Threenerve Goldenrod (Solidago velutina) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that is very widespread in western North America and is found in almost every county in California. Recent taxonomic changes have expanded the scope of S. velutina to include S. californica and S. sparsiflora which were previously considered by many to be distinct species. Some sources may still refer to these as separate species, but they are now formally recognized as subspecies. In the garden this plant may appear somewhat unruly, especially in winter when it is deciduous. It is best used where a wild look is desired. The yellow-gold flowers in late summer are showy and attract a large number of insects, as well as some birds.

California goldenrod (Solidago velutina ssp. Californica) is a perennial herb that produces masses of yellow flowers when many other plants are dormant, in late summer and fall. It grows fast and produces many flower spikes up to 5 feet tall.  

Birds and pollinating insects love this plant. Throughout California it is found in open, grassy places up to an elevation of 7,500 feet.

This is a very garden tolerant, easy plant. It likes to be wet in winter/spring and dry in summer but can take extra water. Because it spreads from a creeping rootstock California goldenrod may become invasive; give it room.

Desert globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), also known as apricot mallow, is a perennial shrub with fuzzy, whitish-green leaves and bowl-shaped orange flowers that put on a stunning display in full bloom. A member of the mallow family (Malvaceae), it thrives in creosote bush scrub and desert chaparral habitats across parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Sonora, and Baja California.

This drought-adapted plant grows well in both sandy and clay alkaline soils. It can be cut back in the fall to maintain a compact shape. There are three varieties, including Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea, which features lavender-colored flowers.

Desert globemallow is an excellent butterfly plant and a great addition to desert landscapes.

Louis Hamilton Desert Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua 'Louis Hamilton') is an evergreen perennial with gorgeous, glowing red flowers that bloom almost non-stop. This is a fast growing heat-loving perennial with fuzzy gray-green foliage.

This mallow takes little additional water in summer and tolerates almost any soil type, but prefers well-drained soils. It's best to cut it back hard after flowering to encourage fresh growth and a fuller appearance. It works well on slopes and makes an excellent specimen plant for any desert-themed garden, with blooms that attract butterflies and bees..

Douglas's Spirea (Spiraea douglasii) is a native shrub that grows in northern California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 7 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are purple and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are dark green and deciduous. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-6400 feet.

The mountain shrub Spiraea densiflora has several common names, including mountain spiraea, dense-flowered spiraea, rosy spiraea, and subalpine spiraea. It is found on the west coast of North America from California to British Columbia. It grows at elevations between 2,000 and 11,000 feet on inland mountain ranges. It is a woody shrub rarely reaching a meter in height. It has light green toothed leaves which turn yellow as cold weather approaches. The plant bears fragrant, fuzzy pom-pons of bright rosy pink flowers in the summer. The fruit is a tiny dry pod, no more than one eighth of an inch in length.

White Hedge Nettle, Stachys albens, is a mint endemic to California. The plant is fuzzy all over, with opposite, triangular, serrate leaves, a square stem, and a fragrant minty smell if bruised. It produces a layered spike of many small white to cream colored flowers with purplish veins. Each flower has a 2-lipped and 5-lobed calyx which is densely cobwebby.

Stachys albens occurs between sea level (0 ft.) and 9000 ft. (2740 m) in nature. It is found in moist to wet riparian, bog, seep, and swamp habitats within the following plant communities: Central, Foothill, and Southern Oak Woodland; Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub;, Valley Grassland; Wetland-Riparian; Yellow Pine Forest; Red Fir Forest; Lodgepole Pine Forest; California Mixed Evergreen Forest; and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (Mojave and Colorado Deserts).

White Hedge Nettle is very easy to grow in sun (coast-high elevations) to part sun (coast-inland) in regularly watered landscape areas. It is a winter deciduous/dormant perennial plant, and in dryer gardens it may go partially or fully summer dormant/deciduous also. It spreads by rhizomes to the edge of moisture, and in consistently moist garden conditions can become invasive. Stachys albens is a larval host for the Variable Checkerspot. Butterfly.

California Hedgenettle (Stachys bullata) is a perennial evergreen herb in the Mint family. California Hedgenettle is a delicate, attractive flowering plant that performs well in damp, partially shaded areas. It tends to grow in wet, swampy, boggy places, at elevations from sea level to 1,600 feet. The leaves are deep green and tongue-shaped. Two-lipped purple or pink flowers bloom on stalks spring through summer.

