Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Introduced by the saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation in 1981; Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural society in 1984.

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

Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseu) is a flowering shrub available in many named cultivars. In winter to spring its evergreen leaves are densely covered with small blue or purple flowers. This native plant is endemic to coastal California. It grows in the chaparral, coastal scrub, and closed-cone-pine forest plant communities.

The flowers become food sources for larvae of some butterfly and moth species, bees, and other beneficial insects. 

Carmel ceanothus is the most popular ceanothus for California garden. Gardeners find it easy to grow and fast-growing. It will take a wide range of soils and can tolerate summer water up to twice a week.

Take care with pruning and do not prune heavily. You should not cut back into old wood. Instead, promote new shoots by pruning the tip of stems where growth is active. Also, you can trim off dead branches on the interior of the shrub to improve its shape and attractiveness. 

Cultivars of Carmel ceanothus have variable leaf and flower colors and grow to different heights and widths.  Calscape features:

Diamond heights mountain lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Diamond Heights') 

Kurt Zadnik Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Kurt Zadnik') 

Louis Edmunds Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds') 

Point Sal Carmel creeper (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Point Sal') 

Santa Ana Carmel ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Santa Ana') 

Yankee Point Carmel Ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Yankee Point') 

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

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

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

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

Louis Edmunds Carmel Ceanothus is a mounding shrub ground cover, reaching 3-6 ft. tall by 12-25 ft. wide. It has dark green glossy textured foliage, and produces violet-blue flowers in the springtime. The plant can grow in full sun in coastal sites, and in some sun to part shade in inland sites. In cultivation it is tolerant of clay, alkalinity, sand, wind and heat, and depending on local climate and soil can be tolerant of some irrigation.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds' is planted as a large scale groundcover where it has room to spread, and for slope stabilization and erosion control.

This cultivar was selected in 1942 by nurseryman Louis L. Edmunds, who later operated the Louis Edmunds Native Plant Nursery in Danville, from a seedling he propagated and selected at Tilden Botanic Garden (Regional Parks Botanic Garden) in the Berkeley Hills. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Louis Edmunds' was given an Award of Merit in 1956 by the California Horticultural Society.

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

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

Horticultural selection of cuttings of Ceanothus griseus horizontalis from Yankee Point on the central California coast just south of Carmel. This is one of the most commonly used California native plants. Yankee Point is a very garden tolerant spreading groundcover, with glossy green leaves and 1' blue flowers. On the coast, it will take wind and salt spray, and it will do equally well inland. It is often used as a large-scale groundcover and will stabilize slopes nicely. It reaches 2'-3' in height and spreads to 6'+. Horticultural selection E. griseus horizontalis: origin = cutting (1954) sHF, Yankee Pt., central coast, Monterey Co.; intro saratoga Hort. Foundation 1956 .Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selection developed by Maunsell Van Rensselaer in 1954. Species previously known as C. griseus var. horizontalis.

Ceanothus tomentosus is a species of shrub in the Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) known by the common name Woollyleaf Ceanothus. It is most commonly found in the foothills and canyons of San Diego, Orange and Riverside Counties, north up into the foothills of the Transverse Mountains, and south down into Baja California. The plants formerly called Ceanothus tomentosus var. tomentosus from the Sierra Nevada are actually more closely related to Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (see Burge et. al. Nov. 2011). Ceanothus tomentosus grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, coastal strand and foothill woodland plant communities in its range.

It is shrub approaching four meters in maximum height. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and have dense, matted hairs on the undersides. The leaves have tiny, hairy teeth. The flower cluster is several centimeters long of deep blue or white flowers. The fruit is a lobed capsule a few millimeters long. It is not hairy and it is sticky when new.

Ceanothus tomentosus is a quintessential chaparral plant in San Diego county. It puts on a great floral display for 1-2 months in winter or occasionally in the spring if rains come late. The flowers are beautiful and abundant particularly in wetter years, and can turn the foothills and canyons blue. So for 1-2 months this plant is especially spectacular. The shiny leaves reflect the sun and look beautiful when backlit. In southern California, it prefers full sun and slopes that retain just a bit more moisture than average - i.e. north facing slopes, slope bottoms, east or west facing slopes with heavier soils and plenty of rocks, or cool coastal conditions. Fast growing to 6-12 feet if happy.

