Ceanothus purpureus, with the common name Hollyleaf ceanothus, is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. It is endemic to northern California, where it is known only from the Inner North Coast Ranges north of the Bay Area, mainly in Sonoma and Napa Counties. The largest remaining population of this shrub occurs on Mt. George near Napa, where it is protected in a botanical preserve. The Ceanothus purpureus plant grows in woodland and chaparral habitat. It is spreading or erect in form, approaching 2 meters in maximum height. The woody parts are gray to reddish brown in color. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and up to about 2. 5 centimeters long. They are round to oval, wavy, and edged with spiny teeth, resembling the leaf of holly. The inflorescence is a small cluster of blue or purple flowers. The fruit is a horned capsule about half a centimeter long.

Monterey Ceanothus (Ceanothus rigidus previously called Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus) is a rare native shrub that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the Central Coast and SF Bay regions. It tends to grow in dry fans, slopes and ridges, at elevations from 0-5900 feet.

Ceanothus rigidus is primarily available in nurseries as cultivars - the two most common of which are Ceanothus rigidus 'Snowball', and Ceanothus rigidus'' 'Sierra Snow'. Both have profuse white flowers, and a dense form with arching branches the former of The Snowball variety ranges from 4-5 high and 8 feet wide, and Sierra Snow ranges from 5-6 feet high and 10-15 feet wide. Both are relatively easy to grow in the natural coastal range of the straight Ceanothus rigidus species.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected by Nevin smith, suncrest Nursery.

Ceanothus 'Snowball' is a dense, mounding shrub that is covered in pure white balls of flower clusters in the spring. The flowers really stand out against the plant's arching branches of dark green, leathery leaves. Snowball grows 4' tall and can spread to 10'. It is best near the coast but can take inland heat and drought, as well as heavier soils, as long as it gets some afternoon shade and a bit of summer water. It likes to keep it's roots cool but dry in the summer and will respond well to a quick rinsing off of it leaves every week or so in the summer. Just make sure you don't get the soil wet! Try it on a hillside or let it cascade over a wall. Horticultural selection by Lester Rowntree, C. cuneatus var. rigidus: origin = cuttings (1950) Yankee Pt., central coast, Monterey Co.; intro Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden 1954.

Ceanothus roderickii is a rare species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name Pine Hill ceanothus. It is endemic to western El Dorado County, California, where it grows in the chaparral and woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, such as the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve. It is named after 20th century California flora explorer, botanist, and arboretum director Wayne Roderick. This rare shrub is up to about 3 meters wide and flat, forming low brambles or mats. The grayish brown stems root at nodes as they grow horizontally along the ground. The tiny evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged. Each is only about a centimeter long, widely lance-shaped and smooth along the edges or sometimes toothed near the tip. The top surface is green and hairless and the underside is somewhat woolly. The inflorescence is a small cluster of white to pale blue flowers. The fruit is a capsule about half a centimeter long, sometimes bearing small horns on top. Habitat. Ceanothus roderickii is found almost exclusively on soils of gabbro origin in the Pine Hill Geological Formation. It is a federally listed endangered species. This endangered plant was first collected in 1956 near Shingle Springs. It is threatened by several factors, including suppression of the wildfire it requires for reproduction, off-road vehicles, road maintenance and construction, and development. There are ten to twenty remaining occurrences.

Ceanothus sonomensis, with the common name Sonoma ceanothus, is a rare species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. It is endemic to northern California. Ceanothus sonomensis is known only from the Hood Mountain Range. Most of its 10 or so occurrences are located in Sonoma County, and one remains in Napa County. Ceanothus sonomensis is a member of the chaparral plant community in the California montane chaparral and woodlands sub-ecoregion.

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.

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') 

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Garden selection. This species previously known as Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus. In the mainstream horticultural trade continues to use the older name for, which is Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis This unusual low growing Ceanothus hybrid will definitely appeal to those who are attracted to variegated foliage. A bright low-growing shrub with chartreuse leaves splashed with dark green. Foliage is brightest in warm weather and full sun, and will be greener in winter or if heavily shaded. Remove any stems with solid green leaves that periodically develop.This ceanothus is fast growing to 1' tall and 4' to 6' wide, with light blue flowers appearing in spring. We recommend placing in full sun on the coast and shade or part shade inland. It is an excellent choice for containers, along a shady border or spilling over a wall. Diamond Heights Ceanothus is suitable for planting in the dry shade beneath native oaks and combines well with Blue-eyed grass and Coffeeberry. Frost hardy to 2 degrees F, and drought tolerant once established.

