shade. It can grow to 6’ tall in the spring into early summer at which point it flowers and then dies back to the ground. Nutritious greens can be harvested any time before flowering (with care!) and the dry stems are the source for a traditional fiber for cordage. Very potent stingers on this plant so handle with care. $8

Nightshade, Purple - Available - Solanum xanti var hoffmannii. Reclassified to Solanum parishii Local endemic to the Gaviota coast, this purple nightshade has purple flowers and fruits that turn yellow when ripe. Unknown edibility, but probably don’t eat it just to be on the safe side. Great accent for coastal sun or part shade inland with its ongoing display of frilly purple flowers. Also, it can handle clay soils. $8

Onion, Red Skin - Available - Allium haematochiton. One of our native species of onion, the leaves have a wonderful mild flavor. I haven’t tried digging the bulb yet as this is our first run growing them. This is a summer dormant perennial that grows in poorly drained clay soil and serpentine, but does fine in regular garden conditions. These are second year from seed in 3” pots $6.

Penstemon, Foothill - Out of Stock– 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. $8

Penstemon, Heartleaf - Available - 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. $8

Penstmon, Grinnell's - Available - Penstemon grinnellii. This is a perennial desert penstemon that forms a small mound covered in large pink flowers in the summer. Full sun, well drained soils. $8

Penstemon, Scarlet Bugler - Available – Penstemon centranthifolius. Native perennial penstemon with bright red tubular flowers 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. $8

Pitcher Sage - Available - 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. $12

Poppy –See wildflowers

Rose, California Wild - Available – Rosa californica.. A thorny beauty, our native rose has single, pink flowers in spring or summer and red rose hips in the fall and winter. Sun to part shade. The flowers are edible and the seed heads make a great tea. $8

Sage, Black -Available–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. 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 and dry, well-drained soils.  $8

Sage, Island Black - Available - Salvia brandegii. A local native sage that is endemic to the Channel Islands. Slightly more low growing than the black sage and blooms at about the same time. Super drought tolerant, fragrant foliage and an excellent pollinator plant. $8

Sage, Hummingbird -Available – Salvia spathacea. One of my favorite plants, and perfect for shady areas, Hummingbird Sage blooms in the early spring with thick fragrant corollas and 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. $8

Sage, Purple - Available – 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. $8

 Sage, White- Available –Salvia apiana  A truly beautiful plant, the leaves are silvery–white and can be collected and burned as an incense or made into a tea. A long lived perennial with tall flower spikes in summer (can be 6ft tall) much loved by bees and other native pollinators.   Prefers full sun and well drained, dry soils. While it will naturalize after its first winter, it does appreciate occasional summer water. Not recommended for culinary use – see Sage under culinary herbs. NOTE: Due to its increasing popularity as an incense or ‘Smudge’, our wild stands of White Sage are being recklessly and illegally harvested to fuel the demand. If you use this plant, then PLEASE grow your own. Bringing it into cultivation changes your relationship with the plant. Avoid purchasing “wild crafted” white sage – instead, seek out and support local farmers who are tending plants in cultivation. $8

Sage, Thistle - Out of Stock - Salvia carduacea. This is an annual species of sage that grows in conditions of full sun and vey good drainage. The flowers are purple and outrageously beautiful, and the seeds are edible, similar to, but bigger than its cousin, CA Chia. $8

Sage, Grandfather - Out of Stock – Artemesia californica. Not a true sage (Salvia), but an Artemesia. 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 winter flowers that are not showy. Fragrant and medicinal. Evergreen or stress-decidious. The Grandfather Sage goes by many names – sagebrush, old man sage, cowboy cologne, brush sage… but you know it when you see it. $8

Saltmarsh Fleabane - Available - Pluchea odorata. Herbaceous perennial with tight clusters of purple flowers in mid summer. 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. Bees and butterflies! $8

Seaside Daisy- Available - 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. $8

Skullcap, Danny’s - Available – Scutellaria tuberosa.. This local native medicinal plant is a low-growing, perennial, summer dormant groundcover with bright purple flowers in early Spring. Super cute! It spreads by way of underground runners and small tubers. It can grow in full sun to part shade. Mark your planting spot well, so that you don’t accidentally dig it up in the summer when it is dormant. $8

Shooting Star - Available - Primula clevelandii (formerly Dodecatheon). This is a long lived perennial native wildflower with blooms that face downwards and have purple petals rimmed with yellow at the base. It goes completely dormant in summer and is one of the first to emerge with the winter rains. 3” pots, $8 (these plants are in their second year, and are just starting to flower - keep the planting spot well marked and do not give summer water)

Silver Bird’s-foot Trefoil - Out of Stock - Acmispon argophyllus. Soft silver foliage on a low growing plant with yellow flowers in summer. This is a member of the pea family and will help to build nitrogen in depleted soils. It looks great along the edges of a wall, in rock gardens or open ground where it will spread to about 3’ in diameter. It’s not super common in Santa Barbara county - we got the seeds from Neel’s Nursery because we think it is so pretty. Full sun to part shade… $8

Snapdragon, Sticky- Out of Stock -Antirrhinum multiflorum. This is our local native snapdragon with 2’ spikes of pink and yellow flowers. It does well in full sun with minimal water and is a good hummingbird and native bee plant. The foliage is slightly sticky and the flowers are fragrant. Super special. New this year. $8

Soaproot - Out of Stock - Chlorogalum pomeridianum. This is a native member of the lily family with multiple ethnobotanical uses. It emerges from an underground bulb in spring with a rosette of wavy-margined leaves that give way eventually to a tall flower spike graced by small white flowers that open in the evening and are fragrant pollinator magnets. Later in the summer, the plant dies back to the ground and remains dormant until the winter rains. 3-year old plants, grown from seed. $10

Sugarbush - Out of Stock - 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. $15 for 1-gallon size. Gorgeous. See also Lemonadeberry if you are near the coast.

