Red Buckthorn (Frangula rubra ssp. rubra) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California.

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

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

Fraxinus velutina (Velvet Ash or Arizona Ash or Modesto Ash) is a species of Fraxinus native to southwestern North America, in the United States from southern California east to Texas, and in Mexico from northern Baja California east to Coahuila and Nuevo Len. It is a small deciduous tree growing to 10 meter tall, with a trunk up to 30 centimeter diameter. The bark is rough gray-brown and fissured, and the shoots are velvety-downy. The leaves are 10-25 centimeter long, pinnately compound with five or seven (occasionally three) leaflets 4 centimeter or more long, with an entire or finely serrated margin. The flowers are produced in small clusters in early spring; it is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees. The fruit is a samara 1.5-3 centimeter long, with an apical wing 4-8 millimeter broad.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) is a handsome coniferous tree that's native to California's central coast. Although it's often planted as an ornamental landscape tree in California and elsewhere, just two small populations of Monterey Cypress trees remain in the wild. These remaining trees are very old and grow in protected areas.

Monterey Cypress can grow up to 82 ft in height, making it one of the tallest cypress trees. Young trees have an upright growth habit, while mature trees have a broad sculptural appearance. The trees in the remaining coastal stands are known for their distinctive windswept look. Monterey Cypress has fragrant, dark green needles and textured bark. A single tree produces male and female cones.

Because it can grow quite large, Monterey Cypress needs a large planting area. It does best in cool, moist coastal areas but can grow further inland with additional water. It can tolerate acidic, nutrient-poor soil as long as it's well-draining.

One of the few native plants that the California Invasive Plant Council has determined is invasive in regions outside its natural range. It has invaded coastal prairie, desert scrub, and riparian areas.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

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

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

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

Cream Bush (also called Ocean Spray) is famous for its cascading clusters of fragrant, creamy white flowers. These lovely blooms attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. After blooming, the seeds provide food for birds, and the plant itself provides shelter for birds and small animals.

Cream Bush is an attractive deciduous shrub, commonly found in forest and woodland environments. In the garden, it does well in shade or part shade and adapts to a variety of soil types. Water needs are moderate, and it can enjoy supplemental irrigation in drier areas.

Iva hayesiana is a rare species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names San Diego marsh-elder and San Diego povertyweed. It is native to Baja California, and to California only in the vicinity of San Diego. This is a shrubby perennial herb approaching maximum heights near one meter. Its green oval-shaped leaves are fleshy, hairy, aromatic, and 3 to 6 centimeters long. The flowers are nearly invisible; male flowers have translucent corollas and simple yellow stamens and female flowers, if they occur, lacking corollas altogether. This is a plant of mineral-rich waterways such as intermittent streams and alkali flats.

Iva hayesiana is a fast spreading, aromatic evergreen plant that is a great choice for ground cover or bank stabilization. In nature, it's usually found in wetland flats or moister areas, but it's still fairly drought tolerant, and very tolerant to garden conditions. If used for bank stabilization on dry slopes, it needs occasional water, but in flats and sites that retain slightly more moisture, it needs no supplementary irrigation. Plant in sun or part shade.

Southern California black walnut (Juglans californica) is a deciduous tree or shrub-like tree with multiple trunks. It has large, divided leaves and thick bark that is deeply furrowed when the tree is mature. This tree is now endangered in large parts of the southern portion of its natural range, due to development. 

The nuts are edible but hard to remove from the shell so these trees are not planted for agricultural use.  However, birds eat the nuts and like to nest in the branches.  

This hardy tree tolerates heat, smog, and drought and is great on slopes.  It does best in moist areas and can handle garden watering.  Toxins in walnut seeds will typically prevent other plants from growing under the tree, so don't try to put understory plants too close.

Juniperus californica (California Juniper) is a species in the Cupressaceae (Cypress) family native to southwestern North America; as the name implies, it is mainly found in California, but also extends through most of Baja California, and a short distance into southern Nevada and western Arizona. It grows at moderate altitudes of 750-1,600 meter. It is a shrub or small tree reaching 3-8 meter (rarely to 10 meter) tall. It is much branched from the base. The shoots are fairly thick compared to most junipers, 1.5-2 millimeter diameter. The leaves are arranged in opposite decussate pairs or whorls of three; the adult leaves are scale-like, 1-2 millimeter long (to 5 millimeter on lead shoots) and 1-1.5 millimeter broad. The juvenile leaves (on young seedlings only) are needle-like, 5-10 millimeter long. The cones are berry-like, 7-13 millimeter in diameter, blue-brown with a whitish waxy bloom, and contain a single seed (rarely two or three); they are mature in about 8-9 months. The male cones are 2-4 millimeter long, and shed their pollen in early spring. It is largely dioecious producing cones of only one sex, but around 2% of plants are monoecious, with both sexes on the same plant. The bark is typically thin and appears to be "shredded." In the garden this plant is tolerant of many soils and requires minimal water once established. It becomes wider than tall so give it plenty of room.

