Yarrow is an all-star, popular plant choice among California native gardeners, including beginners! It is durable and easy to grow in a wide range of soil types and has low moisture requirements. It reseeds and spreads quickly, making it a good groundcover plant for lawn replacement.

Yarrow's abundant white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other insects. It is a staple in native pollinator gardens throughout the state. Yarrow has many alternative common names, including soldier's woundwort and nosebleed plant. They reflect its long history as an important medicinal plant.

Actaea rubra (red baneberry, chinaberry, doll's eye) is a poisonous herbaceous flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to North America. They are found growing in shady areas with moist to wet soils, open forest or dry slopes. In Alaska it ranges from the Kenai Peninsula, through Kodiak Island, Bristol Bay, and up the Yukon River. Ecology. Plants are slow growing and take a few years to grow large enough to flower. The western subspecies is ssp. arguta, and the northern subspecies is ssp. rubra. These subspecies are not well differentiated, and in many locations, each grades in to the other over much of their ranges. The foliage is rarely consumed by grazing animals. The poisonous berries are harmless to birds, the plants' primary seed disperser. Uses. This plant is grown in shade gardens for its attractive berries and upright clump forming habit. Native Americans used the juice from the fruits of various baneberry species to poison arrows, and used the root as a herbal remedy for menstrual problems. The root of this species has been used as a strong alternative to Black Cohosh, (Cimicifuga racemosa) for menstrual cramping and menopausal discomfort. Toxicity. These open woodland plants grow 40 cm (16 in) to 80 cm (31 in) tall. The leaves are coarsely toothed with deeply lobed margins. Plants commonly have hairy veins on the undersides of the foliage. Each stem will have either three leaves that branch near the top, or will have three compound leaves and one upright flowering stalk from one point on the main central stem. Plants produce one to a few ternately branched stems which bear clusters of flowers having 3 to 5 sepals that are petal-like and obovate in shape and remain after flowering. The petals are deciduous, falling away after flowering is done. They are clawed at the base and 2. 5 mm to 4 mm long and spatulate to odovate in shape. Flowers have numerous stamens and they are white in color. After flowering green berries are produced. The fruits are ellipsoid shaped berries containing several seeds.

Adolphia californica is a species of flowering shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family known by the common names California Adlophin, Prickbush and Spineshrub. It is native to Baja California and California no farther north than San Diego County. It is a resident of the local chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities. This is a branching shrub not exceeding a meter in height with thick hairless to fuzzy dark green twigs. The stiff twigs bear sharp thorns. The very sparse leaves are each less than a centimeter long and oval-shaped with a pointed or rounded tip. The shrub blooms abundantly in clusters of flowers along all the branches. Each flower is a star-shaped bowl of five pointed cream-colored sepals. Between the sepals are five tiny spoon-shaped cream-colored petals. The fruit is a spherical capsule about half a centimeter across. It is not often used in gardens due to its formidable spines, but it is valuable in restoration projects in it native range.

Ambrosia chamissonis is a species of ragweed known by the common names Silver Burr Ragweed, Silver Beachweed and (Silver) Beach Bur(r). It is known from most of the coastline of western North America from Alaska to Baja California, where it is a resident of beaches and other sandy coastal habitat. This is a large, sprawling perennial herb exceeding three meters in maximum width. The stems are roughly or softly hairy and longitudinally ridged. The plentiful leaves are a few centimeters long, woolly and silver-green, and variable in shape. The plant is monoecious, with male and female flowers on each individual. Staminate (male) flower heads containing many pale colored florets occur at the tip of the flower cluster, with pistillate (female) flower heads clustered below them. Each pistillate head contains a single tiny flower which develops into a fruit. The fruit is a brown bur up to a centimeter wide covered in sharp spines.

The Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is also known as the Madroo, Madroa, Bearberry, or Strawberry Tree, or simply referred to as Arbutus. It is a broadleaf evergreen tree with rich orange-red bark that peels away on the mature wood, leaving a greenish, silvery appearance that has a satin sheen and smoothness. The exposed wood sometimes feels cool to the touch. In spring, it bears sprays of small bell-like flowers, and in autumn, red berries.

Plant in a shady or partially shaded location, and avoid direct summer water. It prefers north-facing slopes especially in drier locations. Madrone is a particularly beautiful plant, but it grows very slowly in the southern, drier part of its range, where it typically grows to only 25 feet. In the northern, moister part of its range, it can grow quickly to 100 feet.

It is found on the west coast of North America, from British Columbia to California - but also scattered on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It becomes rare south of Santa Barbara County, with isolated stands south to Palomar Mountain, San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mexico.

It is common to see madrones of about 10-25 meters in height, but, in the right conditions, the trees reach up to 30 meter. In best conditions, a madrone can also reach a thickness of 5-8 feet at its trunk, much like an oak tree.

The leaves are thick, oval, 7-15 centimeter long and 4-8 centimeter broad, and arranged spirally; they are glossy dark green above and a lighter, more grayish green beneath, with an entire margin. The leaves brown during the fall season and detach from the branches.

Pacific madrone seeds are dispersed largely by birds but also by mule deer, rodents, and gravity; robins, starlings, band-tailed pigeons feast on the ripe berries and subsequently disperse the seeds as they move about.

Beautiful natural hybrid manzanita; cross between Arctostaphylos hookeri x Arctostaphylos pajaroensis, found on sandy hills in Monterey County. New leaves are yellow-green, often with copper-colored margins, maturing to deep green. Attractive dark red bark. White to pink bell shaped flowers. One of the most garden tolerant manzanitas. Seems to grow well in cool coastal environments, but is often short-lived in hot inland areas, especially in full sun, regardless of irrigation strategies. Size varies; it has been listed as 2-3'Tx3-4'W, and as large as 5-8'Tx5-8'W, depending on the source. Best to plan for the larger size when planting.

A species of manzanita known by the common name Little Sur manzanita. This shrub is endemic to California where it grows on the coastal bluffs of Monterey County. This is a petite, low-lying manzanita which forms mounds and patchy mats in sandy soil. The leathery leaves are small and rounded to oval, dark green and shiny when mature and red-edged when new. The flower clusters are dense with flowers, which are small, urn-shaped to rounded, and waxy white to very pale pink. The fruit is a shiny, reddish-brown drupe between one half and one centimeter wide.

Little Sur Manzanita prefers sun with a little afternoon shade. It likes sandy soils and beach sand, and will tolerate clay and adobe. It is great for a coastal garden, but doesn't do well with direct salt spray. There are a number of available cultivars including 'Carmel Sur', 'Danville', and 'Indian Hill'.

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

Horticultural selection from Arctostaphylos edmundsii. Arctstaphylos edmunsii 'Bert Johnson' originates from the Tilden Botanic Garden, and is a special selection from A. edmunsii manzanitas growing in the county of Monterey, California. A. Bert Johnson is a low growing manzanita that forms a nearly perfect mat, standing less than 1 foot high but spreading 6 feet. This manzanita makes an excellent ground cover and is equally attractive spilling over walls or boulders. Bert Johnson's cascading habit allows it to thrive on hillsides; its low branches root as they spread, helping to keep the soil in place and erosion under control. Bert Johnson manzanita is also known by the name Bronze Mat manzanita, owing to the fact that the new growth on this plant is tinged a delicate bronze color. The densely clustered leaves are small on this manzanita, and a dark gray-green color, giving the plant a sophisticated appearance reminiscent of boxwood. In late winter and spring, A. Bert Johnson is covered in pink-tinged white flowers, and is beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds. A. Bert Johnson would like full sun in coastal conditions, but might benefit from a little afternoon shade in very hot inland areas. This plant prefers well-drained soil, enjoying occasional summer watering to look its best but ultimately remaining staunchly drought tolerant. A great choice for a native groundcover. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Introduced by Tilden Botanic Garden.

