Ceanothus spinosus is a species in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family known by the common names greenbark ceanothus and redheart. It is native to the coastal strip of southern California south of San Luis Obispo County to northern Baja California, where it grows in the scrub and chaparral of the coastal mountain ranges. This is a large treelike shrub approaching six meters in maximum height. The stem is a rough-barked trunk near the base and has thorny, greenish-brown branches. The thick, firm evergreen leaves are up to 4 or 5 centimeters long and are hairless on the upper surface but sometimes lined with hairs underneath. The shrub blooms in flower clusters up to 15 centimeters long filled with clusters of white to pale blue flowers. The fruit is a smooth, round capsule about half a centimeter wide containing 3 seeds.

Blueblossom ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) is a large shrub or small tree in the Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Evergreen, glossy leaves range from bright green to dark green. Small flower clusters range in color from light blue, dark blue, or blue-violet; occasionally a specimen with pale blue-white flowers can be found. Varying dramatically in form and size over its natural range, some plants grow fairly upright to 30 feet and others grow in a mounding form to only 2-3 feet tall. Flowers appear in late winter or early spring, and are an important early source of food for pollinators. Bees are especially attracted to the flowers. Three-lobed seed capsules are eaten by birds and small mammals. 

Blueblossom grows primarily along the coast and coastal mountains, in many different habitats, in full sun or part shade. In the hotter, inland part of its range, it can be found growing in the shade of northern slopes, under mature woodland canopies, or closer to an irrigated or a naturally moist area. In the cooler, coastal areas, it prefers more sun and dry locations.

In the garden, if you continue to provide summer irrigation after it is established, ceanothus species will usually be short-lived. Choose a ceanothus which is native to your location, then stop irrigating after year two or three. Blueblossom can be used alone as a backdrop to shorter shrubs and perennials, or as an evergreen hedge. Prune it to one trunk for a treeform, or keep it natural for a large shrub. When in bloom, blueblossom is almost entirely covered in flowers, creating a dreamy blue haze in the landscape. There are many cultivars available at nurseries all over the state. 

Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseu) is a flowering shrub available in many named cultivars. In winter to spring its evergreen leaves are densely covered with small blue or purple flowers. This native plant is endemic to coastal California. It grows in the chaparral, coastal scrub, and closed-cone-pine forest plant communities.

The flowers become food sources for larvae of some butterfly and moth species, bees, and other beneficial insects. 

Carmel ceanothus is the most popular ceanothus for California garden. Gardeners find it easy to grow and fast-growing. It will take a wide range of soils and can tolerate summer water up to twice a week.

Take care with pruning and do not prune heavily. You should not cut back into old wood. Instead, promote new shoots by pruning the tip of stems where growth is active. Also, you can trim off dead branches on the interior of the shrub to improve its shape and attractiveness. 

Cultivars of Carmel ceanothus have variable leaf and flower colors and grow to different heights and widths.  Calscape features:

Diamond heights mountain lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Diamond Heights') 

Kurt Zadnik Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Kurt Zadnik') 

Louis Edmunds Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds') 

Point Sal Carmel creeper (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Point Sal') 

Santa Ana Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Santa Ana') 

Yankee Point Carmel Ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Yankee Point') 

Louis Edmunds Carmel Ceanothus is a mounding shrub ground cover, reaching 3-6 ft. tall by 12-25 ft. wide. It has dark green glossy textured foliage, and produces violet-blue flowers in the springtime. The plant can grow in full sun in coastal sites, and in some sun to part shade in inland sites. In cultivation it is tolerant of clay, alkalinity, sand, wind and heat, and depending on local climate and soil can be tolerant of some irrigation.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds' is planted as a large scale groundcover where it has room to spread, and for slope stabilization and erosion control.

This cultivar was selected in 1942 by nurseryman Louis L. Edmunds, who later operated the Louis Edmunds Native Plant Nursery in Danville, from a seedling he propagated and selected at Tilden Botanic Garden (Regional Parks Botanic Garden) in the Berkeley Hills. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds' was given an Award of Merit in 1956 by the California Horticultural Society.

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

Horticultural selection of cuttings of Ceanothus griseus horizontalis from Yankee Point on the central California coast just south of Carmel. This is one of the most commonly used California native plants. Yankee Point is a very garden tolerant spreading groundcover, with glossy green leaves and 1' blue flowers. On the coast, it will take wind and salt spray, and it will do equally well inland. It is often used as a large-scale groundcover and will stabilize slopes nicely. It reaches 2'-3' in height and spreads to 6'+. Horticultural selection E. griseus horizontalis: origin = cutting (1954) sHF, Yankee Pt., central coast, Monterey Co.; intro saratoga Hort. Foundation 1956 .Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selection developed by Maunsell Van Rensselaer in 1954. Species previously known as C. griseus var. horizontalis.