Juniperus communis, Dwarf or Common Juniper, is a species in the genus Juniperus, in the family Cupressaceae. It has the largest range of any woody plant, throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere from the Arctic south in mountains to around 30N latitude in North America, Europe and Asia. It is found in the understory of forests and woodlands, and also beyond the northern limit of trees. In California it is found in the Sierras and in Del Norte and Siskyou Counties. It is a shrub or small tree, highly variable and usually a low spreading shrub, but occasionally reaching 10 meter tall. Common Juniper has needle-like leaves in whorls of three; the leaves are green, with a single white band on the inner surface. It is dioecious, with male and female cones on separate plants, which are wind pollinated. The seed cones are berry-like, green ripening in 18 months to purple-black with a blue waxy coating; they are spherical, 4-12 millimeter diameter, and usually have three (occasionally six) fused scales, each scale with a single seed. The seeds are dispersed when birds eat the cones, digesting the fleshy scales and passing the hard seeds in their droppings. The male cones are yellow, 2-3 millimeter long, and fall soon after shedding their pollen in March-April.

Dwarf Juniper makes an attractive accent in woodland gardens. Although it is native to higher elevations, it appears to accept lower elevation as long as adequate water is provided.

Giant coreopsis is a woody perennial plant native to California and Baja California. Its stem is actually a tall, thick trunk, occasionally branching. Bright green leaves and flowers adorn the top of the trunk; the rest of the trunk is bare. The flowers are daisy-like and yellow,, attracting birds, butterflies, moths and other pollinators. Giant coreopsis is summer deciduous, leaving a bare trunk in summer. Its unusual form and generous flowering nature make this plant a welcome addition to gardens near the coast.

Giant Coreopsis is quite drought-adapted. Though not native to San Diego County, it is distributed on the South California central coast, north and central Southern California coast, the California Channel Islands, and further south on Guadalupe Island, Mexico. It's becoming more common due to its use in revegetation projects.

Southern Honeysuckle is a species in the Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) family that is endemic to California, where it is known from several areas in mountain and coastal habitats, particularly chaparral. It is a vining shrub that usually climbs on other plants for support. It may exceed two meters in length. It is lined with oval leaves up to 4 centimeters long. The flower cluster is a long, fuzzy spike of light yellow flowers each about a centimeter long. The flower has an upper and lower lip with hairy stamens and style protruding. The fruit is a round red or yellow berry just under a centimeter wide. There are two recognized varieties, var. subspicata and var. denudata. There are subtle differences between the two varieties, and they have overlapping ranges (see separate listings). Var. denudata is the more widespread variety.

Lycium brevipes is a species of flowering plant in the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family known by the common name Baja Desert-thorn. It is native to northwestern Mexico and it occurs in California as far as the Sonoran Desert as well as near the coast and on some of the Channel Islands. It grows in the scrub of desert and coastline. It is also used as a southwestern landscaping plant. This is a bushy, spreading shrub approaching a maximum height of 4 meters but usually less, with many long, thorny, tangled branches. The branches are lined with small, fleshy green leaves up to 1.5 centimeters long and coated with minute hairs. The small cluster consists of tubular flowers roughly 1 to 2 centimeters long including the calyx of sepals at the base. The lavender to nearly white corolla is tiny, funnel-shaped and has 2 to 6 lobes at the mouth. The five stamens and one style protrude from the flower. The fruit is a bright red spherical berry about a centimeter wide containing many seeds. The berries attract birds.

Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus) is a native tree that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the Channel Islands region. It tends to grow in rocky slopes, at elevations from 100-1600 feet. Lyonothamnus is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, where it grows in the chaparral and oak woodlands of the rocky coastal canyons.

This is a tree growing up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall with peeling reddish gray or brown bark. The evergreen leaves are shiny, dark green with lighter undersides, and borne on short petioles. The two subspecies have leaves of different leaf shapes. Ssp. asplenifolius (Santa Cruz Island Ironwood) has incised, fern-like leaves and is the more commonly available in horticultural form. Ssp. floribundus (Catalina Island Ironwood) has smooth, undivided leaves and is seldom seen in gardens. The inflorescence of both is a cluster of woolly white flowers with many short, whiskery stamens. The fruit is a pair of hard follicles.

Santa Cruz Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius) is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to the Channel Islands, growing on rocky slopes in chaparral and oak woodlands at elevations from 100-1600 feet. It is known for its attractive, peeling reddish-gray bark and shiny, dark green leaves with lighter undersides. The leaves of this subspecies are fern-like, incised, and distinctive compared to the smooth, undivided leaves of the Catalina Island ironwood (L.f. ssp. floribundus), which is rarely seen in horticulture.