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

Horticultural selection from Arctostaphylos edmundsii. Carmel sur manzanita is a low growing evergreen shrub, with light green leaves. Plant in part shade inland to full sun (with a little extra water) near coast. Carmel sur likes good drainage but will also survive clay. It is very garden and water tolerant as long as the water doesn't stand on it. Carmel sur grows fairly rapidly for a manzanita and the new growth is bronze. This arctostaphylos is greatly appreciated as a fast way to cover large slopes where it will stabilize soil and quickly smother the weeds.

Horticultural selection A. edmundsii: origin = central coast, Monterey Co.; intro saratoga Horticultural Foundation 1972 Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden. Introduced by saratoga Horticultural Foundation.

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

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden and introduced by Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden.

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

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

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

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

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

Eastwood Manzanita is one of the many Manzanitas native to California. This Manzanita can be found along coastal slopes that stretch from Baja California all the way up through Oregon.

It is an evergreen shrub with edible fruit and white and pink flowers. It blooms during the spring and winter, attracting hummingbirds and other local pollinators. It can be bristly and sometimes hairy to the touch, it's also important to be mindful that it can secrete sticky oils.

It is ideal to plant Eastwood Manzanita in the spring so that it has ample time to establish before drier summer months. It should be watered weekly, up to a year after planting. Once established, it should be watered up to once a month. It likes sun or part shade.

Del Mar or Costa Baja Manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia) is a rare native shrub that grows in Southern California, primarily in the South Coast region. Depending on the time of year, leaves can be pinkish, slivery, blue green or dark green. It tends to grow in rocky outcrops, slopes and ridges, at elevations from 0-700 feet. It can grow to 8 feet, but is usually under 4 feet with a loose mounding form.

Del Mar Manzanita is beautiful, relatively easy to grow and among the fastest growing of the manzanitas. It seems to do best if planted in the spring, when it can grow quickly and establish itself before the dry summer months. It handles weekly water for the first year after planting, after which it's best to naturalize. Plant on slopes or well draining flats. It will look green and vibrant year round if it can stretch its roots out to a nearby damper spot or irrigated area. It likes sun or part shade.

Artemisia arbuscula is a species of sagebrush known by the common names little sagebrush, low sagebrush, or black sagebrush. It is native to the western United States from Washington to California to Colorado, where it grows in open, exposed habitat on dry, sterile soils high in rock and clay content. This is a gray-green to gray shrub forming mounds generally no higher than 30 centimeters. Its many branches are covered in hairy leaves each less than a centimeter long. The flower cluster is a spike-shaped array of clusters of hairy flower heads. Each head contains a few pale yellow disc florets. The fruit is a tiny achene less than a millimeter wide.

With its aromatic fragrance and threadlike, silvery-green foliage, California Sagebrush (Artemesia californica) is a feast for the senses. This resilient, easy-to-grow shrub thrives in the toughest environments. It's a good choice for dry, sunny, and sloped areas. It tolerates nutrient-poor sandy soil, as long as it's well-draining.

California Sagebrush is extremely drought adapted; some summer water is optional but not required. A little pruning keeps it compact in the garden.

This important coastal scrub plant supports the California gnatcatcher and quail, as well as other bird and insect species.

Canyon Gray Sagebrush (Artemisia californica 'Canyon Gray') is a natural cultivar of California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) from San Miguel Island, one of the Channel Islands in Southern California. This prostrate horticultural selection was collected and introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

This plant can become a large scale groundcover, forming a 1 to 2 feet high compact mat of finely textured silvery gray-green foliage, that spreads 4 to 10 feet wide. It works well on dry slopes and draping down over walls. The flowers are fairly inconspicuous, the foliage is very aromatic when brushed.

