Plant information sheets for lecture on pollinator gardens.

1. Berkeley Sedge – Carex tumulicola (CARE (CAR)-ex too-MULL-tih-CO-luh)
Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Native to: Central and northern CA coast to British Columbia, Channel Islands; meadows and open
woodlands at middle to lower elevations.
Growth characteristics: perennial sedge mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Evergreen (with water) grass-like sedge with fine-textured leaves. Foliage is dark green, arching.
Attractive year-round; even stays somewhat green in summer drought. Slightly more upright than
Carex pansa or C. praegracilis. Spreads via rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring; flowers and seed heads not particularly showy. Re-seeds.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a ground cover or grass substitute. Tolerates foot traffic.
Good for erosion control on slopes. Does well under trees including pines. Can be mowed for a
lawn substitute. Makes a nice ‘woodland meadow’ with some summer water – lush looking. Non-
native Carex divisula sometimes mislabeled as this species – buy from reputable source.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native turf grasses and sedges.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover, nest materials and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full shade to full sun (only in cool gardens); happiest in dappled shade.
Soil Any, including clays; tolerates slightly acid soils
Water Wide tolerance; Zone 1-2 to 2-3 or even 3. Great for transitions between Zones.
Fertilizer None needed; probably would tolerate moderate
Other
Management: Easy to grow and low maintenance. Can mow to 4 inches occasionally (several
times per year) or just leave natural. Gently rake out dead leaves in fall/winter.
Propagation: from seed: slow germination; warm temperatures by divisions: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 16, 20, 21, 28 11/25/10
© Project SOUND

2. Alkali Sacaton – Sporobolus airoides (spor-ROB-oh-lus air-OY-deez)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Native to: Much of western Northern America from Canada to Mexico; on saline flats, prairies and
sands. Meadows and valleys, especially in moderately saline soils in California.
Growth characteristics: perennial bunchgrass mature height: 2-3 ft. mature width: 2-4+ ft.
Long-lived warm-season perennial bunchgrass with coarse erect gray-green leaves with purple
tones. Grows in tough, dense clumps, spreading slowly with age. Very tough & hardy.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar-May in our area. Flowers are small, but flower and seed heads are
very showy. Open flower heads are pink/purple, held above the leaves. Lovely – like a cloud of
misty pink blooms. Can be used as an interesting cut flower.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an ornamental grass or to stabilize hillsides. Nice addition
to a natural garden – perhaps as back of beds. Easy to grow & quite drought tolerant when
established. Seeds are edible. Flowering heads look striking when massed or with other grasses.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental grasses like Pennisetum setaceum.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Larger mammals will browse
the leaves when they are green.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to very light shade
Soil Any well-drained; often on sandy soils, but fine in any. Alkali & salty soils are fine.
Water Needs water to establish, and can tolerate seasonal flooding. Mature plants are
quite drought tolerant. Will take anything from little to occasional water.
Fertilizer None really needed, but wouldn’t kill it either.
Other Survives even in very contaminated soils
Management: Very easy to manage. Cut back to 4-6 inches tall when becomes thatchy.
Propagation: from seed: easy in warm weather by cuttings: divisions in winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 25, 28 12/16/10
© Project SOUND

3. California Goldfields – Lasthenia californica ssp. californica
(las-THEE-nee-uh kal-ee-FOR-ni-cuh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Southwestern U.S. from OR to to NM & south to Mexico; in CA, most areas west of
Sierras & western Mojave Desert. Abundant in many vegetation types below 4500 feet elevation.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: < 1 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Herbaceous annual wildflower with narrow, slightly hairy leaves. Growth commences with winter
rains. Plant dies after setting seeds.
Blooms/fruits: Spring bloomer (Feb-May, depending on rains). Flowers in bright golden-yellow
sunflower heads, ~ ½ inch in diameter. Very showy, particularly when massed – as they are in
nature. Plants of this species tend to all bloom at once, hence the name ‘Goldfields’. Fruits are
small sunflower seeds that are enjoyed by seed-eating birds.
Uses in the garden: Lovely addition to the native wildflower garden or cottage garden. Excellent
cover for native bulbs. Fine mixed with native grasses and around summer-dry shrubs. Lovely
massed – creates a pool of golden yellow color in spring. Great in containers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native sunflowers.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant; birds love the seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-sun.
Soil Any local soil – sand to clay; any local pH.
Water Needs good winter/spring water; withhold water after blooming.
Fertilizer None needed – but won’t hurt them.
Other Inorganic (gravel) mulch or bare ground only.
Management: Very easy. Plant seed just before a rain storm to decrease bird consumption of
seeds (or use a gravel mulch). Save some seed each year for re-planting. Re-seeds nicely.
Propagation: from seed: Easy. No pretreatment required.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 13, 14, 16, 20 11/30/09
© Project SOUND

