This document provides information on the Cliff Aster plant (Malacothrix saxatilis var. tenuifolia). It is a perennial sub-shrub native to coastal regions of Southern California. It has a woody base and herbaceous branches, with mostly basal leaves that are coarsely toothed. It blooms from March to November with solitary white and pink flowering heads along its wire-like branches. The Cliff Aster is suitable for water-wise gardens, rock gardens, and perennial beds, where its airy white flowers provide a refreshing contrast. It is a tough, low-maintenance plant that will reseed naturally.

1. Dunn’s Lobelia – Lobelia dunnii var. serrata (lo-BEEL-ee-a DUN-ee-eye ser-AY-ta)
Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)
Native to: S. CA Coastal Ranges (Santa Monica Mtns) and Transverse ranges (San Gabriels) to n.
Baja; mossy seeps, moist canyon wall and rocky stream banks in coastal sage scrub, chaparral.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1 ft. mature width: 1-3+ ft.
Winter-dormant herbaceous perennial with narrow leaves on slender stems. Foliage is gray-green,
evergreen except in winter. Stems are upright or reclining. Will spread in moist soils. Note: all
Lobelias are toxic to some degree.
Blooms/fruits: Late summer bloomer (Aug-Sept.) for about one month. One inch violet-blue
flowers on flowering stalk– very showy. Some what reminiscent of non-native Salvias. Very much
at home in the flower garden.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a shade-loving ground cover. Also works well in traditional
flower beds, pots, windowboxes, hanging baskets and planters. Nice spot of color in late summer;
looks great massed. Good choice for water gardens or damp places in the garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Salvias and Lobelias.
Attracts: Excellent butterfly plant. Many species of adult butterflies sip nectar from the flowers.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Light/partial shade is best, particularly for good color. Full sun only in cool gardens.
Soil Any texture, but well-drained. pH 6.0-8.0.
Water Likes moist soil (Zone 3); can even grow in shallow water. Takes seasonal flooding.
Fertilizer Likes organic soils; amend or mulch with organic mulches
Other
Management: Carefree in many gardens. Hardy and even drought tolerant. Re-seeds if happy.
Propagation: from seed: winter; don’t cover & keep moist by divisions: ?spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 8, 11, 13 UCR Bot. Garden 7/10/17
© Project SOUND

2. *Tufted alumroot – Heuchera caespitosa [also known as H. elegans]
(HOY(HEW)-ker-uh see(kess)-spi-TOE-suh)
Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
Native to: S. & Central CA mountains (western Transverse Ranges of Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare,
and Ventura counties; Outer South Coast Ranges; southern Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains);
Rocky areas, 4500'-8000', in Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Evergreen, herbaceous perennial with rounded, multi-lobed leaves. Overall shape is mounded, with
foliage in basal rosette. Spreads via short rhizomes. One of the smaller native Heucheras.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring – May-June, sometimes later. Flowers on tall, upright stalks
typical of the genus. Flowers are small, bi-colored pale pink or lavender and shaped like an
elongated bell. The flowers are more elongated and hairier than many Heucheras.
Uses in the garden: Often used as an accent plant because of attractive flowers and foliage. While
rare in the wild, this species is planted extensively in native and traditional gardens. Nice as a
groundcover, lining shady pathways or in containers or a rock garden. Great hummingbird plant.
Mass plant for maximal impact. Very pretty cut flower! ‘Bella Blanca’ cultivar has white flowers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Heucheras and other shade-loving perennials.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird habitat: provides cover and seeds for seed-eaters.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade to quite shady in S. California.
Soil Adaptable; any local pH.
Water Moderate water (Water Zone 2 to 2-3).
Fertilizer Yearly ½ strength fertilizer is fine – needed for containers.
Other Organic mulch.
Management: Prune out dead leaves, stalks. Divide as needed (every 2-3 years). Watch for
mealybugs and powdery mildew in warm, damp weather.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in fall/winter by leaf cuttings/divisions: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 7, 11, 48 11/29/15
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND

3. * San Gabriel alumroot – Heuchera abramsii (HOI (HEW)-ker-uh AY-brams-ee-eye)
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: San Gabriel Mtn. endemic (S. California); uncommon in rock crevices, dry rocky places from
9,000' to 11,000' elevation in alpine vegetation.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: <1 ft. mature width: 1 ft.
Small, evergreen herbaceous perennial. Leaves small, rounded with 5 lobes, medium-green colored.
Entire plant mounded, glandular, becoming matlike. This is a really small, almost dwarf, Heuchera.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring or summer in native environment – spring (May-June) at lower
elevations. Flowers on erect flowering stems typical of the genus. Flowers pink/magenta, small,
with long, tubular throat. Very showy plant in bloom.
Uses in the garden: Best used in a rock or crevice garden – or in a container. Very unusual
specimen plant. Attracts hummingbirds.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native dwarf perennials.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird habitat plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade to shade.
Soil Well-drained, rocky.
Water Needs to dry out between waterings (Water Zone 2).
Fertilizer None needed; ½ strength once a year for container plants.
Other Gravel mulch or no mulch.
Management: Prune off dead leaves, stems. Watch for fungal diseases.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in late fall, winter by divisions: yes, in spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 34 11/29/15
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native