Canyon Gray Sagebrush requires little irrigation once established, though it can go semi-dormant by later summer without occasional irrigation. It is reportedly hardy to about 20-25° F.

It tolerates almost any soil type with drainage. It prefers full sun in coastal sites, and sun to part shade in inland sites. To keep the fast growing foliage dense, the plantings can look best if 'mowed' or heavily trimmed down every 1 or 2 years.

Horticultural selection from Artemisia californica from Montara Mountain south of san Francisco. If you need an unusual groundcover that can tolerate the hot dry summer, try this low, spreading artemisia out. This lovely groundcover sagebrush has a nice neat, dense form with aromatic gray green foliage. It's a great way to add texture, color contrast and fragrance in a drought-tolerant garden. Despite it's north coast origins we have found 'Montara' to thrive in hot inland conditions with almost no supplmental water. Some speculate that it is a natural hybrid between Artemisia calif. and Artemisia pycnocephala. This is fast becoming a landscaping favorite, but is not commercially grown in many nurseries and so is hard to find.

'Montara' was selected from a cutting at Montara Mountain by Roger Raiche and introduced by Wildwood nursery in 1987. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a dense, silvery-gray shrub with an upright form, growing up to 4 feet tall and wide. Its highly aromatic foliage lasts year-round, and, unlike other sages, it develops a true woody trunk and branches, making it long-lived. In maturity, the twisted trunk adds unique visual appeal. The flowers, small and yellow-green, are often inconspicuous.

This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, is nitrogen-fixing, and is drought-tolerant. It provides significant wildlife value, attracting a variety of insects, birds, and small mammals with its flowers and seeds.Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a dense, silvery-gray shrub with an upright form, growing up to 4 feet tall and wide. Its highly aromatic foliage lasts year-round, and, unlike other sages, it develops a true woody trunk and branches, making it long-lived. In maturity, the twisted trunk adds unique visual appeal. The flowers, small and yellow-green, are often inconspicuous.

This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, is nitrogen-fixing, and is drought-adapted. It provides significant wildlife value, attracting a variety of insects, birds, and small mammals with its flowers and seeds.

Mountain Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana) is a common native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is slow growing and long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 7 feet, with active growth during the spring, summer, fall. Leaves are gray-green and deciduous. It tends to grow in dry valleys and slopes, at elevations from 5900-9800 feet.

Big saltbush  (Atriplex lentiformis) is a fast-growing, highly branched shrub with scaly gray-green leaves. In summer or fall, it produces creamy-white flowers arranged in tassel-like clusters. Typically reaching 3 to 9 feet in height and spreading even wider, it forms a dense, bushy structure. Maximum height is achieved in areas with abundant soil moisture.

This hardy shrub thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. While it may appear too large for small residential gardens, it is highly effective for stabilizing slopes and works well as a natural hedge.

Big saltbush is especially valuable for wildlife, particularly songbirds. According to the Wild Bird Center, it attracts more birds than any other plant in their garden. Quail are drawn to its seeds and rely on the dense shrub for protective cover.

Coyote Bush (also called Coyote Brush) is a common California native shrub. It is versatile and adaptable in a wide range of landscape applications. Its short height and spreading habit make this plant a practical choice for groundcover and bank stabilization. It is also said to be fire-resistant and can tolerate recycled water.

It has small, evergreen leaves and abundant white and yellow flowers that are very attractive to insects. Coyote Bush grows well in most soil types. It is a drought-adapted, low-water plant that requires minimal summer irrigation.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Baccharis pilularis from Pigeon Point on the central California Coast north of santa Cruz. Baccharis Pigeon Point' grows into a 1' by 6' wide bright green groundcover. This is the preferred form of Dwarf Coyote Brush for slope stabilization and landscaping in almost all areas. Plant from gallons three to five feet apart for a two year or so fill-in. If you plant close together they grow over each other and you end up with a higher groundcover. 'Pigeon Point' doesn't tend to get woody and seems to stay low and clean for at least ten to twelve years. Baccharis species are the nectary sources for most of the predatory wasps, native (small) butterflies and native flies. These plants 'sing' with life. They're great startups for bad sites, and the evergreen carpet is pleasant to the eye. Water about once every two weeks to wash the dust off of the foliage. Coyote Brush, like many native plants, hates dust.