This was a sport selected by Barry Lehrman in 1985 from a planting of Carmel Creeper (Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis), that was found in the Diamond Heights neighborhood on Mount Davidson, in the center of san Francisco Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Barry Lehrman in 1985 from the Mount Davidson area of san Francisco and named for the housing development where it was found.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected by Roger Raiche in 1986 from sonoma Co. coast; introduced in 1991.

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.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Louis Edmunds near point Arena in 1949.

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').

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 var. betuloides) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-8200 feet.

This Mountain Mahogany is similar to Cercocarpus betuloides, but the leaves are larger and it is more garden tolerant. A bush-tree that looks like a compact evergreen birch. Because of its narrow habit it is an excellent screen or large border shrub. These plants have survived hot and cold for nine years here with no water and no care.

Cercocarpus traskiae, known by the common names Santa Catalina Island mountain-mahogany and Catalina mahogany, is a rare species of plant in the rose family. It is endemic to Catalina Island, one of the southern Channel Islands in Los Angeles County, ]]California]]. It is known from just a single population. It was rare when it was first discovered in 1897 or 1898, when about 40 to 50 plants were counted. When it was federally listed as an endangered species in 1996 there were only six mature plants remaining. It has been called "one of the rarest shrubs in the continental United States" and "one of the rarest trees in North America. " in Wild Boar Gully, an arroyo covered in coastal sage scrub on Catalina. The steep sides of the arroyo contain soils of saussurite gabbro. Cercocarpus traskiae is a large shrub or tree that grows up to 8 meters in height. The leaves have thick, leathery oval blades with serrated edges and woolly-haired undersides. The leathery, woolly texture of the leaves distinguishes it from other Cercocarpus. The inflorescence is a cluster of up to 10 flowers which do not have petals. Plants do not always flower each year. While there are sometimes many seedlings noted, the seedling survival rate and rate of recruitment are quite low. As of 2007, there are only seven adult trees capable of reproduction, all located in Wild Boar Gully, and most of these are very old. The Catalina Island mountain mahogany is threatened by ungulates such as deer, and feral goats and pigs. The goats have been removed from the island, and fencing has been placed to prevent the remaining animals from touching the plants. This rare species hybridizes with its relative, Cercocarpus betuloides, a situation that may lead to genetic swamping of the rare plant. This hybridization may be made more likely by the animals' disturbance of the habitat. Many of the seedlings and saplings growing today may be hybrids. The population of pure Cercocarpus traskiae is not increasing and the species is entirely dependent on human intervention today.

Bladderpod (Cleomella arborea) is a very fast-growing densely-branching shrub with abundant bright-yellow flower clusters at the ends of its stem branches. It can grow to 1 ½ - to 6 ½ -feet tall and 6 feet wide. The fruit is a large, papery, lantern-like capsule that is smooth and green when new, aging to light brown. This is the “bladderpod” for which the plant is named. A typical flower cluster bears a number of unopened flower buds at its tip, open flowers, and  maturing fruits. The leaves are light green.  The flowers stay on the plant most of the year and are highly fragrant, though opinion is divided on whether the scent is pleasant or unpleasant.

Bladderpod is one of the easiest California natives to grow. This tough plant does well even on south-facing slopes, alkaline soils, and salty conditions. It tolerates weekly summer water but can also get by with only natural rainfall. It is easy to grow from seeds and readily self seeds; once you have a few mature plants in your garden, expect new seedlings to pop up each winter.

It is deer resistant and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It particularly attracts harlequin beetles which eat the leaves. If they become a problem, they can be removed by hand or sprayed off with a garden hose. It is usually not possible to eliminate them entirely.

