The document provides detailed information about various California native wildflowers, including their growth characteristics, blooming periods, habitat requirements, and uses in gardens. It highlights plants such as Bigelow coreopsis, wild canterbury-bells, and desert bluebells, emphasizing their adaptability to different environments and their benefits for attracting pollinators. Each species includes details like native habitats, management needs, propagation methods, and potential substitutes for non-native species.

1. Bigelow Coreopsis – Coreopsis bigelovii (kor-ee-OP-sis big-el-OH-vee-eye )
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Desert mountains and foothills of California (Mojave, Colorado and Sonoran Deserts) and
Santa Monica Mtns.; in open woodlands, grasslands, deserts, dry gravelly hillsides in many plant
communities including creosote bush scrub, joshua tree woodland, chaparral, pinyon-juniper
woodland to about 5000'.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Annual wildflower with many flowering stems. Leaves mostly in basal rosette, often so finely divided
as to appear linear. Color medium green to gray-green (depending on water/light).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – generally Mar-May in western L.A. county. Flowers in a
‘sunflower’ head typical for Coreopsis species. Ray and disk flowers both a golden yellow. This
plant is really showy in bloom – looks like a garden variety of Coreopsis.
Uses in the garden: Most often used in desert-themed gardens – but adaptable to many types of
flower gardens. Nice along walkways. Good for attracting pollinators to vegetable garden.
Flowers can be used as cut flowers. Desert-dwelling CA natives used the leaves of this plant
extensively as a raw and cooked vegetable. Nice choice for containers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native coreopsis.
Attracts: Excellent bird and pollinator habitat: provides nectar, seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to light shade.
Soil Most local soils and pH; likes a well-drained soil but OK with others.
Water Needs good winter/spring water; taper off water at end of bloom season.
Fertilizer None needed – but won’t kill it.
Other Use inorganic (gravel) mulch or none at all.
Management: Easy to grow. Collect seeds or let re-seed naturally. Remove dead plants after
seeding if desired.
Propagation: from seed: no pre-treatment; sow in later fall/winter just before a rain storm.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 10, 16 4/4/13
© Project SOUND

2. *Wild Canterbury-bells – Phacelia minor (fa-SEEL-ee-a MI-nor )
Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)
Native to: Drier foothills of Southern California. Locally in the Santa Monica Mtns, San Gabriels,
Verdugo Hills, Griffith Park; dry, disturbed or recently burned areas below 5000 ft. in Coastal Sage
Scrub and Chaparral.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Upright annual from a dense basal rosette of rounded, tooth and crinkled leaves on long petioles
(leaf stems). Foliage looks somewhat like Heuchera. Foliage covered by stiff, glandular hairs (may
cause contact dermatitis).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – usually between March & June. Flowers are uniformly blue-
purple, broadly tubular in shape and clustered along a few upright stems. Flowers large for Phacelia
species – up to 1 inch – and a deep color making them very attractive.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a flowering annual in cottage gardens, wildflower gardens or
around Chaparral & CSS shrubs. Excellent choice as habitat plant. Very showy when massed behind
shorter wildflowers. Good choice for containers. Pair with white or yellow/orange flowering natives.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Canterbury Bells.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: pollinators, butterflies love the nectar; birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Likes well-drained soil; any local pH.
Water Needs good winter/spring rain; taper off as blooming ceases.
Fertilizer Not needed but wouldn’t hurt.
Other Best with inorganic (gravel) mulch or none.
Management: Plants will re-seed if happy. Wear gloves when handling to prevent rash.
Propagation: from seed: germination slightly increased with smoke extracts.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 10, 13, 16 4/2/13
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