Throughout the rest of the year, the plant forms a bushy, spreading groundcover. Like most wetland plants, it spreads to occupy suitably damp land but is easily controlled. California Hedgenettle thrives in partially shaded areas and will tolerate clay soils. While not drought adapted, this plant is a good choice for bioswales, pond margins, and similar areas where a showy, flowering plant may be desired.

California Hedgenettle attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other insects. Despite its common name, it does not form a hedge nor sting like true nettles.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Central and south western CA.

Stachys chamissonis is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name coastal hedgenettle. It is native to the west coast of North America, where it grows in moist coastal habitat from Alaska to central California. This mint produces an erect stem well over one meter in maximum height, and often over two meters. It is hairy, glandular, and aromatic. The oppositely arranged leaves have pointed, wavy-edged blades up to 18 centimeters long which are borne on petioles. The hairy, glandular inflorescence is made up of interrupted clusters of up to six flowers each. The flower has a deep pink tubular corolla which can be over 3 centimeters long. The corollas are borne in hairy calyces of purple or purple-tinged sepals.

Strombocarpa pubescens, commonly known as Screwbean Mesquite or Tornillo, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the southwestern United States (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, southern Nevada and Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora). In California it is found primarily in desert areas from Inyo County southward. It has light brown bark, usually short, straight spines (1-3 centimeter/0.39-1.2 inches), twice-compound leaves, and numerous, small, yellowish flowers appearing in elongate spikes. It is found along streams and valleys in deserts, particularly in damp or saline soil, and grows to about 7 meter (23 feet). It is distinguished from the very similar Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) by its tightly twisted seedpods (legumes) which very much resemble turned screws. This morphology may have been an evolutionary defense against seed predators such as bean weevils (Bruchinae). Like Honey Mesquite, these seed pods are valued by wildlife and were eaten by native people.

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family known for its delicate bell-shaped pink flowers in spring and clusters of white berries in fall and winter. Native to moist, shady areas, it thrives as an understory plant in woodlands and along streambanks, forming dense thickets when conditions are favorable.

In the garden, snowberry is an excellent choice for dry shade, though it also tolerates additional water. Its adaptability makes it well-suited for a variety of soils and moisture levels. The shrub provides valuable shelter for wildlife, while its berries serve as a favorite food source for birds. Although the berries are mildly toxic to humans, they are harmless to many animals.

The spring blooms are a reliable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding to its appeal as a habitat-friendly addition to native plant gardens.

Canyon Snowberry is recognized variety of Symphoricarpos albus. For garden purposes, the two are virtually identical. It is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California, along the coast, in the coastal mountain ranges, and in the Sierra foothills. It tends to grow in woods, streambanks and north-facing slopes, at elevations from 0-4000 feet.

It is a beautiful plant with lovely white berries in autumn and a great plant for wildlife gardens. It attracts many birds including hummingbirds, butterflies and many other pollinators. Easy to grow in landscaping applications, and tolerates many different soil types and sun conditions. Prefers relatively moist soils --- best to plant near a stream, seep or irrigated area. See listing for Symphoricarpos albus for additional information.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected from san Bruno Mountain.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected by Roy Taylor at Tilden park Botanical Garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Symphoricarpos mollis, with the common names creeping snowberry, Southern California snowberry, and trip vine, is a shrub in the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae). It is found in western North America from British Columbia to California inland to Nevada and Idaho.

The shrub does well in warm climates and can tolerate both intense sun and constant shade. It is a plant of chaparral ecosystems, especially along coastlines.

The cheerful California Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) is a member of the Sunflower family that's native to coastal California. This perennial blooms from summer to fall, making it a good garden companion for other plants that have a spring blooming season. Its petite flowers bloom in subtle shades of blue and lavender. Butterflies and moths are attracted to the nectar. California Aster is a host plant for several species of both insects. Birds eat the seeds after blooming.