Ceanothus tomentosus doesn't tolerate much if any direct summer water after it's established, and if planted in soils that don't retain enough moisture, it will dry out and die. So site selection is very important here. Best to give it regular water for the first year, and none or almost none thereafter, though it'll do fine if planted adjacent to an irrigated area. If you do give it supplemental water, it should be light and preferably indirect. It will typically drop about half its leaves in the summer and make its own mulch.

Cerastium arvense is a species of flowering plant in the pink family known by the common names field mouse-ear and field chickweed. It is a widespread species, occurring throughout Europe and North America, as well as parts of South America. It is a variable species. There are several subspecies, but the number and defining characteristics are disputed. Cerastium arvense is a perennial herb growing up to 30 to 45 centimeters tall. It takes the form of a mat, clump, creeper, or upright flower, and may grow from a taproot or tangled system of rhizomes. It is usually somewhat hairy in texture, often with glandular hairs. The leaves are linear, lance-shaped, or oblong, and a few centimeters in length. The inflorescence may consist of a single flower to a dense cluster of many. The flower has five white petals, each with two lobes, and five hairy green sepals at the base. The fruit is a capsule up to 1. 5 centimeters long with ten tiny teeth at the tip. It contains several brown seeds. Cerastium arvense is a perennial herb growing up to 30 to 45 centimeters tall. It takes the form of a mat, clump, creeper, or upright flower, and may grow from a taproot or tangled system of rhizomes. It is usually somewhat hairy in texture, often with glandular hairs.

Chaenactis artemisiifolia is a species in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name White Pincushion. It is native from the coast to the coastal mountain ranges of southern California and Baja California. This is a robust annual herb producing an erect stem occasionally as tall as two meters but usually under one meter in height. There is a basal rosette of leaves and sparse leaves along the stem. The leaves are up to about 15 centimeters or more in length and they are divided into many lobes which are further subdivided into smaller, lacy lobes. The leaves and stem are lightly woolly; older plants have thinner coats of hair. The stem branches about midway up and bears several flower heads in a wide open flower cluster. Each head is a hairy hemispheric cup of sharp-tipped phyllaries which can be up to a centimeter long. The flower heads are discoid, containing only disc florets, but some of them are flat enough to resemble ray florets or petals. The florets are white to pink. The anthers and curly styles protrude far from each floret, making the flower head look like a pincushion. The fruit is a compressed achene about half a centimeter long with no pappus. This species is not frequently seen in gardens but is useful for restoration projects.

Chaenactis glabriuscula is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Yellow Pincushion. It is native to much of California and Baja California, where it grows in a wide variety of habitats. It is a variable plant, especially across its five recognized Varieties: Var. orcuttiana, is a rare variety limited to the beaches and coastal dunes of southern California and Baja, where it is threatened by development of its coastal habitat. In general this is an annual herb producing one or more mainly erect stems approaching half a meter in maximum height. The branching stems are hairy and often cobwebby with fibers. The leaves are up to about 10 centimeters long, sometimes fleshy, and usually divided into many very small, curling lobes. The flower cluster produces one to many flower heads on a very long, erect peduncle. The flower head is lined with flat, hairy or woolly hairy phyllaries. It contains many tubular flowers in shades of gold to bright yellow, the outermost flowers large and flat-faced, most with protruding anthers. The fruit is an achene which may be over a centimeter long including its layered pappus of scales. This is an attractive plant, especially when planted in mass, which can bloom up to eight months of the year, and attractive to butterflies.

Chlorogalum parviflorum is a species of perennial herb in the lily family known by the common name smallflower soap plant. It is a monocot native to coastal southern California and Baja California, where it is a member of the coastal sage scrub flora. This perennial wildflower grows from a dark-coated bulb several centimeters wide. The basal leaves have wavy edges. The flower cluster may reach 90 centimeters tall and is made up of many dark-veined white or pinkish flowers. Each flower has six petals just under a centimeter long which are spread open for only one day. The six stamens are tipped with yellow anthers. The fruit is a capsule a few millimeters long.

Soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) is a member of the Agavaceae (Agave) family, but more closely resembles a Lily.

