Euphorbia misera is a species in the Euphorbiaceae (Spurge) family known by the common name Cliff Spurge. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it is known from the Sonoran Desert and the coastline, including the Channel Islands of California. It occurs in close proximity to the coast in Coastal Sage Scrub and Maritime Succulent Scrub vegetation, often on steep slopes. Although common in Baja, it is very rare in California. It was probably never common north of the border, and much of its former habitat has been lost to agriculture and urbanization.

This is a subshrub standing erect in protected areas, or prostrate when exposed to constant sea breeze. It reaches one half to one meter in height. The stems are limber and somewhat succulent. When broken, the stems produce a milky sap that is typical of Euphorbias. It has small, rounded, hairy leaves that are dropped readily in dry periods. The typical Euphorbia flower clusters are at the tips of the branches. The distinctive flower is hairy and has a central nectar disc with a bright red appendage with scalloped edges and a light yellow fringe. The style in the pistillate flower extends outward and is divided at the tip. The anthers are bright yellow. The fruit is a spherical capsule with lobes containing round, wrinkled gray seeds.

In the garden this plant can be a highly interesting though unusual specimen or accent plant. The flowers are not showy, but in garden conditions the plant can bloom nine months out of the year. It is especially effective with other succulents and decorative rock. It is best used in warm, relatively dry coastal gardens in the southern part of the state.

Euthamia occidentalis, known by the common names Western Goldenrod and Western Goldentop, is a deciduous flowering perennial plant. It is native to most of the western states. It is most widespread in California, where it is primarily found at elevations below 5,000 feet, in damp ground along rivers and streams, irrigation ditches, meadows, tidal channels, fresh to brackish marshes, and other wetlands.



Western Goldentop is a spreading rhizomatous plant with thin, tall, and branched stems clad with long, narrow, gray-green leaves. It will usually grow from 4 to 6 feet tall, and can be used for erosion control and bank stabilization. It produces numerous small yellow flower heads that are united into loose, rounded blossom clusters at the ends of the branches. It blooms during late summer and autumn, attracting many bees and other pollinators.

California fescue (Festuca californica) is a fast-growing perennial grass. It grows in clumps that spray out from the center to 3 feet wide and can reach 4 feet tall. The rough leaves are narrow but long, hosting butterflies and moths. 

California fescu is often used for revegetating grassland that has been cleared or claimed by non-native grasses. It prefers loamy or clay soils, grows poorly in sandy soils and tolerates serpentine soil.  It grows in full sun or part shade and takes very low water.  In summer, once established, it can be watered only 3 times per month.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selection made by Nevin smith from Middle Blue Ridge in Henry Coe state park in santa Clara County.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden. Introduced by sally Casey from Horse Mtn.(Humboldt County, CA).

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Ron Lutsko.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) is an elegant, long-lived perennial bunchgrass native to western North America. In California, it thrives in the Sierra foothills and Coast Ranges, growing in dense clumps with soft, fine-textured blades. Its deep root system helps it withstand dry conditions and supports beneficial soil fungi.

This versatile grass is an excellent choice for planting under oaks and pairs beautifully with ferns, Heuchera, and hummingbird sage. It provides valuable forage for wildlife while adding texture and color contrast to the landscape.

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) is one of many species of Festuca native to California. It is a cool-season species of bunch grass (summer dormant) that is found worldwide and can tolerate many habitats and climates.

It is a nutritious and palatable forage grass for domestic and wild animals. It is used as a mow-able turfgrass and as a groundcover and can be left completely unmowed for a lush prairie-like look. It spreads by rhizomes. There are three recognized subspecies, and many cultivars have been bred.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Fragaria chiloensis. Lipstick is an extremely showy, easy-care ground cover for a wide variety of garden situations. Plant it in full sun on the coast, part shade inland and it will reward you with bright pink flowers from mid spring until mid fall. It's small shiny fruits are not as tasty as the woodland strawberry, but the birds are not so picky. It is a fast grower to 4"-6" high and 1'-2' wide. Water this ideal ground cover regularly during it's first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. This strawberry can tolerate regular garden water or infrequent irrigation. With regular water and partial shade Lipstick can make a wonderful lawn replacement. It is also ideal in borders, containers, rock gardens or as an embankment stabilizer. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a perennial groundcover in the Rose family (Rosaceae). Naturally occurring across the Northern Hemisphere, it is also commonly known as Wild Strawberry and Wood Strawberry. Spreading by rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners), the dark green leaves and bright red fruits make an attractive groundcover. The fruits are small but flavorful and are priced both by wildlife and humans. Bees and other pollinators adore the flowers.