In summer, this tree produces clusters of woolly white flowers, which turn orange-rust as they age, providing year-round visual interest. Santa Cruz Island ironwood is commonly found in native plant nurseries and is often used as a specimen or feature tree in gardens.

The tree's wildlife value is significant, as it attracts a range of pollinators with its showy flowers. Birds are also known to be attracted to the hard, follicle-shaped fruits. This ironwood is well-suited for Mediterranean-style landscapes, providing shelter and food for various species.

Chaparral Mallow is an attractive evergreen shrub with pale pink flowers that grow on branching, elongated clusters. In full bloom, one plant can have thousands of flowers. It is attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other small birds.

This plant has a fast growth rate and can reach up to 16 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It is a good choice for bank stabilization and erosion control in larger spaces. In smaller gardens, pruning can help keep it under control.

Tolerates almost any soil type. A selection introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) is a large, rounded evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to 20 feet tall and as wide. In bloom, it is intensely aromatic. The lance-shaped leaves have reddish veins and stems. Plumes of small white flowers bloom at the tips of twigs in late spring and early summer. They resemble lilac blossoms. After flowering the tree bears whitish single-seeded fruit. This shrub is named "laurel" because the foliage is reminiscent of bay laurel but it is not in that plant family. It is a key plant in coastal sage scrub and chaparral, and the berries are appreciated by songbirds, especially warblers.

Laurel sumac grows in full sun and is very drought adapted once established, but is not cold tolerant and is not found in areas where freezing temperatures are normal. It is adaptable to many types of soil but prefers well drained soil, either sandy or rocky.

California wax myrtle (Morella californica) is a moderately fast growing and long-lived shrub or tree.It grows in an upright form, with active growth during the spring and summer. The shiny dark-green leaves remain on the plant throughout the year, making it an attractive garden planting. The flowers are yellow and bloom in the early summer.

This plant does well in coastal gardens and also inland if given slightly more moisture and afternoon shade.  In general, California wax myrtle is a low water plant and should be watered a maximum of once a week in summer  once established. It tolerates a variety of soils and may be sheared to form a hedge or to create a more formal appearance.

This native bunchgrass, Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is a popular plant choice for groundcover and lawn replacement applications. It's an attractive, low-water grass that's very easy to grow. Deergrass does best in sandy soil and full sun, but it is versatile enough to tolerate shade and a variety of soil types.

The leaf blades are pale green, and in spring the plant produces tall spikes of yellow flowers. The seeds provide food for birds in summer. Plant this large mounding grass in groups for an impressive display.

The Knobcone Pine (Pinus attenuata) is a tree that grows in mild climates on poor soils. It ranges from the mountains of southern Oregon to Baja California with the greatest concentration in northern California and the Oregon-California border. This pine reaches heights of 8-24 m; however, it can be a shrub on especially poor sites. It prefers dry rocky mountain soils. The crown is usually conical with a straight trunk. The bark is smooth, flaky and gray-brown when young, becoming dark gray-red-brown and shallowly furrowed into flat scaly ridges. The twigs are red-brown and often resinous.

Pinus contorta is a common tree in western North America with the bulk of its population to the north and east of California. Within California it is found primarily in the Sierras, with scattered populations in other mountains. There are three recognized subspecies which can vary greatly in appearance. In the Sierras ssp. Murrayana can be very tall with a straight trunk, consistent with the common name Lodgepole Pine. It is found at elevations from 1,500 ft. to 12,000 ft. Near the coast ssp. contorta can be shrub height with twisted trunk and branches and known as Beach Pine. It is found from sea level to about 2,000 ft. Ssp. bolanderi is a rare species from the coast of Mendocino County northward to Oregon.

Pinus contorta is a moderately important timber wood but not often used in landscaping. The needles are held in bundles of two. The cones of may be of either the closed or open type and remain on the tree for many years. The bark is relatively thin and susceptible to fire.

Shore Pine (Pinus contorta ssp. contorta) is a native tree that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast region. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-11500 feet.

The Coulter Pine or Big-cone Pine (Pinus coulteri) is a native of the coastal mountains of southern California (United States) and northern Baja California (Mexico). Isolated groves are found as far north as the San Francisco Bay Area in Mt. Diablo State Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. The species is named after Thomas Coulter, an Irish botanist and physician. The size ranges from 10-24 meter (30-80 feet) tall, and a trunk diameter up to 1 meter (3 feet). The trunk is vertical and branches horizontal to upcurved. The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, waxy pale gray-green, 15-30 centimeter (6-12 inches) long and stout, 2 millimeter (0.01 inch) thick. The outstanding characteristic of this tree is the large, spiny cones which are 20-40 centimeter (8-16 inches) long, and weigh 2-5 kg (4-10 lbs) when fresh. Coulter Pines produce the largest cones of any pine tree species (people are actually advised to wear hardhats when working in Coulter Pine groves), although the slender cones of the sugar pine are longer. The large size of the cones has earned them the nickname "widowmakers" among locals. The wood is weak and soft, so that the species is little used other than for firewood. It is also occasionally planted as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens.

The Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis; family Pinaceae) is a species of pine tree that occurs in the mountains of the Western United States and Canada, specifically the subalpine areas of the Rocky Mountains from southwest Alberta south to the Mexican border; the Great Basin mountains of Nevada and Utah; and the White Mountains, the east slope of the Sierra Nevada and the San Bernardino Mountains in California with a small disjunct population in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is typically a high-elevation pine, often marking the tree line either on its own, or with Whitebark Pine, either of the bristlecone pines, or Lodgepole Pine. In favourable conditions, it makes a tree to 20 meter, rarely 25 meter tall, but on exposed tree line sites only 5-10 meter tall. It is also called Rocky Mountain White Pine. Limber Pine is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. This distinguishes it from the Lodgepole Pine, with two needles per fascicle, and the bristlecone pines, which share five needles per fascicle but have a semi-persistent sheath.

Pinus lambertiana (commonly known as the sugar pine or sugar cone pine) is the tallest and most massive pine tree, and has the longest cones of any conifer. It is native to the mountains of the Pacific coast of North America, from Oregon through California to Baja California. The sugar pine occurs in the mountains of Oregon and California in the western United States, and Baja California in northwestern Mexico; specifically the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges, and Sierra San Pedro Martir. The sugar pine is the largest species of pine, commonly growing to 40-60 meters (130-200 ft) tall, exceptionally up to 82 m (269 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1. 5-2. 5 m (4. 9-8. 2 ft), exceptionally 3. 5 m (11 ft). Pinus lambertiana is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in bundles (fascicles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 6-11 cm (2. 4-4. 3 in)ch) long. Sugar pine is notable for having the longest cones of any conifer, mostly 25-50 cm (9. 8-19. 7 in) long, exceptionally up to 66 cm (26 in) long (although the cones of the Coulter pine are more massive). The seeds are 10-12 mm (0. 39-0. 47 in) long, with a 2-3 cm (0. 79-1. 18 in) long wing that aids wind dispersal. The seeds of the sugar pine are also a type of pine nut and are edible.

The Single-leaf Pinyon (Pinus monophylla) is a pine in the pinyon pine group, native to the United States and northwest Baja, Mexico. Within California it is found in the Sierras, the Transverse Range, and Peninsular Range. It occurs at moderate altitudes from 1200-2300 meter, rarely as low as 950 meter and as high as 2900 meter, in the most arid areas occupied by any pine in California. It is widespread and often abundant in this region, forming extensive open woodlands, often mixed with junipers. It is a small to medium size tree, reaching 10-20 meter tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 80 centimeter, rarely more. However, it is very slow growing, reaching only 3 ft. in seven years.The bark is irregularly furrowed and scaly. It is the world's only 1-needled pine; the leaves ('needles') are usually single (though trees with needles in pairs are found occasionally), stout, 4-6 centimeter long, and grey-green to strongly waxy pale blue-green, with stomata over the whole needle surface (and on both inner and outer surfaces of paired needles). The cones are acute-globose, the largest of the true pinyons, 4.5-8 centimeter long and broad when closed, green at first, ripening yellow-buff when 18-20 months old, with only a small number of very thick scales, typically 8-20 fertile scales. The cones open to 6-9 centimeter broad when mature, holding the seeds on the scales after opening. The seeds are 11-16 millimeter long, with a thin shell, a white endosperm, and a vestigial 1-2 millimeter wing; they are dispersed by the Pinyon Jay, which plucks the seeds out of the open cones. The jay, which uses the seeds as a food resource, stores many of the seeds for later use by burying them. Some of these stored seeds are not used and are able to grow into new trees. Indeed, Pinyon seeds will rarely germinate in the wild unless they are cached by jays or other animals. The seeds (pine nuts) are also harvested and eaten by people.

Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) is a coniferous evergreen tree with upward-pointing branches and a rounded top. It can to 50 to 100 ft in height in the wild but up to 200 ft in cultivation in optimum conditions. The leaves ('needles') are bright green, in clusters of three (two in var. binata), slender, up to 3 inches long and having a blunt tip.

The cones are 3 to 6.5 inches long, brown, ovoid (egg-shaped), and usually set asymmetrically on a branch, attached at an oblique angle. The bark is fissured and dark grey to brown.

This pine is adapted to cope with stand-killing fire disturbance. Its cones are serotinous, that is, they remain closed until opened by the heat of a forest fire. The abundant seeds are then discharged to regenerate on the burned forest floor. Cones may also burst open in hot weather.