Toyon - Out of Stock– Heteromeles arbutifolia. Evergreen perennial shrub will grow 6-8’ tall and has white flowers in July followed by red berries in winter. Very adaptable to different conditions, Toyon will grow in full sun or part to complete shade, including the understory shade of oak trees. $8

Turkey Tangle Frogfruit - Out of Stock - Phyla nodiflora. Yes, that really is its name. 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 great pollinator magnets, especially for butterflies and little bees. $8

Wallflower, Western - Available – Erysimum capitatum. A very showy plant with long-lasting, fragrant orange flowers on multiple stalks up to 30” tall. This is a short lived perennial that will easily reseed and is a good early season nectar plant for butterflies. It also makes a good cut flower. Full sun to part shade and minimal water will keep it blooming through the summer. A lot of people don’t know this plant, and I highly recommend it! $8

Woolly Bluecurls - Out of Stock- Trichostema lanatum. We are really excited to offer this lovely native plant, grown from seed! This is a mid-size shrub to about 3 feet tall with spikes of purple flowers through spring and early summer. Aromatic foliage can be used as a tea. Hummingbirds and bees enjoy the nectar. It can be grown in sun to part shade and if you give it a little bit of summer water (carefully) it will remain green through the summer. $8

Yarrow, Golden - Available - Eriophyllum confertiflorum. This is not a true yarrow, but the silver leaves and small clusters of yellow flowers share a resemblance. It is a smallish bush (1-2 feet) in the Aster family that blooms very cheerfully in the early spring and into summer after which it becomes dormant for the remainder of the warm season. Plant in full sun to part shade in relatively well drained soils. Good butterfly nectar plant. $8

Yarrow - Available – Achilea millefolium. Common yarrow (white flower) is native to most regions of the world and has found its way into the medicinal practices of all cultures. The yarrow that we grow is from our local native type. See Medicinal Plants for more information. $8

Yerba Buena - Available – Satureja douglasii. Perennial woodland or stream-side creeper, the Yerba Buena is our wonderful native mint and is a great tea herb. Part shade, moist soils. $8

Yerba Mansa - Out of Stock – Anemopsis californica. Briefly dormant in the late fall, the Yerba Mansa has white cone-like flowers in the spring and prefers to live in moist to soggy soils. Will tolerate heavy clay. Highly medicinal! Spreads by above ground runners, and is a great candidate for greywater systems, pond edges and low-lying areas with seasonal flooding. $8

Yerba Santa, woolly leaf - Out of Stock - Eriodictyon crassifolium. - - Woolly leaf Yerba Santa is a local native perennial shrub to about 3-5’ tall with pale purple flowers in late spring through mid summer. This plant is a serious pollinator magnet, especially for butterflies as well as a traditional native medicinal plant. Full sun, extremely drought tolerant. Keep in mind that it can spread by runners and will gradually colonize an area. $8

Yerba Santa, California - Out of Stock - 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, and a highly regarded medicinal plant. Can spread by runners. $12

Yucca, Chaparral - Available - Hesperoyucca whipplei. A fiercely spiked native plant for full sun and well drained soils. These are in their second year from seed and will flower in another 8 years or so in giant spires of fragrant white blossoms. The plant will die when it is done flowering. Special relationship with the yucca moth, look it up - it’s very cool. 5” pots $8

2025 Update:

As you can see, most of the medicinal plants listed here are out of stock or winter dormant. I generally plant new sets of all of these plants in February or March, and they become available again in late spring and early summer. If you have a wish list that you would like to send me, now is a good time!

Disclaimer- We are not herbalists, and the uses of plants listed here are purely anecdotal. We encourage you to do your own research.

Medicinal Aloes - Of the many kinds of Aloe, there are just four species that are considered choice for medicinal use.

Aloe Vera - Out of Stock - This is the official Aloe for both internal and external use. Succulent perennial native to Africa. Soothing gel. Prefers a partly shaded environment and makes a great houseplant. Protect from frost. Also there are two basic types of the Aloe Vera - one with more speckles on the skin and which makes more ofsets or “pups” The other is more silver and forms a bigger rosette with fewer pups. Both are in 1-gal standard nursery pots. Only the speckled one with pups is currently available. $12

Aloe ellenbeckii -Available-  A beautiful, low-growing species of aloe with lightly speckled, pale green leaves and orange-red flowers nearly year round. Very lovely non-bitter, clear gel for eating or using topically. This is a really special plant. Best grown in well drained soil in shade or filtered sun, minimal water, protect from frost. Rare and wonderful. $15

Aloe arborescens - Out of Stock- Candelabra aloe. Highly medicinal aloe species native to southern Africa. The leaves are pale green, edged with soft spines and have a strong bitter flavor. Grows 6-8' tall with red flowers in winter. Protect from frost. $15

Aloe ferox - Available- This species can only be grown from seed and will develop into a small tree-like form with sturdy trunk and spiny leaves which, when cut, ooze a bitter yellow sap from the skin around the clear inner gel. 5” pots, $15

Apricot Sprite - Out of Stock - Agastache aurantiaca. A combination of all the things that we love - fragrant foliage makes a good tea, apricot colored tubular flowers are edible for people and good nectar for hummingbirds. A very tidy plant about 18” tall and with abundant flowers spikes through summer and fall. So cottage garden. For full sun to partial shade. See also Rose Mint for a pink companion. $8

Arnica, Meadow - Out of Stock – Arnica chamissonis. This is a California native species of Arnica which is considered to be medicinally interchangeable with A. montana, but will grow more readily in this area. An herbaceous perennial with small yellow flowers through the summer. The flower is the medicinal part, for external use only. $8

Ashitaba- Out of Stock- Angelica keiskei-koidzumi. Biennial or short lived perennial native to southern Japan. Stalks and leaves of this plant taste like a strong celery and are one of the few plant based sources of vitamin B12. Ashitaba contains plant based flavinoids called Chalcones. Super high plant nutrition/ food medicine. Prefers regular garden conditions with plenty of compost and regular water. $8

Ashwagandha - Out of Stock, not in production this year - Withania somniferum. This is a perennial plant in the nightshade family native to India and the Middle East. It is very resilient in the heat and somewhat tolerant of the cold (can go dormant in winter). The medicinal roots are dug in the fall of the first or second year. My understanding is that the leaves and fruits are not the part that you use. $8

Basil, Holy / Tulsi Basil -Ocimum sp. We grow three kinds - the Krishna and Vana Tulsi will be available towards early summer. All are considered medicinal and the leaves and flowering tops can be used fresh or dried to make tea. If you do not specify, we will assume the Temperate Tulsi.