4. *Acton encelia – Encelia actoni (en-SEE-lee-a AK-ton-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Foothills and slopes of desert/dry mountains of CA, NV and Baja. Locally in San Gabriels
(particularly N-facing slopes) and mountains of Mojave, Sonoran & Great Basin Deserts; open areas,
rocky slopes in desert, chaparral, and grassland communities from 2,500 to 6,000 feet elevation.
Growth characteristics: part-woody sub-shrub mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft.
Multi-branched, evergreen shrub with slender stems. Leaves oval to triangular, gray-green and
hairy. Plants are low and mounded with little water; larger with occasional water. Pretty shrub.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms spring into early summer, Feb-Jul. Flowers are typical sunflower heads at
the ends of slender branches. Ray flowers (15-25) and disk flowers both a bright, golden yellow
(disk flowers slightly darker). Extremely bright and showy in bloom. Good pollinator plant.
Uses in the garden: Often included in habitat gardens. Good evergreen shrub for water-wise
gardens and difficult-to-water places. Does fine on slopes, hot places. Foliage provides nice contrast
with greener shrubs. Traditionally used as medicinal plant for rheumatism.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bush sunflowers; California encelia (due to evergreen foliage).
Attracts: Excellent pollinator and bird habitat: provides nectar, pollen for wide range of bees,
butterflies and other pollinators. Provides cover and seeds for seed-eating birds, small animals.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Best with well-drained (sandy or rocky in nature); berm if needed.
Water Low to moderate after first year (Water Zones 1 to 2); occasional water best
Fertilizer None needed.
Other Inorganic mulch or very thin organic (self-mulching is fine).
Management: Needs little care. Can cut back by 1/3 in fall to encourage fullness. Pest-free.
Propagation: from seed: easy from fresh seed by cuttings: likely yes; ? after blooming
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 10, 13, 24 5/1/17
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND

5. Common monolopia/Hillside daisy – Monolopia lanceolata
(mon-oh-LOH-pee-uh lan-see-oh-LAY-tuh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Southern CA into Baja; locally in Santa Monica Mtns, Palos Verdes. Grasslands/openings
in many plant communities, including coastal/valley grassland, chaparral, oak woodlands and desert
below about 5000 ft. elevation. Often grows in clay soils in nature.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Annual wildflower with upright, branched, open habit. Foliage medium green to gray-green. Leaves
simple, oblong to lance-shaped, often quite hairy. Tap-rooted. A delicate, slender spring plant.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – Feb-May in Western S. CA. Flowers in typical sunflower heads at
tips of slender branches. Flower heads small (small, 1/4 - 1 in) with both ray and disk flowers a
bright, golden yellow. Showy when massed, but short season. Seeds typical for sunflower family.
Uses in the garden: Most often used for spring color in water-wise gardens. Would be spectacular in
a container. Seed in dense masses around native grasses – will naturalize (if birds don’t eat all the
seed). Pair with other local wildflowers including CA Poppy, Uropappus lindleyi, Phacelia
tanacetifolia. Excellent choice for attracting spring pollinators. Disappears after setting seed.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native yellow wildflowers; Goldfields
Attracts: Excellent pollinator and bird habitat. Particularly loved by native bees; provides seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Most local soil textures, including sand; pH 6.0-8.0
Water Need good winter and spring moisture; supplement if needed. Summer dry.
Fertilizer None needed in ground; single dose half-strength in spring if reseed in container.
Other No mulch – or gravel.
Management: Pretty easy sunflower if keep young plants watered. Sow seed early winter.
Propagation: from seed: easy to germinate; use fresh seed.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 19, 46 4/29/17
© Project SOUND

