Spring & Native Plants

Purple Nightshade

Solanum xanti Calscape

A loosely spreading or trailing semi-evergreen shrub with some of the richest deep blue-purple flowers in the native garden — small but prolific, with the characteristic yellow anther "beak" of the nightshade family. Blooms from winter through spring. The dark green foliage is deer resistant, and the small berries attract birds, though they are toxic to humans so some caution is warranted around young children. A tough, versatile plant for sun to part shade, tolerating rocky soil, loam, and occasional summer water. Best pruned back in late summer to encourage a bushier form.

California Buttercup

Ranunculus californicus Calscape

One of the most cheerful sights of late winter and early spring — clusters of remarkably glossy, deep yellow flowers with 9 to 17 petals that catch and reflect light like tiny mirrors. This perennial herb carpets grassy slopes and open woodlands across much of California, blooming from January through April. The larger variety grows 1–2 feet tall; the low-growing var. cuneatus spreads as a ground cover. Requires little summer water and dies back gracefully as warm weather arrives. Naturalizes easily from seed — a lovely addition to wildflower meadows and borders. Sold as seed.

Tufted California Poppy

Eschscholzia caespitosa Calscape

A delightful, slightly smaller cousin of the California state flower, with the same ferny blue-green foliage and cheerful poppy blooms in bright yellow to orange. An annual of oak woodlands, grassland slopes, and chaparral habitats of the Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills. Its soft, finely divided foliage forms tidy tufted mounds before sending up slender stems to 12 inches tall. Sow seeds in fall at the start of the rainy season directly on the soil surface — do not cover. Self-sows freely and naturalizes beautifully in a meadow mix alongside other native annuals. Sold as seed.

California Goldfields

Lasthenia californica Calscape

The plant responsible for those breathtaking carpets of gold that roll across hillsides and meadows each spring — when a whole population blooms at once it's one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in California. A small, cheerful annual in the sunflower family with hairy stems and bright yellow flower heads that pollinators can't resist. Germinates readily from seed; sow in fall in full sun in a well-drained spot and let the rains do the work. Pairs beautifully with baby blue-eyes, clarkia, and tufted poppy for a classic California wildflower meadow. Sold as seed.

Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium Calscape

An all-star native ground cover with ferny, aromatic foliage and flat-topped clusters of flowers that dry beautifully. Durable and easy to grow in a wide range of soils with very low water needs once established — spreads by rhizomes to form a lush, weed-suppressing mat. Available in white, pink, red, deep rose, and terra cotta. The white form is the true native species, historically used for a variety of medicinal purposes; the colored forms are cultivated selections that attract butterflies and pollinators just as well. Foliage grows 4–8" tall with flower stalks reaching up to 3 feet.

Blue-Eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium bellum Calscape

A charming, tufted perennial with grassy foliage and a profusion of small blue-purple flowers with yellow centers blooming from winter through early summer. Very easy to grow and self-sows readily, naturalizing into a cheerful meadow over time. Goes dormant in summer — a perfect partner for other low-water perennials. Widely distributed throughout California from coastal bluffs to high-elevation forests.

Yellow-Eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium californicum Calscape

A delicate, clump-forming perennial with narrow, blade-like leaves and cheerful bright yellow star-shaped flowers from spring through early summer. Grows 8–12 inches tall and naturally found in moist areas along the coast — perfect for rain gardens, wet meadows, or borders with regular irrigation. Self-sows freely in favorable conditions.

Catalina Currant

Ribes viburnifolium Calscape

Known by the common names Catalina Perfume, Island Gooseberry, and Evergreen Currant, it is found in southern California — especially on Santa Catalina Island — and into northern Baja California. It is a rare member of the chaparral plant community, and more common in landscaped drought-tolerant gardens. This moderate to fast-growing shrub has an open wide-spreading form, growing 3–4 feet tall and spreading to 6 feet wide. Small clusters of rose-pink flowers bloom in late winter to mid-spring, followed by small red fruits that attract birds. It is a good choice for planting underneath an oak canopy, growing low to the ground and extending long reddish stems horizontally where the tips may root and establish new growth centers. It hosts a large number of butterflies and moths, and hummingbirds and insects are attracted to the flowers. The leaves have glands which exude a sticky, citrus-scented sap — its signature fragrance, especially pleasant after rain. Drought tolerant once established, it will also take occasional water in the warmer months. Tolerant of different soil types including heavy clay. Best in dry shade and useful for erosion control on dry slopes.

Firecracker Penstemon

Penstemon eatonii Calscape

A striking perennial with tall spikes of tubular scarlet-red flowers that hummingbirds can't resist. Native to desert mountains and the Mojave Desert, it grows in small mounds of lance-shaped basal foliage and sends up stems over three feet tall in spring and summer. Heat-loving and very drought tolerant once established — excellent in rock gardens, interior valleys, and desert landscapes.