As the name suggests, Woodland Strawberry grows in partly shady Woodland and Forest habitats. Although tolerant of dry sites in full shade, they grow in moist locations in part sun, such as near creeks or streams. Plant Woodland Strawberries in a shady area of the yard, along pathways, between stepping stones, amongst ferns and under mature trees and shrubs. To propagate more plants, dig up and relocate new plants that have rooted from the runners. Do this in early spring just as new growth appears.

This cultivar was selected for improved vigor, heavy bloom, long bloom period (January - July) and tasty berries. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites.

Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)  is a dense evergreen shrub with dark red branches and oval leaves that are an attractive dark green with reddish tint. The flowers are inconspicuous, small and greenish-white. The plant is prized more for its fruit, which turns red, then purple, and finally black over the summer. The fruits attract a variety of birds. 

This shrub is beautiful and easy to grow. It tolerates a wide variety of soil types and likes either full sun or part shade. It is moderately garden tolerant, and takes low water but accepts light summer water up to 2 times per month.

Coffeeberry has a dense form and is easy to prune. It makes a great and fire resistant hedge. There are six subspecies, some of which are restricted to certain parts of its range or certain growing requirements. There are also several horticultural varieties including 'Eve Case' and 'Mound San Bruno'. Select one that best fits your locations and conditions.

Horticultural selection from Frangula californica. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Eve Case coffeeberry (Frangula californica 'Eve Case') is an evergreen shrub with dark red branches and dense dark-green oval leaves. The greenish flowers are not showy, unlike the attractive berries which turn red, purple, and finally black over the summer.  Coffeeberry is a fairly common plant native to California and southwestern Oregon. This variety is smaller than others.  

The berries attract a variety of birds. 

Coffeeberry is easy to prune. This variety makes a great and fire resistant clipped hedge. Due to its small size, it is a good choice for pots or containers.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Hoary Coffeeberry (Rhamnus tomentella) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Rhamnus purshiana (Cascara Buckthorn, Cascara, Bearberry, and in the Chinook Jargon, Chittam or Chitticum; syn. Frangula purshiana, Rhamnus purshianus) is a species of buckthorn native to western North America from southern British Columbia south to central California, and inland to western Montana. It is the largest species of buckthorn, occasionally growing up to 15 meter tall, though more commonly a large shrub or small tree 5-10 meter tall, with a trunk 20-50 centimeter in diameter. The bark is brownish to silver-grey with light splotching. The leaves are deciduous, alternate, clustered near the ends of twigs; they are oval, 5-15 centimeter long and 2-5 centimeter broad with a 0.6-2 centimeter petiole, dark shiny green on top, fuzzy and paler green below. The flowers are tiny, 4-5 millimeter diameter, with five greenish yellow petals; the flowering season is brief, disappearing by early summer. The fruit is a berry 6-10 millimeter diameter, bright red at first, quickly maturing deep purple or black, and containing three seeds.

The perennial herb Frankenia salina, often called Alkali Heath or Alkali Seaheath, is a member of the Frankeniaceae family that is native to California. It is occasionally found in Nevada and Mexico. In California it is found along the coast, in the mountain, central valley, and other wetland locations, including salt marsh and alkali flats. Its common name refers to its preference for saline or alkaline soils. It is a squat flowering bush that forms a twiggy thicket near beaches and estuaries. The leaves are tiny and somewhat succulent. It has the ability to excrete salt as an adaptation for living in saline habitats. The flowers are white, pink or fuchsia in color. It spreads by rhizome and can cover large areas but remains very low. It is not a common garden plant but can be a useful ground cover at the edges of ponds or streams, in bioswales, or in areas of saline soil.