Horticultural selection B. pilularis: origin = cuttings (19 ) Pigeon Pt., north coast, san Mateo Co.; intro Ken Taylor Nursery 1975.

Note: Baccharis Pilularis is dioecious. The original plant was a male, but there is now a mixture of male and female plants that are in the nursery trade.

Horticultural selection from Baccharis pilularis. Pozo surf Coyote Bush is also known as Lowly Coyote bush or Parking strip coyote bush due to its reputation as a virtually indestructible groundcover that will survive the abuses of narrow parking strips. Given its drought tolerance, ability to thrive in many soil types, including clay it should perhaps be called Tough-As-Nails Coyote Bush? This is the mounding, evergreen groundcover you need for those narrow spaces where nothing else will thrive. It may reach 2' high and spread 2-3'.

This cultivar is a low growing (prostrate form) coyote brush. It is specifically seed producing (instead of pollen producing), hence the name 'San Bruno Lady '. One of the few low growing cultivars that produces seeds.

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

Low growing horticultural selection from Baccharis pilularis from Twin Peaks in San Francisco. Twin Peaks II is a compact low growing shrub reaching 12-18 inch high with a 5-6 ft spread. It has dark leaves that are deeply toothed. Needs sun and regular water, but must have good drainage. Selection is pollen producing only (no seed producing plants). For seed producing selections, 'San Bruno Lady' is one option. Tolerates almost any soil type.

Baccharis sarothroides is a species of flowering shrub known by the common names broom baccharis and desert broom. It grows up to 12 feet tall and up to 6 feet wide. The leaves are small and thick, and tends to stay bright green through the year in the foothills and areas with around 15" of rainfall per year. The plant goes summer deciduous and loses its leaves in the drier desert regions. It flowers abundantly in the summer, often completely covered with white or cream covered puffy flowers. This plant is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, growing in coastal sage scrub and inland scrub plant communities, usually in dry canyons and plains below 1000 feet. In California it is limited to the southern part of the state. It is a useful plant for a screen, slope stabilization or filling in large empty areas. The voluminous seeds may be considered a nuisance.

Golden Abundance Oregon Grape is a hybrid cultivar of 3 California native Berberis species that was selected for garden use. It is a dense evergreen shrub, with large compound glossy dark green leaves. It grows 5-8 feet tall by 6-8 feet wide, and can slowly spread by underground rhizomes to form plants 10 ft. wide. The plant produces large inflorescences with abundant yellow flowers in late winter to mid-spring. The flowers are followed by numerous drooping racemes of powdery purple-blue berries that are attractive to birds when they mature in late summer through fall.

Golden Abundance Oregon Grape is used as a flowering accent plant, an informal or trimmed semi-formal hedge, a screen, or a background plant in shady and woodland gardens. Since the leaves have prickly edges it can also be used as a barrier hedge to hinder animals and humans.

In coastal locations it prefers full sun to light shade. In inland locations it prefers partial shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. It can handle heat and aridity well when grown in partial shade. This plant is adaptable to many soil types from well-draining loam to clay loam. It prefers little to moderate watering when established, depending on the sun exposure and climate. It is resistant to oak root fungus and can be a drought tolerant option under mature oaks.

This 'Golden Abundance' cultivar was selected by Lee Lenz at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (present day California Botanic Garden), a chance hybrid between 3 different Berberis (classified as Mahonia at the time) species, Mahonia piperiana, M. aquifolium, and M. amplectans. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden was awarded a patent on it in 1973, the first patent on a cultivated plant selection granted to a botanic garden in California.