Cneoridium is a monotypic genus in the Rutaceae (citrus family) which contains the single species Cneoridium dumosum, known by the common name Bushrue. This is an aromatic is shrub native to the coastal bluffs of southern California and Baja California. This highly-branched shrub may exceed a meter in height and sprawl about as wide. Its twigs are covered in small linear green leaves and flowers in clusters of one to three. Each flower is just over a centimeter wide with four or five rounded white petals and eight yellow-anthered white stamens. The bunching fruits are round reddish-green berries about half a centimeter wide covered in a thin peel which is gland-pitted like that of a common citrus fruit. Each berry contains one or two spherical seeds. May cause dermatitis in some people so use with caution. In the summer, the leaves of the plant turn an attractive golden color.

This is a tough and easy to grow plant. Amazingly drought tolerant but still tolerates occasional summer water better than most plants. It prefers full sun, and tolerates a wide variety of soil types. In the summer, its leaves turn an attractive golden color, and will green back up after the rainy season begins.

Comarostaphylis diversifolia is a rare shrub in the heath family known by the common name Summer Holly. It is slow growing in an upright form up to a height of 20 feet or more, with striking white flowers in the spring, an incredible summer display of holly-like red berries , and attractive gray bark. It is native to southern California and northern Baja California, where it grows in coastal chaparral habitat, usually on well drained slopes. Its bark is gray and shreddy and the tough, evergreen leaves are oval in shape and sometimes toothed. The flower cluster is a raceme of urn-shaped flowers very similar to those of the related shrubs, the manzanitas. The fruit is a bright red, juicy drupe with a bumpy skin. There are two subspecies. C. d. ssp. diversifolia - native to the coastal hills of southern California and Baja California, C. d. ssp. planifolia - native to the Channel Islands of California and the Transverse Ranges north of Los Angeles. Subspecies diversifolia tends to grow with Mission Manzanita, Scrub Oak and Toyon.

In nature, Summer Holly is most often found on shady dry slopes, near occasional creeks or runoffs. It grows slowly until it breaks through the lower canopy, and gets its leaves in the sun. In landscapes it does best in dry part shade, near irrigated spots or other slightly damp areas. It prefers heavier, richer soils that retain the little moisture it gets a little longer. Best to plant Summer Holly in the fall, so it can get established by summer. This plant is among the least tolerant to direct water in the summer. After the first year, direct water in the summer will usually kill it.

Cupressus arizonica, the Arizona Cypress, is a species of cypress native to the southwest of North America, in the United States in Arizona, southwest New Mexico, southern California, and the Chisos Mountains of west Texas, and in Mexico in Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and northern Baja California. In the wild, the species is often found in small, scattered populations, not necessarily in large forests. An example occurrence is within the Sierra Jurez and San Pedro Mrtir pine-oak forests of Mexico, where it is found along with Canyon Live Oak and California Fan Palm. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree with a conic to ovoid-conic crown. It grows to heights of 10-25 meter, and its trunk diameter reaches 0.5 meter. The foliage grows in dense sprays, varying from dull gray-green to bright waxy pale blue-green in color. The leaves are scale-like, 2-5 millimeter long, and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. The seed cones are globose to oblong, 15-33 millimeter long, with 6 or 8 (rarely 4 or 10) scales, green at first, maturing gray or gray-brown about 20-24 months after pollination. The cones remain closed for many years, only opening after the parent tree is killed in a wildfire, thereby allowing the seeds to colonize the bare ground exposed by the fire. The male cones are 3-5 millimeter long, and release pollen in February-March.

Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica) is a colorful, fast-growing shrub that is very easy to grow. A member of the Daisy family, its quick growth rate makes it a popular choice for new native and pollinator gardens. Gardeners sometimes choose to remove it after other plants become established. The large yellow flowers bloom from winter to spring and attract butterflies and bees. They are also attractive as cut flowers. After blooming, the seeds provide food for small, seed-eating birds.

Bush Sunflower grows best in full sun and tolerates different soil types. It is native to Southern California and is not cold-tolerant. It needs very little water and will normally go dormant in summer, although some supplemental irrigation can help keep it looking green. Cutting it back encourages healthy, compact new growth, and deadheading spent flowers can prolong the blooming season. As an aggressive spreader, it can crowd out other plants, but it is useful as a groundcover and on slopes.