Soap plant has delicate, star-like flowers in clusters. They are typically white, with a noticeable purple or green mid-vein and yellow-to-orange stamens. Soap plant flowers are unique in that they open only in the late afternoon or evening, sometimes on cloudy days. The flowers remain open during the night but will close by the morning. Pollination is by evening and night flying insects.

As the plant's common name indicates, the leaves usually have edges that are wavy. The plant is drought-deciduous, and its foliage usually disappears by late summer. Once established, Soap Plant requires virtually no care.

Indigenouse Peoples use the crushed bulbs and water to produce a lather for cleaning clothing and baskets. Soap plant is found in most of California except the desert regions and just into southwest Oregon. Wavy-leafed Soap Plant grows on rock bluffs, grasslands, chaparral, and in open woodlands.

Chorizanthe angustifolia is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name narrowleaf spineflower. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the coastline of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, but is locally common. Chorizanthe angustifolia is small, hairy herb. It sends out prostrate inflorescences along the sandy soil of its habitat, each no longer than about 10 centimeters. The inflorescence is a headlike cluster of several pink flowers, each surrounded by six bracts tipped in hooked spines. The flower itself is only 2 or 3 millimeters wide and white to pink in color.

Chorizanthe cuspidata is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name San Francisco spineflower. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the San Francisco Bay Area and to the immediate north and south. It grows in sandy coastal habitat. The Chorizanthe cuspidata plant grows flat along the ground, its stems extending up to about half a meter in length. The leaves are located about the base of the stem and are generally oval in shape and up to 5 centimeters long. The herbage is hairy to woolly in texture and green to reddish in color. The Chorizanthe cuspidata plant grows flat along the ground, its stems extending up to about half a meter in length. The leaves are located about the base of the stem and are generally oval in shape and up to 5 centimeters long. The herbage is hairy to woolly in texture and green to reddish in color. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of cylindrical flowers, each bordered by white or pink bracts with hooked or straight spines at the tips. The flower itself is 2 or 3 millimeters long, white or pink, and hairy. The minute tepals are lobed, with the central lobe longest and coming to a point. VarietiesThere are two varieties of this species:Chorizanthe cuspidata var. cuspidata is quite rare due to its Bay Area habitat having been mostly consumed for development. Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa can be found in the protected habitat of Point Reyes National Seashore.

Chorizanthe diffusa is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name diffuse spineflower. It is endemic to California, where it grows on the coastline and mountains of the Central Coast, in sandy scrub, woodland, and forest habitat. It is erect to prostrate in form, its stem generally no longer than 15 or 20 centimeters. The leaves are up to 2 centimeters long and mainly arranged about the base of the plant. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers, each surrounded by six hook-tipped bracts. The margins of the bracts proximal to the long hooked tip may be very thin and nearly invisible to wide and obvious, and they may be green to white to purplish. The flower itself is about 3 millimeters wide and white with a yellow throat. The tips of its tepals may be smooth or jagged or toothed.

Chorizanthe fimbriata, (Fringed spineflower) is an annual plant in the Polygonaceae family, the buckwheats. It is a member of the genus Chorizanthe, the spineflowers, and is native to southern California and northern Baja California. It is endemic to the San Jacinto Mountains (California) and the Peninsular Ranges in Southern California and Baja California, below 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). It is found in coastal sage and montane chaparral and woodlands habitats.

The Chorizanthe fimbriata plant is low-lying at 3-6 inches in height, and 6-12 inches in diameter. It bears small star-shaped 5-lobed pinkish flowers with yellow tubes.

Chorizanthe parryi is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name Parry's spineflower and San Bernardino spineflower. The plant is endemic to Southern California, where it is found in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains and Western Transverse Ranges, the Colorado Desert, and along the southern coast. It is found mainly in chaparral scrub plant communities. Chorizanthe parryi is a small, sprawling herb with roughly hairy stems spreading along the ground or somewhat upright. There are a few leaves up to four centimeters long located mainly around the base of the stems where they emerge from the ground. The flowers have urn-shaped bases of woolly bracts whose points may be straight or hooked, the characteristic which differentiates the two Varieties: The tiny flower is white and sometimes hairy. Varieties: Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina - San Fernando Valley spineflower, endangered species. Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi

Chorizanthe procumbens is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name prostrate spineflower. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in scrub and chaparral habitat. It is variable in appearance, up to 25 centimeters long or much shorter, usually growing prostrate along the ground. It is often yellowish green in color but there are grayish and reddish forms. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers with each minute white or yellow flower surrounded by spine-tipped bracts.