3. * Desert (California) Bluebells – Phacelia campanularia
(fuh-SEE-lee-uh kam-pan-yoo-LAR-ee-uh )
Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)
Native to: Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of S. California; open, dry, sandy places below 4000 ft.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: < 1 ft.
Attractive annual wildflower with dark green foliage. Plant is compact, stiff, usually erect. Leaves
are heart-shaped, toothed, fuzzy and edged in red. Stems are red-green. Neat looking, pretty.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – anytime from March to May in our area. Flowers are in loose
clusters on stalks. Flowers are intense blue-purple, bell-shaped, extremely attractive. Anthers are
bright yellow. This plant has long been planted in gardens because of its lovely flowers.
Uses in the garden: Used wherever blue annual wildflowers are desired. Nice addition to mixed
wildflower gardens and prairies. Pretty along walks and at fronts of beds – or tucked in around
drought tolerant shrubs. Lovely massed or in containers. Good for habitat gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Blue Bells.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Flowers attract an array of pollinators including butterflies and
bees; birds love the seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to light shade.
Soil Well-drained sandy soils best, but others OK; any local pH.
Water Needs good winter-spring water; taper off after flowering to Zone 1
Fertilizer OK with light fertilizer, but not really needed
Other
Management: Treat like other annual wildflowers. May need to re-seed each year in the fall. Leaf
hairs may cause mild skin allergy in some – wear gloves.
Propagation: from seed: easy – sow in place right before a rainstorm for best results.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16 6/23/10
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

4. * Mojave Pincushion – Chaenactis xantiana (kee-NAK-tus zan-tee-AY-na )
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Deserts & desert hills/mountains of CA, OR, NV & AZ. Locally in Mojave Deserts & desert
side of San Gabriels; on sandy slopes in Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub,
between 1500 and 7000 feet.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: < 1 ft.
Erect annual wildflower with one or many stems. Basal leaves somewhat succulent; usually wither
away before/during flowering. Foliage has a bright- to gray-green foliage depending on light,
water. Gray color is due to waxy white scales. Plant dies after setting seeds.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms spring to early summer, usually Mar-Jun. Tiny pale-pink to white flowers in
dense, flat heads resembling a pincushion. There may be many flowering heads per plant in the
garden setting. Very delicate and old-fashioned appearance.
Uses in the garden: Most often used in desert-themed gardens. Appropriate for wildflower gardens.
Good choice for pollinator gardens. Does well in containers – consider pairing with other annuals
that like sandy soils like Phacelia campanularia, Malacothrix glabrata and other desert annuals.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native white-flowered wildflowers.
Attracts: Good habitat plant: provides nectar for pollinators and seeds for birds, small wildlife.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Well-drained; sandy soils are natural. Any local pH.
Water Needs good winter/spring water – then taper off when begins to bloom.
Fertilizer None needed.
Other Inorganic mulch (gravel) only; fine with no mulch.
Management: Fairly easy to grow from seed. Collect seeds or let self-sow in summer/fall.
Propagation: from seed: Sow in place in containers or ground – late fall/winter.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 13 4/2/13
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

5. * Desert Dandelion – Malacothrix glabrata (ma-la-KOH-thrix gla-BRAY-ta)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Mojave and Sonoran Desert – occasionally in other inland areas from Santa Barabara to
San Diego counties. Also in deserts of ID, OR, UT and N. Mexico; coarse soils in open areas or
among shrubs in desert areas, Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Shadscale Scrub
between 0 and 6000 feet .
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: up to 2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Fast-growing annual wildflower that somewhat resembles a dandelion. Basal leaves have narrow,
sometimes threadlike lobes which are unique to the species.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring depending on rains – sometime between March & June. In the
wilds, only blooms in wet years. Flowers are dandelion-like with yellow or white ray flowers.
Flowering heads may have pink-red flowers at center. Larger (heads to nearly 2 inches) & prettier
than common dandelion. Very showy when massed.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used in desert-themed gardens. But would be right at home in other
types of flower gardens. Nice choice for containers, particularly with other desert annuals. Good
spring bloomer for a habitat garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native white/yellow-flowering annuals.
Attracts: Excellent habitat: provides nectar and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Most local soils; any local pH.
Water Needs good winter-spring water; dry after that.
Fertilizer None needed.
Other Best with inorganic mulch (gravel) or no mulch.
Management: Fairly easy. Will re-seed on bare ground.
Propagation: from seed: plant in place in late fall/winter.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 13 4/3/13
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