Horticultural selection from Encelia californica. California sunflower is a very easy and reliable shrub that will provide endless color in the landscape and is also good for cut flowers in the house. The large daisy-like flowers are a solid yellow with chocolate brown centers and are reminiscent of Black-eyed susans The 'El Dorado' selection of this species has larger, more golden yellow flowers and blooms earlier in the season. The leaves are large and medium green. This is a fast growing 4' by 4' perennial that is very versatile. Use it on banks for erosion control, or mixed with other natives for a colorful native perennial bed or mixed flower border. Cut the spent flowers for longer blooming and shaping. Blooms appear prolifically in spring but will also appear whenever there is some supplemental water and moderate temperatures. The flowers are a great favorite with butterflies, bees and other insects and the seed heads provide food for birds if the flowers are left to produce seed. Easy and tolerant of many garden conditions. Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) is a fragrant, flowering shrub native to desert habitats. It features soft gray-white leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers that attract butterflies, while birds eat its seeds. Its common name, Incienso, comes from its aromatic, resinous sap, traditionally used as incense in Mexico.

This shrub thrives in dry conditions and is well-suited for slopes, hillsides, and desert gardens. It is partially drought-deciduous in summer but will keep its leaves with occasional watering.

The delicate gray-green foliage and scarlet flowers of Hollywood Flame California fuchsia (Epilobium canum 'Hollywood Flame') make this an attractive garden plant. Like the straight California fuchsia from which it was cultivated, as well as the many other cultivars of this species, its profuse blooms in late summer create a hummingbird magnet.

It now grows wild in the Hollywood Hills after which it is said to be named.

Eriodictyon trichocalyx is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) family known by the common name I is native to southern California and Baja California where it grows in several habitat types, including chaparral and grassland There are two recognized varieties with different ranges - var. lanatum is restricted to the Peninsular Range of San Diego County. Var. trichocalyx is restricted to the Transverse Range. It is a shrub growing erect up to about 2 meters tall, with lance-shaped to oval leaves up to 14 centimeters long. They are hairless and resinous to densely woolly. The inflorescence is a cluster of white to light purple bell-shaped flowers. A closely related species is Thick-leaf Yerba Santa (E. crassifolium) which is somewhat more common in chaparral. All members of this genus are valuable nectar plants for butterflies.yerba san. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in several habitat types, including chaparral and grassland. It is a shrub growing erect up to about 2 meters tall, with lance-shaped to oval leaves up to 14 centimeters long. The flowers of E. t. var. lanatum are white to light purple.

Eriogonum arborescens is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name Santa Cruz Island buckwheat. This shrub is endemic to the Channel Islands of California.

The stems bear narrow, fuzzy green leaves at the ends of the branches. The bush erects clusters of densely clustered, frilly flowers. Each flower is tiny, very light pink in color, with nine protruding stamens. The flowers turn brown as they age. The bark is red and ribbony.

This is an uncommon plant in its native range on a few of the Channel Islands. It has also been planted as highway landscaping and in gardens on mainland California, where the shrub is not native.

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat is easy to grow. Plant on dry, well drained shallow slopes or flats, and surround with plenty of mulch or rocks. It's extremely drought tolerant, and after the first two years should need no supplemental summer water. Even when drought-stressed in the summer, the plant looks beautiful, turning a beautiful silvery green color as the soil dries out.

California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is a shrub with a variable appearance, forming a patchy, compact bramble or a spreading bush. The leaves are leathery, woolly on the undersides, and rolled under along the edges. Profuse clusters of pink to white and cream-colored flowers appear as early as March and dry to a pretty red rust color.

California buckwheats are tough and easy to grow, even in very dry conditions. They prefer a well draining sunny site. Once established, no water is needed but the plant can tolerate occasional summer water. As the soil dries, it sheds its dried flowers and a significant portion of its small blade-like leaves, creating natural mulch. Low growing forms make a good spreading ground cover, and taller varieties can even be shaped into hedges.

California Buckwheat is a keystone species for sagebrush scrub ecosystems, and a great choice for wildlife and butterfly gardens. It is attractive to honey bees and a good source of nectar over many months in drier areas.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Eriogonum fasciculatum from Dana Point in Orange County. This horticultural selection blooms pretty white flowers during the summer, and has an attractive tight mounding form. The flowers are important sources of food for butterflies and birds.

Horticultural selection E. fasciculatum: origin = cuttings (1983) Dana Point headlands, south coast, Orange Co.; intro Tree of Life Nursery 1985. Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selection of foothill and desert species of southern California. Introduced by the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley.