California ash (Fraxinus dipetala) is a beautiful flowering tree or shrub native to the California Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills, growing at elevations of 300 to 4,300 feet. It has light to dark green serrated leaves and produces sweetly scented white flowers in fluffy clusters. The fruit is a long, winged seed (samara) that hangs in bunches.

This drought-adapted tree thrives in various soils, including heavy clay, and benefits from occasional summer water. It also supports wildlife, serving as a host plant for the pale tiger swallowtail butterfly, whose larvae overwinter in rolled-up leaves. With pruning, it can be shaped into a lovely multi-trunked specimen tree.

Fritillaria atropurpurea is a species of fritillary known by several common names, including spotted fritillary, purple fritillary, spotted mountainbells, and spotted missionbells. This wildflower is native to the western United States, where it is often found beneath trees in moldy leaf litter. This species has the widest distribution of the fritillaries, growing from California to the Dakotas. The stems may reach anywhere from 10 to 60 centimeters in height and bear narrow, pointed leaves at nodes along the stem. The nodding flower has splayed-open petals each one or two centimeters long which are yellowish or cream-colored with heavy dark purple-brown mottling. The center of the flower has a central style surrounded by stamens with very large yellow anthers. This species is similar to Fritillaria pinetorum, but it has nodding flowers compared with the latter's erect blooms.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected from Cedros Island (Baja CA) by Carol Bornstein & Elizabeth Collins, santa Barbara Botanical Garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Tree of Life.

Island Snapdragon (Gambelia speciosa) is a somewhat vine-like perennial plant native to the Channel Islands and to Guadalupe Island, Mexico. It has trumpet-shaped red flowers that attract birds, especially hummingbirds. Under the right conditions it can bloom almost year round.

Island Snapdragon is easy to grow, fast growing and beautiful, a perennial widely available in native California nurseries. It prefers sun or part shade (more shade inland), but you will get more flowers in full sun. It likes rocky slopes and seaside conditions and will tolerate a variety of soils. It tolerates occasional summer water, up to twice a month. Good in containers, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers and the plant is a larval food source for the Checkerspot butterfly. 

It was formerly categorized under the genus Galvezia, and some sources still list it that way. 'Firecracker' is a popular horticultural variety.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Gambelia speciosa. This selection boasts the bright red flower of its parent Galvezia speciosa but with a bushier, more compact habit. This is a versatile plant for borders, containers, banks or under larger native shrubs. It is a great plant to have under oak trees and is a favorite with hummingbirds. For the lushest growth you should soak deeply occasionally.

Horticultural selection G. Speciosa: origin = seedling (1984) selected from trials; intro Tree of Life Nursery. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden; introduced by Tree Of Life Nursery.

Horticultural selection from Gambelia speciosa. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Coast silktassel (Garrya elliptica) is an evergreen shrub that flowers in January or February, with very long flower clusters that cascade downward as catkins. The pendant male catkins are much more showy. They are about a foot long and grey-green. The female catkins are shorter and silver-grey. The leaves have a tough leathery feel, glossy green on top and remain year round. This shrub also has a dense and tidy form, growing moderately fast to about 12 feet tall and 6 to 10  feet wide. 

It takes full sun, except in hot inland locations where it likely will need some shade, and infrequent to occasional summer water. It prefers well-draining soil but tolerates clay and serpentine soil. It makes a great informal hedge or small tree and can be cut back (espaliered) to grow almost flat against a wall or fence. 