Creeping Blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. thyrsoflorus) is a the low growing form and variety of the native shrub and tree Ceanothus thyrsiflorus. It native range is coastal central and northern California, extending from northern Santa Barbara County to near the Oregon border, growing 1- 5 miles from the shore. The other variety of this species, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus (Carmel Ceanothus) is much more variable in form and is native to habitats closer to the coast.
Creeping Blueblossom was previously classified as Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens.

Creeping Blueblossom has profuse attractive sky blue flowers and makes an excellent ground cover plant. It prefers full sun to part shade in cooler coastal environments, and part shade to full shade in hotter and drier inland environments. It tolerates occasional light summer water, but is quite drought tolerant. It grows well in many different soil types, from clay to sand, and can tolerate poorly draining and fast draining conditions.

Cultivars in the nursery trade include:
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. thyrsiflorus 'Taylor's Blue' (Taylors Blue Ceanothus). This is a shrub ground cover growing 2-3 feet tall by 10-15 feet wide. It was introduced in the 1950s as Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Louis Edmunds' by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, from a plant in nurseryman Ken Taylor's natives garden in Aromas, originally from the garden of nurseryman Louis L. Edmunds. It was previously named and is sometimes still sold as C. t. var. repens 'Taylor's Blue'.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. thyrsiflorus 'Louis Edmunds' (Louis Edmunds Blue Blossom). This is a prostrate ground cover growing 6 inches tall by 6 to 8 feet wide, and is the lowest cultivated form of C. t. var. thyrsiflorus. It introduced by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (California Botanic Garden) in 1958 as Ceanothus griseus 'Louis Edmunds' from a plant given them by Louis L. Edmunds, who operated the Louis Edmunds Native Plant Nursery in Danville.
This is not the same plant as the cultivar Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds' (Louis Edmunds Carmel Ceanothus) nor the formerly named Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Louis Edmunds' (currently C. t. var. thyrsiflorus 'Taylors Blue').

Ceanothus velutinus is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae, known by the common names Red Root, Snowbrush Ceanothus and Tobacco Brush. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in several habitat types including coniferous forest, chaparral, and various types of woodland. In California it is found primarily in the northern half of the state in the Coast Ranges, Sierras, Klamath and Modoc regions. It can grow up to 4 meters tall but generally remains under three, and forms colonies of individuals which tangle together to form nearly impenetrable thickets. The aromatic evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, each up to 8 centimeters long. The leaves are oval in shape with minute hairy teeth along the edges, and shiny green and hairless on the top surface. The plentiful flower clusters are long clusters of white flowers. The fruit is a three-lobed capsule a few millimeters long which snaps open explosively to expel the three seeds onto the soil, where they may remain in a buried seed bank for well over 200 years before sprouting. The seed is coated in a very hard outer layer that must be scarified, generally by wildfire, before it can germinate. Like most other Ceanothus, this species fixes nitrogen via actinomycetes on its roots.

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is native to the Central Valley in California, and to eastern and southern North America. Common names include Buttonbush, Common Buttonbush, Button-willow and Honey-bells. C. occidentalis is a deciduous shrub or small tree that averages 1-3 meter (3.3-9.8 feet) in height, but can reach 6 meter (20 feet). The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, elliptic to ovate, 7-18 centimeter (2.8-7.1 inches) long and 4-10 meter (13-33 feet) broad, with a smooth edge and a short petiole. The flowers are arranged in a dense spherical flower cluster 2-3.5 centimeter (0.79-1.4 inches) in diameter on a short peduncle. Each flower has a fused white to pale yellow four-lobed corolla forming a long slender tube connecting to the sepals. The stigma protrudes slightly from the corolla. The fruit is a spherical cluster of achenes (nutlets).

This plant is easy to grow as long as it's planted near a stream or water source. Often used in wetland revegation project in the Central Valley.

The Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is a small deciduous tree or shrub found in the foothills and mountains of California. In the northern, rainier part of its range, it grows more often on dry slopes in mountain foothills. In the southern and drier part of its range, it grows most often near near higher-elevation creeks, canyon bottoms and other moister areas.

The thin, shiny brown branches bear shiny heart-shaped leaves which are light green early in the season and darken as they age. Leaves on plants at higher elevation may turn gold or red as the weather cools. The showy flowers develop in the spring and are bright pink or magenta, and grow in clusters all over the shrub, making the plant very colorful and noticeable in the landscape. The shrub bears 3-inch-long brown legume pods which are very thin and dry. The flowers that are popular with a variety of native bees, including leafcutter bees.

This plant is easy to grow just about anywhere in northern California that doesn't get below 15 degrees. In southern California, best to plant Western Redbuds near seasonal streams, springs, damp areas or irrigated areas. To thrive, this plant needs a four-season climate with a cool winter, so best not to plant near the immediate coast in Southern California. Redbud

Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides) is a distinctive-looking shrub that provides visual interest in the landscape. It is known for its long, fuzzy seeds that resemble curled feathers and shine in the sun. "Cercocarpus" means fruit with a tail. The evergreen, birch-like leaves have edges that are smooth at the bottom and toothed at the top. Its small yellow flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Mountain Mahogany is named for its dark bark color, but this plant is actually a member of the Rose family.