Desert Penstemon

Penstemon pseudospectabilis Calscape

A showy Mojave Desert native with reddish-pink tubular flowers and distinctive paired leaves that are fused around the stem. Grows as a rounded shrub to about a meter tall, and when in bloom it's constantly visited by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Adaptable to most of southern California — give it plenty of sun and fast drainage and it will reward you generously.

Showy Penstemon

Penstemon spectabilis Calscape

Lives up to its name — easily one of the showiest penstemons, with spectacular wide-mouthed, violet to electric-blue tubular flowers from late winter into summer. Fast-growing to 2–4 feet tall and just as wide, with large, toothed leaves. Blooms abundantly from its first year. A favorite of hummingbirds and native bees, often self-seeding in nearby spots once happy. Fairly deer resistant.

Royal Penstemon

Penstemon speciosus Calscape

A gorgeous, erect perennial bearing showy clusters of large tubular flowers in shades of light to deep blue, lavender, and purple with white throats — the largest reaching nearly four centimeters long. Found in plateau scrub and sub-alpine forests across the western United States, it is tolerant of a wide variety of soils as long as drainage is good. A standout in any native garden.

Margarita BOP Penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita BOP' Calscape

A beloved garden selection discovered growing at the "Bottom of the Porch" at Las Pilitas Nursery — BOP stands for exactly that. This hybrid of P. heterophyllus and P. laetus forms a tidy low mound about 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide, covered in iridescent tubular flowers that open sky-blue and fade to rich rose-purple. Long-blooming and adaptable. Cut back spent flower spikes to encourage repeat flowering. A hummingbird magnet and one of the most reliable penstemons in cultivation.

Rosada Coral Bells

Heuchera 'Rosada' Calscape

A UC Davis Arboretum All-Star — and for good reason. This hybrid of H. maxima and H. sanguinea earns its spot in any garden with a reliable three-month bloom period and exceptional toughness. Medium green leaves can reach 4 inches across and form clumping rosettes 12–18 inches tall and 1–2 feet wide. Numerous 14-inch spikes of light pink flowers appear in spring and carry through into summer. Tolerates clay soil well and needs only infrequent water once established. Beautiful in masses under oaks, along shaded borders, or in containers.

Palace Purple Coral Bells

Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple' Calscape

The 1991 Perennial Plant of the Year and still one of the most planted coral bells anywhere — with good reason. Large, lustrous, star-shaped leaves shift from deep olive green to purplish-bronze to brilliant deep purple, with striking metallic amethyst undersides that catch the light beautifully. In late spring, slender dark red stems rise 18–20 inches above the evergreen foliage carrying airy panicles of creamy-white bell-shaped flowers. Deer and rabbit resistant. Clump-forming to about 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide. Grows in part shade to deep shade; color is most intense with some shade protection from hot afternoon sun.

Island Coral Bells

Heuchera maxima Calscape

Endemic to three of the Channel Islands, where it grows on cliffs and canyon walls — rare in the wild but a standout in cultivation. In gardens it forms a broad, low patch of large rounded green leaves, with erect stems rising nearly two feet in winter to spring, topped with frothy clusters of tiny white-pink flowers that hummingbirds love. Valued as a groundcover for both its foliage and its flowers. Performs beautifully in woodland gardens under oaks. Prefers part shade inland with good drainage.

Melting Fire Coral Bells

Heuchera 'Melting Fire' Calscape

One of the most dramatic foliage plants for the shade garden. New leaves emerge a blazing blood-red in spring, then deepen to rich, smoldering maroon with strongly ruffled, curled edges as the season progresses — like cooling lava. Later in the year, purple tones appear, so you often see all three hues at once. Dark red stems carry clusters of small white flowers in late spring to early summer. Clump-forming to about 10 inches tall and 8–12 inches wide. Part shade to full shade; deer and rabbit resistant. A spectacular accent in mixed borders, containers, or woodland plantings.

Narrowleaf Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis Calscape

The single most important host plant for Monarch butterflies in California — full stop. Its long, thin pointed leaves give it a soft, wispy look, and its clusters of lavender to pinkish-white flowers are also excellent nectar sources for adult butterflies and hummingbirds. Grows fast to three feet tall, dies back to the ground in winter, and returns reliably each spring. Easy to grow in full sun with good drainage, even with no summer water. Plant in masses for the greatest impact on pollinators. Sold as 4" pots.