Tulsi, Temperate - Out of Stock- (Ocimum africanum) The most common variety and the easiest to grow, a self-seeding annual with pink flowers and fruity aroma. $8

Krishna Tuisi - Out of Stock - (Ocimum sanctum) Perennial, red leaves. $8

Vana Tulsi - Out of Stock - (Ocimum gratissimum) Perennial, the largest plant of the three, with strong flavor of cloves. $8

Balloon Flower -Out of Stock, not in production this year – Platycodon grandifloras. Here is a plant that combines many things that we love. It is stunningly beautiful in the landscape, with continuous blue flowers through the summer which start out as little blue balloons and open into stars on 2-3’ tall spikes. A long lived winter dormant perennial, the root is a highly respected medicinal similar to Ginseng. Every year, the clump gets a little bit larger and the flower stalks get taller. Standard garden culture with full to part sun and average water. $8

Bee Balm, Lemon Bergamot - Out of Stock - Monarda citriodora. Annual species of Monarda native to central North America. Pink flowers occur in whorls on stalks to 2 feet tall. Fragrant member of the mint family, a great tea herb and pollinator plant. Will reseed under favorable circumstances. $8

Bee Balm, Sweet Leaf Bergamot - Out of Stock - Monarda fistulosa. This is a perennial species of Monarda native to the eastern and central US. Showy flowers are pink and the plant makes a lovely tea. It will bloom in the second year and make a wonderful feast for local bees and butterflies. $8

Bee Balm, Yellow Dotted Mint - Out of Stock - Monarda punctata. A reliably reseeding annual member of the Monarda group, native to the Eastern and Southern US. This one has pale yellow flowers with purplish polka dots in whorls surrounded by pale purple bracts. It is a very lovely bee plant and can be made into a satisfying tea. $8

Bee Balm, Red (Oswego Tea), - Out of Stock- Monarda didyma. Perennial species of Bergamot native to the eastern US with whorls of bright red flowers. Great tea, and also an excellent pollinator plant. $8

Brahmi - Out of Stock –Bacopa monnieri. Creeping perennial groundcover native to India. Small leaves are very bitter and are used medicinally in small amounts. Protect from frost. Warm shade with rich garden soil. $8

Caper Bush - Out of Stock –Capparis spinosa. A long lived and drought tolerant native of the Mediterranean regions of Europe, the caper plant is perfectly suited to the Santa Barbara area climate. And what a beauty! Growing no taller than about 18” with a spread of up to 4’, the caper will thrive in a well drained, sunny, hot, dry location with little or no supplemental water in summer. Traditional capers are the unopened flower buds, while the caper berry is the fruit which forms after the flower has opened. Frost hardy to about 20 degrees, and deciduous in winter (it loses its leaves). 5” pot $10

Catnip- Out of Stock – Nepeta cataria. This is the variety preferred by most cats. Once established, it is a very hardy perennial. Downy leaves make a gentle tea for humans. Full sun to part shade. $5

Chamomile, German- Available –Matricaria recutita.   Harvest the chamomile flowers when the white petals are open and dry them on a screen or in a basket out of direct sun. Successive harvesting can yield many flowers from a single plant, and homegrown chamomile tea is simply the best. Self – sowing annual, flowers to 2ft. Look for seedlings around where the plant was when the soil temperatures start to cool down in fall or early winter. Distinctly different from the Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a perennial groundcover. $5

Chrysanthemum, Chinese - Out of Stock –Chrysanthemum morifolium. This is the official Chinese medicinal chrysanthemum, Bo-ju-hua for making tea. A long-lived evergreen perennial with creamy white flowers in fall. It is the flowers that you use for tea or as a gentle eye-wash. Very lovely, with the peak bloom time in the fall. Perfectly frost hardy, give part shade in warmer areas or full sun along the coast and regular garden conditions. $8

Clary Sage - Out of Stock - Salvia sclarea. Biennial or short lived perennial native to Europe. In the first year it forms a giant rosette (2-3’ across) with soft fuzzy and aromatic leaves. The flowering spikes reach 2-3 feet tall and are intensely aromatic, attractive to pollinators and colored shades of pink and purple with showy bracts. This is a vigorous re-seeder, and isn’t too fussy about soil type, but does like a good amount of sun. $8

Codonpsis, Dang-shen- Out of Stock, not in production this year - Codonopsis pilosula. A small perennial vine or creeping plant native to China with small green bell flowers. Very sweet and delicate, the roots are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Winter dormant. $8

Comfrey- Available, winter dormant -Symphytum officinale/ Symphytum x uplandicum.  We grow two varieties - the True Comfrey which can be planted from seed and is a little bit slower growing, and the Russian hybrid variety which can only be propagated from crown divisions. Both types like to grow in moist soils, full sun to partly shaded. True comfrey is in stock - $8

Cotton, perennial - Out of Stock - Gossypium arboreum. An ancient cultivar of true cotton which has been in cultivation in India for so long that it has no known wild counterpart. Tree cotton grows into an evergreen bush up to 5’ tall and wide. Flowers are white, shading to pink once pollinated and the emerging cotton is a long staple, white fiber, very soft cotton. Grows true from seed, protect from frost. $15

Elecampane - Out of Stock - Inula helenium. European perennial medicinal plant with pretty yellow flowers on a plant up to 5’ tall (Aster family) The root is dug in the second year and is really an indispensable part of your safe and easy to use home apothecary for stubborn coughs and upper respiratory distress. Full sun to part shade and tolerant of clay soil or poor drainage, but does well in regular garden conditions. $8

Evening Primrose - Available - Oenothera elata. Biennial or short lived perennial that forms a rosette of leaves in the first year followed by a 3-5’ tall stalk with multiple yellow flowers blooming during late spring and into summer. All parts of the plant - leaves, root, flowers and seed - are edible/medicinal. It is also a local native plant to our area and the seeds are very well loved by birds. Full sun to part shade, average moisture, but tolerates poor drainage. Self sows readily. $8

Family Doctor Plant - Available - Callisia fragrans. A perennial tropical plant native to Mexico and grown as a friendly house plant world-wide. The leaves and stems are edible and refreshing, though they have some fibers in them that can be spit out. It has significant medicinal properties. The plant has a whimsical look to it with a central column of leaves that form a sort of rosette and little side shoots coming of the main stem. The side shoots can be cut and rooted to make new plants. Perfect for a frost free shade garden or indoors in a bright room. Makes a great houseplant! $8

Galangal  - see culinary herbs

Goji Berry -Out of Stock– Lycium barbarum Source of the delicious and healthful Goji Berries. Full sun, dry, well drained soils. Expect it to get big and to bear fruit in 1-2 years. Very hardy perennial. Loses its leaves in the winter. $8

Gotu Kola - Out of Stock - Hydrocotyl asiatica.  Perennial low growing creeper will quickly fill a moist sunny planting area. Native to India, the leaves are used medicinally in Ayruvedic medecine. Protect from frost, or bring one in for the winter. $8

Greek Mountain Tea - Out of Stock - Sideritis syriaca. A low growing perennial with soft silver leaves and yellow flowers in whorled spikes that can be used for tea. Full sun and good drainage with minimal water. Native to the Peloponnese mountains. $8

