1. South Bay Native Plants and Other S. CA Plants for Small Gardens & Small Spaces – Western L.A. County
I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
Trees and Tree-like Large Shrubs
X Baccharis salicifolia
Mule Fat
To 10 ft
Pink-white/
all year
FS/PS
Any
X Ceanothus arboreus
Catalina
Ceanothus
<20 ft. t
8-10 ft w
Blue/Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
X * Cercis occidentalis
Western Redbud
6-20 ft tall
10-15 ft w
Magenta/
Sp
FS/PS
Any incl
clay
1-2 to 2-3
Birchleaf Mountain
Mahogany
Catalina Isl.
Mountain
Mahogony
6-12 ft tall
4 ft. wide
Yellowwhite/Sp
FS
Welldrained
1-2
7-24 ft tall
Yellowwhite/Sp
FS
Rocky
best
1
?
Summer Holly
< 18 ft tall
White/Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1
10, 14, 16
Desert Olive
8-15 ft t
8 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS
Any welldrained
1-2 to 2
6, 8
Berries for
birds; graygreen foliage
Cream/ WSp
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2
1, 13
Evergreen;
silvery
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
10, 13, 14, 16,
18
Berries toxic in
lg. amounts
1, 5, 13, 14
Fragrant at a
distance
X
Cercocarpus alnifolius/
C. betuloides var. blancheae
Cercocarpus traskiae
Comarostaphylis
X diversifolia ssp.
planifolia
X
* Forestiera
neomexicana (pubescens)
6-15 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
X * Garrya veatchii
Canyon Silk Tassel
Bush
X Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon
6-10 ft +
4-6 ft w
White/Su
X * Holodiscus discolor
Creambush; Ocean
Spray
10-20 ft
tall
Island (Rose)
Mallow
Lavatera
X assurgentiflora ssp.
glabrata & assurgentiflora
Lyonothamnus
X floribundus ssp.
aspleniifolius &
floribundus
X
* Prunus virginiana var.
demissa
1-2 to 2-3
1
FS/PS/FSH
Any welldrained
1-2
White/Su-Fa
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
8-12 ft tall
& wide
Magenta/
yr round
FS/PS
Welldrained
Catalina Ironwood
To 50 ft t
15-30 ft w
Whiteyellow/ SpSu
FS/PS
Any welldrained
Western
Chokecherry
6-25 ft tall
6-15 ft w
Cream/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1
1-2
2 to 2-3
1, 2
1, 3, 7, 9, 14,
19
1, 3, 5, 6, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
1, 7, 13
Fall color (red,
orange); edible
fruit, flowers
evergreen;
upright form
1, 2, 13
1, 3, 7, 9, 13,
14
Evergreen
6, 13
fruits for jelly,
bird habitat
1

2. I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Holly-leaf and
< 50 ft
White/Su
Catalina Island
Cherries
Blue (Mexican)
Sambucus nigra ssp.
8-25+ ft
White/Sp-Su
X
Elderberry
cerulea
Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)
Arctostaphylos
6-18 ft tall
Pink/W-Sp
X
Catalina Manzanita
5-8 ft wide
catalinae
X Baccharis pilularis
X
X
Prunus ilicifolia ssp.
ilicifolia & lyonii
Baccharis plummerae
subsp. plummerae
X * Calycanthus occidentalis
* Carpenteria
californica
* Ceanothus
integerrimus
** Ceanothus
X
thyrsiflorus ‘Skylark’
* Ceanothus
tomentosus var.
olivaceus
X
X
Cleome isomeris
(Isomeris arborea)
X Dendromecon harfordii
X
Fremontodendron
californican X mexicanum
Water
Zone+
1, 7, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
12-14, 16, 19
Edible berries
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1, 13, 14
Well-drained
soil
1-2 to 2-3
FS/PS
any
Plummer's
Baccharis
< 7 ft tall
Buff-Wht/
Su-F
FS/PS
any
Western Spicebush
6-12 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
FS/PS
Pref.light
deep rich
Bush aneneme
6-8 ft tall
6-12 ft W
Purplebronze/
Sp-Su
WhiteYellow/ Spr
PS/FSH
Welldrained
Deerbrush
3-6+ ft t
White/Sp
FS/PS
Any
‘Skylark’
Ceanothus
3-6 ft t
Lt blue/Sp
FS/PS
Any incl
clay
2
Wooly-leaf
Ceanothus
6-12 ft t
4-8 ft w
Blues/Sp
FS
Sandy or
rocky
1-2
Bladderpod
2-6+ ft
Yellow/
Sp +
FS
Welldrained
Channel Island
Tree Poppy
8 ft tall
4 ft wide
Yellow/W-Sp
FS
Flannelbush
6-18 ft tall
4-12 wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS
10-20 ft
tall
4-10 ft tall
& wide
3-10 ft tall
to 15 ft w
White/
Su-Fa
White/
Sp-Su
CA Mock Orange
Coastal Sage
Scrub Oak
Yellow/Sp
Notes
1-2
Cream/F
X * Philadelphus lewisii
Availability
any
PS
To 8 ft
Creambush; Ocean
Spray
Quercus dumosa var.
elegantula
Soil
Coyote Bush
X * Holodiscus discolor
X
Light**
FS/PS
FS/PS
FS/PS
Any welldrained
Welldrained
essential
Any, incl.
clays
Any, incl
clays
Sandy
best
1-2
1 to 1-2
Winter
flooding
2-3
1-2 to 2-3
1 to 2
1
1-2
1, 2, 3, 5, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
?
1, 13, 14
Spicy; wine-like
fragrance
1, 3, 7, 13, 14,
19
Showy, fragrant
flowers
3, 13, 16
Drought decid;
glossy leaves
1, 3, 6, 13
1, 13, 14
1, 3, 7, 10, 12,
13, 16
1, 9, 13, 14,
19
Upright;
evergreen;
heavy bloomer
Unusual scent;
attractive
branch
Showy; bluegreen foliage
‘Ken Taylor’
smaller; can
espalier
Fragrant at a
distance
1
1, 3, 9, 13,
1-2 to 2-3
1, 5, 13, 14
2-3
1, 7, 13, 14,
19
Very fragrant
7, 14
Evergreen
1 to 1-2
2