California Aster likes loamy clay soil and full or partial sun exposure. It does well in moist soil,but is also drought-adapted and can tolerate receiving little to no supplemental summer water. Cut this plant back to the ground in late fall or early winter. Deadheading produces more flowers, but in wildlife gardens it is often left to go to seed. New growth appears in late winter. This plant grows from rhizomes, so some form of edging to contain its eventual spread and keep it in bounds should be considered when planting.  The low-growing 'Point Saint George' cultivar is often used as a groundcover plant.

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

Horticultural selection from Symphyotrichum chilense. This native perennial has beautiful showy lavender flowers that last from summer through fall providing a gorgeous color when most flowers are gone. It is a groundcover selection of the species that spreads rapidly which makes it a great option for borders, or containers or as a lawn substitute. It will bear light traffic. This plant grows from rhizomes, so some form of edging to contain its eventual spread and keep it in bounds should be considered when planting. It attracts both butterflies and birds which make it a great choice for both butterfly and bird gardens especially since the flowers bloom in summer and fall when most plants have stopped flowering.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. This plant can spread rapidly from rhizomes, so some form of edging to contain its eventual spread and keep it in bounds should be considered when planting.

Meadow Rue is a native perennial herb in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family. However, it looks nothing like the conventional image of a Buttercup. It is widespread in Western North America. In California it is found in many locations including the Bay Area, central coast, Coast Ranges, Sierras, and coastal Southern California. It is found from sea level to 10,500 ft., most often in moist forest or woodland areas. It is a shade lover and works well with ferns and other shade plants. In warmer or drier areas it may go dormant in summer and die back to the ground, as some ferns do, but should recover with normal watering.

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), also Western redcedar, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae. In the American horticultural trade, it is also known as the Giant Arborvitae, Arborvitae being another name for its genus. Western red cedar is the Provincial tree of British Columbia, and has extensive applications for the indigenous First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. The western red cedar is not actually a cedar (Cedrus), but belongs in the Cupressaceae family, along with cypresses. It is known by many names, Pacific red cedar, British Columbia cedar, canoe cedar, giant cedar, or just red cedar. Plicata, the species name, derives from a Greek word meaning "folded in plaits", a references to the pattern of its small leaves. It is one of two arborvitaes (Thuja) native to North America. Arborvitae comes from the Latin for "tree of life". Coincidentally, native Americans of the West coast also address the cedar as "long life maker".

Western red cedar is valued for many industrial uses, including roof shingles, construction and cedar chests. It is allergenic, can cause asthma, and construction workers are advised to limit exposure.

Left to itself, it will grow above 200 '. It can be pruned and trained to become a thick 6' tall hedge.

The annual herb of the mint family Trichostema lanceolatum is commonly known as vinegar weed because its foliage contains volatile oils that have a strong vinegar odor. Other common names for the plant include terpentine weed and camphor weed. The oils also have phytotoxic properties, which help vinegar weed compete by killing or injuring other plant species. Indians of northern California used the plant as a cold and fever remedy, a pain reliever, and a flea repellent. Vinegar weed is a wildflower bearing striking purple-blue flowers on short green stems. The numerous leaves are juicy and green and are covered in fluffy hairs. The plant is well adapted to its native range in California, where it thrives in dry, nutrient-poor, sun-baked clay soil. In hot weather the vinegar smell of the plant becomes intense as the oils in the tissues permeate the air. The plants of this genus are sometimes called blue curls, but this name may be more associated with the similar, but sweeter smelling, species Trichostema lanatum. Vinegar weed is found on the west coast of North America from northern Mexico to southern Canada.

Trifolium willdenovii, with the common name Tomcat Clover, is a species in the Pea family (Fabaceae). This annual plant is native to most of California except the deserts. It grows in the coastal through inland foothills and mountain ranges, interior valleys, and coastal regions. The 20 native plant communities it is found in include coniferous forest, oak woodland, chaparral, and grassland.

Tomcat Clover is a low-growing annual clover that makes a colorful seasonal ground cover. It can be good for filling in garden spaces between maturing native shrubs, perennials, or bunch grasses. It flowers in spring, and can reseed abundantly. This clover's lavender to purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds.

Cows Clover (Trifolium wormskioldii) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a flat form to a height of 1 foot, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are red and striking, and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in open and moist or marshy places, at elevations from 0-10000 feet.