Gynostemma - Jiao-gu-lan - Out of Stock - Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Perennial vining member of the cucumber family native to Southeast Asia and Japan. A very graceful climber for a trellis in a partly shaded location. Can be grown in a sunny window indoors. Leaves and stems can be eaten fresh or dried for tea. Traditional Chinese Medicinal plant. $8

Helichrysum - Available - Helichrysum italicum. Perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. Silver foliage with small yellow flowers. Drought tolerant for full sun and well drained soils. Aromatic medicinal. $8

Hibiscus, Roselle – Out of Stock - Hibiscus sabdariffa. A tropical perennial, grown as an annual in cooler areas, this is the official culinary hibiscus for making tea and jam. The plant grows quickly in warm weather to about 3’ tall. Cute pink flowers are short lived, followed by seed pods encased with juicy red calyxes which can be harvested and used fresh or dried to make a delightful and refreshing tea. This is one of our favorite plants of summer – there is really nothing better than the bright flavor and vivid color of a sun-brewed hibiscus tea. Full sun and warm, rich soil with regular summer water. $8

Hyssop - Available - Hyssopus officinalis. This is the true hyssop which is a European medicinal plant for tea and potential culinary use (if you like the flavor). A small shrub 1-2 feet tall when flowering and spreading to about 18” - similar in structure to a thyme plant but with larger leaves and vivd blue flowers. $8

Lemon Balm - Out of Stock –Melissa officinalis. Source of a delicious and calming lemony tea. Perennial, full sun to part shade. Lemon Balm forms a clump which gradually gets bigger, but it does not run like mints. It can be divided in winter or early spring. $8

Licorice Mint/ Anise Hyssop - Out of Stock - Agastache foeniculum. Perennial native of the center part of the US and Southern Canada with blue-purple flowers in tall spikes to 2 feet. The whole plant is aromatic and smells sweetly of licorice, but it is not licorice, mint, anise or hyssop. Easy to grow, and rewarding in all its stages - tea, edible flowers, bees, hummingbirds, and finally seeds for little birds in the fall. Fun for the whole family. Cut back in winter. $8

Ma-huang, Chinese Ephedra - Available- Ephedra sinica. Native to China, this is the official species used in traditional Chinese Medecine. This plant occupies a liminal space of legality, as you are allowed to grow it, to have and sell seeds, but unless you are a licensed practitioner of oriental medicine, it is illegal to buy or sell the cut stems. This is a powerful plant that should be used with great respect. Ma-huang is dioecious (male and female flowers on different plants), slow growing and extremely heat and drought tolerant. Plant in full sun, well drained soil. Frost hardy. The plants that we offer are two years old, grown from seed of our own production. 1-gallon pots. $40 each.

Marshmallow - Available – Althaea officinalis. A European perennial member of the Mallow family, this is the official species. Velvet soft leaves and light pink flowers on a plant that grows to 4’ tall and tolerates moist ground, poor drainage, and cool wet winters. While the whole plant has medicinal properties, it is the root that really is something special. It can be dug in its second or third year and used fresh or dried for a cooling, mucilaginous beverage or poultice. The original “marshmello” was a candied version of this root, often given to children to sooth coughs and sore throats. $8

Motherwort - Out of Stock - Leonurus cardiaca. Herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia for full sun to part shade, average soil and occasional water. Will self-sow under favorable conditions. $8

Silver Mullein, Arctic Summer - Out of Stock - Verbascum bombiciferum. European native plant, medicinally interchangeable with the common mullein. Giant rosette of fuzzy silver leaves in the first year followed by a 5’ multi-branched flowering stalk covered with yellow flowers the size of quarters. Bees love it. The leaves and flowers are medicinal. $8

Sunset Hyssop - Out of Stock, not in production this year - Agastache rupestris. A close relative of the Apricot Sprite and Rose Mint, the Sunset Hyssop (not a true hyssop) grows a little bit taller than these other two and has a lovely wispy look with the very pale orange flowers rising up above the silver foliage. Fragrant leaves may be made into tea, flowers are edible and delicious. Native to the Southwest. $8

Passionflower, Maypop – Out of Stock -Passiflora incarnata. Vigorous perennial vine native to Southeast North America, climbing to 10’. Frost hardy to about 20 degrees and winter dormant. This is the official passiflora for medicinal use – the flowers, tendrils and leaves are all considered useful.  The fruits are also quite tasty, though different from the passionfruit which is commonly sold in markets (P. edulis). The flowers are wildly beautiful and the plant will attract the Gulf Frittilary butterfly whose caterpillars use this as their larval food plant. $8

Patchouli, True - Out of Stock - Pogostemon cablin. . Fragrant, medicinal perennial native to Asia. The plant is highly aromatic and can be used fresh or dried, or made into the famous essential oil through distillation. Patchouli thrives in warm shade with plenty of water and can grow to 2’ tall and wide. Protect from frost. These can be brought inside for the winter and should do fine as a houseplant in a bright window. $8

Peony, Chinese - Available, Winter Dormant - Paeonia suffruticosa. Long lived perennial native to China and other parts of Asia. Giant white flowers grace this small deciduous shrub around the spring equinox. Grows best in part shade, slightly acidic soils with moderate summer water. Roots are used in Traditional Chines Medicine. It is an honor to be in the presence of this beauty. Grown from seeds planted in 2021. $35 for 1-gallon.

Rehmannia, Chinese Foxglove - Out of Stock– Rehmannia glutinosa. Perennial creeping groundcover native to China and perfectly frost hardy. The rhizomes are a highly regarded medicinal ally in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Flowers are a dusky rose color and occur from spring through summer. Full sun to part shade and moist but well-drained soil. Winter dormant. $8

Rose Mint - Out of Stock - Agastache pallidiflora. A pale pink colored companion to the Apricot Sprite, this is a lovely edible flower and minty tea herb. It’s also a good pollinator plant and joyful garden offering. For full sun to light shade and regular garden watering. 12-18” tall. $8

Sage, Chinese Red - Dan Shen. - Out of Stock –Salvia miltiorrhiza. Spring-summer. Perennial sage with purple flowers in summer. The dark red roots are used in Chinese Medecine. Harvest after the second year. Full sun, average soils. Very pretty in the landscape. $8

Sage, Pineapple - Out of Stock - Salvia elegans. Perennial shrub to 3-4’ with red flowers in the fall. Leaves and flowers are edible and delicious with a flavor of pineapple. Hummingbird magnet! $8

Scented Geraniums -Out of Stock - Pelargonium species. The diversity of scented geraniums is truly amazing. We offer 8 varieties that are particularly choice. Rose (Roses of Attar), Skeleton Rose (different leaf structure), Nutmeg, Ginger, Chocolate Peppermint (P. tomentosum), Lemon-lime, and Citrus. Pelargoniums can be planted in sun to shade (less water in the shade) or brought indoors as a friendly and aromatic house plant. $8 each