This shrub has a tall, upright habit and a fast growth rate. It is often used in narrow areas and as a hedge or privacy screen. It responds well to light or heavy pruning, which may be necessary when planted in small spaces. It can also be cut down to the ground for new growth. It's a low-water plant and adapts to a variety of soil types. Mountain Mahogany is notable for its extensive root system and is often used for restoration and bank stabilization.

San Diego Mountain Mahogany is a beautiful native shrub that grows in Southern California, primarily in coastal Orange and San Diego counties, and in the western side of the Peninsular Range region, mostly at elevations from 0-4300 feet. It grows quickly to 8 feet, and then fairly slowly after that. Leaves are small and birch-shaped, delicate and emerald green in the winter and spring, and dark green, thick, and curled down during the dry season. Flowers are yellow. Probably its most spectacular feature are its feathery, silvery seeds produced in large quantities in late summer through early fall. The seeds light up in the sun, making the plant appear to have a silvery halo when back lit. It is nice as a hedge plant around San Diego.

It does well in full sun or part shade, and tolerates summer water up to 1x per month. It does best if planted near a seasonal creek or irrigated area. It can sprout from the stump if burned or severely cut back.

Chaenactis artemisiifolia is a species in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name White Pincushion. It is native from the coast to the coastal mountain ranges of southern California and Baja California. This is a robust annual herb producing an erect stem occasionally as tall as two meters but usually under one meter in height. There is a basal rosette of leaves and sparse leaves along the stem. The leaves are up to about 15 centimeters or more in length and they are divided into many lobes which are further subdivided into smaller, lacy lobes. The leaves and stem are lightly woolly; older plants have thinner coats of hair. The stem branches about midway up and bears several flower heads in a wide open flower cluster. Each head is a hairy hemispheric cup of sharp-tipped phyllaries which can be up to a centimeter long. The flower heads are discoid, containing only disc florets, but some of them are flat enough to resemble ray florets or petals. The florets are white to pink. The anthers and curly styles protrude far from each floret, making the flower head look like a pincushion. The fruit is a compressed achene about half a centimeter long with no pappus. This species is not frequently seen in gardens but is useful for restoration projects.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Cobweb Thistle (Cirsium occidentale) is a beautiful non-weedy thistle that forms a rosette of gray woolly and spiny leaves the first year and flowers in summer of the second year with tall spikes of showy flowers.  These may be white to blood red to shades of purple.  The unopened flower heads are laced, often quite heavily, in fibers resembling cobwebs. 

This fast-growing perennial may remain short, at 2 feet,or tower to 9 feet.  t likes sunny areas with good drainage and little irrigation. It is deer resistant and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Butterflies such as the painted lady and the Mylitta crescent depend on cobweb thistle as a larval food source. 

The whimsical name of this pretty, vibrantly-colored Clarkia comes from its late spring to early summer bloom time. It flowers in shades ranging from pink to purple. Farewell to Spring attracts bees and butterflies and is a favorite plant in native pollinator and cut-flower gardens.

A member of the Evening Primrose family, Farewell to Spring is a self-seeding annual that tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. It has low moisture needs and requires minimal watering once established.

Clarkia bottae is a species of annual wildflower in the Onagraceae (Primrose) family. It is know by several common names, including punchbowl godetia, Botta's Clarkia, Botta's Fairyfan, and Hill Clarkia. Other Clarkias are known as Farewell-to-Spring, and some sources may apply that name to this species as well. This plant is endemic to the coastal plains, foothills and mountains, usually below 3,000 ft., from Santa Clara County to San Diego County, where it is a member of several plant communities. It produces spindly, waxy stems which may approach a meter in height but more often less, and sparse narrow leaves. The flower is a bowl shaped bloom with lavender or pinkish-purple petals, often lighter in color toward the base and speckled with red, each 1 to 3 centimeters long. The stigma protrudes from the corolla and is surrounded by shorter stamens. It is readily grown from seed and reliably re-seeds as long as it is not crowded out.

Clarkia purpurea is a species of wildflower in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) family known by the common names Winecup Clarkia, Winecup Fairyfan, and Purple Clarkia. This plant is native to western North America where it is found in a variety of habitats. Within California it is very widespread, occurring all along the coast, in the Coast Ranges, Central Valley and Sierra foothills. There are three subspecies with differences in the flower color and with overlapping ranges. This plant erects a thin reddish stem which may approach a meter in height and has a few lance-shaped leaves. The bowl-shaped flowers have four petals usually one to two centimeters long and in shades of pink, purple, or deep wine red, often with a streak or spot of pink or red in the middle. In the garden it is almost always grown from seed and is included in many commercially available wildflower seed mixes.