3. Common Name
Size
X * Rhamnus californica
California
Coffeeberry
X * Rhamnus crocea
Redberry
Buckthorn
X * Rhamnus ilicifolia
Holly-leaf Redberry
6-12 ft t &
wide; short
cultivars
3-6 ft tall
6 ft wide
12 ft tall
5-6 ft w
I
Scientific Name
Ribes aureum var.
gracillimum
Flower/
season
Buff/Sp
Light**
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1, 5, 7, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
'Eve Case',
'Mound San
Bruno' smaller
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS/ FSH
Any
1 to 1-2
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS/ FSH
Any
1-2 to 2
FS/PS/ FSH
Any
1-2 to 2-3
7, 12, 14
Any welldrained; Birds
eat berries
any
1-2; winter
flooding
1, 2, 3, 14
Spreading via
roots
1-2
1, 8, 14, 16,
20
Fruit for birds; greygreen; evergreen
1-2
1, 8, 13, 14
Golden Currant
To 10 ft
Yellow/
W-Sp
X Salix exigua
Narrow-leaf Willow
6-15 ft
12-15 ft.w.
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
X * Simmondsia chinensis
Jojoba
5-12 ft tall
& wide
Yellow/Sp
FS
Yellow to
Or/Sp-Su
FS
X
Soil
Welldrained
1, 3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14, 20
1, 10, 12-14,
20, 21
Pretty fruits; birds
Nice hedge plant’
holly-like leaves
Smaller Shrubs ( < 6 ft. tall) ; includes woody sub-shrubs
X * Abutilon palmeri
Indian Mallow
X * Acalypha californica
California
Copperleaf
X
Adenostoma
fasciculatum
X * Amorpha fruticosa
Arctostaphylos
X
catalinae
* Arctostaphylos
X
edmundsii
* Arctostaphylos
hookeri
X Artemisia californica
X
Astragalus trichopodus
ssp. lonchus
X Baccharis emoryi
2-6 ft tall &
wide
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Red/Sp
Chamise
3-10 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
White/Sp-Su
False Indigo
6-12 ft
4-10 ft w.
Purplebrown/
Sp-Su
Catalina Manzanita
6-18 ft tall
5-8 ft wide
Little Sur
Manzanita
Hooker’s
Manzanita
Coastal Sagebrush
FS/PS
FS
Welldrained
Sandy/
rocky
any
1 to 1-2
1, 8, 13
1-2
1, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
1, 6, 13, 14
Red foliage
Can be weedy;
cultivar: ‘Dark
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 13, 14
Well-drained
soil
2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft w
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
welldrained
1-2 to 2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14
Cultivars:
‘Greensphere’
2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft w
Pink/W-Sp
FS
welldrained
1-2 to 2
1, 3, 13
Gold/Su
FS
Welldrained
1
3-6 ft tall
Lance’
Rattlepod
2-3 ft
White/Sp
FS
any
1 to 1-2
Emory Baccharis
6-12 ft T
to 10 ft W
Buff-Wht/
Su-F
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
Winter
flooding
1, 7-10, 12,
13, 14, 16, 18
Cultivars ‘Sunset’,
‘Wayside’, ‘Ken
Taylor’
'Canyon Gray'
1, 2, 13
1, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16
Salt tolerant
3

4. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
X
** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point Dwarf’
Dwarf Pigeon Point
Coyote Bush
6-12 ft T
to 10 ft W
Buff-Wht/
Su-F
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
Winter
flooding
1, 6, 13
X
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium
Oregon Grape
< 6 ft
Yellow/Sp
PS
any
2-3 to 3
1, 7, 9, 13, 14
California
Bricklebush
Nevin’s
Brickelbush
< 4 ft tall
to 4 ft w
Buff/Su-F
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 10, 12,
16
Fragrant flowers
1-2 ft tall
Buff/F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
12
Silvery foliage
Camissonia
X cheiranthifolia spp.
suffruticosa
Beach Primrose
(Suncup)
< 3 ft tall
2-5 ft wide
Yellow/W-F
FS/PS
Sandy
best
1-2 to 2
1, 10, 13, 14,
16
Best near beach
X Coreopsis gigantea
Giant Coreopsis
3-5+ ft
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
1-2
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16,
Unusual
Constancea
(Eriophyllum) nevinii
Catalina Silverlace
3-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
1 to 2-3
1, 6, 7, 13, 14
‘Silver Canyon’
Croton californicus var.
californicus
California Croton
1-5 ft tall
2-5 ft w
Cream/Sp-F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 10, 16, 20
(?var)
Croton californicus var.
tenius
California Croton
1-5 ft
Cream/Sp-F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 10
Bush Poppy
4-8 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
FS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
Bush
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Orange/
W-Sp
X Encelia californica
CA Bush Sunflower
2-5 ft
Epilobium canum
X (Zauschneria
californica)
CA Fuschia
X Ericameria ericoides
Mock Heather
X * Ericameria nauseosa
Rabbitbush
I
X Brickellia californica
* Brickellia nevinii
X
X Dendromecon rigida
X
Diplacus aurantiacus
ssp. aurantiacus
Ericameria palmeri var.
pachylepis
Palmer's
Goldenbush
Light**
Fertile,
welldrained
Any welldrained
FS/PS
Sandy
Yellow/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1-3 ft
Orange/F
FS/PS
any
1-4 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Su-F
FS
Any;
sandy
best
Yellow/Su-F
FS
any
Yellow/Su-F
FS
2-5 ft tall &
wide
1-3 ft tall
2-5 ft wide
1-2
1 to 1-2
1-2 to 2-3
1 to 1-2
1-2 to 2-3
1 to 1-2
3, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16
1, 3, 5, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
1, 2, 3, 7, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
Notes
Unusual
flowers,
seedpods
Unusual
flowers,
seedpods
Good winter
color
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Tolerates winter
flooding
1, 6, 10, 16
Good for
seaside
7, 10, 13, 16
Insect-eaters
10, 16
4

5. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
* Eriodictyon
trichocalyx
Southern Yerba
Santa
4-6 ft
Lilac/Su
X Eriogonum cinereum
Ashy-leaf
Buckwheat
2-5 ft
X * Eriogonum crocatum
Conejo Buckwheat
I
X
X
Eriogonum elongatum
var. elongatum
Wand Buckwheat
1 ft
1-3
3-6
1-2
tall
ft wide
ft tall
ft wide
Pink-wht/
Sp-F
Yellow/SpSu
Light**
FS
FS/PS
FS/PS
Soil
Lightsandy
best
Any welldrained
Water
Zone+
1 to 1-2
1 to 2-3
any
1 to 1-2
Availability
Notes
10, 16
Aromatic leaves
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
1, 3, 8, 12, 14,
19
Pink/Su-F
FS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
Gray foliage
1, 8, 12
X Eriogonum fasciculatum
California
Buckwheat
1-3 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
Pink/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18,
19
'Dana Point' tight,
compact; ‘Bruce
Dickinson’ - prostrate
Eriogonum giganteum
X vars. formosum,
giganteum
St. Catherine’s
Lace
3-6 ft
Pink-white/
Su
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 5, 8, 9,
13, 14, 16, 19
Don’t plant near
native
buckwheats
X Eriogonum parvifolium
Coastal Buckwheat
2-4 ft
Pink-creme/
Su +
FS/PS/
FSH
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
Slender Buckwheat
1-3 ft tall
Pink/Su-F
FS
any
Seaside Wooly
Sunflower
1-2 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su-F
FS
Any welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 8, 10, 16
X Euphorbia misera
California Spurge
3-4 ft tall &
wide
Whitered/Sp
FS
sandy
1-2 to 2-3
1, 8, 13
Gambelia (Galvezia)
speciosa
Grindelia camporum
X
var. bracteosa
Catalina
Snapdragon
2-4 ft tall
Red/Sp +
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 7, 8, 9,
13, 14
Bracted Gumplant
2-4 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su
Fs
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 6, 12, 16
Sawtooth
Goldenbush
1-3 ft
Yellow/Su-F
FS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 2
Coast Goldenbush
1-3 ft tall
and wide
Yellow/
Su-F
FS
Any
X
Eriogonum gracile var.
gracile
* Eriophyllum
staechadifolium var.
depressum
X
X Hazardia squarrosa
X
Isocoma menziesii var.
menziesii
X * Justicia californica
Chuparosa
X Lepechinia fragrans
Fragrant Pitcher
Sage
4-6 ft tall
to 12 ft w
3-6 ft tall &
wide
1-2
1-2
10, 16 (?var)
1, 14
Red/Sp-F
FS/PS
Sandy
best
1 to 1-2
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 12, 13,
14
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
Tolerates salty,
alkali soils
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
1, 7, 8, 14
Lavender/Sp
unusual
‘El Tigre’
5