Horticultural selection from Garrya elliptica. This large shrub or small tree produces long, showy flower tassels up to 12' in length in winter. Its spectacular flower show, combined with sturdy evergreen foliage and a tolerance of pruning make this a popular landscape specimen. It is ideally suited to the coast, which is its natural environment but will tolerate inland planting, where some light or partial shade is recommended. Plant in well draining soil and add some supplemental water. You should expect a mature height of around 12' and a similar spread in a garden situation in southern California.
Horticultural selection G. elliptica: origin = cuttings (19__) by James Roof, Prairie Creek state Park, Humboldt Co.; intro saratoga Horticultural Foundation. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Gaultheria shallon is a leathery-leaved shrub in the heather family (Ericaceae), related to Manzanitas and Madrone. It is native to western North America as far north as Alaska. In California it is found primarily along the coast from Pt. Conception northwards. The foliage is dark green and attractive, sometimes used in commercial flower arrangements. The flowers are pink to white and urn-shaped, much like Manzanitas. The dark blue fruit is edible. Gaultheria shallon is very tolerant of both open sun and shady conditions. It occurs as a sprawling ground cover or a medium height shrub, depending on local growing conditions. It is a common coniferous forest understory species and may dominate large areas. In coastal areas it can form deep, nearly impenetrable thickets. It would be a nice addition to a woodland garden on the central or northern coast.

Gilia capitata is a species of flowering plant in the Polemoniaceae (Phlox) family known by the common names bluehead gilia and blue field gilia. It is native to much of western North America from Alaska to northern Mexico, and it can be found on the eastern side of the continent as an introduced species. In California it is widespread, occurring along the coast and in the Sierras. It grows in many habitats, especially in sandy or rocky soils. This wildflower is somewhat variable in form and appearance, with eight recognized subspecies. The branching, leafy stems reach anywhere from 10 to 90 centimeters in maximum height and sometimes having hairy hairs on the fleshy herbage. The leaves are divided into toothed or lobed leaflets. Atop the branches of the thick stem are spherical flower clusters of 50 to 100 small flowers. Each flower has a throat opening into a spreading corolla which may be white, pink, lavender, or light blue. The stamens protrude slightly from the flower's mouth and are white with white, blue, or pink anthers. In the garden it is best use in a meadow-like setting with other annuals. It is frequently included in wildflower seed mixes.

Tricolor gilia (Gilia tricolor) is an annual with a long blooming period. Starting in spring, each plant produces hundreds of half-inch white flowers with blue or lavender edges.  Though small, these flowers look very pretty when massed. They grow on upright stems, about 18 inches tall, surrounded by soft, lacy foliage.

This plant is very easy to grow. It takes full sun, low water and tolerates many different types of soil including clay. It can be planted from seed and re-seeds itself the next spring reliably, and is very attractive to native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Tricolor gilia is also known as bird's-eyes, bird's-eyes gilia. If you sow related but different types of gilia together they will hybridize. 

American Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) is a species of Glycyrrhiza native to most of North America, from central Canada south through the United States to California, Texas and Virginia, but absent from the southeastern states. It is also sometimes known in the United States as "wild licorice", to distinguish it from the related European Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) which is occasionally cultivated. The plant grows in moist soils; although it will grow in heavy soil it prefers sandy soil. It grows to 40-100 centimeter (16-40 inches) tall, and has long tough brown roots which are said to be sweet and were used as food and for medicinal purposes by Native Americans. American Licorice is not sweet from sugar but from glycyrrhizin, the acid ammonium salt of the tri-basic acid, glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizin may increase blood pressure (aka hypertension) by interfering with cortisol conversion.

This plant slowly spreads by rhizome to form large patches. Bumblebees are attracted to the flowers, and this plant is a host for several butterfly plant. Wild licorice is a rare in native plant gardens, but has lots of value for wildlife, does great in heavy soils, and is tolerant of both shade and full sun. It grows well with other riparian forest species like Leymus triticoides and Carex barbarae.