Warriner Lytle Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Warriner Lytle', is a low horticultural selection of the perennial soft woody shrub species Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat). This tough and drought tolerant native cultivar combines the hardiness and habitat value of the species, with the garden versatility of its selected low-growing form. This dependable groundcover plant is adaptable and easy to grow.

Warriner Lytle Buckwheat can reach 1-2' high but is often more prostrate. Its arching branches can spread 4'-5' wide. Fine dark-green, needle-like green leaves are topped in the summer by globe shaped clusters of pinkish-white to cream flowers, that then age to a rusty red-brown in late summer or autumn. It adds floral color to the summer native garden, and is a major draw in butterfly, pollinator, and bird habitat gardens. This low buckwheat makes a good ground cover, or an accent plant beside patios and pathways for enjoying the blooms and many butterflies they attract. With its dense foliage coverage and deep roots this ground cover is good for erosion control, slope stabilization, suppressing weed germination, and dry hot slopes.

California Buckwheats are a favorite nectar source for many butterfly species, native leaf cutter bees, and honey bees. As the summer progresses into autumn the birds will flock to feed on the seeds. Warriner Lytle Buckwheat will tolerate almost any soil type, including clay when planted on slopes or raised mounds, and take summer's high heat. Once established it needs very little water, one can provide occasional deep watering or none. Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Warriner Lytle' was selected and introduced for gardens by the Theodore Payne Foundation in Los Angeles, who named it for one of their dedicated volunteers.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Leafy California Buckwheat, (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum), is one of the four recognized varieties of this widespread species, and the one most often seen in populated areas of southern California. However, it is fairly common throughout central and southern California along the coast and on western side of the peninsular range, where it grows on dry slopes, washes and canyons, at elevations from sea level to 5,200 feet.

This plant is tough and easy to grow, even in very dry conditions. Plant in a well draining sunny site. It shouldn't need supplemental water after established, but it will tolerate occasional summer water better than most extremely drought tolerant California natives. Form is is variable, ranging from more often open and upright in the foothills, to often dense and mounding closer to the coast. As the plant ages, it often develops a beautiful ropy red, brown and gray ropy woody trunk and interesting twisting structure. Produces profuse pink to white and cream-colored flowers as early as March that dry to a pretty red rust color as the soil dries. It sheds its dried flowers and significant portion of its small blade-like leaves each dry season, and is an important plant for creating natural mulch. California Buckwheats are a keystone species for sagebrush scrub ecosystems, and a great choice for wildlife and butterfly gardens.

For further detail please refer to the listing for the main species, Eriogonum fasciculatum.

California Buckwheat has several recognized varieties that are found in different ecoregions. This variety (var. polifolium) is a smaller and grayer buckwheat, commonly found in the Sonora and Mojave deserts, although its ranges covers the southern California foothills as well. It grows in southern and central California, as well as outside of the state, on dry slopes and washes and canyons, at elevations from 200-7500 feet. It is both more heat tolerant and more cold tolerant.

This is a great plant for natural landscapes especially in the foothills and deserts in its wide natural range. The gray foliage of Interior Buckwheat is striking mixed in with green of Coastal California Buckwheat,and is great plant for attracting birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Plant in full sun in a well draining site, and avoid direct summer water once established. Very tough and easy to grow, but tends to grow more slowly than the coastal variety.

Horticultural selection from Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium.

St. Catherine's lace (Eriogonum giganteum) is large and showy buckwheat endemic to the Channel Islands of California. It flowers densely, in carpets of clustered tiny pinkish white flowers. Young flower heads are white and lacy, gradually turning to warm, reddish brown over the summer. This plant is fast-growing and variable in size, from 2 feet tall and wide to a sprawling or rounded bush over 9 feet high and wide. One variety, the Santa Barbara Island buckwheat, is particularly rare so should not be planted next to wildlands, especially in areas where it can hybridize with natural populations of cross-compatible species of Eriogonum.

In the garden, the plant likes fast-draining, preferably rocky, soil and regular water until it is established. It is clay tolerant when drainage is fast. It grows in full sun and adapts to high inland temperatures but does not do well in frost. Cut back after bloom.

The UC Davis Arboretum named this wildlife-friendly plant one of its "All-Stars" for use in California landscapes. It supports honey bees, native bees, birds and small mammals and hosts a likely total of 12 species of butterfly and moths.