6. * Ruby Chalice Clarkia – Clarkia rubicunda (CLARK-ee-uh ruby-CUN-duh )
Family: Onagraceae (Willowherb Family)
Native to: Central CA coast, San Francisco Bay region; on grassy slopes and openings
in woodland, forest, and chaparral below 2000 ft. elevation.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-3+ ft. mature width: 1-3+ ft.
Upright, many-branched annual wildflower. Leaves are lance-shaped and not so narrow as Purple
Clarkia (Clarkia purpurea). Stems and leaves medium green, often with red or purple.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in summer (June-Aug.) along the north Coast – more likely late spring in
local gardens. Flowers are very brightly colored – magenta or bright pink , with darker red or purple
at the bases of the petals. Flowers similar to Clarkia amoena, which is a slightly smaller plant.
Uses in the garden: Used in flower gardens throughout the world. Very pretty choice for cottage
garden, wildflower meadow or mix prairie. Use in mid-bed against a background of darker shrubs
for maximal punch. Makes a good cut flower. Attracts pollinators - use around vegetable garden.
Seeds can be parched and eaten. Better choice for a dry garden than Clarkia amoena. ‘Shamini’ is
probably a hybrid – particularly showy in shades of bright pink with hot pink. Yowza!
Sensible substitute for: Non-native flowering annuals.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: attracts native bees, butterflies. Birds eat seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full fun to part-shade.
Soil Pretty much any local soil – any pH.
Water Needs winter/spring water to establish; occasional water extends bloom season.
Fertilizer None needed but wouldn’t hurt.
Other Best with inorganic (gravel) mulch or none at all.
Management: Collect seed or let plants re-seed naturally. Remove plants after seeding is
complete. Easy to start from seed.
Propagation: from seed: no pre-treatment; barely cover seed. Plant just before a rainstorm.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 10, 13, 19 4/3/13
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

7. Punch-bowl Clarkia – Clarkia bottae (KLAR-kee-uh BOT-ee (or bot-TAY) )
Family: Onagraceae (Willowherb Family)
Native to: Coastal CA foothills from Monterey County to San Diego. Locally in Santa Monica Mtns;
endemic to dry openings in Coastal Sage Scrub, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest,
Southern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral below about 3000 ft. elevation.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Erect to sprawling – stems may be stout or slender. Sparse, narrow leaves are slightly hairy. Leaf
color gray-green to medium green – similar to Clarkia purpurea – sometimes with red or purple.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms from spring into summer – usually April to June or July in western L.A.
county. Flowers quite large (about 1 inch across) and open for Clarkia. Flowers a light purple-pink
at the edges grading to white near base – often with magenta-colored speckles (freckles). Very
showy and different enough from Clarkia prupurea to make it interesting.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used in flower gardens – for its lovely flowers. Good choice for local
native mixed prairie or wildflower gardens. Good habitat plant. Wonderful plant for floral
arrangements. Good filler plant around larger shrubs. Lovely choice for containers. ‘Lilac Pixie’ is
a short (to 10 inch) cultivar that’s becoming available.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Godetias.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: attracts native pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Any local texture, pH.
Water Needs good water in winter/spring for establishment. Taper off water at end of
bloom season. Can extend blooming with occasional water.
Fertilizer None needed, but would gladly accept it.
Other Use inorganic mulch (gravel) or none to allow it to re-seed.
Management: Easy to grow. Collect seeds or allow to re-seed naturally. Not a heavy re-seeder.
Propagation: from seed: Needs no pre-treatment. Plant in fall/winter right before a rain.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16 4/4/13
© Project SOUND