6. Slender sunflower – Helianthus gracilentus (hee-lee-AN-thus GRAS-i-len-tus)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Western/coastal Ca from Napa to N. Baja. Locally in Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mtns.;
dry hillsides and openings in chaparral, yellow pine forest below about 6000' (fire follower).
Growth characteristics: perennial/sub-shrub mature height: 3-6 ft. mature width: 3-6 ft.
Many-stemmed, part-woody evergreen shrub from stout, woody taproot; looks like a cross between
CA Encelia and Helianthus annuus. Overall shape mounded to open and upright. Stems slender,
stiffly hairy. Leaves simple, opposite, hairy and glandular. Foliage strongly aromatic.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in warm weather, late spring through summer (May-Oct). Flowers in typical
sunflower heads. Heads are smaller than Annual sunflower, and usually with golden-yellow disk
flowers (sometimes are red). Good pollinator plant. Seeds typical for sunflowers – loved by birds.
Uses in the garden: Often used for summer color in water-wise gardens. Excellent habitat plant for
pollinators, butterflies, birds. More refined-appearing than Helianthus annuus. Good evergreen
choice for mid- to back-bed. Pair with larger shrubs (Toyon; Lemonadeberry; Coffeberry), native
grasses, Salvias, Artemisias, Buckwheats and the fall-blooming shrubby Goldenbushes.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bush sunflowers; CA Encelia (because it’s evergreen).
Attracts: Excellent pollinator and bird habitat: attracts wide range of native pollinators (butterflies;
bees; flies and more). Provides cover and seeds for bird food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Prefers well-drained, sandy soils but does well in most gardens; pH 6.0-8.0.
Water Drought tolerant but looks best with monthly water (Water Zone 1-2 to 2).
Fertilizer Not really needed; probably ok with a yearly half-strength dose.
Other No mulch or very light organic (self-mulch is fine).
Management: Pretty carefree. Cut back to ~ 6 inches in late fall (freezes to ground in nature).
Deadhead for second yearly bloom (if desired). May naturalize if happy (Like CA Encelia).
Propagation: from seed: easy; fresh seed by cuttings: likely yes.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10 13, 24, 46 4/29/17
© Project SOUND

7. *California yerba santa / Palo santo – Eriodictyon californicum
(air-ee-oh-DICK-tee-on cal-ee-FOR-ni-cum)
Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family) [formerly in Hydrophyllaceae]
Native to: Coastal Ranges and Sierras from Kern Co. to OR; on hillsides, ridges and canyons in
Chaparral, Foothill and N. Oak Woodlands, Yellow Pine, Mixed Evergreen and Redwood Forests.
Often found in disturbed areas.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 3-5 ft. mature width: 3-6+ ft.
Evergreen woody shrub with leathery, resinous leaves. Leaves are oblong, dark green above; lighter
below. Leaf margins can be smooth or saw-toothed. Plants have balsamic aroma, especially on
warm days. Bark shreddy; old leaves retained (may be covered in black fungi). Shallow roots;
spreads via rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – April to July. White or pale lavender, tubular flowers in
branched clusters at the ends of branches. Very showy in bloom; butterfly pollinated. Fruits are
small capsules with small, dark seeds.
Uses in the garden: Most often used in natural gardens or herb/medicinal gardens. Good choice for
stabilizing slopes. Good all-round habitat plant, but might be best contained (large container).
Leaves used for tea or as flavoring agent. This plant was used as a cure-all in traditional medicine.
Leaves were used as tea, infusions, poultices for wide range of aches and pains, coughs and colds.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native herbs.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Nectar attracts bees, butterflies; birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Pretty tolerant, but best in well-drained; pH 5.0-8.0 (best slightly acidic)
Water Low water needs – Water Zone 1-2 for best appearance.
Fertilizer Not needed, but light fertilizer if grown in container.
Other Light mulch only.
Management: Prune only in spring/early summer. Plant will spread, particularly with water.
Propagation: from seed: fairly easy with fresh seed; heat stored seed by cuttings: ?summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 13 4/29/17
* California native, but 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. Blair’s Wirelettuce – Stephanomeria blairii (stef-an-oh-MARE-ee-uh BLARE-ee-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Endemic to San Clemente Island; on rocky canyon walls in coastal bluff scrub.
Growth characteristics: perennial shrub/sub-shrub mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft.
Woody shrub to sub-shrub, either low-growing to semi-erect. Branch tips are somewhat fleshy/
succulent. Bright green, shallowly-lobed leaves crowded at ends of branches. Unique.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in summer, usually July/August or into Sept. Flowers in typical sunflower
heads. Ray flowers are light lavender to pink-lavender, in loose bunches. Showy and unique in
bloom. Looks somewhat like other Wreathplants (Stephanomeria species) but more flowers.
Uses in the garden: Makes a nice perennial for an old-fashioned flower garden. Good bet for coastal
gardens – grows on coast in the wild. Nice summer cut flower. Pair with other island species like
CA Fuschia (Epilobium canum), Delphinium cardinale, Mimulus aurantiacus, Catalina Silverlace
(Constancea/Eriophyllum nevinii). OK in lg. containers. Looks wonderful draped over a wall –
positively cliff-like. May be called ‘Munzothamnus blairii’. Rare.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native white-flowered daisies, asters.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other insects collect nectar
and birds eat the seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Sun to part-sun.
Soil Sandy or rocky is best – well-drained. Local pH’s fine.
Water Semi-dry to somewhat moist (Zone 2 best; 2-3 fine in sandy soils).
Fertilizer Light dose might increase flowering.
Other
Management: Prune old/diseased branches. Cut off spent heads or leave seeds for birds. May
need to stake it to get it to stand up. Other than that, just let it go.
Propagation: from seed: probably easy with fresh seed by cuttings: ??
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 13 3/1/10
© Project SOUND