Clarkia rubicunda is a flowering plant endemic to California. It is found mostly in the central part of the state. The plant is known by the common names ruby chalice clarkia and farewell to spring. It is similar in appearance to another flower of genus Clarkia also called farewell to spring. It bears attractive poppy-like blooms with wide, cup-shaped corollas of four pink or purplish petals. The corolla of the flower sometimes has a bright red center. As the common name suggests, it blooms in June and July.

Clarkia speciosa is a species of flowering plant in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) family known by the common name Red Spotted Clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the Central Coast and mountains and from the Sierra Nevada foothills. The plant is variable across its intergrading subspecies, taking a decumbent to erect form with a stem up to about half a meter long. The open or dense flower cluster has opening flowers and several closed buds. As the bud opens the sepals all separate from each other. The fan-shaped petals are up to 2.5 centimeters long and may be lavender to pink to deep red, sometimes fading to white or yellowish at the base. There is sometimes, but not always, a large bright red spot near the middle of the petal. There are four subspecies of this plant. One, ssp. immaculata (also sometimes called var. immaculata), is known as the Pismo clarkia and is federally listed as an endangered species. It is known from about 20 occurrences on the coastline of San Luis Obispo County near Pismo Beach. This subspecies takes a decumbent form and the petals lack the red spot.

Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) is an annual wildflower in the Evening-Primrose family (Onagraceae). It is endemic (limited) to California, but is often sold in wildflower seed mixes throughout the country. Elegant clarkia has tall, thin stems, narrow leaves, and four spade-shaped petals in various shades of pink. Butterflies, moths, and bees are attracted to its flowers. It blooms in summer, when many wildflowers are finished for the year.

Another popular name is woodland clarkia, and its natural habitat is indeed open woodlands. It usually is found growing in oak woodlands or mixed evergreen forest, with native grasses and other wildflowers that appreciate part shade. Sow seeds in fall and let the rain do the rest. Allow to self-sow in fall before cutting back dead stocks. Grow this clarkia in the middle or back of a flower bed where its tall, whimsical flowers make a charming backdrop. Or create a mini-meadow under an oak tree with native bunchgrasses, wild onion, white globe lily, and purple chinese houses.

Claytonia parviflora is a species of wildflower in the Montiaceae (Purslane) family known by the common name Streambank Springbeauty or Miners' Lettuce. It is very closely related to Claytonia perfoliata which is also commonly known as Miners' Lettuce. This species is native to western North America from southwestern Canada to northwestern Mexico, where it can be found in many types of habitat, particularly areas that are moist in the spring. This is an annual herb growing in a clump or spreading to a maximum length of about 30 centimeters. The basal leaves have lance-shaped blades on long, tapering petioles. There are also leaves on the stem which may be similar in shape or may be rounded or squared and sometimes fuse together to create a bowl around the stem. The herbage is green to pink in color. The flower cluster is a cluster of up to 40 tiny flowers, each with petals a few millimeters long and white to pink-tinted in color.

Chaparral clematis (Clematis lasiantha) is a vine with profuse small white blooms followed by fluffy attractive seed heads.  Chaparral clematis is in the buttercup family that is native to the north-central Pacific coast and up to the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It grows on hillsides, in chaparral, and in open woodland.

The flowers attract butterflies.

Gardeners value chaparral clematis for its long flowering season, nearly six months in spring and summer. The rich texture of its leaves is another benefit.  It is easy to grow, and grows fast up to 15 feet. It will adorn a fence, an arbor or a pergola or wind through shrubs and trees.

Virgin's bower (Clematis ligusticifolia) is a climbing, spreading vine with showy flowers. It is also known as Old-man's Beard and Yerba de Chiva, and Virgin's bower (though this may also refer to C. lasiantha). It is native to North America and widespread across the western United States in streamside thickets, wooded hillsides, and coniferous forests up to 4,000 feet. It was called "pepper vine" by early travelers and pioneers of the American Old West. 

Clematis pauciflora is a species in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family known by the common name Small Leaved Clematis. This flowering plant is native to the chaparral slopes of southern California and Baja California, from the coast to the high desert. It is a woody vine with nodes every few centimeters which produce leaves and flowers. The leaves are made up of several dark green lobed leaflets, each one to three centimeters wide. From each leaf-bearing node grows a flower cluster of one to three flowers with narrow petal-like sepals in shades of light yellow. Most of the flower is made up of a spray of up to 50 stamens and almost as many similar-looking pistils. The fruit is an achene equipped with a long plumelike style. This plant is usually found growing up through larger chaparral shrubs.

Spanish for 'good herb', Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) is a creeping evergreen perennial commonly used as a groundcover, rock garden, and container plant. A member of the Mint family, Yerba Buena's small, delicate leaves and tiny white flowers have a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are used in tea, traditional medicine, cooking, and essential oils.