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is a native tree that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast, the Klamath Mountain Range and North Coast Range regions. It is slow growing and long-lived. It grows in a cone-shaped form to a height of 170 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Leaves are medium green, and remain on the plant throughout the year. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 0-2300 feet.

Broadleaf Cattail (Typha latifolia) is a common native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 5 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are brown and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in marshes, at elevations from 0-5000 feet.

With its dark, evergreen leaves and reddish bark, this attractive native shrub provides year-round interest in the garden. It is also an important wildlife plant. The berries are a food source for a variety of birds and mammals. The delicate, bell-shaped flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.

Evergreen Huckleberry grows in coastal California. In the garden, it is a slow-growing, medium-sized shrub that can serve as a hedge or groundcover. It is a low-water plant that tolerates nutrient-poor soil and shady conditions.

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by susan schettler.

Vaccinium uliginosum (Bog Bilberry or Northern Bilberry) is a flowering plant in the genus Vaccinium. It is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, at low altitudes in the Arctic, and at high altitudes south to the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Caucasus in Europe, the mountains of Mongolia, northern China and central Japan in Asia, and the Sierra Nevada in California and the Rocky Mountains in Utah in North America. It grows on wet acidic soils on heathland, moorland, tundra, and in the understory of coniferous forests, from sea level in the Arctic, up to 3,400 meter altitude in the south of the range.

Vervain (Verbena lasiostachys) is a perennial herb in the Verbena family that grows in northern, central, and southern California, as well as Oregon. It is found primarily along the coast, in the Coast Ranges, foothills, and scattered inland locations. This aggressive spreader is a pioneer species that thrives in wet places, at elevations ranging from sea level to 8,200 feet.

Vervain has a long blooming season, with small pink to purple flowers densely clustered on spikes rising above its nettle-like leaves. It goes completely dormant in winter and grows quickly in early spring. Given its spreading nature, it should be used in areas where it can be controlled.

This plant is an excellent choice for butterfly gardens, attracting pollinators with its nectar-rich flowers. The flowers will also draw hummingbirds, making it a great addition to gardens looking to support a variety of wildlife.

Giant Vetch (Vicia gigantea) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in disturbed or recently burned places, at elevations from 0-700 feet.

Dog Violet (Viola adunca) is a hairy, compact plant with nodding purple flowers blooming from spring through summer. With dark green heart-shaped fragrant leaves spreading via rhizomes (horizontal underground stems), Dog Violet makes a low mat that covers the ground.

Dog Violet grows in shade or part sun, prefers well-drained soil and needs watering year round. Dog Violet hosts moths and butterflies. Native to meadows and forests, Dog Violet makes a great mat groundcover for woodland and meadow gardens.

The Yellow Pansy (Viola pedunculata) is a common and attractive wildflower of coastal regions of California and Baja California. It is also known as the California Golden Violet, or as the Johnny Jump Up, though the latter name is more usually associated with the introduced Heartsease, Viola tricolor. The Yellow Pansy grows on open, grassy slopes, chaparral, and in oak woodlands, from sea level to around 1000 meters. It is a perennial, growing from a spongy rhizome. The leaves are 1-5.5 centimeter, heart-shaped (heart-shaped) to deltate-ovate (oblong-triangular), scalloped or toothed, and smooth or hairy. The plant is often low-growing, but can reach heights of up to 40 centimeter. The flowers appear in March and April, and are always yellow. They are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects. Dried in air, the seeds weigh about 4mg each.

Viola sempervirens, known by the common names redwood violet and evergreen violet, is a species in the genus Viola. It is native to the West Coast of the United States and British Columbia, Canada, and grows in closed-cone pine forest, California mixed evergreen forest, redwood forest, and Douglas fir forest communities. It has leathery purple-spotted green leaves and bright yellow flowers. It blooms in winter and spring. Media related to Viola sempervirens at Wikimedia Commons

California grape (Vitis californica) is a vigorous, deciduous vine that can be trained to cover an arbor or fence or serve as a groundcover if left unsupported. Its edible purple fruit ripens in late summer (though it is toxic to dogs), and its large leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and yellow in fall.

This fast-growing plant thrives with water but is highly drought-adapted once established. While it can tolerate heavy irrigation, excessive growth may require regular pruning to keep it in check.