Chorizanthe pungens is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name Monterey spineflower. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the San Francisco Bay Area south along the Central Coast. It grows mainly in coastal habitat and that of the hills and mountains overlooking the coastline. This is a generally erect but sometimes spreading or prostrate plant with stems up to half a meter in length. It is green to gray to red in color and usually hairy in texture. The leaves are located at the base of the plant; there are also bracts along the stem at the bases of the inflorescences which look like leaves. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of flowers, each flower surrounded by six white to pink hairy bracts tipped in hooked awns. The flower itself is only a few millimeters wide with jagged tepals. Varieties: There are two varieties of this species:var. pungens is the more commonvar. hartwegiana is known only from the Santa Cruz Mountains north of Santa Cruz. This variety, known as the Ben Lomond spineflower, is treated as a federally listed endangered species. It is found in the same type of unique habitat, known as the Zayante sandhills, as other local rare endemic life forms such as the Ben Lomond wallflower Erysimum teretifolium and the Zayante band-winged grasshopper Trimerotropis infantilis. Threats to this plant and other endemic species include the destruction of the local habitat during sand mining.

Chorizanthe robusta is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family. It is endemic to California, where it is a rare, federally listed endangered species. C. robusta is variable in form, growing decumbent or erect and reaching a maximum length of half a meter. It is grayish in color and hairy. The inflorescence is made up of several flowers with each flower surrounded by white or pink bracts with hooked tips. The flower itself is just a few millimeters long and white to pink in color. Varieties: It is composed of two varieties:var. robusta, known generally as the robust spineflower, which is known only from southern Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties,var. hartwegii, the Scotts Valley spineflower, which is known from a few locations in Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County. The plant is closely related to Chorizanthe pungens, another rare endemic from the area.

Chorizanthe staticoides is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name Turkish rugging. It is endemic to California, where it is a common member of the flora in the chaparral and scrub habitats in a number of regions. This is a plant which is quite variable in morphology, producing small patches on the ground or growing erect to heights over half a meter. The leaves measure from just a few millimeters to about 8 centimeters long. Most of them grow at the base of the fuzzy green or reddish stem. The top of the stem branches neatly into flat-topped flower clusters packed densely with tiny flowers. Each flower has a cylindrical base of six sharp-tipped leafs in shades of red to purple or green. Within this involucre is the pink to red flower which is a few millimeters wide and contains nine tiny stamens.

Cirsium brevistylum is a species of thistle known by the common names Indian thistle and clustered thistle. It is native to western North America from southwestern British Columbia to California, where it grows in moist areas in many types of habitat, from mountain forests to chaparral and coastal marshes. This native thistle is annual or biennial, reaching two meters in height and known to exceed three meters at times. There is usually a single stem which may branch toward the top and is coated in hairs and webby fibers. The leaves are deeply cut into many lobes lined with twisted teeth, the longest leaves near the base of the plant reaching about 25 centimeters long. The leaves are borne on winged petioles with many spines. The flower cluster bears one to many flower heads, both at the ends of the stem branches and in the leaf axils. The flower head reaches about 3 centimeters long by 4 wide and is lined with cobwebby, bristly, spine-tipped phyllaries. The flower head is packed with white or pink flowers about 2 centimeters long. The fruit is a brown achene a few millimeters long topped with a pappus one to two centimeters in length.

Cobweb Thistle (Cirsium occidentale) is a beautiful non-weedy thistle that forms a rosette of gray woolly and spiny leaves the first year and flowers in summer of the second year with tall spikes of showy flowers.  These may be white to blood red to shades of purple.  The unopened flower heads are laced, often quite heavily, in fibers resembling cobwebs. 

This fast-growing perennial may remain short, at 2 feet,or tower to 9 feet.  t likes sunny areas with good drainage and little irrigation. It is deer resistant and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Butterflies such as the painted lady and the Mylitta crescent depend on cobweb thistle as a larval food source. 