Bush Monkeyflower

Diplacus aurantiacus Calscape

A workhorse native shrub with sticky leaves and a long season of cheerful tubular flowers beloved by hummingbirds. Found on rocky hillsides and canyon slopes across a remarkable range of California habitats. Deadhead to keep flowers coming; pinch back new growth in spring for a more compact form. Let it go semi-dormant in the hottest summer months and it will bounce back with the fall rains. Available in three outstanding Jelly Bean cultivars: Jelly Bean Yellow (bright lemon-yellow), Jelly Bean Pink (soft rose-pink), and Jelly Bean Red (vivid deep red) — all compact forms that stay tidy in the garden and bloom for months.

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus Calscape

A deciduous native shrub in the honeysuckle family with delicate pink bell-shaped flowers in spring and spectacular clusters of bright white berries in fall and winter — the berries persist long after the leaves drop, making this one of the most striking plants in the winter garden. Spreads moderately by rhizomes to form useful thickets for bank stabilization and wildlife habitat; songbirds and small mammals rely on it heavily. Grows 3–6 feet tall and equally wide. Excellent in shady, wooded spots, on north-facing slopes, or near water. Tolerates a wide range of soils and light conditions.

Chaparral Mallow

Malacothamnus fasciculatus Calscape

An attractive fast-growing evergreen shrub with soft, gray-green felted leaves and branching clusters of pale pink mallow flowers — in full bloom a single plant can carry thousands of blossoms at once, drawing butterflies, hummingbirds, and small birds from across the garden. Found commonly on chaparral slopes and canyon walls, and especially vigorous after fire. Can reach 16 feet tall and 10 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for large spaces, slopes, and erosion control. Prune back annually to keep it in bounds in smaller gardens. Very drought tolerant once established.

Sugar Bush

Rhus ovata Calscape

A handsome, long-lived evergreen shrub to small tree with thick reddish twigs and dark, leathery, folded leaves that stay lush and green through the entire dry season without a drop of supplemental water. Clusters of small white to pink flowers with red sepals appear in spring; the sticky reddish berries that follow are edible and attract birds and wildlife. Grows fastest in full sun on slopes — it's one of the few large chaparral shrubs that thrives on hot, south-facing hillsides. A natural for inland gardens beyond 5–10 miles from the coast, where it outperforms Lemonade Berry. Give it room — it can grow very wide over time.

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum Calscape

A keystone species for California's sagebrush scrub ecosystems — and one of the best plants you can put in a wildlife or butterfly garden. Profuse clusters of pink to white and cream flowers appear as early as March and dry to a beautiful rust-red color, providing interest and seed food for birds through the fall. Tough and easy to grow in a wide range of soils, needing no supplemental water once established. Low-growing forms spread as ground covers; taller varieties can even be shaped into hedges.

Mulefat

Baccharis salicifolia Calscape

A robust, fast-growing evergreen shrub with long, willow-like sticky leaves and abundant fuzzy flowers ranging from white to pink or red-tinged that bloom nearly year-round — making it one of the most consistent nectar sources in the native garden. Butterflies flock to the blossoms; birds eat the seeds. Typically 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, but can reach 12 by 9 feet in ideal conditions. Common name comes from the gold-rush era when prospectors would tie their mules to the shrub to browse. Excellent for erosion control, riparian plantings, and naturalistic screens. Cut back to a few inches above the ground if it ever looks rangy and it will resprout vigorously.

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa Calscape

Few sights in the spring desert garden rival a brittlebush in full bloom — a rounded mound of soft silver-gray foliage completely buried under bright yellow daisy flowers. Native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, it grows 1–5 feet tall in full sun on dry, rocky or sandy slopes. Butterflies love the flowers and birds eat the seeds. Known in Spanish as Incienso for its fragrant, resinous sap, which was historically burned as incense in Baja California missions. Partially drought-deciduous in summer; give it occasional deep water to keep it leafed out, or let it go dormant naturally. Excellent for slopes, desert gardens, and hot inland sites. Avoid overwatering — it can rot if kept too wet.

Joyce Coulter California Lilac

Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter' Calscape

A beautiful and fast-growing hybrid California Lilac that stays relatively low — only 3–5 feet tall — but spreads impressively wide to 8–12 feet, making it a superb choice for covering slopes, cascading over retaining walls, or anywhere you need a low-water, lush, flowering plant. Dark green foliage is covered in medium-blue flowers from March through May. Tolerates pruning and a wide range of garden conditions. Grows well even in hot inland areas.

Hearst's Ceanothus

Ceanothus hearstiorum Calscape

A rare and wonderful prostrate California Lilac endemic to the hilly coastline of San Luis Obispo County — found in the wild only near Hearst Ranch. This low-growing groundcover spreads along the ground while producing stunning blue flower clusters in spring. Very dark, shiny small leaves cover slender stems, creating an elegant texture year-round. Responds well to pruning, and may be among the most disease-resistant Ceanothus available. Plant in a well-drained site; best in coastal or cooler sites with some afternoon shade inland.