California grape provides excellent cover for wildlife. Birds and other animals rely on its fruit, bees are drawn to its flowers, and it is one of the best plants for supporting butterflies in the fall.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Cal Flora Nursery from possible hybrid found growing near the Russian River.

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

Desert Wild Grape is a native vine or shrub that grows in southern California. It tends to grow in streamsides, at elevations from 0-4100 feet, but it is found in more arid areas than its close cousin, Vitis californica. It grows in southern oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, pinyon-juniper woodland, joshua tree woodland, and riparian habitats. In the wild it tends to climb over other plants with stems reaching up to 50 ft. In the garden it can be trained to climb up a trellis, fence or wall. It is deciduous and is leafless for several months every year. The flowers are inconspicuous, followed by the edible fruits which attract many birds. It may not fruit reliably if too close to the coast.

Fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) is a tree in the Palm family (Arecaceae). Commonly called desert fan palm or California fan palm, it is the only palm native to the western United States and is the country's largest native palm. It is an evergreen monocot with large sprays of creamy white flowers, up to 15 feet (5 meters) long, appear in summer, followed by abundant clusters of small, pea-sized black fruits.

Primarily found in Creosote Bush Scrub and Desert Riparian habitats such as rivers, seeps and springs, this palm is a keystone species in Desert Oases, and supports desert species of wildlife, such as the Western Yellow Bat, the Hooded Oriole and the Palm Flower Moth. 

Although Fan Palm grows near springs, it is actually quite drought-adapted in gardens. Place in well-drained soil in full sun. It is not necessary to prune dead leaves; however, this can be done by cutting them off close to the trunk. Remove these carefully in order to protect any bats or birds that may get crushed by the heavy leaves.

Yucca baccata (Datil Yucca or Banana Yucca) is a common species of yucca native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, from southeastern California north to Utah, east to western Texas and south to Sonora and Chihuahua. In California it is found primarily in northeastern San Bernardino County. It gets its name from its banana-shaped fruit. Banana Yucca is closely related to the Mojave Yucca (Y. schidigera), with which it is interspersed where their ranges overlap; hybrids between them occur. It is also related to Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) and is found primarily in Joshua Tree Woodland in California.

Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) is an iconic symbol of California’s deserts, found in the Mojave Desert and parts of Utah. This tree-like monocot, related to lilies and palms, grows at elevations from 1,600 to 6,600 feet, occasionally reaching 11,000 feet. Its stiff, dagger-like leaves and clusters of greenish-white flowers give it a striking appearance.

Joshua trees rely entirely on the tiny Tegeticula moth for pollination. The moth lays its eggs in the flowers, and the caterpillars feed on some of the seeds, ensuring mutual survival. These trees also provide nesting sites for around 25 bird species and are the host plant for the Yucca Giant-Skipper butterfly.

Due to its slow growth and specific habitat needs, Joshua tree is rarely used in residential gardens. However, it can serve as a dramatic, sculptural feature in large desert or semi-desert landscapes. When transplanted, it requires careful watering to prevent rot.

For those in appropriate climates, the Joshua tree is a low-maintenance, drought-adapted choice that supports native wildlife.

Mojave Yucca is a species in the Agaveceae (Agave) family that is native to southern California. It grows in coastal sage scrub near the coast, in mountain chaparral, and in desert transition areas at elevations from sea level to 8,200 feet. Like others in this family it is a monocot, so the leaves have parallel veins. The leaves emerge from a central rosette, are succulent and quite stiff, with sharp terminal spines and long, tough fibers. Some of these fibers are typically visible along the edge of the leaves. Native people processed the leaves and used the fibers for cordage. In spring the plant produces a flower stalk 12-18 inches in height covered with white or cream colored flowers. The flower is pollinated by only a single species of Yucca Moth, and many of the flowers go unpollinated. The fruit is a large capsule holding dozens of black, wedge-shaped seeds. It reproduces only by seed, not by offsets as other Agaves do. Unlike most other members of this family, Mohave Yucca does not die after blooming, a trait it shares with Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia). For this reason, it tends to grow taller with age, starting at ground level as a young plant and eventually reaching 10ft. or more. Older plants are usually branched and each branch carrying a leaf rosette. Areas that support older specimens have not been disturbed or burned for many years.