California thistle (Cirsium occidentale var. californicum), also known as cobweb thistle, is a biennial native to much of California and the western United States. In its first year, it forms a rosette of gray-green spiny leaves. In its second year, it sends up multibranched stems topped with clusters of lavender-pink to maroon-red flowers. The bracts are covered in distinctive cobwebby hairs, giving the plant its common name.

This variety is not invasive or weedy like some non-native thistles and is a great choice for wildlife gardens. It’s drought tolerant and does not require summer water once established. California thistle is a valuable nectar source, attracting native bees, bumble bees, and butterflies. It can be grown easily from seed without any special treatment.

The whimsical name of this pretty, vibrantly-colored Clarkia comes from its late spring to early summer bloom time. It flowers in shades ranging from pink to purple. Farewell to Spring attracts bees and butterflies and is a favorite plant in native pollinator and cut-flower gardens.

A member of the Evening Primrose family, Farewell to Spring is a self-seeding annual that tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. It has low moisture needs and requires minimal watering once established.

Farewell To Spring (Clarkia amoena ssp. whitneyi) is a rare native annual herb that grows in Northern California, primarily in the North Coast, the Klamath Mountain Range and North Coast Range regions. It tends to grow in spring-moist, open places, at elevations from 0-2300 feet.

Clarkia bottae is a species of annual wildflower in the Onagraceae (Primrose) family. It is know by several common names, including punchbowl godetia, Botta's Clarkia, Botta's Fairyfan, and Hill Clarkia. Other Clarkias are known as Farewell-to-Spring, and some sources may apply that name to this species as well. This plant is endemic to the coastal plains, foothills and mountains, usually below 3,000 ft., from Santa Clara County to San Diego County, where it is a member of several plant communities. It produces spindly, waxy stems which may approach a meter in height but more often less, and sparse narrow leaves. The flower is a bowl shaped bloom with lavender or pinkish-purple petals, often lighter in color toward the base and speckled with red, each 1 to 3 centimeters long. The stigma protrudes from the corolla and is surrounded by shorter stamens. It is readily grown from seed and reliably re-seeds as long as it is not crowded out.

Clarkia breweri is a species of wildflower known by the common names fairy fans and Brewer's clarkia. This rare plant is endemic to California, where it is known from only seven counties in the central part of the state. It produces produces short stems under 20 centimeters in height and sparse, narrow leaves. The distinctive flowers have four pink to lavender petals, each about 2 centimeters long and wide, with 3 odd lobes, the middle lobe being long and spoon-shaped. This flower occurs in the chaparral plant community or in woodlands.

Red Ribbons (Clarkia concinna ssp. concinna) is a native annual herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-4900 feet.

Clarkia davyi is species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Davy's fairyfan, or Davy's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in coastal habitats such as beaches and bluffs. This is an annual herb producing a thin stem which grows along the ground or somewhat upright. It is lined with small oval-shaped leaves one or two centimeters long. While in bud the flower is enclosed in four fused thick sepals. It blooms into a petite bowl-shaped corolla of four pink petals which often have lighter bases. Each petal is 5 to 11 millimeters long.

Clarkia dudleyana is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Dudley's clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in the mountains of the Transverse Ranges and the southern Sierra Nevada foothills. It grows in woodland, forest, and chaparral habitats under 1500 meters in elevation. This annual herb produces an erect stem sometimes exceeding half a meter in height. The leaves are lance-shaped, up to 7 centimeters long, and borne on short petioles. The top of the stem is occupied by the inflorescence, which has opening flowers below closed, hanging buds. As the flower blooms the pink to reddish-purple sepals remain fused, opening along one side only. The petals are up to 3 centimeters long, fan-shaped, pinkish lavender in color and sometimes flecked with red. There are 8 stamens, some of which have large lavender anthers and some that have smaller, paler anthers. The stigma protrudes farther than the stamens.

Clarkia epilobioides is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name canyon clarkia. It is native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, where it grows in shaded habitat in woodland and chaparral. It is an annual herb producing a slender, erect stem sometimes exceeding half a meter in height. The leaves are narrowly to widely lance-shaped and less than 3 centimeters long. The top of the stem is occupied by the inflorescence. Each hanging bud has four red sepals which remain fused all together or in pairs as the petals emerge during blooming. The petals are one half to one centimeter long, oval in shape, solid white or cream in color, often fading pink as they age. There are eight protruding stamens and one stigma.