Lenz described its distinctions from its three parents as having: a more vigorous and upright form, many lateral inflorescences along the stems, larger terminal inflorescences, and a greater overall visual abundance of flowers.

Tall Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) is an evergreen shrub known for its early spring blooms and colorful foliage. Clusters of bright yellow flowers appear before most other shrubs, adding a burst of color to gardens and natural landscapes. Its dark green, holly-shaped leaves stay vibrant year-round, often turning shades of purple, red, or orange in fall and winter. The plant gets its name from its dark, dusty blue berries, which resemble grapes. However, Oregon grape is not related to true grapes and belongs to the Berberidaceae family.

The berries are edible and a favorite of birds, providing a valuable food source for wildlife. This hardy shrub is well-suited for shady areas, commonly used as a hedge, foundation plant, or natural screen. Its drought tolerance and ability to stabilize soil make it useful for erosion control in restoration projects. In gardens, it works well in native landscaping and provides shelter and food for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.

There are three recognized varieties of tall Oregon grape in the wild. Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium is the most common tall form, while var. repens is a low-growing, creeping variety often used as ground cover. Although generally safe, the roots of some Berberis species contain alkaloids that may be mildly toxic if consumed in large amounts. 

With its vibrant flowers, attractive foliage, and wildlife value, tall Oregon grape is a versatile option for native gardens and natural landscapes. It adds year-round beauty while supporting local ecosystems.

Dwarf Mahonia (Berberis aquifolium var. repens) is a native plant, growing in the mountains and foothills of the northern part of California. It enjoys dry shade below 700 ft. It can be found as far north as SE Alaska and eastern Alberta to central New Mexico. Outside its native range it qualifies as invasive. Dense yellow clusters of flowers give way to round dusty dark purple-blue berries, hence the common name Oregon Grape. The edible berries can be used to make wine and purple dye. Some sources describe it as toxic, however. The inner stem gives a yellow dye.

Dwarf Mahonia is very drought tolerant, and very easy to grow, but it looks better with a little bit of summer water.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Grows well in dry, dappled shade under oak trees. Berries are non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Berberis nervosa commonly known as dwarf Oregon-grape, Cascade Oregon-grape, or dull Oregon-grape, is a flowering plant native to the northwest coast of North America from southern British Columbia south to central California, with an isolated population inland in northern Idaho. It is especially common in second growth, Douglas-fir or Western Redcedar forests, making use of those pools of sunlight that intermittently reach the ground.The plant was collected by Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition to the West before being described for science in 1813.

It is an evergreen shrub with short vertical stems, mostly under 30 cm (12 in), while the leaves reach higher, rarely up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall. The leaves are compound, with 9-19 leaflets; each leaflet is strongly toothed, reminiscent of holly, and somewhat shiny, but less so than tall Oregon-grape. The leaflets do not have a single central vein as in that species, but several veins arranged fan-like, branched from the leaflet base, hence the epithet nervosa. The flowers and fruit are like those of other Oregon-grapes, and are equally bitter-tasting. Some Plateau Indian tribes drank an infusion of the root to treat rheumatism.

The shrub California barberry (Berberis pinnata) was formerly known as Mahonia pinnata, and some sources still refer to it that way. The genus Mahonia is sometimes considered to be part of Berberis. Other common names for this species are wavyleaf barberry and shinyleaf mahonia. It is a dark green bush which resembles holly with its serrated leaves but bears round purple fruits that look like small grapes. This species is quite similar to the Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium), and is sometimes called the California Oregon-grape. The plant is found along the coast from Oregon to Baja on coastal mountain slopes, most often as part of a woodland plant community. Its fruits are not true grapes, but they are edible, if a bit sour and packed with seeds. They have also been used to produce purple dye. Medicinal uses of the plant include an edible bark preparation as treatment for fever, rheumatism, and dysentery.