It is native to three very limited areas located in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties in California, and also to Guadalupe and Cedros Islands in Mexico. Although Monterey Pine is extensively cultivated around the world for lumber, the version of the tree used in the lumber industry is vastly different from the native tree. In its natural state, Monterey Pine is a rare and endangered tree; it is twisted, knotty and full of sap/resin and not suitable for lumber.

In its native range, Monterey Pine is associated with a characteristic flora and fauna. It is the co-dominant canopy tree, together with Cupressus macrocarpa which naturally occurs only in coastal Monterey County.

One of the pine forests in Monterey was the discovery site for Hickman's potentilla (Potentilla hickmanii), an endangered species. Yadon's Rein-orchid (Piperia yadonii), a rare species of orchid, is endemic to the same pine forest adjacent to Pebble Beach. In its native range, Monterey Pine is a principal host for the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium littorum. A remnant Monterey Pine stand in Pacific Grove is a prime wintering habitat of the Monarch butterfly.

Grow this plant only along the coast well within the coastal fog bank. In inland areas, it will grow fast if given water but typically dies after around five years. One of the few native plants that the California Invasive Plant Council has determined is invasive in regions outside its natural range. it has invaded coastal scrub, prairie, and chaparral.

Foothill Pine (Pinus sabiniana), also known as gray or ghost pine, is a slow-growing and moderately long-lived tree native to California. It grows at elevations up to 4,500 feet and has distinct, long, drooping, silvery-green foliage. The yellow flowers bloom in early spring, and the tree bears sweet edible seeds. This pine is quite resilient, thriving in areas with poor soils and dry conditions.

Foothill Pine grows in an upright form to a height of up to 80 feet, but with regular irrigation, it can reach 40-60 feet in landscaping applications. Its feathery, lacey canopy allows plenty of light to filter through, making it an excellent choice for planting understory plants beneath it without much interference. This tree is perfect for dry, challenging areas and provides a soft, dappled shade.

The Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) is the rarest pine in the U.S., found only along San Diego's coast and on two Channel Islands. This endangered tree grows 26–56 feet tall with long, gray-green needles in clusters of five and large, edible pine nuts in stout cones. It thrives in dry, sandy soils and coastal fog, often developing twisted, sculptural forms from wind exposure.

The pine nuts are a valuable food source for birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. Its dense canopy also provides nesting and shelter for birds.

Historically limited to about 100 trees in the early 20th century, conservation efforts have helped the wild population recover to around 3,000. Torrey pines are now planted in drought-tolerant landscapes and protected by local ordinances near their native range. In gardens with richer soil and more water, they can grow over 100 feet tall.

Populus tremuloides is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America. The species is referred to as Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen, and Quakies, names deriving from its leaves which flutter in even a slight breeze. The tree can become tall, up to 25 meters, but is more often half that height, with smooth pale bark scarred with black. The glossy green leaves, dull beneath, become golden to yellow, rarely red, in Autumn. The species rarely flowers, often propagating through its roots to form large clonal groves. The quaking or trembling of the leaves is due to its flattened petioles. The specific epithet, tremuloides, is given for this trembling characteristic. Other species of Populus have petioles flattened partially along their length, while the Quaking Aspen's are flattened from side to side along the entire length of the petiole. This quaking of the leaves produces a soft sound that many consider a hallmark of the Quaking Aspen. It can be found in many parts of North America. In California it is most common in the Sierras and other high elevation mountains. Nurseries usually sell only male plants because female plants can produce large amounts of cottony seeds. Unless you have acreage, use caution in planting this tree because it will send out suckers long distances to quickly form a dense grove that will fill in any moist area. There are usually few understory plants in Quaking Aspen groves.

Prosopis 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.

Oregon cherry or Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) is a species of Prunus native to western North America, from British Columbia south to California, and east to western Wyoming and Arizona. It is often found in recently disturbed areas, open woods, on nutrient-rich soil. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 1-15 meter tall with a slender oval trunk with smooth gray to reddish-brown bark with horizontal lenticels. The leaves are 2-8 centimeter long, thin, oval-shaped, and yellowish-green with unevenly-sized teeth on either side. The flowers are small, 10-15 millimeter diameter, with five white petals and numerous hairlike stamens; they are almond-scented, and produced in clusters in spring, and are pollinated by insects. The fruit is a juicy red or purple cherry 7-14 millimeter diameter, which, as the plant's English name suggests, are bitter. As well as reproducing by seed, it also sends out underground stems which then sprout above the surface to create a thicket.

Prunus fasciculata (syn. Emplectocladus fasciculata (Torr.); Desert almond) is a perennial deciduous shrub native to the deserts of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. It prefers sandy or rocky soil on dry slopes and washes up to 2200 meter. of altitude. It grows up to two meters high, exceptionally larger, with divaricately branching, spinescent, lightly thorned branches, often in thickets. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are 5-10 millimeter long, spatulate, oblance-shaped, linear, arranged on very short petioles in fascicles, or bundles. The flowers are small and white with 3 millimeter; petals, occurring either solitary or in fascicles and are subsessile growing from the leaf axils. They are dioecious. Male flowers have 10-15 stamens; female, one or more pistils. The plant displays numerous fragrant flowers from March to May, which attract the bees that pollinate it. The drupe is about 1 centimeter long, ovoid, light brown and hairy with thin flesh.