6. X
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Lepidospartum
squamatum
Scale Broom; CA
Broomsage
* Lonicera involucrata
I
Twinberry
4-6 ft tall
and wide
4-6 ft tall
to 10 ft w
Flower/
season
Buff/ Su-F
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Yellow-red/
Sp-Su
Light**
FS
FS/PS
Lotus scoparius var.
scoparius
Lupinus albifrons var.
X
albifrons
Deer Vetch/ Deer
Broom
3-5 ft
Silver Bush Lupine
3-4 ft tall &
wide
Purple/Sp
X Lupinus chamissonis
Dune Lupine
3-4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Purple/W-Sp
Long-leaf Bush
Lupine
San Clemente Is.
Bush Mallow
To 5 ft tall
& wide
Purple/Sp
FS/PS
2-4 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Light pink/
Sp
FS
Guadalupe Island
Rock Daisy
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS coast
PS
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Su-F
FS
2-6 ft
Yellowgreen/Sp
PS
Hillside Gooseberry
To 3 ft
Red-white/
W-Sp
PS/FSH
X Ribes indecorum
White Currant
To 6 ft
White/W-Sp
FS/PS
X Ribes malvaceum
Chaparral Currant
5-8 ft
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Fuschia-flowered
Gooseberry
Red-flowering
Currant
3-6+ ft tall
and wide
dark pink/
W-Sp
FS/PS/FSH
4-10 ft
Pink/Sp
X Rosa californica
California Wild
Rose
3-4 ft tall
3-10 ft w
Pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS/FSH
X Salvia apiana
White Sage
3-5 ft
White/
Sp-Su
FS
X
X Lupinus longifolius
X
Malacothamnus
clementinus
X * Perityle incana
X
Pluchea odorata ssp.
odorata
X Rhus trilobata
X
Ribes californicum var.
hesperium
X Ribes speciosum
X
* Ribes sanguineum
var. glutinosum
Sweetscent;
Saltmarsh
Fleabane
Basket Bush; Sour
Berry; Skunkbrush
FS
FS/PS
FS
PS/FSH
Soil
Sandy
best
Welldrained
Any welldrained
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 10, 13,
16
Aromatic;
butterfly plant
2-3 to 3
7, 18
Mulch soil
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
1-2
1, 3, 7, 8, 10,
13, 16, 19 ? var
Sandy
best
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 10, 14
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
3, 10, 12, 13,
16
Any
1 to 1-2
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
1, 13
Welldrained
1-2
1, 7, 13, 14,
19
Evergreen with
silvery foliage
Sandy
incl. Alk
2-3
6, 10, 16
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
any
1-2
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
any
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1-2 to 2
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
10, 12, 13
(var.
californicum)
Birds eat berries
1, 3, 12, 14
Birds eat berries
1-2
3, 13, 14, 19
Birds eat berries
2-3;
3 in sun
1, 3, 10, 1214, 19
2-3
3, 5, 13, 14,
19
1-2;
3 (sun)
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
1
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
1, 3, 5, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 19
6

7. I
Scientific Name
X * Salvia brandegeei
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Santa Rosa Island
Sage
To 3-4 ft;
often
sprawling
Pale
lavender/
Sp-Su
Welldrained
1-2
1, 3, 5, 8, 9,
10, 12, 13, 14,
16,18, 19
Nice scent
Blue/Su
FS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 6, 8, 13,
14, 16, 17
Yellow/
Su-F
FS
any
White/Sp
PS
Clays,
loams
3- 5 ft
Lavender/Sp
San Diego Sage
2-3 ft tall
3-4 ft w
Butterweed
2-3 ft
Common
Snowberry
3-5 ft,
spreading
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Wooly Bluecurls
Pink/W-Sp
PS/FSH
any
2-4 ft
Purple/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
Hoary Nettle
3-6 ft tall
spreading
Pink/Sp-F
PS
X * Verbena lilacina
Cedros Island
Verbena
2-4 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Lilac/Sp-F
FS/PS
X * Viguiera laciniata
San Diego
Sunflower
1-2 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS
X
Urtica dioica ssp.
holosericea
Dark-green
foliage
FS/PS
Purple Sage
X Trichostema lanatum
1, 6, 8, 14, 19
1, 3, 8, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 19
X Salvia leucophylla
Snowberry
Notes
1 to 1-2
Purple/lav.
Sp-Su
X Symphoricarpos mollis
1
Availability
Welldrained
2-5 ft
Senecio flaccidus var.
douglasii
Symphoricarpos albus
var. laevigatus
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
FS
Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage
X
FS
Soil
Cultivars: ‘Betsy
Clebsch’,
‘Compacta’,
‘Winifred
Gilman’,
X * Salvia clevelandii
X * Salvia munzii
Light**
Rich soils
ok
1
2-3
2-3 to 3
1
X Calystegia macrostegia
To 30+ ft
X * Clematis lasiantha
Chaparral Clematis
X Clematis ligusticifolia
Virgin’s Bower
‘Baja Blue’,
‘Emerald Cascade’
13, 14
7, 9, 13, 19
Fruit may be
toxic to humans
13, 14
mulch
1, 3, 7, 8, 9,
10, 13, 14, 16,
18, 19
difficult
2-3
1, 10, 13, 16
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 9, 13,
14
any
1 to 1-2
2-3
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
Serious allergy
on contact
Lovely yearround; showy
flowers
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
Perennial Vines
California Morning
Glory
Fragrant like
Black Sage;
White/Sp-F
PS
FS coastal
Welldrained
8-20 ft
vine
White/SpSu; sep. m/f
plants
FS (top)
PS (roots)
any
1-2 to 2
1, 6, 8, 13
To 15 ft
White/Su
PS/FSH
Any
2-3 to 3
Invasive; can
look weedy;
‘Anacapa Pink’;
‘Candycane’
Winter decid.;
tolerates
flooding
3, 5, 13, 14,
19
7