Clarkia lewisii is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name Lewis' clarkia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the hills and mountains of Monterey and San Benito Counties. It is an erect annual herb generally under half a meter in height. The lance-shaped leaves are a few centimeters long. The flower cluster bears opening flowers and closed, hanging flower buds. As the bud opens the pink or purple sepals stay fused as the petals bloom from one side. The fan-shaped petals are up to 3 centimeters long, pink to lavender with white and red coloration near the bases. There are 8 stamens and a protruding stigma.

Clarkia purpurea is a species of wildflower in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) family known by the common names Winecup Clarkia, Winecup Fairyfan, and Purple Clarkia. This plant is native to western North America where it is found in a variety of habitats. Within California it is very widespread, occurring all along the coast, in the Coast Ranges, Central Valley and Sierra foothills. There are three subspecies with differences in the flower color and with overlapping ranges. This plant erects a thin reddish stem which may approach a meter in height and has a few lance-shaped leaves. The bowl-shaped flowers have four petals usually one to two centimeters long and in shades of pink, purple, or deep wine red, often with a streak or spot of pink or red in the middle. In the garden it is almost always grown from seed and is included in many commercially available wildflower seed mixes.

Clarkia rubicunda is a flowering plant endemic to California. It is found mostly in the central part of the state. The plant is known by the common names ruby chalice clarkia and farewell to spring. It is similar in appearance to another flower of genus Clarkia also called farewell to spring. It bears attractive poppy-like blooms with wide, cup-shaped corollas of four pink or purplish petals. The corolla of the flower sometimes has a bright red center. As the common name suggests, it blooms in June and July.

Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) is an annual wildflower in the Evening-Primrose family (Onagraceae). It is endemic (limited) to California, but is often sold in wildflower seed mixes throughout the country. Elegant clarkia has tall, thin stems, narrow leaves, and four spade-shaped petals in various shades of pink. Butterflies, moths, and bees are attracted to its flowers. It blooms in summer, when many wildflowers are finished for the year.

Another popular name is woodland clarkia, and its natural habitat is indeed open woodlands. It usually is found growing in oak woodlands or mixed evergreen forest, with native grasses and other wildflowers that appreciate part shade. Sow seeds in fall and let the rain do the rest. Allow to self-sow in fall before cutting back dead stocks. Grow this clarkia in the middle or back of a flower bed where its tall, whimsical flowers make a charming backdrop. Or create a mini-meadow under an oak tree with native bunchgrasses, wild onion, white globe lily, and purple chinese houses.

Rooreh (Claytonia perfoliata) is a trailing annual herb in the Montia family, native to a large portion of western North America, including almost every county in California. The plant has small white flowers with five petals that bloom from February to May or June. The leaves are round, succulent, and edible, commonly known as miner's lettuce, along with its subspecies Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata.

Rooreh thrives in vernally moist areas and grows at elevations from 0-6600 feet. It is indicative of a healthy oak woodland and often signals a balanced ecosystem. This plant is more drought-adapted in coastal and cool-weather areas. Sow its tiny black seeds on bare soil in protected areas that receive plenty of water, typically during late fall to early winter. A handy method for sowing is to mix the seeds with fine sand in a salt shaker and sprinkle it onto the surface. Gently scratch it in and tamp to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

The presence of rooreh supports butterflies and moths, enhancing the diversity of pollinators in the garden.

Claytonia sibirica (Siberian Spring Beauty, Siberian Miner's Lettuce, Candy Flower or Pink Purslane) is a flowering plant in the family Montiaceae, native to Siberia and western North America. A synonym is Montia sibirica. The plant was introduced into the United Kingdom by the 18th century where it has become very widespread. It is found in moist woods. It is short-lived perennial or annual with hermaphroditic flowers which are protandrous and self-fertile. The numerous fleshy stems form a rosette and the leaves are lanceolate. The flowers are 8-20 mm diameter, with five white, candy-striped, or pink petals, flowering is between February and August. The Stewarton flower.

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

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

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

Clinopodium chandleri is a rare native perennial herb in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family that grows in Southern California and northern Baja, primarily in the Peninsular Range region. It tends to grow in rocky slopes, at elevations of 1,700-2,300 feet. It was formerly classified in the genus Satureja, and some sources still refer to it by that name. It is a low-growing, fragrant, spreading herb that prefers regular water and some shade. It is well suited for containers. Although it is native to mountain areas, it can be grown near the coast.

