Paeonia brownii (Brown's Peony or Native Peony), is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae, native to the western United States, growing in dry sagebrush and Ponderosa Pine country. Excepting Paeonia californica, which is sometimes considered a subspecies, this is the only Paeonia native to north America. Found throughout the northwestern United States, P. californica grows in southern California, and subspecies brownii is native to Wyoming and Utah. Neither subspecies is typically grown in gardens. It is 24-50 centimeter tall with flowers of a dark maroon opening to 2-3 centimeter. Flowering occurs in April to June followed by a long dormancy. The species grows at high elevations and experiences long, cold winters with little or no snow and a short growing season, while subsp. californica is less cold hardy, and is a near-desert succulent, going a year or more without rain.

Paeonia californica (California Peony or Wild Peony) is one of two species of Peony native to North America. It is endemic to southwest California, United States, where it grows on dry hillsides in the coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities of the coastal mountains of Southern and Central California, on the coastal slope of the mountains, from Monterey County southward. It is often seen as an understory plant among chaparral shrubs. Some authorities consider it a subspecies of Paeonia brownii which is found in the northern Sierra and Klamath mountains. It is not a rare species in the wild, but uncommon in gardens because it is very particular about conditions. It needs a dry summer dormancy, and normal garden watering will kill it.

Papaver californicum is a species of poppy known by the common names fire poppy and western poppy. It is endemic to California, where it is found in the coastal counties south of the San Francisco Bay Area. It grows in chaparral, woodlands, and other local habitat, often in places that have recently burned. This annual herb grows a hairy to hairless stem which may exceed half a meter in height. The flower atop the mostly naked stem has usually four petals one or two centimeters long. They are orange in color with green bases.

Windpoppy is a genus of annual plant in the family Papaveraceae. It was formerly included in the monotypic genus, Stylomecon heterophylla, but it has been reclassified to the Papaver genus which includes a few other poppies native to California and north western Mexico. It's flowers are distinctly different from California Poppy. The petals of Windpoppy are more crinkly and bright red-orange with dark centers. In the wild it is found in foothill area of the Sierras and Coast Ranges from the Bay area to San Diego. It makes a nice oak understory planting.

Pectocarya penicillata is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names sleeping combseed, shortleaf combseed, winged combseed and northern pectocarya. It is native to much of western North America from British Columbia to Wyoming to Baja California, where it grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas such as roadsides. This is an annual herb producing a slender, rough-haired stem, mostly decumbent in form, to a maximum length of about 25 centimeters. The small, pointed linear leaves are alternately arranged, widely spaced along the stem. The inflorescence is a series of flowers, each on a curved pedicel. The flower has small green sepals and tiny white petals. The fruit is an array of four nutlets each lined with comblike prickles.

Pedicularis densiflora, known commonly as Warrior's Plume, is a plant of the lousewort genus in the broomrape family. It is a perennial herb with stout, green or sometimes reddish or magenta stems and fern-shaped leaves, and long spikes of deep red to bright pink flowers with toothed petals. Like others of its genus, it is a root parasite, attaching to the roots of other plants to obtain nutrients and water. This species is a facultative parasite, or hemiparasite, in that it can live without attaching to another plant but will parasitize if presented with the opportunity. It often parasitizes plants of the heath family, such as manzanita. Warrior's Plume is native to California and Oregon in western North America and is found in forests and woodlands at low elevation.

Pediomelum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name California Indian breadroot. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the chaparral and woodlands of the coastal mountain ranges. It is a perennial herb with no stem or a short stem that is mostly underground, leaving the plant at ground level. The compound leaves are each made up of five to seven oval leaflets which may be nearly 3 centimeters long. The flower cluster is a raceme of several blue or purple pealike flowers each about a centimeter long. The fruit is a hairy oval beak-tipped legume pod up to a centimeter long containing smooth kidney-shaped seeds.

Pellaea andromedifolia is a species of cliff brake fern known by the common name coffee fern. It is native to California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. This plant does not have the immediately recognizable sharply pointed leaflets on its fronds that many other ferns have. Its leaves bear rounded or oval-shaped segments widely spaced along the rachis. Each segment may curl under along its edges. The leaves are green when new, then turn red, purplish, or brown. Some individuals of this species are diploid and reproduce sexually, while some are triploid or tetraploid and reproduce by apogamy (growth of a plant from a gamete without fertilization).

Pellaea mucronata is a species in the Pteridaceae (Fern) family known by the common name Bird's Foot Cliffbrake. It is native to much of California, and parts of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California, where it grows in various types of rocky habitat. There are two recognized subspecies in California. Ssp. californica is limited to California, while ssp. mucronata can be found outside the state's borders. Each leaf is 7 to 45 centimeters long and is borne on a thin petiole. It is composed of a thin, straight, brown rachis lined with widely spaced leaflets. The leaflets are divided into small narrow terminal segments, or these may be subdivided into another set of segments. The smallest segment is up to about a centimeter long and is green to dark purplish in color. The edges may be rolled under. The sporangia are located under the edges. It is reportedly very heat and cold tolerant. This could be a useful fern in rock gardens in most parts of the state.

Penstemon azureus is a species of penstemon known by the common name azure penstemon. It is native to the mountains of Oregon and northern California, where it grows in coniferous forests and woodlands. It is a perennial herb, woody toward the base, with many thin branches reaching up to about 70 centimeters in maximum height. The oppositely arranged leaves are linear or lance-shaped, the ones higher on the plant clasping the stem. The flower cluster produces several hairless tubular flowers in shades of blue to lavender measuring up to 3.5 centimeters long.

Scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius) is a striking perennial herb in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), known for its bright red to orange-red tubular flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds. Native to California, it grows widely across northern, southern, and central regions.

This drought-adapted plant thrives in rocky, well-drained soils, making it a perfect addition to rock gardens, slopes, and pathways. It requires little supplemental water once established and blooms profusely in the spring. The upright, slender stems can reach over a meter in height, with thick, smooth leaves arranged in pairs along the stem.

Beyond hummingbirds, scarlet bugler also attracts bees and butterflies, contributing to a vibrant and pollinator-friendly garden. Its vivid flowers and minimal water needs make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance native plant landscapes.

Penstemon clevelandii is a species in the Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family known by the common name Cleveland's Beardtongue. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in mountain and desert habitat such as scrub, woodland, and chaparral. It is found primarily on the eastern slope of the Peninsular Range. It is a perennial herb with upright, branching stems 70 centimeters in maximum height. The thick leaves are oval in shape, sometimes toothed, 2-6 centimeters in length, and sometimes clasping or encircling the stem. The flower cluster produces tubular flowers with expanded, lipped mouths. The flower is pink to magenta in color, up to 2.4 centimeters in length, and somewhat hairy on the outer surface. The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Overall this is a very attractive, hardy plant for inland southern gardens.

San Jacinto Beardtongue (Penstemon clevelandii var. connatus) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Southern California, primarily in the Peninsular Range region.

Foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus) is a stunning perennial with profuse clusters of blue to magenta tubular flowers. Foothill penstemon can be found in all major coastal mountain ranges and the northern Sierra Nevada foothills. It occurs in many local habitat types from grassland to chaparral to forests.

Foothill penstemon is a wonderful addition to front of borders. Blooming begins in May and continues for a month or two. Taking off dead flower stalks will induce more flowering. The plant’s stems can exceed 3 feet and may become woody at the base. Several cultivars have been developed for use in summer-dry climate and other low-water-use gardens, including 'Electric Blue,' 'Margarita BOP,' and 'Blue Springs' which may grow only 12 to 18 inches tall. 

This is a fast-growing, easy and hardy flowering plant that requires moderate water and sun to light shade. It is adaptable to different types of soil so long as drainage is good.  

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 for the garden.

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 for the garden.

Margarita BOP Penstemon is a low-growing, evergreen perennial prized for its long-lasting, vibrant blue-to-rose-purple flowers. Thought to be a hybrid of Penstemon heterophyllus and Penstemon laetus, its name comes from where it thrived with little care—“Bottom of the Porch.”

This adaptable plant flourishes in various garden settings, from borders to rock gardens and slopes. It is drought-adapted once established and benefits from cutting back spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming. A magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, margarita BOP penstemon is an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Penstemon laetus is a species of penstemon in the Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family known by the common names Gay Penstemon and Mountain Blue Penstemon. It is native to the inland mountains of Oregon and California, where its distribution extends from the Klamath Mountains through the Sierra Nevada to the Transverse Ranges. It is found at elevations from 750 ft. to over 8,000 ft. where grows in forest, scrub, and other mountain habitats. It is a perennial herb growing erect to about 75 centimeters tall, its base becoming woody. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped and up to 10 centimeters long. The hairy flower cluster bears blue or purple flowers up to 3.5 centimeters long. The wide-mouthed tubular or funnel-shaped flower is hairy on the outer surface and mostly hairless on the inside. There are two recognized varieties in California, all commonly known as Mountain Blue Penstemon.

Sonoma Beardtongue (Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and North Coast Range regions.

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 smitth.

Showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis) lives up to its name, being the showiest of the penstemons. It grows fast, reaching 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. This perennial bears spectacular wide-mouthed, tubular violet or purple-blue flowers from its first year on. In good conditions it may flower late winter into summer.

Showy penstemon is beautiful and easy to grow. It likes full sun and tolerates a variety of soils, including clay. If planted in an area that holds water better, it usually doesn't need supplementary summer water. The plant will flower more abundantly with occasional summer water (once per month) but may be shorter lived. It is fairly short lived even under the best of circumstances, typically lasting 5 to 10 years. However, it often self seeds.

This deer-resistant plant is great for wildlife, attracting a variety of native bees and hummingbirds for nectar. It is a larval host for a likely total of 13 butterfly and moth 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 for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selection made by TpF from a chance seedling.

Horticultural selection from Penstemon spectabilis. A variation of the gorgeous Penstemon spectabilis, or showy penstemon, P. Spectabilis 'Snow Dragon' is a rare beauty, flaunting petals of sparkling white instead of the sunset violet-blue of the species. 'Snow Dragon' also tends to grow more vigorously and have a fuller, bushier form than showy penstemon. The pure white blooms are abundant in spring and summer about April through June, contrasting nicely against the luxuriant green foliage. This perennial native plant grows to be about 3 feet high and wide, a nice addition to the back of a flowerbed or tucked into a rock garden. Penstemons tend to grow naturally in dry, rocky, well-draining places, often found basking in full sun on gravelly hill sides. Penstemon 'Snow Dragon' may tolerate a little shade, but produces the most flowers when given full sun. Fast growing and hardy, once established this flowering native needs supplemental water about once a month.

Penstemon thurberi is a species of penstemon known by the common name Thurber's beardtongue. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in many types of desert and mountain habitat, including sandy flats, chaparral, scrub, and woodlands. It is a shrub growing erect and somewhat rounded in form, reaching around 80 centimeters in maximum height. Many slender stems emerge from its woody base. The leaves are narrow, linear in shape, with edges rolled upward nearly into a tube. The long flower cluster bears funnel-shaped lavender, pink, or pale blue-purple flowers up to 1.5 centimeters in length.

Goldenback Fern (Pentagramma triangularis) is a common native fern that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the Desert Mountains and Modoc Plateau regions. It tends to grow in slopes and rocky places, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Perideridia kelloggii is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common name Kellogg's yampah. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the north and central coasts, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It grows in grassland habitat, sometimes on serpentine soils. It is a perennial herb which may reach 1.5 meters in maximum height, its slender, erect stem growing from a cluster of long, narrow, fibrous roots each up to 15 centimeters long. Leaves near the base of the plant have blades up to 45 centimeters wide which are divided into many leaflets subdivided into narrow, elongated lobes. The flower cluster is a compound umbel of many spherical clusters of small white flowers. These yield ribbed, oblong-shaped fruits each about half a centimeter long.

Swamp Knotweed (Polygonum amphibium) is a common native perennial herb in the Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) family that grows throughout California in almost every county. It is a wetland plant that is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a rounded form to a height of 0.1 foot, with active growth during the summer. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in shallow lakes and streams, at elevations from 0-10000 feet.

Calibrachoa parviflora is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family known by the common name seaside petunia. It is native to much of southeastern South America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States, and it is present as an introduced species in other sections of the Americas, such as the southeastern United States, as well as in Australia, where it is an occasional weed in New South Wales. This herb produces slender, branching stems which creep along the ground and root at nodes. The upright branches are leafy, with fleshy, glandular, oblong or widely lance-shaped leaves. The herbage may be sticky in texture. Flowers occur in the leaf axils along the stems. Each is under a centimeter wide, its funnel- or bell-shaped corolla five-lobed and purple in color, with a paler tubular throat. The fruit is a capsule just a few millimeters wide.

Phacelia brachyloba is a species of phacelia known by the common name shortlobe phacelia. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in the coastal mountains, canyons, and valleys, often emerging in areas recently burned. It is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height near 60 centimeters. It is hairy and hairy. The lance-shaped leaves are lobed or divided into lobed leaflets. The hairy, hairy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of many funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is up to a centimeter wide with a lavender, pink, or white corolla and a yellow throat.

Phacelia breweri is a species of phacelia known by the common name Brewer's phacelia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the mountain ranges in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a member of the flora in chaparral, woodland, and other local habitat. It is a branching annual herb spreading or growing upright to a maximum height near 45 centimeters. It is glandular and coated in soft and coarse hairs. The lance-shaped or oval leaves are up to 4 centimeters long, the lower ones lobed. The hairy inflorescence is a crowded, one-sided, curving or coiling cyme of many bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter wide and light blue in color.

Phacelia californica is a species of phacelia known by the common names California phacelia and California scorpionweed. It is native to coastal northern California and Oregon, where it grows in chaparral, woodland, and coastal bluffs and grassland. It is a perennial herb growing decumbent or erect, its branching stems reaching up to 90 centimeters long. It is roughly hairy in texture. The leaves are up to 20 centimeters long, the lower ones divided into several leaflets. The dense, hairy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of many bell-shaped flowers. Each white or pale blue to lavender flower is under a centimeter wide. This native wildflower is a food source for the Mission blue butterfly, an endangered species endemic to San Francisco.

It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Phacelia cicutaria (Caterpillar Phacelia or Caterpillar Scorpionweed) is an annual species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family that is native to California, southern Nevada, and Baja California. It grows mainly in chaparral, frequently in burnt areas or on rocky slopes. Phacelia cicutaria is an upright annual shrub growing up to than 0.6 meter (2') high. Its foliage is deeply lobed, 2-15 centimeter. (1-6") long, with spiked segments. The flower buds are held in tight, hairy coils which uncoil as the flowers open one by one. The flowering stems' resemblance of caterpillars lends this plant its common name. Flowers appear Mar-May and are dirty-white to pale lavender in color.

It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Caterpillar Phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida) is a native annual herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in gravelly or rocky slopes, at elevations from 0-4600 feet.

Phacelia davidsonii is a species of phacelia known by the common name Davidson's phacelia. It is native to California and Nevada, where it grows in mountains and foothills in chaparral and forest habitats. In California it is found in the Southern Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges. Phacelia davidsonii is plant is often very similar in appearance to Phacelia curvipes and was once considered a variety of that species. It is an annual herb producing a branching or unbranched stem growing decumbent or erect to a maximum length near 20 centimeters. The leaves are oval or lance-shaped and up to 7 centimeters long, the lower ones divided into leaflets and the upper ones smaller and lobed. Phacelia davidsonii is plant is often very similar in appearance to Phacelia curvipes and was once considered a variety of that species. It is an annual herb producing a branching or unbranched stem growing decumbent or erect to a maximum length near 20 centimeters. The leaves are oval or lance-shaped and up to 7 centimeters long, the lower ones divided into leaflets and the upper ones smaller and lobed. The hairy inflorescence is a showy curving cluster of bell-shaped flowers each up to 1. 5 centimeter long. The flowers are white-throated with deep purple lobes.

Phacelia distans is a species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family known by the common name distant phacelia. It is native to much of California including the coastal mountain ranges, valleys, and deserts, adjacent sections of Nevada and Arizona, and parts of northern Mexico. It grows in many types of habitats and is a common wildflower in its range. It is a variable annual herb growing decumbent to erect, its branching or unbranched stem 15 to 80 centimeters in length. It is usually coated in soft or stiff glandular hairs which some people find foul-smelling when touched. The leaves are up to 10 to 15 centimeters long and are divided into several lobed leaflets, sometimes intricately. The hairy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of many funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. The flower is just under a centimeter long and is usually blue but may be white or varying shades of lavender or purple. It is most often used in a wildflower garden where it is grown from seed. Under suitable conditions it will re-seed itself. As with all annuals, careful weeding is essential.


It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Phacelia divaricata is a species of phacelia known by the common name divaricate phacelia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the coastal hills and mountain ranges around the San Francisco Bay Area and to the north. It grows in chaparral, woodland, grassland, and other local habitat. Phacelia divaricata is an annual herb growing decumbent to erect, its branching or unbranched stem reaching 40 centimeters in maximum length. The leaves are up to 8 centimeters long, oval in shape, and lobed or smooth-edged. The hairy inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of several funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. The flower is 1 to 1. 5 centimeters long and pale lavender in color. Phacelia divaricata is an annual herb growing decumbent to erect, its branching or unbranched stem reaching 40 centimeters in maximum length. The leaves are up to 8 centimeters long, oval in shape, and lobed or smooth-edged. The hairy inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of several funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. The flower is 1 to 1. 5 centimeters long and pale lavender in color.

Phacelia douglasii is a species of phacelia known by the common name Douglas' phacelia. It is native to California, where it grows coastal and inland mountains and foothills, the Central Valley, and the deserts. It is an annual herb growing mostly erect to a maximum height around 40 centimeters. Most of the leaves are located low on the branching stem and are deeply lobed or divided into leaflets. The hairy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of several bell-shaped flowers. The flower may be over a centimeter long and is pale purple or bluish in color.

Douglas' Phacelia (Phacelia douglasii var. douglasii) is a native annual herb that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-5000 feet.

Phacelia egena is a species of phacelia known by the common name Kaweah River phacelia. It is native to much of California, from the Transverse Ranges to the northern mountains and into Oregon; it also occurs in Arizona. It grows in many types of habitat. It is a herb producing a hairy, erect stem up to about 60 centimeters in maximum height. Most of the lance-shaped leaves are located low on stem, the largest over 20 centimeters long and divided into many leaflets. Leaves higher on the stem are much smaller and undivided. The flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of several bell-shaped flowers. The flower is just under a centimeter long and is white to cream in color with five protruding white stamens.

Phacelia grandiflora is a species in the Boraginaceae known by the common name largeflower phacelia. It is native to the coastal hills and mountain ranges of southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and other local habitats, especially areas recently cleared by wildfire. It is an annual herb with a branching or unbranched erect stem reaching one meter in maximum height. It is hairy and coated in soft and stiff hairs. The leaves are up to 20 centimeters long with toothed, rounded or oval blades borne on long petioles. The large, hairy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of widely bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is 2.5-4 centimeters wide and purple to blue in color, usually with a paler throat. The seeds germinate readily and the plant requires little care. Its height and long flowering season make it a standout in the dry garden.

Phacelia grisea is a species of phacelia known by the common name Santa Lucia phacelia. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in the Santa Lucia Range and western sections of the Transverse Ranges. It grows in chaparral and other habitat on the mountain slopes in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Phacelia grisea is an annual herb with a branching, erect stem reaching up to about 60 centimeters in height. It is glandular and coated in stiff hairs. The lance-shaped or oval leaves are up to 8 centimeters long and have lobed edges. The hairy inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter long and white to pale purple in color with long protruding stamens. Distribution and habitat. It grows in chaparral and other habitat on the mountain slopes in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Phacelia imbricata is a species in the Boraginaceae (Fort-me-not) family known by the common name Imbricate Phacelia. It is native to much of California and Baja California, where it can be found in varied habitat in mountains, valleys, and coastline. It is a perennial herb growing decumbent or erect to a maximum height exceeding one meter. It is hairy and coated in stiff hairs. The leaves may be up to 15 centimeters long and are divided into several leaflets. The flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of many bell-shaped flowers. The flower is roughly half a centimeter long and white to pale purple in color. It is almost always grown from seed. There are four recognized varieties with differing geographic ranges.

It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Imbricate Phacelia (Phacelia imbricata ssp. imbricata) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in slopes, at elevations from 200-7500 feet.

Phacelia longipes is a species of phacelia known by the common name longstalk phacelia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the Transverse Ranges and adjacent western Mojave Desert. Its habitat includes chaparral, woodland, and forest, in rocky soils. It is an annual herb growing decumbent or erect to a maximum length of about 40 centimeters. It is hairy and coated lightly in soft and stiff hairs. Most of the leaves are low on the plant, the toothed oval blades borne on long petioles. The hairy, hairy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is roughly a centimeter long and white to light blue in color. It has a calyx of linear sepals and five long, protruding stamens.

California Bluebell (Phacelia minor) is a charming annual in the forget-me-not family, featuring striking lavender to deep blue-purple, bell-shaped flowers. Blooming in spring, the flowers form clusters atop reddish stems that reach up to 2 feet tall, often gracefully drooping at the tips. The plant’s dark green foliage provides a beautiful contrast to its vibrant blooms.

California Bluebell thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for low-water landscapes. Highly drought-tolerant, it attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and sphinx moths, adding ecological value to any garden.

Phacelia parryi is a species in the Boraginaceae (Forget-Me-Not) family known by the common name Parry's Phacelia. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal and inland mountain ranges and deserts. It is found in many types of local habitats, such as coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and open, recently burned slopes. It is an annual herb growing a mostly erect stem 10 to 70 centimeters long. It is hairy and coated in soft and stiff glandular hairs. The leaves are up to 12 centimeters long with toothed oval blades borne on petioles. The flower cluster is a cyme of widely bell-shaped flowers each 1 to 2 centimeters long. The flower is purple in color, sometimes with pale coloration in the throat, and an arrangement of five white spots. The five protruding stamens are hairy and tipped with white anthers. It is typically grown from seed with other annuals.

This species can be easily confused with Phacelia minor, and their ranges overlap, though more easily distinguished when in flower. It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Phacelia platyloba is a species of phacelia known by the common name broadlobe phacelia. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from a section of the central Sierra Nevada foothills. It is a resident of chaparral, woodland, and other local habitat. It is an annual herb producing a branched or unbranched erect stem up to 45 centimeters tall. It is coated in soft and stiff hairs. The leaves are up to 9 centimeters long and divided into several lobed to intricately toothed leaflets. The inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of widely bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter long and pale blue or lavender in color. It is surrounded by a calyx of densely hairy sepals which are unequal in size and shape, 2 being longer and wider than the other 3.

Phacelia ramosissima is a species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family known by the common name Branching Phacelia. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to the southwestern United States, where it can be found in many types of habitats. It is variable in appearance, and there are many intergrading Varieties: In general it is a spreading or sprawling prostrate or upright perennial herb which may approach 1.5 meters in stem length. It is hairless to densely hairy, and some people detect an unpleasant odor from the glandular hairs. The leaves are 4 to 20 centimeters long and most are divided into several toothed or lobed leaflets. The flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is under a centimeter long and white to lavender in color with protruding stamens.

Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) is an annual plant whose lovely lavender-blue flowers are very attractive to pollinators and other beneficial insects. The flowers are bell-shaped with long stamens that protrude beyond the petals. The flowers grow in clusters at the top of the stem. The deeply cut leaves give this plant its lacy appearance. Lacy Phacelia is a valuable pollinator plant and is especially favored by bees. It also attracts hoverflies, beneficial insects that eat aphids and other pests.

Lacy Phacelia is often planted in vineyards and next to crops because its nectar-rich flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. It is also used as a bee-friendly cover crop on organic farms. In the garden, it does best in full sun and well-draining sandy soil. This plant has a fast growth rate. Be aware that some people can experience skin irritation after touching this plant.

Phacelia vallicola is a species of phacelia known by the common name Mariposa phacelia. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the Sierra Nevada and adjacent southernmost slopes of the Cascade Range. It grows in coniferous forest, chaparral, and other mountain and foothill habitat. It is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height around 27 centimeters. It is coated in soft and stiff hairs. The leaves are oval or lance-shaped, smooth-edged, and borne on short petioles. The hairy inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter long and purple in color with a paler purple throat.

Phacelia viscida is a species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family known by the common names Sticky Phacelia and Tacky Phacelia. It is native to the coastal hills and mountains of central and southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and recently burned areas. It is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height near 70 centimeters. It is hairy and sticky and coated in soft and stiff, glandular hairs. The leaves have toothed oval blades borne on petioles. The hairy flower cluster is a curving cyme of five-lobed flowers. Each flower is up to 2 centimeters wide and usually deep blue to lavender in color with a paler, mottled center. The five protruding stamens are tipped with white anthers. The variety albiflora has white flowers.

It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a tall, perennial grass that commonly forms extensive single-species stands along the margins of lakes and streams and in wet open areas, with a wide distribution in Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. The stems can reach 2.5 meter in height. The leaf blades are blue-green when fresh and straw-colored when dry. The flowers are borne on the stem high above the leaves and are pinkish at full bloom. While possibly native to North America, European cultivars have been widely introduced for use as hay and forage on the continent; there are no easy traits known for differentiating between the native plants and European cultivars (White et al. 1993).

Pholistoma auritum is a species of flowering plant in the borage family which is known by the common name blue fiestaflower. It is native to California, southern Nevada, and Arizona, where it can be found in many types of habitat, from mountain talus to coastal bluffs to desert scrub. Pholistoma auritum is an annual herb with a brittle, fleshy, bristly stem branching profusely, sometimes forming a tangle. The leaves are deeply lobed and toothed and borne on winged petioles. The foliage is coated in hairs and bristles. The inflorescence is made up of one or more widely bell-shaped flowers up to 1. 5 centimeters long and 3 wide. The hair-lined flowers are blue to purple with darker markings in the centers. The purple Arizona fiestaflower, Pholistoma auritum var. arizonicum, is considered a subspecies.

Pholistoma racemosum is a species of flowering plant in the borage family which is known by the common name racemose fiesta flower. It is native to southern California, including the Channel Islands, and Baja California, where it can be found in coastal areas and in the coastal mountains and canyons, often in moist, shady areas. It is an annual herb with a fleshy, bristly stem up to 60 centimeters long and branching profusely, sometimes forming a tangle. The leaves are generally oval or triangular in shape but are deeply lobed or cut and borne on winged petioles. The foliage is coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence bears 2 to 6 flowers each up to a centimeter long and 1. 5 wide. The flower is white to blue in color with five rounded lobes.