8. Light**
Common Name
Cucurbita foetidissima
Stinking Gourd;
Calabazilla
To 20 ft
Yellow/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
best
X Keckiella cordifolia
Climbing
Penstemon
3-4 ft
Red-Or/
Sp-Su
PS/PS/
FSH
X Lathyrus vestitus
Wild Sweetpea;
Canyon Pea
3-9 ft
Purplewhite/ Sp
Western
Honeysuckle
5-18 ft
X * Lonicera involucrata
Twinberry
Lonicera subspicata
X var. denudate &
subspicata
Santa Barbara &
Southern
Honeysuckles
Wild Cucumber/
Manroot
‘Roger’s Red’
California Grape
X
Lonicera hispidula var.
vacillans
Marah macrocarpus
X
** Vitis californica
‘Roger’s Red’
X Vitis girdiana
Desert Grape
Size
Flower/
season
Scientific Name
I
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1-2
2, 13
Seeds edible;
bad odor when
fruits are young
any
1-2
1, 3, 7, 10, 12,
13, 14
PS/FSH
any
1-2
1, 8, 13
Pink/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
clay
2-3
1, 5, 13, 14,
19
3-5 ft
Yellow/Su
PS/FSH
any
1-2 to 2-3
3, 7, 13, 19
3-8 ft
Cream/
Sp-Su
PS/PS/
FSH
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 12, 13,
14
Edible fruit
20+ ft
White/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1
Dies back in
summer
> 20 ft
White/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
> 25 ft
White/Su
PS
any
2-3
FS
Sand
1-2 to 2
10, 13, 16
Adjacent to
beach only
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
most
Alkali soils fine
1 to 1-2
1, 13, 14
‘Nicolas’
Good under
trees; drought
deciduous
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
1, 8, 13
2, 3, 10, 13,
20
Perennial Groundcover Plants
Abronia maritima
X Achillea millefolia
* Adenostema
X fasciculatum var.
prostratum
Ambrosia chamissonis
ssp. bipinnatasecta
* Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Parvifolia’
* Arctostaphylos
edmundsii (incl. ‘Parvifolia’
& ‘Little Sur’)
Red Sand Verbena
to 6 ft
Magenta/
Su-F
Yarrow
1-2 ft
White/Sp-Su
Prostrate Chamise
< 2 ft
3-4 ft wide
Cream/Su
FS
Any incl.
clays
Silver Beach Burr
To 5 ft
Buff/Su-F
FS
Sand
1-2 to 2
2, 10, 16
Sand dune plant
Salt tolerant
Little Sur
Manzanita
1-3 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
Pink/Sp
PS best
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3,
Red berries in
summer
Little Sur
Manzanita
1-3 ft tall
6-20 ft
wide
Pink/W-Sp
PS best
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 6, 8, 13,
16
Red berries in
summer
8

9. I
Scientific Name
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Bert
Johnson’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Big Sur’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Danville’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Sandsprite’
** Arctostaphylos
hookeri ‘Monterey
Carpet’
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Bert Johnson
Manzanita
< 1 ft tall
6 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
Big Sur Manzanita
< 4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
White/W-Sp
FS/PS
Carmel Sur
Manzanita
1 ft tall
to 20 ft w
Pink/Sp
Danville Manzanita
1-2 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
1 ft high
5+ ft wide
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1-2 to 2-3
19
Better further
inland
Any;
sandy ok
1-2 to 2-3
19,
Open growth
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
3, 6, 13, 19
Good for
Coastal areas;
fast growth
Pink/W
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
6,
Pink/W
Sandsprite
Manzanita
Monterey Carpet
Manzanita
Light**
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
8, 13
White/Sp
PS
Sandy
best
1-2
White/ Sp
FS/PS
sandy
1 to 1-2
8
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
2-3
1,
FS/PS
sandy
1, 3, 6, 13
* Arctostaphylos pumila
* Arctostaphylos uvaursi
Bearberry;
Kinnickinnick
2-4 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
1 ft tall
spreading
** Arctostaphylos uvaursi ‘Pacific Mist’
Pacific Mist
Manzanita
1 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
White/Sp
** Arctostaphylos uvaursi ‘Point Reyes’
** Arctostaphylos uvaursi ‘Radiant’
Point Reyes
Manzanita
<1 ft tall
to 10 ft
Pink/Sp
PS
Welldrained
2-3
Radiant Manzanita
<1 ft tall
8-10 ft w
Pink/W-Sp
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 8, 13, 19
** Arctostaphylos
’Emerald Carpet’
Emerald Carpet
Manzanita
< 1 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
White/W-Sp
FS/PS
Rich, sl.
acid
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
A. uva-ursi X A.
nummularia
hybrid
** Arctostaphylos
‘Wood’s Compact’
Wood’s Compact
Manzanita
< 1 ft tall
to 6 ft w.
Pink/Sp
PS
Needs
rich soil
1-2 to 2-3
1, 8, 13
Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi X A.
nummularia
** Arctostaphylos ‘John
Dourley’
X
Dune Manzanita
John Dourly
Manzanita
2-3 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
Any
Pacific Cinquefoil
1 ft tall
2-3 ft w
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Sandy
Canyon Gray
Sagebrush
1-2 ft tall
8-10 ft w.
Green-gold/
Su
Argentina/Potentilla
anserina
** Artemesia californica
‘Canyon Gray’
FS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1-2
2 to 3
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 6, 8, 13
Monterey Bay
dunes plant
Best along
coast; needs
pruning
1, 3, 8, 13, 16,
19
1, 3, 6, 8, 9,
11, 16, 19
13 (? ssp)
Seaside plant;
can be weedy
1, 3, 6, 8, 9,
11, 19
9

10. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
** Artemisia californica
‘Montara’
Montara
Sagebrush
2-3 ft tall
3-4 ft wide
Green-gold/
Su
FS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
X Artemisia douglasiana
Mugwort
2-4+ ft tall
& wide
Cream/Su
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
X Artemisia dracunculus
California
Tarragon;
1-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
White/F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
10, 16
Beach Sagewort /
Sandhill Sage
1-2 ft. tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
best
1-2
1, 3, 5, 7, 8,
9, 10, 13, 14,
18
Point St. George
Coast Aster
1-3 ft tall
spreading
1 ft t;
spreading
1 ft tall
3-7 ft w.
Lavender/Sp
FS/PS
Any
Yellow/Sp-F
FS
Green/Su
FS
I
**Artemisia
X pycnocephala ‘David’s
Choice’)
** Aster chilensis ‘Point
X
St. George’
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
1-2 to 3
Availability
Notes
1, 6, 8, 13, 16,
19
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
1, 8, 11, 13
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
‘
Good habitat
plant
Tol. seaside
conditions
Tol. seaside
conditions
Atriplex californica
CA Saltbush
Atriplex leucophylla
Beach Saltbush
Baccharis douglasii
Marsh Baccharis
< 3 ft
White/Su-F
FS/PS
** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point’
Pigeon Point Dwarf
Coyote Bush
2 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
White-gold/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 6, 8, 13,
16
** Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin
Peaks 2’
Twin Peaks Dwarf
Coyote Bush
1-3 ft tall
to 10 ft w
White/F
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 13
** Baccharis ‘Centennial’
Centennial
Baccharis
2-3 ft tall
5-6 ft wide
White/F
Female seeds
FS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
3, 8,
** Baccharis ‘Starn’
Starn Baccharis
2-3 ft tall
5-6 ft wide
Yellow/F
male
FS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
8
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium var. repens
Creeping Oregon
Grape
1 ft tall
< 6 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
PS/FSH
Any;
acidic
1-2 to 3
1, 7, 9, 13, 14
Good habitat;
edible berries
** Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium ‘Compacta’
‘Compacta’ Oregon
Grape
2-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
PS/FSH
Any;
acidic
1-2 to 2-3
1, 13
Good habitat;
edible berries
Cardionema
ramosissimum
Sandmat
1 ft tall
to 5 ft w
White/Sp-Su
FS
Sand
1-2 to 2
10
Beach dune
plant; prickly
sandy
Sandy
best
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2
1, 6, 20
1-2 to 2
10, 16
2-3
1, 13
Light green
leaves; good for
coastal region
Small dark
leaves; can
shear to size
Baccharis
pilularis X B.
sarathroides
hybrid
Baccharis
pilularis X B.
sarathroides
hybrid
10

11. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
* * Ceanothus “Joyce
Coulter’
Joyce Coulter
Ceanothus
2-3 ft tall
10 ft wide
Blue/W-Sp
PS
Any
** Ceanothus ‘Dark
Star’
Dark Star
Ceanothus
Centennial
Ceanothus
To 6+ ft
To 6 ft
Dk. Blue/
W-Sp
FS
Welldrained
1 ft tall
4-10 ft w
Dk Blue/Sp
FS (coast)
/ PS
X * Ceanothus gloriosus
Point Reyes
Ceanothus
1-2 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Lt. blue/Sp
FS (coast)
/ PS
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Anchor Bay’
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Heart’s Desire’
* Ceanothus griseus
X
horizontalis
** Ceanothus griseus
horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’
** Ceanothus griseus
'Kurt Zadnik'
Anchor Bay
Ceanothus
Heart’s Desire
Ceanothus
Carmel Creeper
Ceanothus
Yankee Point
Ceanothus
Kurt Zadnick
Ceanothus
< 1 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Dk blue/Sp
FS (coast)
/ PS
any
1-3 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Dk blue/
FS (coast)
/ PS
1-3 ft tall
5-15 ft w
Lt. blue/
To 4-5 ft
To 10 ft
* Ceanothus hearstiorum
* Ceanothus maritimus
I
* * Ceanothus ‘Centennial’
** Ceanothus maritimus
‘Frosty Dawn’
** Ceanothus maritimus
‘Point Sierra’
** Ceanothus maritimus
‘Popcorn’
* Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
X
var. repens
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
var. repens ‘Ken Taylor’
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
var. repens ‘Louis
Edmunds’
Light**
Soil
Welldrained
Welldrained;
sandy
Water
Zone+
Availability
1-2
1, 3, 7, 8, 13
- to +/-
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
19
Notes
C. impressus X
papillosus;
mounding
C. impressus X
papillosus
1-2
3, 7, 9, 19
C. griseus X C.
foliosus; sm leaf
2-3
3
Dense foliage;
holly-like
1-2 to 2-3
8, 9, 19
Dense, compact
Any
1-2 to 2-3
8
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
Med. Blue/
FS (coast)
/ PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13, 19
3-4 ft
8-10 ft
Dk purple/
FS
Any
1-2 to 2
13
Hearst’s
Ceanothus
1 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
Blue/W-Sp
PS
Any incl
clays
1 to 1-2
3, 7, 8, 16, 19
Maritime (Bluff)
Ceanothus
1-3 ft tall
3-8 ft wide
Whitelavender/
FS (coast)
/ PS
Any incl
clays
1-2
Frosty Dawn
Ceanothus
Point Sierra
Ceaonothus
1-2 ft tall
4 ft wide
Dk. blue/Sp
FS (coast)
/ PS
Any
1 to 1-2
8, 19
Med.
Blue/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any
1 to 1-2
3, 8, 19
1-2
1, 8, 13
Popcorn Ceanothus
Creeping
Blueblossom
Ken Taylor
Ceanothus
Louis Edmunds
Ceanothus
1-3 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
2-3 ft tall
6 ft wide
1-3 ft tall
6-10 ft
White/W-Sp
Blue/W-Sp
1 ft tall
Dk Blue/
W-Sp
1-2 ft tall
6-10 ft w
Med. Blue/
FS (coast)
/ PS
FS
FS/PS
FS (coast)
/ PS
Welldrained
Welldrained
3, 6, 8,
Best near coast;
fast grower
More reliable than
‘Yankee Point’
Sticky; matlike; best near
coast
Dark holly-like
leaves; best
near coast
Sm. dark leaves
Dense; more
drought tolerant
Low & dense;
best on coast
1-2 to 2-3
Dense foliage
Sandy
best
1-2 to 2-3
Dark leaves
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
3, 8, 9
Much confusion
with name
11

12. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
‘Skylark’
Skylark Ceanothus
4-5 ft tall
4-7 ft wide
Med Blue/Sp
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
6, 8, 13, 19
** Ceanothus ‘Wheeler
Canyon’
I
Wheeler Canyon
Ceanothus
4-6 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Dk Blue/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
6, 8, 9, 11, 19
White/Sp-F
FS
Chamaesyce
albomarginata
* Clinopodium (Satureja)
X
chandleri
Clinopodium (Satureja)
X
douglasii
* Clinopodium
(Satureja) mimuloides
** Corethrogyne
X (Lessingia) filaginifolia
‘Silver Carpet’
Cressa truxillensis
Epilobium canum
X (Zauschneria
californica)
** Epilobium canum
‘Catalina’
** Epilobium canum
‘Everett’s Choice’
** Epilobium canum
‘Hurricane Point’
** Epilobium
septentrionalis ‘Select
Mattole’
** Erigeron glaucus
X
‘Bountiful’
Rattlesnake Weed
San Miguel Savory
Yerba buena
< 6 in t.
1-2 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
< 6 in
spreading
Light**
White/Sp
PS/FSH
White/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
Soil
Any
Welldrained
Welldrained
Monkeyflower
Savory
1 ft tall
2-4+ ft w
Red-Or/
Su-Fa
FS/PS
Silver Carpet Sand
Aster
1 ft tall
2-3 ft w
Violet/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Alkali Weed
< 1 ft tall
spreading
White/Su-F
CA Fuschia
1-3 ft
3-5 ft wide
Orange/F
FS/PS
Any
Island CA Fuschia
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Red/all year
(S/F/W most)
FS/PS
Everett’s Choice
CA Fuschia
Hurricane Point CA
Fuschia
1 ft tall
3 ft wide
Dark Orred/ Spr-Su
1 ft tall
2 ft wide
Humbolt County
Fuschia
Welldrained
Any;
sandy
best
Any;
alkali OK
Water
Zone+
1 to 1-2
1-2 to 2-3
Availability
Notes
Quite shade &
water toleratant
Dark leaves; ?
Ceanothus
papillosus var.
roweanus hybrid
2
?Toxic
3, 14
minty
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 7, 13, 14
2-3 to 3
3, 8
hummingbird
plant
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
16
1-2 to 2
10
May be invasive
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Tolerates winter
flooding
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 13, 19
Gray foliage;
upright, shrublike
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
3, 11, 16
Low-growing
Or-red/Su-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
8, 19
Low-growing
1 ft tall
4-5 ft wide
Or-red/Su-F
FS/PS
Prefers
rocky
2-3
19
Low mat-like;
silvery foliage;
winter dormant
Bountiful Seaside
Daisy
< 1 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Lavender/
Sp-Su
PS best
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
8, 9,
FS
X
** Erigeron glaucus
‘Sea Breeze’
Seaside Daisy
1 ft tall
2 ft wide
Lavernder/
Sp-Fa
FS/PS/FSH
Welldrained
1-2 to 3
1, 3, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 13, 14
X
** Erigeron glaucus
'Wayne Roderick'
Wayne Roderick
Daisy
< 1 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Lavenderblue/Sp-F
FS/
PS (hot)
Welldrained
1-2;
2-3(sun)
1, 3, 6, 8
Green foliage;
large flowers
Attractive
flowers, foliage;
habitat
Silvery foliage;
butterfly nectar
12

13. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Warriner Lytle CA
Buckwheat
< 1 ft
spreading
Pink/Sp-F
FS
Any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 7, 8, 13
(Pacific) Coast
Strawberry
< 1 ft
spreading
White/Sp-Su
PS
Sandy
best
1-2 to
2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
Let dry between
waterings;
edible fruit
CA/Wood
Strawberry
< 2 ft
spreading
White/Su
PS/FSH
1, 13, 20
Edible fruit
Prostrate
Flannelbush
2 ft tall
10 ft wide
Orange/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
X Grindelia camporum
Large Gumplant
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Fa
FS
* Grindelia stricta ssp.
X venulosa (var.
platyphylla)
Spreading Gum
Plant
1 ft tall
3+ ft wide
Yellow/Su
Heliotropum
X
curassivacum
Seaside Heliotrope
< 2 ft
4-8 ft w.
Whitepurple/Sp-F
* Heuchera maxima
X (incl. many cultivars &
hybrids)
Island Alumroot
I
Scientific Name
** Eriogonum
fasciculatum ‘Warriner
Lytle’
* Fragaria chiloensis
X ssp. pacifica (and
cultivars)
* Fragaria vesca
X
(californica)
* Fremontodendron
decumbens
1- 3 ft
White/Spr
Light**
Soil
any
Welldrained
essential
Welldrained
FS/PS
sandy
FS/PS
Any;
alkali
best
PS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
Water
Zone+
1-2 to 3
1
1-2
1 to 1-2
2-3
1-2 to
2-3
Availability
1, 8, 13
1, 2, 6, 12, 16
Spreading
5, 19
Mat-like;
Coastal best
2, 10, 16
Great butterfly
nectar plant;
don’t eat – toxic
foliage
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
Crevice Alumroot
1-3 ft
Pink/Spr
San Diego Marsh
Elder
2-4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Yellow/Su
Lotus heermannii
Heerman’s Lotus
< 1 ft
Yellow/Spr-F
FS
Malacothamnus
clementinus
San Clemente Is.
Bush Mallow
Light
pink/Spr
FS
Any
1 to 1-2
Malvella leprosa
Alkali Mallow
White/Su-Fa
FS
Any
1-2
2, 10
** Monardella villosa
‘Russian River’
Coyote Mint
2-4 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
< 1 ft tall
1 ft wide
1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Pink/Spr-Su
PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14,
19
X * Heuchera micrantha
X * Iva hayesiana
X
X
Notes
PS/PS/ FSH
FS/PS/ FSH
See note
Any, incl.
clays
Welldrained
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8
1 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
1-2 to 2-3
Well-drained
soil
10, 16
X Phacelia ramosissima
Branching (Strand)
Phacelia
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Spr-Su
FS/PS
any
1 to 2-3
X Ribes viburnifolium
Catalina Perfume
1-3 ft
Pink/
PS/FSH
See note
2 to 2-3
1, 8, 13
1, 2, 10, 12,
16
1, 3, 9, 13, 14,
20
Hairs may cause
rash
Well-drained
soil
13

14. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
California
Buttercup
< 2 ft
Yellow/
PS
sandy
Compact Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage
3 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Spr-Su
FS
Welldrained
** Salvia ‘Gracias’
‘Gracias’ Sage
< 1 ft
6 ft wide
Lavender/
Spr-Su
FS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
** Salvia ‘Bees Bliss’
I
‘Bee’s Bliss’ Sage
1-2 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
Lavender/
Spr
FS/PS
Welldrained
Point Sal Sage
2-3 ft tall
8-10 ft w
Pink-violet/
Spr-Su
Tera Seca
(Prostrate Black)
Sage
2 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
Green Carpet Sage
Scientific Name
X Ranunculus californicus
X
* Salvia clevelandii
‘Compacta’
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
2-3 to 3
Pac Coast
Seed
Very welldrained soils
1 to 1-2
?
Showy
1, 6, 8, 13
Fragrant; good
for slopes; ? S.
Clevelandii
hybrid
1 to 1-2
no
overhead
1, 3, 6, 8, 9,
13, 19
S. leucophylla
hybrid; showy
FS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 9, 13,
19
Light
purple/Spr
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13, 16
1-2 ft tall
8 ft wide
Light blue/
Spr-Su
FS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 13, 19
Emerald Cascade
Sage
2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Light blue/
FS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 8, 11, 13
Evergreen
Hummingbird Sage
1-3 ft
Magenta/Spr
PS/FSH
1-2
1, 3, 8, 9, 12,
13, 19
Cut back yearly
1-3 ft
White/SprSu
FS/PS
1-4 ft
Pink/Spr-Su
PS
Rigid Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-2 ft
Pink/Spr-Su
FS/PS
Clay
2-3 to 3
Verbena bracteata
Big Bract Verbena
½ - 2 ft
FS
?any
2-3 to 3
X Verbena lasiostachys
California Verbena
1-4 ft
FS/PS
Any
1-2
Salvia leucophylla
X ‘Point Sal’ & ‘Point Sal
Spreader’
X
** Salvia mellifera
‘Tera Seca’
** Salvia mellifera
‘Green Carpet’
** Salvia munzii
‘Emerald Cascade’
X Salvia spathacea
X Stachys albens
X Stachys bullata
Stachys rigida var.
X rigida (Stachys
ajugoides)
Whitestem
Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
California
Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
Lavender/S
U-Fa
Lavender/Sp
r-Fa
Any
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
2-3
Dense,
evergreen; fastgrowing;
aromatic
Dense; Good for
slopes;
aromatic
1, 3, 6, 12
1, 3, 7, 12, 14
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
1, 13
?
1, 10, 13, 16
No water after
flowering
14

15. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Abronia maritima
Red Sand Verbena
to 6 ft
Magenta/
Su-F
Anemopsis californica
Yerba Mansa
1 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
X * Aquilegia formosa
Western
Columbine
1-2 ft
Redyellow/Su
PS/FSH
X Artemisia douglasiana
Mugwort
2-4+ ft tall
& wide
Crème/Su
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
X Artemisia dracunculus
California
Tarragon;
1-3 ft tall
2-3 ft w
White/F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
10, 16
X Asclepias eriocarpa
Indian Milkweed
2-3 ft
Pink/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
1-2
13
X Asclepias fascicularis
Narrow-leaf
Milkweed
2-3 ft
Creampink/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
1-2
1, 3, 10, 14
Astragalus trichopodus
var. lonchus
Coast Rattlepod
2 ft tall &
wide
White/WSpr
FS/PS
Welldrained
Atriplex leucophylla
Beach Saltbush
1 ft tall
3-7 ft wide
Green/Su
FS
Sandy
best
1-2
10, 16
Castilleja affinis subsp.
affinis
Indian Paintbrush
1-2 ft
Red/Spr
FS
Welldrained
1-2
10, 13
Castilleja foliolosa
Wooly Indian
Paintbrush
1-2 ft
Red-Or/SprSu
FS
Welldrained
1
X Coreopsis gigantea
Giant Coreopsis
3-8 ft tall
3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
X * Coreopsis maritima
Sea Dahlia
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/Spr
FS/PS
Sandy
best
I
Scientific Name
Herbaceous Perennials
X
Light**
FS
X
Corethrogyne
filaginifolia
Common Sand
Aster
1-4 ft tall &
wide
Violet/SprSu
FS/PS
X
Delphinium parryi ssp.
maritimum & parryi
Parry’s Blue
Larkspur
1-5 ft
Bluepurple/Spr
FS/?PS
Scarlet Larkspur
To 6 ft
Red/Spr-Su
FS
X * Delphinium cardinale
Soil
Sand
Any incl
clay
Welldrained
Any;
sandy
best
Welldrained
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
1-2 to 2
Availability
10, 13, 16
2 to 3
3, 10, 14, 16
2 to 3
1, 3, 5, 13, 14,
16, 19, 20
1
1-2
1 to 1-2
1
1 to 1-2
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Notes
Adjacent to
beach only
Tolerates
flooding
Good for shade
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Leaves - raw or
a flavoring in
soups, etc.
Needs seasonal
flooding
1, 2, 13
?
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
Summer
drought for
seeds
Summer
drought for
seeds; difficult
1, 2, 3, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
8, 13, 14
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
1, 8, 10, 16
‘Silver Carpet’
8, 20
Good under
oaks
10, 16, 19
15

16. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X
Diplacus aurantiacus
ssp. aurantiacus
Bush
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft
Orange/WSpr
FS/PS
Sandy
X
Diplacus (Mimulus)
linearis
Chaparral Bush
Monkey Flower
2-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Yellow/WSpr
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
3, 10, 13
Epilobium ciliatum ssp.
ciliatum
Fringed Willow
Herb
Fleabane Daisy
(Aster)
2-5 ft tall
Pink/Su-F
PS
any
2-3 to 3
2, 10
1 to 1-2
1?
I
X Erigeron foliosus
X *Erigeron glaucus
Eriogonum elongatum
var elongatum
* Eriogonum grande
X
var. rubescens
X
2-3 ft
Seaside Daisy
½ ft
Wand Buckwheat
3-5 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Lavender/
Sp-Su
Lavernder/
Sp-Fa
Pink/Su-F
* Eriogonum saxatile
Rock Buckwheat
* Eriogonum
umbellatum
Eriophyllum
X confertiflorum var.
confertiflorum
Erysimum capitatum
X
var. capitatum
Erysimum insulare ssp.
X
suffrutescens
Sulfur-flowered
Buckwheat
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
1 ft tall &
wide
1 ft tall
3 ft wide
Golden Yarrow
1-3 ft
Gold-yellow/
Sp-Su
Western Wallflower
1-3 ft
1-2 ft wide
Yellow-Or/
W-Sp
Dune Wallflower
1-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Yellow/W-Sp
Frankenia salina
Alakali Heath
2 ft tall
Galium angustifolium
ssp. angustifolium
Narrowleaf
Bedstraw
X
X Grindelia camporum
Red Buckwheat
Large Gumplant
X
Grindelia hirsutula var.
hirsutula
Hairy Gumplant
X
Horkelia cuneata ssp.
cuneata
Wedgeleaf
Horkelia
Red-pink/
Su-F
Red-yellow/
Su
Light**
FS/PS
FS/PS/FSH
FS
Soil
Welldrained
Welldrained
Any, incl
clay, Alk.
Water
Zone+
1-2
2-3
1 to 1-2
Availability
Notes
1, 3, 5, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
Can become
weedy
1, 3, 5, 6, 7,
9, 13, 14
Attractive
flowers, foliage
1, 8, 12
Tough plant
FS/PS
Any
1-2
1, 5, 7, 8, 14
FS/PS
gravelly
1-2
1, 13
Yellow/
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
FS/PS
Sandy
best
1-2
1, 3, 6, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
Tol. moderate
salt, alkali soils
Desert mtns
plant; compact
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
13
FS/PS
Sandy
1-2 to 2-3
1, 2, 10
Magenta/
Su-F
FS
sandy
1-2 to 2-3
10
1-3 ft tall &
wide
White/Spr
PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
10, 12, 14, 16
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Sp-Fa
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS
Welldrained
FS
Any
< 1 ½ ft T
2 ft wide
White/Sp-Su
sandy
Tol. moderate
salt, alkali soils
FS
FS/PS
Saltmarsh plant
1, 2, 6, 12, 16
Spreading
1-2 to 2-3
1, 10
Butterfly plant
1-2 to 2-3
1, 2, 6, 10, 13
(ssp. puberula)
Dies back in
summer
drought
1-2
16

17. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X Limonium californicum
California SeaLavender
1-2 ft tall
and wide
Purple/Su-F
FS
X *Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal Flower
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
Red/Sp-Su
FS/PS/ FSH
Lotus grandiflorus var.
grandiflorus
Showy Lotus
8-24 in tall
Cream/Sp
PS
Lotus heermannii
Wooly Lotus
I
X
Scientific Name
Malacothrix saxatilis
var. tenuifolia
Malacothrix saxatilis
X
var. tenuifolia
X
X Mimulus cardinalis
X Mimulus guttatus
Mimulus moschatus
(var. moniliformis)
Mirabilis laevis var.
X
crassifolia
X
Cliff Aster
Cliffaster
Scarlet
Monkeyflower
Seep
Monkeyflower
Musk
Monkeyflower
Wishbone Plant;
CA Four O’Clock
1 ft
1-3
2-4
1-3
tall
ft w
ft tall
ft wide
Light**
Soil
Any;
sand to
clay
any
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
10, 14, 16
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
3, 8, 13, 19
Toxic
1-2
1, 13
Short-lived
2-3
10, 16
2-3 to 3
2-3 to 3
Yellow/Sp-F
FS/PS
White/Sp-F
FS/PS
1-4 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp-F
FS/PS
Welldrained
To 3 ft
Red/Sp-Fa
FS/PS
any
2-3 to 3
3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16, 19
1-5 ft
Yellow/W-Sp
FS
Any
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 5, 8, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
1 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
any
2-3 to 3
8
leaves: boiled
as greens
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1
1, 10, 13, 14,
16
reseeds
PS best
Any; no
alkali
2-3
1, 6, 8, 13, 14,
19
1-2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14,
19
1 to 1-2
1
X
* Monardella
macrantha
Red Monardella
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Red/Su-F
X
* Monardella villosa
(ssp. subserrata)
Coyote Mint
1 ft
Pink/Sp-Su
PS
See note
White (Tufted)
Evening Primrose
< 1 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
White/Sp
FS
Welldrained
1 to 2-3
Scarlet Bugler
1-3 ft
OR-Red/
Sp-Su
FS
Welldrained
Grinnell’s
Penstemon
1-2 ft
Purple/Su
FS
Welldrained
Foothill Penstemon
1-2 ft
Gay Penstemon
1-3 ft
Pink Wild
Snapdragon
4-5 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
X * Oenothera cespitosa
* Penstemon
centranthifolius
X * Penstemon grinnellii
X
Penstemon
heterophyllus
X * Penstemon laetus
* Penstemon palmeri
Purple/
Sp-Su
Lavender/
Sp-Su
Lavender/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
sandy
10
Welldrained
easy
Hummingbirds;
scented;
‘Marion Sampson’
Well-drained
soil best
?
Musty-sweet;
night-flowering
1
1, 3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14
May be difficult
1
1, 6, 8, 10,
13, 14
1 to 1-2
14
1 to 1-2
FS/PS
FS/PS
1, 10
1, 13
1 to 1-2
Many blooms
1, 14
17

18. I
X
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Penstemon spectabilis
ssp. subviscosus
Showy Penstemon
3-4 ft
Lavenderpink/Sp-Su
1-2 ft tall
Violet/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Su-F
FS
Sandy
incl. Alk
2-4 ft
White/Sp
FS/PS
Wooly Everlasting
1-2 ½ ft
White/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Willow Dock
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Pink bract /
Su
FS
Welldrained
2 to 3
Coulter’s (White)
Snapdragon
2-4 ft tall
White to
lavender/Sp
FS
Welldrained
1
PS
Phacelia distans
X
Pluchea odorata ssp.
odorata
Pseudognaphalium
californicum
Pseudognaphalium
X canescens ssp.
beneolens
Rumex salicifolius var.
X
salicifolius
Sairocarpus (Antirrhinum)
X
coulterianus
X
Common Phacelia;
Wild Heliotrope
Sweetscent;
Saltmarsh
Fleabane
California
Everlasting
Light**
FS
Soil
Sandy or
rocky
Water
Zone+
1
Availability
Notes
1, 3, 6, 10, 13,
14, 16
10
Good under
other plants
2-3
6, 10, 16
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Any, incl.
clay
1-2
1, 2, 10, 13,
16
Sweet-scented
Any, incl.
clay
1-2
1, 16
Spreads; gray
foliage
10, 13 (? var.)
Seaside fine
1, 10, 13
X
Scrophularia californica
ssp. floribunda
CA Bee Plant
2-3 ft
Red/Spr
X
Sidalcea malviflora ssp.
malviflora
Dwarf Checker
Mallow
To 1 ½ ft
Pinklavender/
FS/PS
* Silene californica
Indian Pink
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Red/Su
PS/FS
Indian Pink
1-3 ft
Red/Sp-Su
FS/PS
2-3 ft tall
White/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 13
Berries very
poisonous
2-5 ft tall
White/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
10, 14
Berries very
poisonous
2-4 ft tall
Purple/SpSu
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 7, 13
7, 10, 14
X Silene laciniata
Solanum americanum
Solanum douglasii
X Solanum xanti
American Black
Nightshade
White (Douglas’)
Nightshade
Purple (Chaparral)
Nightshade
2-3 to 3
Any
Welldrained
Sandy or
rocky
1, 5, 8, 10, 12,
13, 16
2-3 to 3
1, 8, 13, 19
2-3
19
1-2 to
2-3
12
X Solidago californica
California
Goldenrod
2-4 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
Solidago spectabilis
var. confinis
Southern
Goldenrod
3-6 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F
FS/PS
Any
2-3
10
Stephanomeria blairii
Blair’s Wirelettuce
2 ft tall
3 ft. wide
Pink/Su-F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to
2-3
13
x
Afternoon shade
difficult
Berries very
poisonous
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Good bird,
pollinator plant
18

19. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Mountain
Meadowrue
3-5 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
White/Su
Hoary Nettle
2-5 ft tall
3-4 ft wide
Verbena bracteata
Big Bract Verbena
½ - 2 ft
X Verbena lasiostachys
California Verbena
1-4 ft
I
Scientific Name
* Thalictrum fendleri
var. polycarpum
Urtica dioica ssp.
X
holosericea
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Lavender/
Su-Fa
Lavender/
Sp-Fa
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
PS/FSH
Welldrained
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 10,
12-14, 19
Well-drained
soils
FS/PS
Any
2-3 to 3
2, 10, 13, 16,
20
Wear gloves to
handle; edible
FS
?any
2-3 to 3
FS/PS
Any
See note
Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals)
–
10
1, 10, 13, 16
None after
flowering
no water after flowering
CA native annuals and biennials are all small plants and are suited for small gardens (see Native Annuals list)
Cacti and Succulents
Canyon Liveforever
To 1 ft tall
& wide
Yellow-red/
Sp
PS
Welldrained
X * Dudleya edulis
Fingertips Dudleya
To 1 ft tall
& wide
Pale Yellow/
Sp-Su
PS
Sandy
best
X Dudleya lanceolata
Lance-leaf Dudleya
1-2 ft tall
& wide
Palmer's Liveforever
To 1 ft tall
& wide
YellowOrange/
Sp-Su
Yellow-red/
Sp
CA Chalk Dudleya
< 2 ft &
wide
Bright Green
Dudleya
* Dudleya cymosa
* Dudleya palmeri
Dudleya pulverulenta
(ssp. pulverulenta)
Dudleya virens ssp.
X
hassei
X
X
Dudleya virens ssp.
insularis
X * Sedum spathulifolium
1-2 to 2
1, 3, 8, 13
1 to 2
1, 8, 13, 20
Santa Monica
Mtns; good in
stone walls
Santa Monica
Mtns; good
groundcover
1, 7, 13, 14,
15
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
PS
Welldrained
1 to 2
Pink-Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
<1 ft tall
1 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Island Dudleya
1-2 ft tall
& wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Broadleaf
Stonecrop
< 1 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F
1, 13
Santa Monica
Mtns; slopes
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 14, 19
With good
drainage
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 8, 9, 14, 20
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 14, 20
FS/PS
Any
2 to 3
1, 3, 6, 8, 13
Good
groundcover
Dramtic accent
plant; edible
leaves
San Gabriels
Ferns and Fern-like Plants
All CA native ferns, with the exception of Woodwardia, are small enough to be suitable for a small garden (see Ferns & Fern-like Plants list)
19

20. I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
Bulbs and Corms
All CA native bulbs are suitable for small gardens (see Bulbs and Corms list)
Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)
Most CA native grasses are suitable for small gardens (see Grasses & Lawn Substitutes list)
I : X = Gardening Information Sheet :http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants.html or at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center
* may not be immediately local, but is a CA native plant
++
+
** horticultural cultivar
light: FS=full sun; PS=part shade; FSH=full shade
Water Zones: 1 = no summer water; 1-2 = very occasional summer water (several times per summer); 2 = let soil dry out between waterings;
2-3 some regular summer water (about once a week); 3 = regular watering/moist soil (like a conventional lawn)
Availability: numbers correspond to the Plant and Seed Sources List at: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/where-to-purchase-native-plants.html
20