Self Heal - Available - Prunella vulgaris. European native medicinal plant with purple flowers. A low, creeping groundcover for sun or part shade and regular water. Tolerates clay and poorly drained soils. Good medicine, super cute and very easy to grow. $8

Skullcap, official - Out of Stock –. Scutellaria lateriflora. Winter-dormant perennial with small blue flowers in summer. Leaves are used medicinally as a nervine tonic. Will spread like a mint, but hates being in pots, so find a place where it can have free reign. It is not picky about soil or sun as long as it gets a little water, and, like mint, will not cross a dry area. Available by special order only. $8

Skullcap, Baical - Out of Stock - Scutellaria baicalensis. A winter dormant perennial native to China, Mongolia and Siberia (frost hardy!) with soft blue flowers. The root is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Huan-qin). Best grown in full sun, occasional water. $8

Skullcap, Barbat - Out of Stock, not in production this year - Scutellaria barbata. Ban-zhi-lian. A winter dormant perennial native to SE China with loads blue flowers in summer. The leaves and flowers of the Barbat Skullcap are used in Chinese medicine and have some different properties from the standard official Skullcap. This very cute plant does well in part shade with a bit of water. $8

Spilanthes - Out of Stock - Acmella oleracea. Tropical perennial native to South America. Also known as "Toothache Plant." Eating the leaves or flower buds  gives a very lively sensation in your mouth - tingly and numb! The plant has many healthful properties and interesting culinary possibilities. Very fun in the landscape as well, the yellow flower buds look like little eyes. Protect from frost. Full sun, regular water. $8

Stevia- Out of Stock –Stevia rebaudiana. The leaves of this plant are many times sweeter than sugar but have no glycemic index. Easy to use - chop or steep the leaves fresh for teas and smoothies or dry them and crumble them into your cooking. The plant prefers rich, well drained garden soil, plenty of water, and lots of sun. It goes dormant in the winter so cut it back nearly to the ground in the fall and dry the leaves. $8

Sweet Annie - Out of Stock - Artemesia annua. A cool season annual native to Asia, related to wormwood and mugwort. Sweet smelling, fast growing to about two feet for full sun and moderately good soil. Flowers not showy, but the plant smells wonderful. $5

Sweetgrass - Available -Heirochloe odorata. North American native perennial grass for moist soil and sun to part shade. Over time, it will creep about and form a solid stand - could be considered invasive, so contain it to a pot if you are concerned. Sweetgrass is a traditional Native American offering and can be burned to release a sweet aroma. Commonly sold as braids. $8

Turmeric - Available - Curcuma longa. Winter dormant perennial. Source of the bright yellow root (rhizome) which is commonly used as a spice in Indian cooking. Very famous and increasingly recognized as a powerful anti-inflammatory. The plant emerges from a winter dormancy in March or April, sending up shoots which unfurl into big green leaves, and later booming with white flowers. Around November or December the leaves turn a golden yellow and fall over. Do not worry! This is the natural cycle of the plant. At this point it is time to harvest the golden rhizomes. You can dig down around the base of the plant and break off pieces or pull the whole thing up and save some of the pieces for replanting in the spring. Dormant roots will sprout best in soil temperatures of 80 degrees. Turmeric does quite well in pots, or in loamy garden soil with part shade. $12

Valerian- Out of Stock–Valeriana officinalis. A beautiful garden plant in its own right, Valerian has fragrant white flowers in summer that can reach 5ft tall. All parts of the plant are medicinally active as a cerebral sedative, but it is the roots that are primarily used medicinally. Winter dormant. Prefers full sun to part shade and rich, moist soils. $8

Vetiver - Out of Stock - Chrysopogon zizanioides. Perennial bunchgrass native to India. This is a sterile clone which will not reseed and does not spread by runners, but grows to 5’ tall with roots 7-10’ deep. Good erosion control or soil remediation especially planted on contour to hold moisture and prevent water runoff. The roots are fragrant and a source of essential oil as well as being a useful fiber plant. Totally resilient to heat, drought, cold and flooding. $12

Violet, Fragrant “Charlotte”– Available -Viola odorata. This is the true fragrant violet of “roses are red, violets are blue” lore. Slowly spreading perennial for part shade – oak woodland, north side of house. The flowers give the classic fragrance of sweet violet perfume and the whole plant has medicinal qualities for internal and external use (poulticing). It blooms in the winter when not much else is happening. Frost hardy. Edible flower. These are from plants that my grandmother planted here on our land many years ago, and I have named them after her. $8

Wood Betony - Out of Stock - Stachys officinalis. An evergreen perennial native to Europe with a low lying cluster of soft green leaves and spikes of pink-purple flowers to about 2 feet tall. Frost hardy, prefers slightly moist soil and partial shade. Leaves and flowers are medicinal. $8

Wormwood - Out of Stock - Artemesia absinthium. Perennial shrub to three feet tall and wide with silver foliage, native to Europe and Asia. This is a bitter herb with traditional medicinal uses. Full sun to part shade, drought tolerant but does need a bit of summer water. $8

Yarrow - Available - Achillea millefolium.   Native to most places in the world, and used medicinally wherever it grows. Clumping perennial has white flowers in spring and summer. Excellent for attracting beneficial insects to your garden. Leaves and flowers are edible and medicinal. Full sun, average soils. The yarrow that we sell is from wild-type seed collected locally and propagated here on our farm - it is especially juicy and beautiful.  $8

Basil- Out of Stock–Ocimum basilicum. This is a fine Italian cultivar perfect for making all the things you love sweet basil for. Medium sized leaves. With some plants we mix the seed of a purple basil in for accent. The purple variety has similar flavor to the green. Basil likes to grow where your cat (if you have one) would spend the day. Not too hot, but not too cool. A little afternoon shade is nice, though it will take full sun. Put out a new basil plant when your first tomatoes begin to ripen since older plants tend to become bitter. Protect from frost. $5

Basil, Greek Globe - Out of Stock - Annual basil with tiny leaves and a very compact rounded growth habit. Sweet and aromatic, perfect for salads and garnish.

Basil, African Blue -Out of Stock - A perennial basil native to Africa. This plant will grow to 3’ tall and wide with endless flowers that never set seed. Leaves and flowers are edible and the purple blossoms are an absolute favorite for bees and hummingbirds. Protect from frost. 1-gallon size $12

Basil, Penang Lemon - Out of Stock - A very bright lemon flavor, this is a favorite thai basil perfect for seasoning fish, salads, and soups. A quick-to-bloom variety, we like to use the buds and blossoms as well. Usually added fresh just before servng. $5

Basil, Thai- Out of Stock - Sweet basil flavor with the added mystery that defines Thai cooking. Medium sized leaves with dark purple stems and purple flowers. $5

Basil, Holy - See medicinal plants section.