This plant roots itself as it spreads, forming low mats that can be encouraged by pinching the stems. Yerba Buena grows best when planted in full or part shade. It is a low- to moderate- moisture plant that adapts to different soil types, as long as drainage is good. Plant under trees or in shady spots mixed in with taller shade-loving plants.

Monkey Flower Savory is a rare native perennial herb in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family that grows in the Coast Ranges from Monterey southward to the Transverse Range. The majority of its population lies within the Los Padres National Forest. It is uncommon throughout its range and for this reason it is included on CNPS list 4.2. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 400 to over 5,000 feet. Like others in this genus, it is low-growing and delicate in appearance, but older specimens in the wild can attain nearly 2 meters. It is herbaceous with slender stems but occasionally woody at the base. The flowers are small, hairy, with a rounded-toothed margin. The tubular flowers are red-orange and grow to 1-2 inches. Hummingbirds love them! Overall, it resembles an Epilobium but requires more moisture. It spreads by rhizomes wherever there is adequate moisture.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Introduced by C. Bornstein, santa Barbara Botanical Garden.

Corethrogyne filaginifolia (syn. Lessingia filaginifolia) is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names Common Sandaster and California Aster. The taxonomy of this plant and certain relatives is currently changing; recently the Corethrogynes have been grouped together under the name Lessingia filaginifolia, and then moved back to genus Corethrogyne as a single species with many synonyms.

It is native to western North America from the southwestern corner of Oregon to Baja California, where it is a common member of many plant communities, including chaparral and woodlands, forests, scrub, grasslands, and the serpentine soils flora.

This is a robust perennial herb or subshrub producing a simple to multibranched stem approaching a meter in maximum length or height. The densely woolly leaves are several centimeters long and toothed or lobed low on the stem and smaller farther up the stem.

The flower cluster is a single flower head or array of several heads at the tips of stem branches. The head is lined with narrow, pointed, purple-tipped phyllaries which curl back as the head matures. Inside are many purple, lavender, pink, or white ray florets and a center packed with up to 120 tubular yellow disc florets. The fruit is an achene with a pappus of reddish bristles on top.

California Aster appears to do best in rocky slopes and sloping rock gardens. They often don't do as well on flat areas. On dry slopes surrounded by rocks, the plant will usually stay beautiful year round. If happy, it will often reseed and pop up in nearby rocky places.

This plant is very drought tolerant if situated properly. It is not tolerant of summer water, which will often kill it after its first year. California Aster is available in nurseries primarily in low-growing, spreading varieties. 'Silver Carpet' is one of the most beautiful and popular.

Horticultural selection from Corethrogyne filaginifolia. Selected for the garden. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden. One of the best native California groundcoves. Very low growing and compact, with a nice mounding form, beautiful silver folliage and pink flowers that last from summer through fall. Blooms in summer and fall.When planted over a wall or rocks it spills over nicely. It is a perfect plant for borders, planters, rock gardens and containers. Keep lightly pruned for best appearance. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

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

Cornus glabrata is a species in the Cornaceae (Dogwood) family native to California and Oregon and known by the common name Brown Dogwood and several other names. It is found in the Coast Ranges and the Sierra foothills, below 5,000 ft., and on some of the Channel Islands. This is a large shrub or thicket-forming bush with very limber branches that often come down to the ground and root to form new plants. It also spreads by root suckers. The bark may be brown, reddish or purple, giving it interest in winter when it is leafless. The bright green leaves turn red in fall. It bears plentiful clusters of fuzzy white flowers and bluish-white berries. This shrub is most often found near water, usually directly on the bank of a water source, but it can become less thirsty in the garden by periodic deep watering.

The Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea, syn. C. stolonifera, Swida sericea) is a species of dogwood native throughout northern and western North America from Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to Durango and Nuevo Len in the west, and Illinois and Virginia in the east. Other names include Redtwig Dogwood, Red-rood, American Dogwood, and (subsp. occidentalis) Western Dogwood. In the wild, it commonly grows in areas of damp soil, such as wetlands. It is a medium to tall deciduous shrub, growing 1.5-4 meter tall and 3-5 meter wide, spreading readily by underground stolons to form dense thickets. The branches and twigs are dark red, although wild plants may lack this coloration in shaded areas. The leaves are opposite, 5-12 centimeter long and 2.5-6 centimeter broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin; they are dark green above and waxy pale below; fall color is commonly bright red to purple. The flowers are small (5-10 millimeter diameter), dull white in color, in clusters 3-6 centimeter diameter. The fruit is a globose white berry 5-9 millimeter diameter.

Western Dogwood (Cornus sericea ssp. occidentalis) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 16 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 0-8000 feet.

Creek Dogwood (Cornus sericea ssp. sericea) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It was formerly known as Cornus stolonifera and is still referred to by that name in some sources. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of up to 15 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. It is noted for its red bark, especially on new growth. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. Fall foliage is colorful. The fruit is a cluster of small round berries ranging in color from white to gold to blue. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 0-9000 feet.