Hollyleaf cherry or Evergreen cherry is a species in the Rosaceae (Rose) family that is native to coastal California and northern Baja California. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 15 meters tall, with dense, sclerophyllous foliage. The leaves are 1.6-12 centimeter long with a 4-25 millimeter petiole and spiny margins, somewhat resembling those of the holly, hence its English name; they are dark green when mature and generally shiny on top, and have a smell resembling almonds when crushed. The flowers are small (1-5 millimeters), white, produced on racemes in the spring. The fruit is a cherry 12-25 millimeter diameter, edible and sweet, but contains little flesh surrounding the smooth seed. Great for birds.

There are two recognized subspecies; ssp. lyonii (commonly known as Catalina Island Cherry) is native to the Channel Islands. It was formerly considered a separte species, and it is very similar in appearance and genetics to other P. ilicifolia. They hybridize readily, and many plants sold in nurseries may be unintentional hybrids.

Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia) is a native evergreen tree or shrub in the Rose family that grows in the coastal and inland valleys strip of northern, central, and southern California. It tends to grow on slopes or in valleys, at elevations from 0-5200 feet. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and southern oak woodland habitats and can vary greatly in size depending on conditions. In dry, rocky or shallow soils it will be bush-like from 5 to 15 ft. In richer soils with more moisture it will attain large shrub or small tree size, up to 30-40 ft.
The leaves are holly-like and evergreen. The flowers are small and white; the fruit is a one inch red to dark purple drupe that is popular with wildlife. The closely related subspecies Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry) is endemic to the Channel Islands, but in appearance and behavior the two can be difficult to distinguish as they hybridize readily.

Catalina cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii) is a lovely evergreen shrub with shiny soft leaves and dark cherry colored fruit.  In late spring, striking white flowers appear. Older trees may resemble coast live oak.

As a native plant, it grows in chaparral woodland, primarily in the Channel Islands region.

The edible fruits are favored by birds and other wildlife. 

Catalina cherry can be planted as a hedge because its dense vegetation creates a good screen. It is fairly easy to grow and will tolerate garden conditions, with summer watering once or twice a month. It is fast growing once established and moderately long-lived.  Fallen fruits may stain concrete paving, if any is nearby. 

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana) is a species in the Rosaceae (Rose) family, in the Bird Cherry (Padus) subgenus. It is native to North America where it is found almost throughout the continent except for the deep south and the far north. The plant is widespread in California, particularly in the mountains. It is a suckering shrub or small tree growing to 5 meter tall. The leaves are oval, 3-10 centimeter long, with a coarsely serrated margin. It is deciduous, and the leaves provide some fall color. The flowers are produced in racemes of 15-30 inches late spring (well after leaf emergence). The fruits are about 1 centimeter diameter, range in color from bright red to black. Although they are said to be edible, they contain small amounts of cyanide, especially when unripe. The very ripe berries are dark in color, less astringent, and contain less cyanide. Despite the potential toxicity, the fruits were valued by many Native people.

Western Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 20 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in rocky slopes, at elevations from 0-8200 feet.

Douglas Fir or Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, is an evergreen conifer native to the coastal regions of western North America, from central California north through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia, Canada. In California, it is found in the Klamath Mountains and the Cascade Range, the California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Mountains in Monterey County, and the Sierra Nevada as far south as the Huntington Lake region in Fresno County.

In California the Douglas Fir and its variety named Coast Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) occur from near sea level along the coast to 5,900 feet (1800 m) in the Sierra Nevada. Eastward they are replaced by its variety named Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). Its variety named Mexican Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. lindleyana) is endemic to central and northern montane Mexico.

Douglas Firs commonly live more than 500 years and occasionally more than 1,000 years. The species name, menziesii, honors Archibald Menzies, the first European botanist to document it (1791). The common name honors botanist David Douglas, who introduced it into cultivation (1827). Douglas Firs are commercially important for lumber.

Due to their robust mature size Douglas Fir trees are not frequently planted in small to mid-size residential gardens. Since they can get exceptionally large they need to be provided with plenty of space to grow above and below ground.
Douglas Firs are the second-tallest conifer species in the world after Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Trees 200-250 feet (60-75 meters) in height and trunks 5-6.6 feet (1.5-2 m) in diameter are common in old growth forests. Maximum heights of 330-390 feet (100-120 m) and trunk diameters of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) were historically documented. The "Doerner Fir" in Oregon is the tallest known currently living Douglas Fir at 326 ft. (99.4 m) tall; and the "Queets Fir" in Olympic National Park has the widest known currently living trunk at 16 ft. (4.85 m) in diameter.