Grindelia camporum is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names Great Valley gumplant and Great Valley gumweed. The plant is native to California and Baja California, where it can be found in a number of habitats including chaparral and woodlands. Its range may extend into Nevada. It is hardy plant that also readily grows in disturbed and altered areas such as ditches and roadsides. Grindelia camporum is a gangly perennial up to 2 m (6 ft. ) in maximum height but usually less. Its erect, branching stems are lined with many stiff, wavy-edged, serrated leaves 2 to 3 cm long. Atop the stem branches are inflorescences of a single large flower head up to 3 cm wide. The head is a vaguely thistlelike cup of green clawlike phyllaries that bend downward. The centre of the head is filled with yellow disc florets and there are usually many yellow ray florets around the circumference. The flower head fills with a copious white exudate, especially during the early stages of blooming. It is a traditional Native American medicinal plant, used by the Indigenous peoples of California and also a major pollinator attractant.

Grindelia hirsutula is a North American species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names hairy gumplant and hairy gumweed. Grindelia hirsutula is native to North America, widespread across Canada and in California and Oregon. The species is highly variable, and many local populations have been named as varieties or as distinct species. All these taxa do, however, intergrade with one another. Grindelia hirsutula is an erect perennial herb or subshrub sometimes as much as 250 cm (100 inches or 8 1/3 feet) tall but usually much shorter. The plant is usually green but the stems are often red or purplish-brown and the leaves can be somewhat yellowish to reddish. The plant can produce numerous flower heads in branching arrays at the top of the plant. Each head is 2 or 3 centimeters (0. 8-1. 2 inches) wide with hemispheric cups of greenish phyllaries around the base, the bracts claw-like and bent away from the flowers. The center of the head is filled with many small yellow disc florets surround by numerous golden ray florets. The head produces a thick white exudate, especially in new flower heads. Varieties: Grindelia hirsutula var. maritima - San Francisco Gum Plant, San Francisco gumplant, coastal gumweed; endemic to coastal California in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tolerant of recycled water.

Oregon Gumweed (Grindelia stricta var. stricta) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in tidal flats, at elevations from 0-700 feet.

Gutierrezia californica is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common names San Joaquin snakeweed and California matchweed. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows on slopes and plains in a number of habitats. It is found in the Coast Ranges, Transverse Range and Peninsular Range, coming fairly close to the coast in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. It is often seen in very arid settings. This is a small subshrub reaching up to about half a meter in height. It grows clumpy or gangly and generally erect stems in shades of gray and red which are lined with small linear green leaves. At the end of each branch of the stem is an flower cluster of one to three small flower heads just a few millimeters wide. The head contains several yellow disc florets with long, protruding styles and several yellow ray florets around the edge.

Hazardia squarrosa is a species of shrub in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Sawtooth Goldenbush. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal and inland scrub and chaparral habitats from Monterey County southward. This is a shrub of variable size, from low and clumpy to sprawling over two meters tall. It is covered in thick, sharply toothed leaves a few centimeters long and is generally not very hairy or woolly. It bears discoid flower heads covered in greenish, pointed phyllaries and opening into an array of long yellow to slightly reddish disc florets and no ray florets. There are three recognized varieties with largely overlapping ranges. In the garden it provides long lasting summer color and is popular with many insects including butterflies. Also valuable in restoration projects.

Saw Toothed Goldenbush (Hazardia squarrosa var. grindelioides) is a native sub-shrub in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows in southern and central California. It is found along the coast, in the foothills, valleys, and coastal mountains from Monterey County to northern Baja at elevations from 300-4300 feet. It is also commonly found along roadsides, trail edges, and other disturbed places. The flower head consists of only disc flowers. The flowers have great color and a long bloom time. There are two other recognized varieties of this species that differ primarily in leaf shape. This plant is good for "wild" gardens and for restoration projects.

The daisylike plant Helenium bigelovii is known as Bigelow's sneezeweed. It is a plant of meadows and marshes that bears flowers that are usually bright yellow in color. It grows in moist areas. It is found at moderate elevation in the foothills and low mountains of California. Cultivars are raised as ornamentals.