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

Elephant tree is a drought-adapted species in the Torchwood family, native to desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In the U.S., it is found in Southern California and Arizona, while in Mexico it grows in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Zacatecas. The Anza-Borrego Desert in San Diego County marks the northern limit of its range in California. It is the only member of its family native to the U.S., though related species are more common in Mexico.

Although typically a small tree, the elephant tree can grow as a sprawling, shrub-like plant in harsher conditions, often reaching just three feet in height. It has light gray to white bark that peels off in thin, papery layers. Younger branches may appear reddish. The trunk is noticeably swollen, an adaptation that allows the tree to store water for long periods of drought. The leaves are small and light-colored, and the tree readily sheds them in response to dry conditions to conserve moisture.

Elephant tree produces rounded yellow buds that open into small, star-shaped flowers in white or cream hues. Its fruit is a yellow stone containing a single seed, which is dispersed by wildlife. The tree is well adapted to survive in extreme desert environments, thriving in rocky soils and withstanding prolonged dry spells.

The Cahuilla People of Southern California value the Elephant Tree for its red sap, which they used as a general remedy for various ailments. Its unique appearance, ecological role in desert habitats, and cultural significance make it an important plant in the arid landscapes it inhabits.

California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to western North America, with the bulk of the range in the United States, from central western Oregon through most of California and the extreme west of Nevada, and also a short distance into northwest Mexico in northern Baja California. It grows at altitudes of 160 to 9500 feet.

It is the most widely-known cedar species and is often simply called Incense Cedar without a regional qualifier. It is a large tree, with a trunk diameter up to 10 feet, and with a broad conic crown of spreading branches.

The bark is orange-brown weathering grayish, smooth at first, becoming fissured and peeling in long strips on the lower trunk on old trees. The foliage is produced in flattened sprays with short, scale-like leaves. The leaves are bright green on both sides of the shoots.

Easy to grow in the garden but requires plenty of room. If given deep, infrequent watering when young, it will develop drought tolerance. 

Ceanothus arboreus is a species of shrub endemic to California, especially to the Channel Islands. It is known commonly as feltleaf ceanothus. It is a species of what are sometimes called California lilacs, and may be referred to as the California mountain lilac or island mountain lilac. It is one of the tallest of the genus, growing up to 25-30 ft. in height, bearing glossy dark green leaves which are leathery or felt-like on their undersides. It is sometimes planted as a fast-growing ornamental for its showy bright blue flowers, which grow in plentiful panicles, or bunches, of tiny five-lobed blossoms. Some varieties and cultivars have light, powder blue blooms, and others bear darker blue flowers. One named variety is known as 'Owlswood Blue'. The species is used as a parent in popular ornamental hybrids such as 'Ray Hartman'. The fruits are three-lobed, triangular capsules. As a native of dry California, the plant is drought-tolerant and may be found in chaparral ecosystems. It has a reputation for being short lived, but life span is improved by not overwatering, withholding summer water and replicating natural conditions as much as possible.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selection from santa Cruz Island made in 1983 by David Fross.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus arboreus.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Carol Bornstein from a specimen on the west end of santa Cruz Island. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden in 22.

Ceanothus confusus is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name Rincon Ridge ceanothus. It is endemic to northern California where it grows in the coastal mountains north of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its habitats include coniferous forest, woodland, and chaparral. This is a low, spreading shrub often forming a short mat up to about 1. 2 meters wide. The stem is gray-brown with new twigs having a reddish color and fuzzy texture. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged. Each is up to 2 centimeters long and oval in shape with 3 to 5 large teeth. The upper surface is shiny green and the underside is paler and feltlike in texture with hairs along the veins. The inflorescence is a small cluster of blue or purple flowers. The fruit is a horned capsule about half a centimeter wide.