Creek Dogwood requires moist soil and part shade. It performs best in woodland settings.

Cornus sessilis is a species of dogwood known by the common names blackfruit cornel or blackfruit dogwood and miner's dogwood. This is a shrub or small tree which is endemic to northern California, where it grows along streambanks in the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and the coastal mountain ranges. It is a tree of the understory in its native range. This dogwood may approach five meters in height at maximum. It is deciduous, bearing deeply-veined oval green leaves in season which turn red before falling. Its flower cluster is a cluster of tiny greenish-yellow flowers surrounded by thick, pointed leafs. The fruit is a round drupe about a centimeter wide which is white when new and gradually turns shiny black. The fruit attracts many birds.

California hazel (Corylus cornuta var. californica) -- also commonly called beaked hazelnut or California hazelnut -- is an evergreen shrub in the Birch family (Betulaceae). Delicate stems are clothed in velvety birch-like leaves which turn golden yellow in autumn. Springtime brings dangling cream-colored catkins before the leaves appear, which can resemble tiny ornaments when viewed from a distance in a forest. Although ruby red, the flowers are quite small, and escape notice unless one is looking for them.

Butterflies and moths are attracted to the flowers and Early Hairstreak butterflies use the plant to lay their eggs. Wild birds feed on the high-protein winter buds and spring catkins. Hazelnuts are famous for their fruit, which is a delicious nut that is enclosed in a papery, beaked-shaped husk. Our native hazelnut, while not as productive as the commercial crop (European Hazelnut, Corylus avellana), may require protection from wildlife if one wishes to grow it for its nuts.

California hazel thrives as an understory shrub or small tree in Woodland habitats, flourishing in part to full shade and slightly moist, well-drained soil near creeks, streams, or under dense tree canopies. Gardeners who are interested in growing their own food using Permaculture or Food Forest methods, can include this plant in the shrub layer. For those who wish to attract wildlife, this is also a wonderful choice. California hazel adds a delicate, ethereal quality to a woodland garden and those with shady yards will find this shrub to be a great addition to their landscapes.

Crataegus douglasii is a species of hawthorn known by the common names black hawthorn and Douglas' thornapple. It is named after David Douglas, who collected seed from the plant during his botanical explorations. This thorny shrub is native to northern and western North America, where it grows in varied habitats from forest to scrubland. It is most abundant in the Pacific Northwest. This is a compact erect bushy shrub covered in fan-shaped green leaves with teeth along the distal margin. Thorns along the branches are one to two centimeters long. White flowers with greenish centers grow in bunches at the ends of each thin branch. The fruit is a very dark purple pome up to about a centimeter across. The fruits were a good food source for Native American peoples such as the Cheyenne and Nlaka'pamux.

California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) is a native perennial bunchgrass that's useful in many landscaping applications. It is found in moist meadows and open spaces in Central and Northern California. It grows in dense tufts that can reach 3 ft in height. Flower spikelets appear between May and July. In the garden, California oatgrass can be used as an ornamental grass or it can serve as a lawn replacement that stands up to foot traffic when mowed short. It's also good for erosion control and soil stabilization.

Although it can adapt to a range of conditions, California oatgrass does better in cool, moist environments than in hot, dry landscapes. It has a high fire resistance rating and can be planted as a firebreak. This grass is a host plant for multiple skipper butterfly species. The seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.

Delphinium nudicaule is a flowering plant known by the common names red larkspur, orange larkspur, and canyon delphinium. It sends up long, stringy thin stems with few leaves and bears attractive larkspur flowers in shades of red and orange. It is native to the low elevation canyons, foothills, and slopes of California and Oregon. The flowers attract hummingbirds. The root of the plant has been historically used as a medicinal narcotic, chiefly by the Mendocino Native Americans.

Channel Islands tree poppy (Dendromecon harfordii) is a flowering shrub or small tree and one of the most popular native plants with gardeners. It blooms with an abundance of  bright yellow flowers that contrast with sparse blue-gray oval leaves on  thin, branching stems. The flowering season is winter to spring but throughout most of the year, it can be covered in showy flowers. 

Channel Island Tree Poppy is spectacularly beautiful, easy to grow, and very fast growing. It can grow to 6 feet in two years. It likes full sun and well-draining soils, though it also does well in dry part-shade. It likes gentle slopes and flats. It is very tolerant of summer water for its first two years, but when mature, it's best to reduce it to 1x / month or eliminate supplemental water completely, especially if the plant is in partial shade.

Tufted Hair-grass or Tussock grass (Deschampsia cespitosa or Deschampsia caespitosa) is a wild plant from the grass family (Poaceae). Distribution of this grass species is widespread including the eastern and western extremes of North America, parts of South America and Eurasia. In California it is most commonly found in the central and northern portions of the state, including the Coast Ranges and Sierras. It is found in coastal prairie habitat and mountain meadows, along with other native grasses such as Fescues (Festuca spp.) and Needlegrass (Stipa spp.). It is most often found in moist to very wet areas such as freshwater or saltwater marsh, riparian areas, and woodland/forest habitats.