Helenium puberulum is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name rosilla. It is native to California and Baja California, where it can be found in moist habitats such as riverbanks and meadows. This is an annual or perennial herb varying in size and shape from a low stem with few branches to an erect, spindly stem nearing 1.5 meters tall. Most of the leaves are on the lower part of the plant, with the upper occupied by naked peduncles bearing flower clusters of several daisylike flower heads. Each head is mainly a spherical bunch of disc florets which are yellow when new and darken with age. Some heads also have a few to many yellow ray florets. The fruit is a hairy achene one to two millimeters long.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a robust annual in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family, widely seen across California. Often found in disturbed areas like road shoulders, edges of farm fields, and vacant lots, it is also a striking addition to gardens when given ample space, direct sun, and regular watering.

This plant produces stout stalks topped with large, cheerful flower heads. The flower head is a composite of numerous small florets, with outer ray florets in shades of yellow, maroon, orange, or other colors, and inner brown disc florets that mature into seeds. Horticultural varieties like 'Autumn Beauty' offer additional color variations.

Sunflowers are excellent habitat plants, offering nectar and pollen for a wide array of bees and butterflies. Their seeds are a valuable food source for birds, making them a wonderful choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

Tolerates almost any soil type. RsABG introduction.

Helianthus californicus is a species of sunflower known by the common name California sunflower. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in many types of habitat. This wild sunflower is an erect perennial growing from a network of tough, woody roots with small rhizomes. It is a sprawling, gangly plant, sending a thin stem to heights between one and three meters or more. The lance-shaped leaves may be 20 centimeters long and are smooth or slightly toothed along the edges. The flower cluster holds several flower heads. Each head is supported by a base covered in long, pointed phyllaries that bend back as the head ages and develops fruit. The flower head has a fringe of golden yellow ray florets, each two or three centimeters long, and a center filled with curly yellow and brown disc florets. The achene is about half a centimeter long.

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is a member of the Apiaceae (Carrot) family and the only member of this genus native to North America. Cow Parsnip is distributed throughout the continental United States and Alaska except the Gulf Coast and a few neighboring states. It is the only native member of this family to occur throughout the U.S. In California it occurs primarily in the northern half of the state. It is relatively large for an herb and features a large flower head consisting of the typical flat-topped umbels of the Carrot family. Chemicals in the plant may cause dermatitis in some individuals. It may be weedy or invasive in portions of its range.

Tecate Cypress (Herpericyparis forbesii) is a species of cypress native to Southern California and Mexico. This is a relict species from a time when southern California's climate was cooler and wetter. It survives in a few, isolated locations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties, as well as northern Baja. It depends on intermittent fire for reproduction, but too frequent fires kill seedlings and threaten the survival of the species.

The foliage is bright green with reddish bark. Young trees are pyramidal in shape, becoming more rounded or contorted with age. It is very drought adapted; excessive supplemental water will make it floppy. In recent years, Tecate Cypress has become a fairly popular small tree for Southern California gardens. It makes a great specimen tree for larger landscapes, remaining tight and symmetrical.

The northernmost stand, comprising a very large area on the upper limits of Coal Canyon and Sierra Peak in Orange County, California, burned in a 2006 wildfire. Very few mature trees survived, but hundreds, if not thousands, of new plants are appearing as regeneration. Another devastating wildfire before seedlings are able to reach cone-producing age (which can be quite old for this species), could easily extirpate this stand.

Some refer to Tecate Cypress as a variety of Guadalupe Cypress (Cupressus guadalupensis), which occurs on Guadalupe Island, though that island is well over 250 miles from any Tecate Cypress stand. Aside from the ease of surmising that Tecate Cypress is genetically different from Guadalupe Cypress due to the two species being separated by ocean waters, molecular testing has shown the latter to be slightly more closely related to Cuyamaca Cypress (Hesperocyparis stephensonii).

Moreover, Guadalupe Cypress, when mature, makes a much taller and more massive tree than Tecate Cypress. Tecate Cypress has very green foliage, while Guadalupe Cypress has waxy pale, somewhat blueish tinted foliage. Finally, though cones of Tecate Cypress will not open without heat (unlike any other California native Cypress), those of Guadalupe Cypress will open without fire.