Borage - Borago officinalis. - Out of Stock - Annual flowering plant native to Europe and the Mediterranean. Edible flowers have a mild flavor reminiscent of cucumbers. A very good bee plant for late winter and early spring. Self seeds enthusiastically. 3” pots, $5

Catnip - Out of Stock - Nepeta cataria. In addition to being fun for cats, humans can also enjoy a tea made from the leaves. It doesn’t have the same affect on people… $5

Chervil- Out of Stock –Anthriscus cerefolium. . Delicate lacy foliage with an equally delicate flavor, reminiscent of anise. Used in soups and salads or as a garnish. Winter-growing annual. $5

Chives- Available –Allium schoenoprasum. Easy to grow and use, chives lend a mild onion flavor to any dish. Goes dormant in the winter, but always comes back. Edible flowers. $5

Cilantro - Available –Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro is a short-lived annual plant that tends to flower quickly, especially in summer. For this reason, we do not offer plants in the mid summer months. You can direct seed in your garden every couple of weeks to maintain a steady supply through the summer. Don’t forget to eat the flowers and seeds (coriander). The flowers are particularly attractive to many beneficial insects and pollinators, so it benefits your garden to let them be, enjoy the seeds, and expect volunteer seedlings. $5

Dill-Out of Stock –Anethum graveolens. Delicate and frilly, be sure to give this taprooted plant a good deep watering when you plant it, and be careful not to disturb the roots. Full sun. Annual or overwintering annual that does best in the cool weather of fall, winter and early spring and flowers with giant umbels in mid-summer that attract myriads of beneficial insects. $5

Galangal - Available.- Alpina galangal (Greater Galangal) OR Alpina Officinarium (Lesser Galangal). Both are perennial members of the Ginger family, and classic Thai culinary herbs. The roots and stalks can be used in soups and stir-fries, lending a unique flavor. Once the stand is established, you can harvest parts of the plant by cutting it away with a sharp knife. Perennial to 3' tall with fragrant white flowers marked with pink. The main difference between the two varieties is that the Lesser Galangal is more spicy in flavor, and the leaves are more aromatic. Protect from frost. $12

Horseradish - Out of Stock - Armoracia rusticana. This is a frost hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean parts of Europe. The white fleshy roots are harvested in winter or early spring of the second year to make a classic spicy/pungent condiment. Often used in combination with or as a substitute for Wasabi (see Wasabi plants below). You can replant the crown or a piece of root to provide for the next season’s harvest. Plant in sun to part shade and give moderate water. Tolerates clay soil and it can be difficult to completely remove from your garden as it propagates from root pieces that are left in the ground. $8

Lavender, English -Out of Stock-.Lavandula angustifolia. Suitable as a culinary lavender or for dried flowers. Full sun. $5

Lemon Grass - Out of Stock – Cymbopogon citrata. Tall grass used in Thai cooking to give lemony flavor to soups and sauces. The plump stalk is usually the part used in cooking, but the leaves make a very nice tea. Perennial bunch grass will grow to 3' tall. Full sun, moderate water. Will tolerate a light freeze, but should be protected from extreme cold. $12

Marjoram- Available – Origanum majorana. Another oft overlooked seasoning, somewhat milder and sweeter than its cousin Oregano. Remember to harvest the plant, flowers and all, to hang to dry in your kitchen for winter soups. Perennial, full sun. $5

Mint, Peppermint- Out of Stock–Mentha piperita. Wonderful spicy mint for teas and confections. There is not much difference between the regular peppermint and the Chocolate peppermint, but we maintain both cultivars and may substitute one for the other. Best to grow this in a pot as it does tend to run about. Mint prefers a wide shallow pot over a narrow deep one. Every couple of years renew your mint by turning the whole plant out of the pot, trimming back all of the aerial parts, cutting it into 4 pieces with a knife or garden clippers and replanting each of the pieces. Give one to a friend or neighbor. $5

Mint, Spearmint - Out of Stock – Mentha spicata. When you see a recipe that calls for “mint,” this is the plant that is referred to. Perfect for all things minty – teas, mixed drinks, salads, and so forth. As with peppermint, best to grow this one in a large pot. Cut it all the way down to soil level from time to time and it will renew. Additionally, it is necessary to refresh the plant every year by turning it out of the pot and dividing the plant into several pieces, shaking off the old soil and repotting it into fresh potting mix. Full sun to part shade and regular water. $5

Mint, Chinese -Out of Stock– Mentha haplocalyx. “bo-he” The official mint used in Chinese medicine. Distinct from spearmint, the Chinese mint has a mellow flavor and makes an excellent tea. $5

Mint, Orange - Out of Stock - A cultivar perhaps of peppermint, this has a strong bitter orange flavor, similar to bergamot. Large plant with purple flowers. $5

Oregano, Dittany of Crete. - Out of Stock –Origanum dictamnus. Endemic to the Island of Crete, this is a very showy oregano with round, silvery leaves and little pink flowers with showy bracts. Does well in rock gardens with full sun and dry soils. Or you can show it off in a nice pot where it will hang over the edges. Culinary, medicinal and ornamental. $8

Oregano, Greek - Out of Stock -. Origanum heracleoticum. One of the herb garden essentials, oregano is spicy and aromatic. Great for pastas and marinades, it also has disinfectant and antifungal properties. Perennial, full sun $5

Oregano, Zaatar - Available -. Origanum syriacum. A fine culinary oregano from the middle east, this is one of the traditional ingredients in the spice blend, Zaatar. Upright habit, silver leaves, and spicy flavor. Perennial, full sun. $5

Parsley- Available –Petroselinum crispum. A traditional garnish for nearly everything. Parsley is an easy to grow biennial. This means that it will go to seed in its second year. When it does, you can pull it out and replant or let the seeds ripen and fall to the ground. Little birds will thank you, and you will have a beautiful parsley patch. Full sun. $5

Sage, culinary- Available –Salvia officinalis This is the official species of sage for cooking with. Add to soups, pasta, marinades, and meat for a distinctive flavor. Also you can make herbal butters with the flowers in spring. Full sun, Perennial (though it does tend to be short-lived – expect 2-3 years for a sage plant). $5

Savory, winter- Available–Satureja montana. Another often forgotten herb, Savory defines itself. Add sprigs of Savory to soups and broths for a wonderful rich flavor. Used fresh it is quite spicy and makes an excellent marinade. One of the Herbs de Provence. Perennial, full sun. $5