Purshia tridentata is a nitrogen fixing shrub in the Rose family, native to mountainous areas of western North America ranging from southeastern British Columbia in the north, east to Montana and south to California and New Mexico. It grows on arid mountainsides; in California it occurs between 700-3,400 meter above sea level (Jepson) in the southern mountains and into the eastern Sierras, but lower further north, at 320-1,065 meter from the Cascades up to British Columbia (Plants of British Columbia). Common names include Antelope Brush, Antelope Bitterbrush, Buckbrush, Quinine Brush, and less commonly Deerbrush, Blackbrush, and Greasewood. Some of these names are shared with other closely related species. There are two recognized Varieties: Var. tridentata is generally found from Tulare County northward. Var. glandulosa is generally found from Mono County southward. This is an attractive plant for dry, mountainous areas and very important for wildlife. Although it is native to arid places, it can tolerate garden conditions as long as drainage is good.

The Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) is an iconic, majestic tree that serves as a cornerstone for wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. It is easily-recognized by its gnarled branches and grand canopy. The Coast Live Oak flowers each spring and its acorns attract a wide variety of birds and butterflies - over 270 species rely on these trees for habitat and food.

With its rich green foliage and unique branching pattern, the Coast Live Oak is a favored choice for both residential and commercial landscapes. These resilient trees can live for centuries, often surpassing 250 years, and can grow impressively tall, reaching mature heights ranging from 30 to 80 feet.

It is one of the only California native oaks that thrives in coastal environments, it enjoys fog and mild winters. In the first year after planting, water once a week. Then, reduce it to once a month until it reaches about 10 feet tall. After that, avoid watering directly during summer.

Coast Live Oaks like to have their roots shaded. When they're young, surround them with mulch, rocks, or smaller native plants. Some California natives, such as Toyon and Manzanitas, do well as "understory" plants under the Coast Live Oak. Fallen oak leaves provide natural mulch for the tree. Don't fertilize oaks. They'll amend the soil over time with their own leaves and build the natural mycorrhizal fungus in the soil they need to thrive. Gradually, they become islands of natural fertility that improve the health of the nearby plants.

Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia is one of two recognized varieties of this popular tree. The other variety is var. oxyadenia. Both are known as Coast Live Oak (see description of Quercus agrifolia for more details regarding the species). Differences between the two varieties and the primary species are very subtle. Var. agrifolia is found along the coast from Sonoma County southward. Gardening recommendations are the same as for Quercus agrifolia.

Scrub Oak plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity by attracting birds and a diverse range of butterflies. Its ability to thrive in various conditions and benefits to local wildlife make it a valuable addition to gardens.

It is a medium-to-small oak. Its green leaves are leathery on the surface and somewhat hairy on the underside. Scrub Oak is a versatile plant that thrives in full sun to part shade. In cooler regions, it remains compact, while in warmer areas, it spreads out and grows several meters high.

Scrub Oak benefits from a thick layer of oak leaves as mulch with a few large rocks. Refrain from summer watering to mimic its natural drought-tolerant adaptation.

Canyon live oak is a species of evergreen oak that is found in the southwestern part of North America, notably in the California Coast Ranges. It is the most wide-spread oak in the state. Its ultimate size and shade are determined by its location within the state. This tree is often found near creeks and drainage swales growing in moist cool microhabitats. Its leaves are a glossy dark green on the upper surface with prominent spines; a further rapid identification arises from the leaves of Canyon live oak being geometrically flat. They are often sympatric with Quercus agrifolia and several other oak species. Fossil data supports a much wider distribution throughout the western United States during the early Holocene period. Native Americans used the acorns of this species as a food staple, after leaching of the tannins; moreover, its roasted seed is a coffee substitute. After forest fires, Canyon live oak regenerates vigorously by basal sprouting, and the clonal diversity of this species has been shown to be high. Alternate common names for this taxon are Canyon oak and "Golden-Cup Oak".

Quercus cornelius-mulleri is a North American species of oak known by the common name Muller oak, or Muller's oak. It was described to science in 1981 when it was segregated from the Quercus dumosa complex and found to warrant species status of its own. It was named for the ecologist Cornelius Herman Muller. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in chaparral, oak woodlands, and other habitat in foothills and mountains. It can most easily be observed in Joshua Tree National Park and in the woodlands along the western margins of the Colorado Desert in San Diego County, California. Quercus cornelius-mulleri is a bushy shrub not exceeding 3 meters (10 feet) in height. It is densely branched, its tangled twigs gray, brown, or yellowish, fuzzy when new and becoming scaly with age. The evergreen leaves are leathery and thick. They are bicolored: white and quite woolly on the undersides and dull gray- or yellow-green and faintly hairy on the upper surfaces. The wool on the undersides of the leaves is made up of star-shaped leaf hairs that are fused into microscopic plates. The leaf blades are oval with smooth or toothed edges, and measure 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1. 0-1. 4 inches) in length. The fruit is an acorn with a cap up to 2 centimeters (0. 8 inches) wide covered in light-colored scales and a cylindrical, round-ended nut up to 3 centimeters (1. 2 inches) long.

The majestic blue oak is a drought-tolerant deciduous tree that provides food and shelter for local wildlife. It supports birds, squirrels and insects. It is a host plant for several species of butterflies and moths.

This tree gets its name from its blue-green leaves. The bark is pale gray and textured. Blue oaks are slow-growing, but can grow to 80+ feet in height. The canopy can spread to a width of 30 feet or more. It requires a good-sized planting area and does best on dry, well-drained slopes.

Quercus dumosa is a species of plant in the Fagaceae family. This shrub/small tree goes by the common name Coastal sage scrub oak. It is found in Mexico and the United States. It is threatened by habitat loss. The species Quercus dumosa lends its name to the eponymous plant community Quercus dumosa chaparral, in which Coastal sage scrub oak and toyon often co-dominate. It is easily confused with other scrub oaks such as Quercus berberidifolia, with which it may hybridize.

This plant is an evergreen shrub growing 1 to 3 meters tall from a large, deep root network. The leaves have spiny or toothed edges. The fruit is an acorn up to 1.5 centimeters wide. Some individuals produce large crops of acorns, and some produce very few fruits. The acorns are dispersed by gravity as they fall from the tree, and by animals that pick them up, such as squirrels and jays. Animals eat them immediately or cache them for later. The acorns tend to germinate easily. Reproduction via seed generally occurs only in very moist years.

This oak grows primarily in sandy soils such as sandstone near the coast. Its habitat is often chaparral. This oak sprouts vigorously from its stump and root crown after wildfire and develops a large canopy within a few years after a fire event. It sometimes codominates with Ceanothus species as early as four years after a fire. This oak also does well in the absence of fire.

Leather oak (Quercus durata) is a small, drought-adapted oak species endemic to California. This shrub oak, in the Fagaceae (beech) family, typically grows in serpentine soils and is often found with manzanita in chaparral habitats. It thrives in mountainous regions but is well-suited for gardens as it doesn't require serpentine soil and can tolerate a variety of garden soils, including those with clay. Best adapted to dry, rocky, and nutrient-poor soils, leather oak can form low, dense thickets and is often used as an urban tree.

A keystone plant in its native ecosystem, leather oak supports a diverse range of wildlife species.

Quercus durata var. durata is the most common variety of Leather Oak. It tends to grow at elevations from 500-4900 feet, primarily in the central Coast Ranges. The other variety, var. gabrielensis, is a rare plant restricted to the Transverse Range. Leather oak is often found on serpentine soils. However, in the garden this plant does not require serpentine soil and can tolerate garden soil as well as drought and clay-rich soils. However, it is best adapted to relatively dry, rocky, nutrient-poor soil. Most individuals remain short, under 15 feet, and have small, densely organized leaves.

Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii) is a moderately fast-growing tree, typically evergreen but sometimes drought-deciduous in hot summers. Native to Southern California, this rare oak has lost much of its range due to suburban development. It primarily survives in San Diego County, with smaller populations in Pasadena, Orange County, southern Riverside County, and Baja California.

This oak thrives above the dry coastal plain but below 4,200 feet, where winters can be colder. Its thick, leathery blue-green leaves provide year-round color and complement gray-green landscapes. Mature trees develop stunning, gnarled trunks and wide-spreading branches, making them a striking addition to open spaces.

Engelmann oak can be tricky to grow—it prefers dry soil but stays green year-round if it has access to groundwater or nearby irrigation. It requires plenty of space, full sun, and tolerates various soil types.

As a keystone species, Engelmann oak supports an extensive array of butterflies and birds, playing a vital role in Southern California ecosystems. It pairs well with native plants like ceanothus, coffeeberry, and silktassel.

The Garry Oak (Quercus garryana), also known as Oregon White Oak or Oregon Oak, is a member of the Fagaceae family (Beeches, Chestnuts and Oaks). It has a range from the mountains of Los Angeles County northward to British Columbia, Canada, particularly in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Klamath Mountains, the Coast Ranges of Northern California, and of the west slope of the Cascades. It grows from sea level to 210 meter altitude in the northern part of its range, and at 300-1800 meter in the south of the range. There are three recognized varieties with largely overlapping ranges. The tree is named after Nicholas Garry, deputy governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, 1822-35. In the northerm part of its range it is an attractive tree, sometimes reaching 90 ft. but more often 50-60 ft. In the southern part of its range it is more often a shrub to 20 ft. It has large, lobed leaves which it drops in winter. It makes an excellent tree or shrub for mountain gardens and is important for wildlife.