Ceanothus cordulatus is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) known by the common names Mountain Whitethorn and Whitethorn Ceanothus. It is native to California and adjacent sections of Oregon, Nevada, and Baja California, where it grows on mountain ridges and other forested areas. In California its major population is in the Sierras. This is a spreading shrub growing usually wider than tall and up to about 1.5 meters. The stems are gray, with the twigs yellow-green in color and fuzzy in texture when new. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and up to 3 centimeters long. Each is oval in shape with three ribs and generally not toothed. The leaves may be hairy or not. The flower cluster is panicle-shaped, up to about 4 centimeters long. The flowers are white to off-white with five sepals and five petals. The fruit is a rough, ridged capsule up to half a centimeter long. It has three valves inside, each containing a seed. This is a plant for high elevation gardens, from 4,000 ft. to 10,000 ft. At lower elevations it grows slowly and performs poorly. It is one of the most cold-tolerant of the Ceanothus.

Ceanothus crassifolius is a species of flowering shrub known by the common name hoaryleaf ceanothus. This Ceanothus is found throughout the coastal mountain ranges of the southern half of California below 3,500 ft., and its range extends into Baja California. It is an erect, spreading shrub which can exceed three meters in height. The branches become long and the younger twigs are fuzzy with white or light brown hairs. The small evergreen leaves have widely-spaced teeth along the edges and the undersides are lighter in color and coated with hairs. The flower clusters are borne on short stalks less than three centimeters long and are small and rounded with tiny white flowers. They can be quite dense and can cover branches thickly, or they may be sparse. The flowers may have a yellowish or pink tint. The fruit is a horned capsule less than a centimeter wide. C. crassifolius typically occurs in California chaparral plant associations; other common flora associates are Toyon and Hollyleaf cherry.

Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus) is a flowering shrub in the Buckthorn family that is one of the most common and widespread native plants in California. It flowers abundantly in spring, bearing rounded bunches of tiny white flowers that are sometimes tinted strongly with blue or lavender. It is a spreading bush, rounded to sprawling with evergreen leaves that are stiff, tough and fleshy. The fruit is a tiny round capsule with horns. This plant may vary in appearance due to its wide distribution and because it hybridizes easily with similar species.

Buckbrush is tough and drought adapted. It takes full sun and is adaptable to different types of soil so long as it is well-draining. It will even grow well in serpentine soil. It is recommended as both an informal hedge and a garden focus.

It supports insects, especially bees. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers and are known to host 9 species of butterfly and moth with a huge total of 86 species likely. Harvester ants have been known to cache the seeds, which can lie dormant for a long time since fire is required for germination.

Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry fans, slopes and ridges, at elevations from 0-5900 feet.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus from Yankee Point on the central California coast just south of Carmel.

Ceanothus cyaneus is a rare species of flowering shrub known by the common names San Diego Ceanothus and Lakeside Ceanothus. This Ceanothus is found in the mountains of San Diego County, California, and its range probably extends just into Baja California. Most of the remaining natural specimens are in a small area in the hills around Lakeside and Ramona in San Diego County. This is a tall, erect shrub which may approach 5 meters in height. Its spreading branches are gray-green, with the younger twigs a light greenish-brown. The evergreen leaves may be serrated and toothed with hairy knobs, or they may be smooth along the edges. The underside is a lighter green than the upper surface. The flower cluster may exceed 15 centimeters in length, bearing many bunches of flowers along the length of a greenish stalk. The long flowers exhibit protruding yellow anthers. The capsule fruits are about 4 millimeters long.

Ceanothus cyaneus can be tricky to grow in landscaping applications. After the first year, direct summer water will usually kill it, but it will often also die if it can't get it's roots to moisture over the summer. It's best to plant on dry rocky slopes near a damper area, such as a seasonal creek, or near an irrigated area, or even 5-10 feet from a bubbler. It does best if surrounded by rocks or other plants that can shade its roots from the sun. If happy, it produces profuse displays of flower ranging from bright blue to powder blue to dark purple in color. It does best on north facing slopes, but can also handle east or west facing slopes if there is nearby water.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Howard Brown. One parent is believed to be C. cyaneus. Introduced in 1958.