Shiso, Putple- Out of Stock –Perilla frutescens. Culinary herb from Japan. Purple Shiso is a traditional food dye for giving a pink color to pickled ginger or Umeboshi plums. Grow them in the same environment as you would Basil. Annual. $5

Thyme, Summer - Available-Thymus vulgaris. This is a fine leaf variety similar to a French thyme. Aromatic and spicy, thyme also makes a medicinal tea for the common cold. When harvesting, never cut deeply into the plant, just trim gently. Use fresh or tie in little bundles and hang to dry in your kitchen for later. Remember to eat the flowers. Perennial, full sun. $5

Wasabi, true - Out of Stock - Wasabia japonica. Perennial, frost hardy evergreen plant native to Japan. Keep shaded and moist in summer. If you live in a particularly hot area, the main thing is to nurse it through the summer and then fertilize or re-pot in the fall when you can expect it to spring back to life. Leaves are edible as well as the main stem of the plant. This is a special offering, we have been working on for a number of years - we feel confident that you can grow Wasabi successfully! $20 for 1-gallon

Here are a few plants that don’t quite fit into the other categories or are limited in availability and may come or go from here.

Indian Peach - $20 each, 12 available, 1-gallon pots. This is an heirloom peach that grows true from seed and we are propagating from plants that my grandma had growing when I was a kid here on the farm. It is a late season, free stone, red flesh peach with a sweet, earthy, wild flavor. Resistant to peach leaf curl. These should produce fruits in about 3 years. Seeds took two years to germinate!

Black Turmeric - Curcuma caesia. Available.. $35 for 1-gallon. A gorgeous and rare species of Turmeric with vivid blue rhizomes (the fleshy part of the root) native to India. Similar growing habit to the standard Turmeric, but slower to propagate. Winter dormant, will tolerate some frost during dormancy. Reddish midvein on the leaves and stunning pink flowers in summer. Super cool, rare and high potency medicinal for internal or external use.

Here are some special trees that are somewhat rare to find and are grown from seed here in our nursery. They are about 3-4 years old now and will size up if you transplant them into larger pots using a high quality, well draining soil mix. In areas without frost, they can be planted directly in the ground and will grow quickly during the summer months and take on dormancy (losing their leaves) during the winter. If you have winter frost, they should be kept in pots and moved into a protected area for the colder months.

Frankincense - Boswellia sacra. - Available - 5” pot, $125 each. Seed grown, 3 years old. Perennial, slow growing tree native to the Middle East and source of the aromatic resin Frankincense. Full sun, protect from frost and provide well draining soil. Water regularly in summer and less often in winter (can be deciduous).

Bursera (Copal) Species - Related to Frankincense and Myrrh (in the plant family Burseraceae), there are over 100 species of Bursera with a habitat range from southern California and Arizona through Mexico, Central and South America. They are mostly shrubs to small trees and are adapted to growing in desert and coastal environments with low annual rainfall. Mature plants yield an aromatic resin that is commonly referred to as Copal. Here is a small sampling of the diversity of this genus. Prices on these vary from $35-50 depending on the individual specimen. Everything in 5” pots unless otherwise noted. For a full list of availability, please inquire through the contact page.

Bursera filicifolia- Available. A small tree native to Mexico and the cape region of Baja with grey bark and finely pinnate leaves.

Bursera biflora- Available. Native to southern Mexico - Oaxaca, Pueblo and upper river basins. Intricately branching stems with shiny green leaves at the tips. Fun subject for bonsai, but will grow to 20’ tall in a large pot or in the ground.

Bursera hindsiana- Available. Shrub to small tree native to Baja and some of the Gulf islands from sea level to 1000’ elevation. Aromatic foliage and beautiful reddish wood on new growth.

Bursera laxiflora - Available. Finely pinnate leaves on this elegant little tree or mid sized shrub (to 18 feet). Very elegant and delicate looking but it is super heat and drought tolerant. Native to Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja and Chihuahua.

Copal Hybrid - Bursera pinnata x B. hindsiana. Available. 5” pots. $40 each. Small tree or shrub in the family Burseracea. Prefers warm, well drained soils with occasional water and full sun. Aromatic resin. Good subject for bonsai. Protect from frost.

Guggul, Indian Myrrh. Commiphora wightii. 5” pot, $30 each. Perennial small shrub or tree native to India. Source of the aromatic resin used in Ayurvedic medicine. Leaves are not aromatic, interestingly. Prefers warm, well drained soil with occasional water and full sun. Protect from frost. Can be brought indoors during the winter and kept in a bright window.

Our native wildflowers and grasses have gone to seed or taken on summer dormancy. I'll plant a new set in the fall. I do have a late season set of purple needlegrass that is available and the Deergrass is going to be ready in a couple of months...

In my experience, it is more difficult to establish a stand of native wildflowers than you may expect. Scattering seed on the ground often has minimal success, even if done with great care. Think of each plant as a little packet of seeds for the following season and as an offering for native pollinators and source of joy for the gardener. Our strategy is to plant groups of 3-4 plants where we can carefully weed around them. In the summer when the plants are drying out, we gather some of the seed and leave some as forage for wildlife and to fall on the ground. In the following year, we plant some seed in flats and watch carefully for what comes up in the ground. This way, we ensure the continuity of our wildflower patches. Sometimes you discover that the plants are more successful at seeding themselves that you could ever be, and sometimes you need to replant your patch from seedlings that you have grown in flats or pots.

Our Native wildflowers are in 3” pots for $5 each.

Chia, California-Out of Stock - Salvia columbariae. A local native sage with dark blue flowers and somewhat spiky seed heads. Nutritous, edible seeds for you and also birds. Related to the chia seed that is commercially available which is the Mexican Chia, Salvia hispanica, a summer annual (not offered here, but readily grown in coastal areas).

Note: In accordance with a movement to acknowledge the African American man named York who was the slave of William Clark and was present for the entire expedition of Lewis and Clark, we are reassigning the genus Clarkia to Yorkia. There is a fascinating article on Wikipedia about the history of this that you can read here (it doesn’t include the part about the botanical name change, that is just something that a few people are trying to recognize).

Yorkia, Winecup -Out of Stock- Yorkia purpurea. Deep wine colored flowers to 2’ tall. This native wildflower can co-exsit with non-native grasses and will naturalize in sun to part shade.

Yorkia, speckled - Out of Stock - Yorkia cylindrica. Pale pink flowers in masses on a small plant to 18” tall. Long blooming and very showy. Contrary to its name, there are no speckles in this variety, but it is common in our local foothills. Purple pollen!