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

California Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. holciformis) is one of three recognized subspecies of this native bunchgrass. Ssp. holicformis grows in Central and Northern California, primarily along the coast and in the Coast Ranges. It is found in coastal prairie habitat and mountain meadows, along with other native grasses such as Fescues (Festuca spp.) and Needlegrass (Stipa spp.). It is most often found in moist to very wet areas such as freshwater or saltwater marsh, riparian areas, and woodland/forest habitats at elevations up to 4,500 ft. It is said to be deer-resistant. Although native to the central/northern coast, it reportedly performs well in coastal areas of southern California. It does not do well in hot, dry inland areas. This subspecies is somewhat less commonly seen in the garden compared with the species, but it would be a good choice for gardens in its native range.

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

Deschampsia elongata is a species of grass known by the common name slender hairgrass. It is native to western North America from Alaska to Wyoming to northern Mexico, and South America in Chile. It grows at all elevations, often in moist areas. It is a perennial grass forming dense clumps sometimes exceeding a meter in height. Most of the leaves are located in a tuft about the base of the stems. The flower cluster is a thin row of V-shaped spikelets arranged parallel to and mostly flat against the stem.

Dichelostemma ida-maia is a species of flowering plant known as firecracker flower. It is native to northern California and southern Oregon, where it grows in mountain forests, woodlands, and coastal meadows. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its showy crimson and cream flowers. This is a perennial herb growing from a corm which erects a tall, naked stem topped with an umbel of six to 20 flowers. Each flower is a cylindrical red tube two to three centimeters long. The tip of each flower lobe curls back to reveal a shiny white underside. The curls rim the mouth of the tubular flower in a corona, surrounding the small anthers and a stalked ovary. The flower hangs when it is in anthesis and holds itself erect as the fruit develops. One umbel may have some hanging flowers and some erect fruiting flowers at the same time.

Dichelostemma multiflorum is one of several species in the Themidaceae sometimes referred to as Wild Hyacinth. The genus Dichelostemma was previously included with Brodiaea, and some sources still refer to it by that name. This species is a native perennial herb that grows from a corm. It is found primarily in inland northern California, from Mariposa County northward, where it is found in grassy and open places at elevations from 0-5,000 feet. This species is somewhat less popular for garden use compared with others in the genus, but it is a good choice for mountain gardens in the Sierras and Cascades.

Blue Dicks (Dipterostemon capitatus), also called Wild Hyacinth, Purplehead and Brodiaea (alternate spellings, Brodiea, Brodeia) occur in Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.

This species has three recognized subspecies: D. capitatus subsp. lacuna-vernalis, Dipterostemon capitatus subsp. capitatus, and Dipterostemon capitatum subsp. pauciflorus. Dipterostemon capitatus is an herbaceous perennial, growing from an underground corm. It has 2 or 3 leaves, which are 4-16 inches long.

The flower cluster is head- or umbel-like, and dense. It usually contains 2 to 15 flowers, which have a blue, blue-purple, pink-purple, or white perianth. The flower tube is 0.1-0.5 inch and is narrowly cylindrical to bell-shaped. Flowers have six fertile stamens, deeply notched, lance-shaped, white, angled inward, slightly reflexed at tip, with outer filaments wider at the base. It has a twisted and fleshy peduncle, a set of membranous, petal-like stamen appendages around the anthers, and angular black seeds.

It reproduces from seed and vegetative means in the form of cormlets. The cormlets are attached to the parent corm by stolons and are sessile, produced in the axils of the old leaf bases on the mature corm. Plants thrive in open disturbed environments and are a common post-fire succession species in chaparral.

Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) is a hardy, creeping perennial grass in the Poaceae family, found throughout California’s coastal salt marshes, alkali sinks, and other saline environments. It’s known for its ability to thrive in salty, alkaline soils by excreting excess salt through its leaves. The narrow, stiff green leaves may appear crusted with salt, adding to its distinctive look.

While not commonly used in residential gardens, saltgrass is an excellent choice for restoration projects along coastlines, rivers, and wetlands. It spreads through rhizomes, forming dense mats that can handle heavy foot traffic. Planting is best done in late spring using plugs or rhizomes spaced one foot apart.

Saltgrass also supports native wildlife, providing food for waterfowl and occasional grazing for livestock. Its adaptability and resilience make it a valuable plant for ecological restoration in challenging environments.