Coast Buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium) is a shrub-like perennial in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It has oval, wooly white-green leaves with small, pink and white flowers in round clusters at the ends of long, wooly stems. The flowers fade to an attractive copper color in the fall.

Also known as Seaside Buckwheat, it naturally grows on coastal bluffs and slopes, where it receives full sun and all of its water from fog and rainfall.

In the garden, plant Coast Buckwheat on rocky slopes, in crevices, or sunny rock walls. When planted in its natural range, it will not need additional summer water after its first year. Provide part shade and some supplemental water when planted away from the immediate coast.

Coast Buckwheat supports many pollinators, and is an important food source for butterflies and moths. Allowing the flower stalks to remain through winter provides seeds for hungry birds.

Cascading mounds of pale pink and white flowers make sea cliff buckwheat (Erigonum parvifolium) an attractive feature of a native hillside or pollinator garden. Found on coastal cliffs in Southern and Central California, sea cliff buckwheat is also a useful selection for the home garden. It is sometimes called dune or coast buckwheat.

Sea cliff buckwheat grows in mounds up to 3 ft in width and height. This plant provides good coverage and erosion control for sloped landscapes. Alone or planted in clusters, it's also at home in rock gardens, containers, borders, and as a lawn replacement.

The small evergreen leaves are dark green, accented with a reddish tint. During the long flowering season, the blooms change from a delicate pinkish-white to a rusty brown. The blooms are an important food source for many native butterflies and moths, including endangered species such as the El Segundo Blue butterfly. 

Sea cliff buckwheat grows in full sun at the coast, but can benefit from some shade in hot inland areas. Water needs are low. Once a month watering is sufficient after the plant is established. Prune back in early spring, before flower buds appear. Deadheading is not recommended because the spent flowers provide seeds for birds and extra shade for the plants in hot weather.

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The berries attract a variety of birds. 

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

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

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

Western California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis) grows in northern California and southwest Oregon, on serpentine soils. Fruit with three seeds; twigs brown; leaves with inconspicuous veins. In favorable conditions the plant can develop into a small tree over 6 meters tall. More commonly it is a shrub between 1 and 2 meters tall. The branches may have a reddish tinge and the new twigs are often red in color. The alternately arranged evergreen leaves are dark green above and paler on the undersides. The leaves have thin blades in moist habitat, and smaller, thicker blades in dry areas. The small greenish flowers occur in clusters in the leaf axils. The fruit is a juicy drupe which may be green, red, or black. It is just under a centimeter long and contains two seeds that resemble coffee beans. This subspecies of Frangula californica has fruit with three seeds; twigs brown; leaves with inconspicuous veins. It can live an estimated 100 to 200 years.The plant reproduces sexually by seed and vegetatively by sprouting. After wildfire or cutting, the plant generally resprouts from its root crown. Reproduction via seed is most common in mature stands of the plant. It produces seeds by 2 or 3 years of age. Seeds are mature in the fall. Seed dispersal is often performed by birds, which are attracted to the fruit; some plants are so stripped of fruit by birds that hardly any seeds fall below the parent plant. This long-lived plant is persistent and becomes a dominant species in many habitat types, such as coastal woods. In the absence of wildfire, the shrub can grow large, with a wide spread that can shade out other flora. When fire occurs, the plant can be very damaged but it readily resprouts from the surviving root crown, which is covered in buds for the purpose. It reaches its pre-burn size relatively quickly.Parts of the plant, including the foliage and fruit, are food for wild animals such as mule deer, black bears, and many birds, as well as livestock

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

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

Red Buckthorn (Frangula rubra) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California It is native to the mountains and plateau areas of northern and eastern California and western Nevada, including the Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains, where it grows in many habitat types, including forests, chaparral, and sagebrush.It is a spreading shrub approaching two meters in maximum height, its bark red or gray. The thin, deciduous leaves are generally oval in shape, green to grayish in color, and up to 8 centimeters long. The edges are smooth or faintly toothed. The inflorescence is an umbel of up to 15 flowers with five pointed sepals opening into a starlike shape and five smaller, greenish petals. The fruit is a drupe which ripens to black. It measures just over a centimeter long and contains 2 seeds.