4. Shrubby Butterweed – Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii
(sen-EE-see-oh FLAS-i-dus DUG-las-ee-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of Southwestern U.S. from CA to CO, TX and northwestern Mexico; common plant
in gravelly washes and dry creek beds, and along roads and trails in coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and S. Oak Woodlands, usually away from the coast.
Growth characteristics: woody sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Small, many-branched rounded shrub, woody at the base but herbaceous above. Foliage fine-
textured, an attractive blue-green. Leaves have narrow, needle-like lobes and may be smooth or
hairy.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms July to November in lowlands of Los Angeles Co. Flowers are showy, one-
inch yellow ‘daisy’ flowers on stems above the foliage. Seeds are wind-borne with fluffy hairs.
Uses in the garden: Most useful as a fall-blooming shrub in dry native gardens. Also good for slope
stabilization/erosion control. Would do fine in large pots/planters. Note: plant is toxic to
animals and humans. Flowers produce a yellow dye.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubby sunflowers like Marguerites.
Attracts: Excellent insect and bird habitat. Particularly good as fall butterfly nectar plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part shade (best in most gardens).
Soil Any, but sandy or rocky soils preferred.
Water Occasional to little once established (Zone ½ to 2)
Fertilizer none
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Will re-seed on bare ground.
Propagation: from seed: direct sow outdoors in fall by cuttings: probably, late spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16 1/15/17
© Project SOUND

5. Common Sand Aster – Corethrogyne (Lessingia) filaginifolia
var. filaginifolia & virgata (cor-eh-THRA-gen-ee fill-AH-jin-i-FOE-lee-uh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: coastal bluffs up into the upper elevations of the mountains of central and southern
California; var. californica: northern coast of CA, var. filaginifolia: s Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin
Valley, Central- and Southwestern California. Coastal scrub, oak woodlands, grasslands.
Growth characteristics: perennial shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-2 (to 5) ft.
Shrubby perennial from a shrubby, woody base. May be compact or leggy. Foliage is gray-green,
lacy, attractive. Plants is very hardy, drought-deciduous (loses leaves in drought).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms July-Oct. Attractive purple ‘daisy flowers’ with yellow center. Given
adequate winter water produces many blooms per plant.
Uses in the garden: Excellent plant in a native garden, with other summer-dry plants like native
bunchgrasses, annuals and perennial shrubs. Excellent for bird/butterfly habitat garden. For a
more “tailored” look, try the low-lying cultivar ‘Silver Carpet’. This cultivar has silvery foliage and
makes an excellent, quick-growing groundcover on slopes, over walls, in rock gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native asters; other white-foliage perennials & ground covers.
Attracts: Excellent butterfly habitat, providing both nectar and larval food for Gabb's Checkerspot .
Also good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to light shade (leggier in shade)
Soil Any well-drained soil; any local pH
Water Best with no summer water; ‘Silver Carpet’ cultivar takes occasional summer water,
particularly in hot gardens
Fertilizer None required
Other
Management: Don’t over water (will shorten life). Place in a spot where its semi-deciduous
condition will not be noticed in the drought season. ‘Silver Carpet’ cultivar can be pruned to
maintain shape.
Propagation: from seed: easy by cuttings: softwood cuttings in late summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 10, 16 'Silver Carpet': 1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 13 2/26/11
© Project SOUND

6. *Bigelow’s sneezeweed – Helenium bigelovii (hel-EN-ee-um big-eh-LOV-ee-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Mountain ranges of CA and OR. Locally in San Gabriel, San Bernardino Mtns; wet forest
meadows, marshes, bogs, stream sides and other wet places from 5000' to 8500' elevation.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Mounding herbaceous perennial that dies back in late fall. Leaves long and narrow (to 8 inches
long), simple, alternate. Most leaves in basal clump. All parts of plant toxic if eaten.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms May-July – may bloom again in Oct. Flowers in bright, golden-yellow
sunflower heads. Mature plant will have as many as 20 flower heads, all on stalks above the foliage.
This is the showiest of the native sneezeweeds. Very attractive garden flower.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used as a flowering plant in well-watered parts of the garden. Works
well in irrigated rain gardens and swales. Excellent choice for bog garden – including container
bogs. Does fine in containers if kept moist. Good pollinator plant; good cut flower. Provides a
showy accent when massed. Cultivars ‘The Bishop’ and ‘Tip-top’ are suitable for garden use, a bit
more showy and garden-hardy, and readily available on-line as seeds.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Heleniums and other non-native yellow Sunflowers.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator/butterfly and bird habitat: provides pollen, nectar and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (regular water only) to part-shade.
Soil Most soil textures; all pH except very alkali (>8.5).
Water Needs moist soil until fall – Water Zone 3 (regular water).
Fertilizer ½ strength fertilizer in spring, especially if pot-grown.
Other Leaf mulch is best.
Management: Provide adequate water. Will reseed in moist areas – deadhead if desired. Cut back
dead stalks in winter.
Propagation: from seed: easy, esp. with fresh seed by divisions: fall (after blooming) or spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 13, 62, 73 11/29/17
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND

7. *Sicklepod (Elegant) rockcress – Boechera sparsiflora (BEH-cher-uh SPARSE-ee-flora)
Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
Native to: Western U.S. mountains from S. CA to British Columbia & ID. Locally in the San Gabriel
Mtns and possibly the Santa Monica Mtns; rocky slopes, rock crevices, sandy or gravelly soils in
Sagebrush Scrub, Yellow Pine and Mixed Evergreen Forest, Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous biennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Short-lived herbaceous perennial or biennial (often grown as annual). One to several stout, upright
stems. Leaves coarsely hairy, some in basal rosette. Leaf shape varies from base up the stem, but
most leaves are lance-shaped. Drought dormant.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring (Apr-June). Flowers grow in a dense cluster around the upright
stems. Flowers are pink, magenta or medium purple in color and have spoon-shaped petals. This is
one of the prettier and more unusual mustards. Slender seeds pods are also attractive.
Uses in the garden: Good choice for a butterfly garden. Lovely seasonal accent. Does well in rock
gardens or around accent boulders. Can be grown in a large container. Good addition to medicinal
garden (infusion used for sore eyes).
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mustards, stock.
Attracts: Excellent butterfly plant. Larval food source for the Orangetip butterfly. Birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Well-drained soils best – rocky or sandy. Any local pH except very alkali.
Water Water every 3-4 weeks until Sept., then dry out until rains.
Fertilizer None needed in ground; ½ strength dose, spring, for container-grown.
Other Inorganic (gravel) mulch.
Management: Prune stems by ½ their length after blooming. Will reseed if happy.
Propagation: from seed: in fall or spring; fresh seed best by cuttings: stem cutting in spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 13, 24 11/29/17
* California native, but likely not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND

8. Cliff Aster – Malacothrix saxatilis var. tenuifolia (mal-uh-COTH-rix saks-A-til-iss)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: South Coast & Transverse Ranges of S. California; coastal strand and coastal scrub and
canyons, coastal-sage scrub.
Growth characteristics: perennial sub-shrub mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 3-5+ ft.
Open sub-shrub with woody base and mostly herbaceous branches. Leaves mostly basal, coarsely-
toothed somewhat like a dandelion or a white-flowered Chicory. Branches are wire-like. Summer
deciduous with no summer water.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms much of the year in lower elevations (Mar-Nov) depending on rainfall.
Flowering heads typical of sunflower family, white with pink striping, solitary along the wire-like
branches. Quite showy, as there are often many blooms at one time.
Uses in the garden: Right at home in the water-wise garden. Does well on slopes and in rock
gardens, near rock walls or fences. Airy-looking white flowers mix well in perennial beds. Probably
fine in large pots or planters. Flowers are a refreshing contrast to dark leaves of native shrubs.
Plant makes a nice filler and will re-seed naturally. Very tough plant that looks best in wet years.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native perennial sunflowers like Asters.
Attracts: Good bird, butterfly and insect habitat: provides Fall nectar and seeds for food. Rabbits
like foliage.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun best; light shade probably fine.
Soil Probably any texture or local pH
Water Little to occasional summer water once established (Zone ½ or 2)
Fertilizer None
Other Light organic mulch or none
Management: Little management needed. Hardy plant. Cut back in fall or will gets straggly.
Propagation: from seed: ? germination improved by smoke – but fresh seed has good germination
with no treatment. Plant in prepared bed in spring by cuttings: ? probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 10, 11, 46 7/3/14
© Project SOUND

9. Wand wreathplant – Stephanomeria virgata/diegensis*
(stef-an-oh-MEER-ee-uh vir-GAY-tuh )
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Western N. America from OR to N. Mexico. Locally common on coastal lowlands and
mountains below about 6000 ft.; drier, open places and slopes in grasslands, coastal sage scrub,
chaparral to yellow pine forest.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous annual wildflower mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width:1-3 ft.
Annual wildflower with many slender, wand-like branches. Leaves mostly basal – often wither
before flowering; smaller leaves along stems. Root a taproot. Plants have very open appearance.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms July to Oct., when much of local vegetation is becoming dormant. Flowers
in sunflower-type head. Ray flowers white with some pink or purple-pink. Pollen is contained within
tube-like anthers. Flowers occur sporadically on the branches. Seeds with fluffy hairs
Uses in the garden: Most often used in habitat gardens (see below). Provides an important source
of white flowers late in the season. Works well with native grasses and local annuals.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native asters.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator and bird habitat: provides nectar, pollen and seeds for food at a time
when flowering plants can be scarce. Attracts wide range of native bees.
Requirements
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Any local soil; any local pH
Water Adequate winter/spring moisture – none required in summer.
Fertilizer None needed.
Other No mulch or very light organic mulch.
Management: Plants will reseed if happy.
Propagation: from seed: increase germination with charrate or liquid smoke.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 19 11/29/17
* Western Los Angeles County plants likely S. diegensis © Project SOUND