Sticky Cinquefoil (Drymocallis glandulosa) is a common native perennial herb in the Rosaceae (Rose) family. It is found in most part of the state except the deserts and central valley. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It resembles a strawberry plant, and they are related. It grows in an upright form to a height of 1.5 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. It forms clumps or tufts much like strawberry plants. It may have rhizomes. The stalk has numerous sticky, glandular hairs near the base, leading to the common name. Flowers are small, white with yellow centers and striking, blooming in the late spring through summer. Part of its garden appeal is its long blooming season. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It grows at elevations from sea level to 12,500 feet.

Dryopteris filix-mas (Common Male Fern or Male Fern) is one of the most common ferns of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, occurring throughout much of Europe, Asia, and North America. It favours damp shaded areas and is common in the understory of woodlands, but is also found in shady places on hedge-banks, rocks, and screes. It is much less abundant in North America than in Europe. The half-evergreen leaves have an upright habit and reach a maximum length of 1.5 meter, with a single crown on each rootstock. The bipinnate leaves consist of 20-35 pinnae on each side of the rachis. The leaves taper at both ends, with the basal pinnae about half the length of the middle pinnae. The pinules are rather blunt and equally lobed all around. The stalks are covered with orange-brown scales. On the abaxial surface of the mature blade 5 to 6 sori develop in two rows. When the spores ripen in August to November, the indusium starts to shrivel, leading to the release of the spores.

Dudleya lanceolata is a succulent plant known by the common name Lanceleaf Dudleya and lanceleaf liveforever. This plant is native to the mountains of southern California and Baja California, where it is found in rocky areas and slopes. This dudleya has fleshy, pointed leaves of variable shape and size, from a star-shaped basal rosette of flat, spade-shaped leaves to bunches of longer, thicker leaves. Its stem is erect and bears a branching flower cluster with up to 20 flowers on each of its few branches. The flowers are generally bright yellow, pink, or red, with pale green bases. The leaves grow only 3-4 inches above the ground, but the flower branches grow up to 2 feet high. This species is in the Subgenus Dudleya which has tubular flowers and is pollinated by hummingbirds or bumble bees.

Eleocharis macrostachya is a species in the Cyperaceae (Sedge) family known by the common name Common Spikerush. It is widely distributed across North America and occurs in parts of South America. It is a plant of varied moist habitats, including freshwater lakes and brackish marshes and ponds, ditches, vernal pools, and wet meadows. This is a rhizomatous perennial generally reaching heights between one half and one meter. It has bright green erect stems and straw-colored basal leaves. The top of each stem is occupied by a narrow, lance-shaped or cylindrical flower cluster. The spikelet is one or two centimeters long and has at least ten flowers, each covered with a purplish-brown leaf. The fruit is a yellow or yellow-brown achene with a whitish cone-shaped tubercle on one end, measuring one or two millimeters long. The plant spreads by rhizomes and can fill up an area of suitable moisture.

Giant wildrye (Elymus condensatus) is a grass that grows in bunches or clumps, has a distinctive silver blue hue, and does not die back in any season. It grows in California and northern Mexico in coastal sage scrub, chaparral and woodlands, rarely in wetlands. 

This grass makes a nice drought-tolerant lawn substitute. It spreads by rhizomes (underground roots) but not rapidly; it can be easily contained in the area you want it to fill. 

It often hybridizes with Leymus triticoides, producing the common hybrid grass Leymus x multiflorus. The cultivar 'Canyon Prince' from the Channel Islands is often used in landscapes or gardens because it is somewhat smaller and more compact.

Giant wildrye supports butterflies and moths.

Horticultural selection from Elymus condensatus. This medium grass, a selection of the hardy Leymus condensatus, has striking blue-green foliage that adds interest and color contrast to any landscape. Its powdery blue flower stalks grow 1' -2' above the broad leaves and can be cut and used in floral arrangements. This specimen grass can be used in a variety of ways; filling large patio containers or spilling over small planters. The foliage color contrasts nicely with the dark green of Ceanothus or Manzanitas. In addition to its aesthetic value, it is a great slope stabilizer, adaptable to many soils, drought tolerant but will also tolerate watering. Cut back every few years for best appearance.

Horticultural selection L. condensatus: origin = cuttings (1968) by Ralph Philbrick, Prince Island off san Miguel Island, santa Barbara Co.; intro sBBG 1986. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selection of E.condensatus from prince Island off of san Miguel Island. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected from population occuring north of santa Barbara.

Elymus triticoides is species in the Poaceae (Grass) family known by the common names Creeping Wild Rye and Beardless Wild Rye. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Texas, where it often grows in moist habitat, sometimes with heavy and saline soils. It forms a solid, rhizomatous root system which allows it to grow at water's edge and prevent the soil from eroding. It reaches 1.3 meters in maximum height with stiff, slender green to blue-green leaves that stand away from the stems at an obvious angle. The flower cluster is a narrow spike up to 20 centimeters long. This grass is not frequently used in residential gardens, but it is a good range land grass for grazing, and it is used to stabilize waterways because of its soil-retaining rhizome network.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden, horticultural selection from Elymus triticoides. Introduced by Suncrest Nurseries.