Cupressus macnabiana (McNab Cypress or Shasta Cypress) is a species of cypress endemic to northern California. It is one of the most widely distributed of all the native California cypresses, found growing in chaparral, oak woodlands and coniferous woodlands along the inner northern Coast Ranges and the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree, 3-12 meter (rarely to 17 meter) tall, with a spreading crown that is often broader than it is tall. The foliage is produced in dense, short flat sprays (unlike most other California cypresses, which do not have flattened sprays), bright waxy pale gray-green in color, with a strong spicy-resinous scent. The leaves are scale-like, 1-2 millimeter long with an acute tip, and a conspicuous white resin gland on the center of the leaf. Young seedlings produce needle-like leaves up to 10 millimeter long in their first year.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), also known as Christmas Berry, is an evergreen shrub in the Rose family (Rosaceae). In the summer it produces bunches of fragrant white flowers. In the winter it develops vibrant clusters of scarlet berries. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. The berries are eaten by many birds, including Mockingbirds, American Robins, and Cedar Waxwings. Mammals including coyotes and bears also eat and disperse the berries. For humans, the berries are edible after cooking, or drying and crushing, in order to break down the small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides. Indigenous People use the berries to make cider, and a granular sugar. 

Toyon is a prominent component of the Coastal Sage Scrub plant community, and is a part of drought-adapted Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest and Oak Woodland habitats. Toyon are beautiful plants and easy to grow. If properly situated, they can grow very quickly, up to 10 feet in three years. They like sun or part shade, though they tend to do better in part shade in the southern, drier part of their geographic range. They can handle a wide variety of soils, including clay, sand and serpentine. They are an excellent hedge plant.

Horticultural selection from Heteromeles arbutifolia. A keystone shrub in the native landscape, Toyon (also known as Christmas Berry), is the common name for Heteromeles arbutifolia. Toyon is known as a dependable long lived shrub and valued for the visual appeal of its small white flowers in summer, persistent berries in the winter and evergreen foliage. A cultivar of Heteromeles arbutifolia var. cerina, 'Davis Gold' has striking yellow berries instead of the typical red, and has been noted as having improved resistance to disease. Toyons are very flexible when it comes to light exposure, growing best in sun but tolerating almost full shade. A classic wildlife attractor, birds in particular love to eat the golden berries that linger on the plant. 'Davis Gold' toyon has leathery serrated leaves 2 -4" long and grows well in sandy soils and on slopes with dry, well drained soils. 'Davis Gold' is excellent as a screening plant, hedge, or multi-trunk small tree, reaching a typical height and width of about 6 - 1 '; given ideal conditions and enough time it can grow to 15' or more.This is a selection introduced by UC Davis and it tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Heterotheca grandiflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Telegraph Weed. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, but it can be found in other areas as an introduced species, such as Hawaii. In California it is widespread from Butte County southward. It is a pioneer species and roadside weed even where it is native. This is a tall, bristly, hairy plant exceeding a meter in height and densely foliated in hairy to spiny toothed or lobed leaves. Leaves are smaller and more widely spaced toward the top of the stem, which is occupied by an flower cluster of bright yellow daisylike flower heads. The disc and ray florets drop away to leave a spherical head of achenes, each with a long white pappus. This plant is rarely used in the garden but is a useful for restoration projects.

Heterotheca sessiliflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name False Goldenaster. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows primarily along the coast, in the foothills and mountains, in many types of habitat. This is a perennial herb which is quite variable in appearance. There are four recognized subspecies which vary in morphology and geographic range. Depending on subspecies and location, it may be a small clumping or mat-forming plant or grow tall stems to heights exceeding a meter. It may appear as an annual or perennial herb. It is coated in small bristles or long woolly hairs and it is hairy, particularly around the flower cluster. The flower head contains long yellowish disc florets and the edge is fringed with yellow ray florets. Its most outstanding feature is nearly year-round flowering.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Hairy False Goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are gray-green and deciduous. It tends to grow in crevices, at elevations from 1300-10200 feet.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden.