Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum) is named for its curled, fuzzy flowers that bloom in brilliant shades of blue and lavender. These striking flowers bloom in dense clusters on branching stems from fall to spring. A favorite of hummingbirds, the flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and other insects.

This shrub is a member of the Mint family. Its narrow, bright green leaves have a pleasant, minty fragrance. It can quickly grow to an impressive size in the first year, although as a fire-following plant, it does have a short lifespan (around 4 to 5 years).

In the garden, this plant requires specific growing conditions to do well. A young Woolly Bluecurls plant needs regular watering after planting. Once it's established, however, overwatering - even occasional summer water - can damage or kill them. Plant in full or part sun in light, well-draining soil. It does well in rocky areas and does not like mulch. Although short-lived, the showy blooms make this plant a stunning addition to a low-water pollinator garden.

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

Trichostema laxum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, known by the common name turpentine weed from the foliage's scent. The annual plant is native to northern California and Oregon, at elevations below 1,700 metres (5,600 ft). It is found primarily in the Inner Northern California Coast Ranges, including the subranges of the Klamath Mountains and the Mayacamas Mountains. It grows in gravelly streambanks or sandy soil, of the mountains and foothills in chaparral, Foothill oak woodland, and Yellow pine forest habitats. The species has an affinity for serpentine soils. Trichostema laxum is an annual herb approaching 5 decimetres (1. 6 ft) in maximum height. Its aromatic foliage, with a strong turpentine odor, is coated in glandular and nonglandular hairs. The lanceolate to narrowly ovate leaves are up to 7 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a series of clusters of flowers located at each leaf pair. Each flower has a hairy calyx of green or reddish sepals and a tubular, lipped purple corolla. The four stamens are long and curved, measuring up to 1. 6 centimeters in length. Its bloom period is from June to October.

Trichostema parishii is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Parish's bluecurls. It is native to the Transverse Ranges and Peninsular Ranges of southern California and south into Baja California. Its habitat includes chaparral and coastal sage scrub. It grows at 600-2,000 metres (2,000-6,600 ft) in elevation. Trichostema parishii is a shrub that grows to a maximum height around 12 decimetres (3. 9 ft). Its aromatic herbage coated in short glandular and nonglandular hairs. The linear leaves are up to 6 centimeters long. Their edges curl under, and they are hairy, especially on the undersides. A cluster of smaller leaves may occur in the axils of each main leaf. The inflorescence is a long cyme of flowers growing from the stem between each leaf pair. The inflorescence is coated in fluffy, woolly hairs in shades of blue, pink and purple. Each flower has a hairy calyx of pointed sepals and a tubular, lipped purple corolla, the main lower lip measuring up to a centimeter in length. The four stamens are long and curved, measuring up to 2. 5 centimeters long. Its bloom period is from March to May.

Pinole Clover (Trifolium bifidum var. bifidum) is a native annual herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in open, grassy places, at elevations from 0-2000 feet.

Notch Leaf Clover (Trifolium bifidum var. decipiens) is a native annual herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in open, grassy places, at elevations from 0-3300 feet.

Foothill Clover (Trifolium ciliolatum) is a common native annual herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in open, grassy places, at elevations from 0-5000 feet.

Trifolium fucatum is a species of clover known by the common names bull clover and sour clover. It is native to California and Oregon, where it grows in many types of habitat, becoming common to abundant in some areas. Trifolium fucatum is an annual herb growing decumbent to erect in form, the stem often thick-walled and hollow. The leaf blades are made up of oval or rounded leaflets with smooth or toothed edges, and the leaves have large stipules. The inflorescence is a head of flowers with a base of wide bracts. Each flower corolla is 1 to 2 centimeters long and white or yellowish with purple tips. The flower becomes inflated as the fruit develops.

Trifolium gracilentum is a species of clover known by the common names pinpoint clover and slender clover. It is native to western North America including the west coast of the United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas. It is an annual herb growing prostrate to erect in form with mostly hairless or slightly hairy herbage. The leaves are made up of lance-shaped to oval leaflets. The inflorescence is an umbel of flowers that spread out or flex downward. The flowers have pink or purple corollas less than a centimeter long. One variety of this species, var. palmeri, is a rare plant limited to the Channel Islands of California; it is sometimes treated as a species in its own right, Trifolium palmeri.

Trifolium microcephalum is a species of clover known by the common names smallhead clover and small-headed clover. It is native to western North America from southern Alaska and British Columbia to California, Montana, Arizona, and Baja California, where it occurs in many types of habitat, becoming common to abundant in some regions. It can grow in disturbed habitat and become a casual roadside weed. Trifolium microcephalum is an annual herb taking a decumbent or erect form. It is coated in hairs. The leaves are made up of oval leaflets with notched tips, each measuring up to 2 centimeters long, and bristle-tipped stipules. The inflorescence is a head of flowers borne in a bowl-like involucre of wide, hairy bracts. The head is not more than a centimeter wide. Each flower has a calyx of sepals with lobes narrowing into hairy bristles. The flower corolla is pinkish or purplish and measures 4 to 7 millimeters in length.

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

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

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

Trillium albidum, known by the common names giant white wakerobin, white toadshade, and sweet trillium, is a species of flowering plant native to the northwestern United States from Washington to central California. It occurs in forests, woodlands, scrub, and chaparral habitat, becoming common in some areas. Trillium albidum is a rhizomatous perennial herb with one or more erect stems growing 20 to 70 centimetres (7. 9 to 27. 6 in) ers in height. There is a whorl of three large leaves generally described as bracts, each measuring up to 20 centimeters in length. They are green and mottled with brownish or darker green spots. Each stem produces one flower, which is held on top of the bracts. The fragrant flower has three lance-shaped green sepals and three wider white or pink- or purple-tinged petals measuring up to 11 centimetres (4. 3 in) long.

Trillium angustipetalum is a species of Trillium, plants which may be included within the lily family or the newer family Melanthiaceae. Its common name is narrowpetal wakerobin. It is native to northern and central California and southwestern Oregon, where it occurs in forests, woodlands, chaparral, and riparian zones. Trillium angustipetalum is a rhizomatous perennial herb with one or more erect stems growing up to 70 centimetres (28 in) in height. There is a whorl of three large leaves generally described as bracts each measuring up to 25 centimetres (9. 8 in) in length and round or somewhat oval. They are green and mottled with brownish or darker green spots. Each stem produces one flower, which is held on top of the bracts. The ill-scented flower has three lance-shaped green or red sepals and three narrow purple or maroon petals measuring up to 11 centimetres (4. 3 in) long.

Trillium chloropetalum is a California species of spring-flowering perennial plants. Common names: giant wakerobin, common trillium, giant trillium, and sessile trillium. It is found in the Coast Ranges and in the Sierra Nevada foothills from Siskiyou County to Santa Barbara and Madera Counties. Color is variable, often dark red to white. Leaves and flowers that are grouped in threes. It is clump-forming and prefers a shady habitat, since its natural habitat is the woodland floor.

Triodanis biflora (syn. Specularia biflora) is a species of flowering plant native to the Americas and known commonly as small Venus' looking-glass. The flower is solitary and has a bell-shaped blue or purple corolla. Its leaf arrangement is alternate and its leaf type is simple. Its leaves are thin, serrate and sessile.

Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia laxa) is a common native perennial herb in the Lily family that grows primarily in northern and central California. It tends to grow in openings in forest or woodland with sandy soil, at elevations from 0-4600 feet.

Grassy blade-like leaves emerge in late winter and begin to go dormant just before flowering. Loose purple, star-shaped flower clusters arise on foot-long stems in late spring to early summer. Numerous insects including bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers, and some mammals will dig up and eat the corms.

Extremely easy to grow, Ithuriel's Spear prefers sandy soil but thrives even in clay soil and under native oaks. It can take full sun and will be healthier if allowed to dry out and go dormant in the summer but will survive regular irrigation. Plant the corms 4 inches deep and mass for best effect. It will naturalize over time among other plants or grasses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) is an evergreen tree is an attractive tree of variable size, most often 20 to 45 feet. It is slow to establish, then grows fast.  The leaves give off a peppery aroma and are often used as a cooking spice. They sometimes turn a spectacular golden color during the autumn in northern California. The flowers are small; white, yellow or yellowish green; and open in late winter and early spring. The fruit is a round, green berry lightly spotted with yellow and purple.  

This is one of the few garden trees that tolerates serpentine or clay soils. It is adaptable to various soils and drought tolerant to moderate in water use.   It releases terpenes that kill off competing plants, which can somewhat limit understory planting. Protect young plants from browsing deer. 

Numerous insects and birds are attracted to the flowers and fruits, with about 4 species of butterfly and moth hosted.

Uropappus is a monotypic genus belonging to the plant family Asteraceae. Its only member (Uropappus lindleyi) is commonly known as silverpuffs.

Venegasia is a genus of North American plants in the tarweed tribe within the sunflower family. Venegasia carpesioides is the only known species in the genus. It is shrubby bush growing to 1. 8 m tall and prefers locations in moist canyons in southern California, and in Baja California. It is commonly known as the Canyon sunflower.

This plant is a great choice for a dry shady corner of a garden, though the plant is very versatile.
Tolerates full shade, as well as part shade or sun, and dry or damp conditions. Nearly always blooming.

Verbena bracteata is a species of verbena known by the common names bracted vervain, bigbract verbena, prostrate vervain, and carpet vervain. It is native to North America where it is widespread, occurring throughout the continent except for northern Canada and southern Mexico. It occurs in many types of habitat, especially disturbed areas, where it grows as a common weed; it typically blooms between the months of May and October. This annual or biennial herb produces several hairy, spreading stems up to 30 centimeters long forming a low mat on the ground. The hairy leaves are toothed or lobed. The inflorescence is a spike of flowers which is dense with long, pointed, leaflike bracts each up to 8 millimeters long. Each small tubular flower is about half a centimeter wide and white to pale purple in color.

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

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

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

Veronica peregrina is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by several common names including neckweed, American speedwell, purslane speedwell and hairy purslane speedwell. It is native to the Americas, and is known on other continents as an introduced species and a common weed. It can be weedy in its native range as well, growing on roadsides, on fields, and in other disturbed habitat. It is an annual herb growing from a taproot. The two subspecies are defined generally on the basis of hairiness: ssp. xalapensis is coated in glandular hairs and ssp. peregrina is a hairless variety. The plant produces erect stems up to about 30 centimeters tall. The leaves vary in shape from linear to lance-shaped to spoon-shaped with smooth or serrated edges; the lower leaves are borne on petioles. The inflorescence is a loose terminal raceme of flowers and lance-shaped bracts. The flowers are generally white and 2 or 3 millimeters wide.

Veronica scutellata is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common names marsh speedwell, grassleaf speedwell, and skullcap speedwell. It is native to northern North America, including most of Canada and the northern half of the United States. It occurs in moist and wet habitat, such as ponds, marshes, and other wetlands. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing a decumbent or upright stem 40 to 60 centimeters in maximum height. It is mostly hairless in texture. The purple-green or reddish leaves are oppositely arranged in pairs about the stem, the blades lance-shaped and smooth-edged. The inflorescence is an open array of several flowers on thin, straight pedicels. The flower is up to a centimeter wide with four lobes, the upper lobe being largest. It is white, blue, or purplish with purple veining. It yields a flat, notched capsule a few millimeters wide.

Viburnum ellipticum, the common viburnum or oval-leaved viburnum, is a species of shrub in family Adoxaceae. It is native to the western United States from Washington to central California, where it occurs in forests and mountain chaparral habitat. The shrub has deciduous leaves with oval or rounded blades 2 to 6 centimeters long. The leaf blade usually has three main longitudinal veins and a shallowly toothed edge. The inflorescence is a flat-topped cyme of many white flowers each 6 to 8 millimeters wide with five whiskery white stamens. The fruit is a drupe about a centimeter long.

Viola ocellata is a species of violet known by the common names pinto violet, two-eyed violet, and western heart's ease. It is native to southern Oregon and northern and central California, where it occurs in the coastal foothills and mountain ranges. It sometimes grows in serpentine soils. This rhizomatous herb produces a hairy erect or decumbent stem measuring 5 to 37 centimeters long. The leaves have heart-shaped or roughly lance-shaped blades borne on petioles a few centimeters long. A solitary flower is borne on a long, upright stem. It has five white petals with yellow bases, the lowest three veined with purple and the two lateral ones with purple eyespots. The inside of the flower has long hairs. The outer surfaces, at least of the two upper petals, is usually stained dark red or purple.

Goosefoot Violet (Viola purpurea ssp. purpurea) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in , at elevations from 1600-8200 feet.

Viola sheltonii is a species of violet known by the common names Shelton's violet and fan violet. It is native to the western United States where it occurs in forests, woodlands, and chaparral habitat. This rhizomatous herb produces a cluster of stems up to about 27 centimeters tall. The fan-like leaf blades are each divided into leaflets which are deeply dissected into narrow segments, the whole blade borne on a long petiole. A solitary flower is borne on a long, upright stem. It has five yellow petals, the lower three veined with purple-brown and the upper two stained purple-brown on the outer surfaces.

Narrow Leaf Mule Ears (Wyethia angustifolia) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in stream banks and springs, at elevations from 0-5,500 feet, from the coast to the Sierras. It is winter dormant and dies back to the ground. It has large flowers, up to 3" in diameter, that last from spring to summer.

Agnorhiza bolanderi is a species of flowering plant known by the common name Bolander's mule's ears. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from a narrow section of the Sierra Nevada foothills about 275 kilometers long from Shasta County to Mariposa County. It grows in chaparral and grassland habitat, usually on serpentine soils. Agnorhiza bolanderi is a perennial herb growing from a thick taproot and caudex unit. This underground stem part helps it survive wildfire, which is common in its chaparral habitat. The aboveground stem grows up to 30 centimeters long. It is glandular and sticky in texture. The leaves have oval blades up to 12 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a solitary bell-shaped, sunflower-like flower head sometimes tucked amongst the uppermost leaves. The head contains about 13 yellow ray florets which may be 2 to 3 centimeters long or more. At the center are yellow disc florets. The fruit is an achene about 7 millimeters long which does not have a pappus.

Wyethia glabra is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name Coast Range mule's ears. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the North and Central Coast Ranges. It is a perennial herb growing from a tough taproot and caudex unit and producing a stem up to 40 centimeters tall. It is hairless to hairy and glandular. The leaves have lance-shaped or oval blades up to 45 centimeters long. The inflorescence is usually a solitary flower head or occasionally a cluster of 2 or more. The head has lance-shaped leaflike phyllaries at the base. It contains up to 21 yellow ray florets each up to 5 centimeters long and many yellow disc florets. The fruit is an achene over a centimeter long, including its pappus. Media related to Wyethia glabra at Wikimedia Commons

Agnorhiza ovata (syn. Wyethia ovata) is a species of flowering plant known by the common name southern mule's ears. It is native to the mountains and foothills of southern California and Baja California, occurring the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills in Tulare, Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties in California, with additional populations in the Peninsular Ranges south of the international border. Agnorhiza ovata grows in many types of habitat, including forests, woodlands, and grassland. It is a perennial herb growing from a thick taproot and caudex unit. The hairy, glandular, sticky-textured stem grows a few centimeters tall to nearly half a meter in maximum height. The leaves have oval blades up to 20 centimeters long which are generally hairy or silky and glandular. The inflorescence is made up of one or more flower heads which may be tucked amongst the uppermost leaves. The head has lance-shaped leaflike phyllaries which may be up to 5 centimeters long. There are 5 to 8 yellow ray florets which measure about 1. 5 centimeters in length, and many yellow disc florets in the center. The fruit is an achene about a centimeter long tipped with a short pappus.