Yorkia, Elegant -Out of Stock - Yorkia unguiculata. “Fairwell to Spring” A late blooming wildflower with intricate blossoms. One of the latest of our native annual flowers, this marks the transition from spring into summer. Important nectar for native bees.

Gilia - Out of Stock - Gillia capitata. Pale blue flowers in clusters on a graceful plant with lacy foliage. Long blooming and hardy in full sun.

Chick Lupine - Out of Stock - Lupinus macrocarpus. This is pale purple annual lupine with multiple spikes of flowers through late spring. A very nice show and reliable re-seeder.

Miner’s Lettuce - Out of Stock - Claytonia perfoliata. Succulent greens for oak understory or shade garden. The round leaves are glossy green and deliciously edible. Small white flowers follow and the seeds are also edible. This plant will easily naturalize on a north slope or other shady spot, coming back every winter with the rains.

Poppy, foothill -Out of Stock - deep orange or yellow flowers on this native poppy from our local foothills and grown for seed here on our farm. True wild type annual poppy, different from the CA poppy in species and habit. Very sweet and rare in cultivation. You can differentiate the foothill poppy from the CA poppy in two stages - in the seedling phase, the foothill poppy has a single cotyledon (seed leaf) while the CA poppy has a forked cotyledon (like a snake tongue. In flower, the foothill poppy does not have the collar at the base of the flower that is typical of the CA poppy.

Poppy, California -Out of Stock- Eschscholzia californica. We believe this offering to be a true representation of our local native wild type California Poppy. Yellow flowers with an orange center, and this is distinctly different from the big orange poppies commonly planted along the roadsides and available from seed packets. This is a short-lived perennial for full sun, good drainage.

Tarweed - Out of Stock- Madia elegans. A fairly large plant to about 2 feet tall with aromatic foliage and myriads of yellow flowers that bloom in the morning and close during the heat of the day. Great for pollinators.

Red Maids - Out of Stock- Calandrinia ciliata. Low growing plant in the purslane family with small purple flowers. Edible leaves, flowers and seeds with significant native cultural uses. This plant does well in disturbed soils and has persisted on our land here in the Santa Ynez valley, so the plants that we offer are from this land.

Native Grasses – 3” pots, $4 each. Native perennial bunch grasses are an important part of any plant community. They are long lived and have deep roots that hold soil and build organic matter. They also provide forage for animals and insects, creating balance in the native plant community. Additionally, they are elegant and beautiful in a garden setting - I hope that you will fall in love with them!

Purple Needlegrass - Available – Stipa pulchra. Long-lived Perennial bunch grass with purple awns in early summer. Full sun for coastal growers and sun to part shade inland. California state grass.

Foothill Needlegrass - Out of Stock –Stipa lepida. A graceful and wispy bunchgrass which grows naturally from the coastal edges up into the foothills. 1-2 feet tall and about 8-10” wide. Elegant and beautiful.

California Melic - Out of Stock–Melica californica. Shiny dark green perennial bunchgrass with delicate seed heads that make pretty accents in your garden or in dried flower arrangements. Suitable for open woodland, rocky hillsides or garden edges.

Junegrass - Out of Stock - Koeleria macrantha. Small, soft bunchgrass 8-10” for oak understory, open woodland or garden edges. This is a widely adapted grass and is quite easy to grow. Space these 1-2 feet apart with wildflowers in between.

Mystery Grass has been identified as Stipa coronata, Giant Needlegrass! - Out of Stock - This is a beautiful almost blue colored grass that forms a clump 10-12” wide and flowers to about 30” tall. It does well in rocky soils and prefers well drained soil - great for stabilizing steep hillsides.

I’itoi Onion - Available - A special onion from the desert southwest and a traditional food for the O’odham peoples. During the winter, you can eat the plentiful greens (similar in flavor to chives or green onions). In the summer, the tops die back and you can dig the onions - like very small and flavorful shallots. This is a dividing onion, so save some each year to renew your supply. $5

Caper - Out of Stock -Capparis spinosa. Long lived perennial native to the Mediterranean. The unopened flower buds are the source of the traditional capers that you can buy in little jars in the store. Beautiful flowers are followed by plump fruits, often called caper berries, and also found pickled. The entire plant is edible. The Caper bush is a low-growing plant with a diameter of 3-5' and requires full sun, excellent drainage, and little or no summer water. It is hardy to about 20 degrees F, but will lose its leaves in a hard freeze.  5” pot, $10

Strawberries – Fragaria sp.  

Not in Production this year, 2024

Frost-hardy, perennial plants. The strawberry plants that we grow are all old-fashioned heritage varieties that are not commonly found at nurseries or farmers markets. Some of them are quite rare. All of them are good. We propagate these varieties in our home farm certified organic field. No plastic, no pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers. Strawberries are easy to grow and do well in pots or raised garden beds with good soil fertility. Some varieties produce more runners than others - these runners send out shoots that turn into new plants identical to their parents. Over time, your strawberry patch will multiply. Varieties that do not make runners can be dug up and divided every 2-3 years.

Alpine Strawberry, Alexandria – Out of Stock- These are the little tiny berries that are closer to the wild forest type. Our variety, Alexandria, makes a medium-sized bush up to 12” tall and produces almost year round. A good choice for the shade garden. No runners, but occasionally they will re-seed. Quart size pot $5

Chandler - Out of Stock - This is an old fashioned market strawberry that has become less common as new commercial varieties have replaced it. Large berries are prolific and super sweet with the kind of flavor that you remember from way back in the last century… A vigorous plant with lots of runners. $7

Fairfax –Out of Stock - Vigorous plants make very few runners but can be propagated by division every couple of years. The berries are amazingly sweet and flavorful. I would say this is the sweetest of the varieties that we grow. The down side is that they are not super prolific and only fruit in the early spring. $7

Gariguette - Out of Stock- A rare french variety which produces slightly elongated berries on a robust plant with few runners. The berries have a very wide flavor spectrum with a good sweet-tart balance. $7

Meize Schindler –Out of Stock - This is an extremely hard to find variety from Austria. It produces small fragile berries that are extremely flavorful and fragrant. Really, you have never had anything like this, they are just amazing. It does need to be grown near another variety for pollination and makes a lot of runners, so can be considered moderately invasive. $7

Mara Des Bois - Out of Stock - our plants did not produce runners this year, so we will not be offering these until 2023 - A french variety with small berries that have a lovely fragrance and wonderful sweet flavor. Everbearing through the whole summer. Medium production and not many runners, but can be divided after a couple of years. $5