Mission Manzanita is a shrub that grows up to 20 feet tall, and 20 feet in diameter. Its native range is very limited, comprising Southwestern and Pacific coastal California from San Diego county through north-central Pacific coastal Baja California, a small area in the foothills northwest of Pasadena in Los Angeles Country, a bit of southern Riverside County near Temecula, and Santa Catalina Island. Mission Manzanita is a slow growing shrub that resembles the true manzanitas (Arctostaphylos).

The form is upright or rounded, with one or multiple trunks. Leaves are oblong, glossy dark green on the top and very light colored with a felty texture on the underside. The edges of the leaves curl under as they age. Bark is smooth and a red-gray color. Flowers, which appear from December to February depending on rainfall, are white to pink in color blending to yellowish at the open end, 8-10 millimeter; in length and hang like bells in small clusters near the ends of branches. Fruit is glossy dark red to almost black, 7 millimeter; diameter and has very little flesh, being mostly a large, woody seed. The name Xylococcus comes from the Greek for "wood berry".

Mission Manzanita is found mixed southern chaparral ecosystems below 3500' elevation on dry, sunny slopes in a very limited range of coastal areas of southern California and northern Baja California. Coyotes and birds, including the California Thrasher and Scrub Jay, eat the fruit. Hummingbirds, especially the resident Anna's Hummingbird, drink nectar from flowers. Various birds nest in Mission Manzanita and many use it for cover. It re-sprouts from a basal burl after fires, and is extremely long lived. Some specimens are estimated to be over 400 years old.

Best to plant Mission Manzanita in early winter, on dry rocky slopes with fast draining soil. Put plenty of mulch and a few good sized rocks near the roots to prevent summer moisture loss. It likes regular light watering (1x every 2 weeks) during the first summer after planting, After established, it should survive the dry months with no supplementary water, though it can usually handle summer watering as much as once per month for it's first 2-3 years. After that, best to naturalize. This plant prefers to have its leaves in full sun, but likes its roots in the shade. Does best on north facing slopes.

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

Zeltnera namophila (syn. Centaurium namophilum), known by the common name spring-loving centaury, is a rare species of flowering plant in the gentian family. It is endemic to the Amargosa Valley, in Nye County, southwestern Nevada. The plant is endemic to Ash Meadows, in the Amargosa Desert directly east of Death Valley National Park. It has been recorded as being present in California in 1978, but no occurrences have been recently confirmed there. The plant grows in moist and wet soils in the Ash Meadows wetlands. The soil has a high clay content and a high pH, with salts remaining as water is evaporated in the desert air. The plant occurs in meadows of saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and next to streams, springs, and seeps. Other plants in the area include Ash Meadows gumplant (Grindelia fraxino-pratensis), Emory baccharis (Baccharis emoryi), and Tecopa bird's beak (Cordylanthus tecopensis). Zeltnera namophila is an annual herb producing a branching stem up to 45 centimeters tall. The plant blooms during the heat of summer, from July to September. The flower is roughly a centimeter wide with a deep pink corolla tinged yellow in the throat. The fruit is a capsule containing about 50 seeds, and each plant can produce many capsules. It is thought to be a ruderal species, producing many tiny seeds that spread about and sprout up in disturbed habitat in a weedlike manner. The seeds probably also persist for a long time in the soil seed bank.

Zeltnera venusta is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name charming centaury and canchalagua. This centaury is native to California and southern Oregon, where it grows in many habitats up to elevations around 1300 meters. It is an annual wildflower rarely reaching half a meter in height. The pointed oval leaves grow opposite on the thin stems. The inflorescence is tipped with one or more showy star-shaped flowers, each with a white-centered magenta (rarely all-white) corolla about 2 centimeters wide.