Spanish for 'good herb', Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) is a creeping evergreen perennial commonly used as a groundcover, rock garden, and container plant. A member of the Mint family, Yerba Buena's small, delicate leaves and tiny white flowers have a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are used in tea, traditional medicine, cooking, and essential oils.

This plant roots itself as it spreads, forming low mats that can be encouraged by pinching the stems. Yerba Buena grows best when planted in full or part shade. It is a low- to moderate- moisture plant that adapts to different soil types, as long as drainage is good. Plant under trees or in shady spots mixed in with taller shade-loving plants.

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

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

Constancea is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the aster family containing the single species Constancea nevinii (formerly Eriophyllum nevinii), which is known by the common name Nevin's woolly sunflower. It is endemic to three of the Channel Islands of California, where it grows in coastal scrub habitat. This is a small shrub or subshrub generally growing up to one or 1.5 meters tall, and taller when in erect form, with a branching, woolly stem. The whitish, woolly oval leaves may be up to 20 centimeters long and are divided into many narrow lobes with edges curled under. The flower cluster is a cluster of 10 to 50 or more small flower heads, each on a short peduncle. The flower head has a center of hairy, hairy, star-shaped yellow disc florets and a fringe of four to nine yellow ray florets each about 2 millimeters long. The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long with a small pappus at the tip.

Like many Channel Islands endemics, this plant was threatened with extinction by the herbivory of the feral goats living on the islands; the goats have since been removed and the plant is recovering. The yellow flowers contrast nicely with the silvery-gray foliage. This plant would be good for coastal gardens in southern California where temperatures are moderate and it would receive some fog drip.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Introduced by C. Bornstein, santa Barbara Botanical Garden.

Corethrogyne filaginifolia (syn. Lessingia filaginifolia) is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names Common Sandaster and California Aster. The taxonomy of this plant and certain relatives is currently changing; recently the Corethrogynes have been grouped together under the name Lessingia filaginifolia, and then moved back to genus Corethrogyne as a single species with many synonyms.

It is native to western North America from the southwestern corner of Oregon to Baja California, where it is a common member of many plant communities, including chaparral and woodlands, forests, scrub, grasslands, and the serpentine soils flora.

This is a robust perennial herb or subshrub producing a simple to multibranched stem approaching a meter in maximum length or height. The densely woolly leaves are several centimeters long and toothed or lobed low on the stem and smaller farther up the stem.

The flower cluster is a single flower head or array of several heads at the tips of stem branches. The head is lined with narrow, pointed, purple-tipped phyllaries which curl back as the head matures. Inside are many purple, lavender, pink, or white ray florets and a center packed with up to 120 tubular yellow disc florets. The fruit is an achene with a pappus of reddish bristles on top.

California Aster appears to do best in rocky slopes and sloping rock gardens. They often don't do as well on flat areas. On dry slopes surrounded by rocks, the plant will usually stay beautiful year round. If happy, it will often reseed and pop up in nearby rocky places.

This plant is very drought tolerant if situated properly. It is not tolerant of summer water, which will often kill it after its first year. California Aster is available in nurseries primarily in low-growing, spreading varieties. 'Silver Carpet' is one of the most beautiful and popular.

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

Horticultural selection from Corethrogyne filaginifolia. Selected for the garden. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden. One of the best native California groundcoves. Very low growing and compact, with a nice mounding form, beautiful silver folliage and pink flowers that last from summer through fall. Blooms in summer and fall.When planted over a wall or rocks it spills over nicely. It is a perfect plant for borders, planters, rock gardens and containers. Keep lightly pruned for best appearance. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

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

Alderson's rush-rose (Crocanthemum aldersonii) is a low shrub in the Cistaceae or rock rose family. In the wild, it is found in Southern California and Baja, Mexico, on chaparral slopes and canyons at elevations up to 4,000 feet.  The leaves are blade-like, the yellow flowers  cup-shaped or flat-petalled, blooming in spring.

It should be noted that there are many non-native varieties of Cistus that are commonly available in nurseries; almost all are commonly called Rock Rose or Sun Rose.

Crocanthemum scoparium is a species in the Cistaceae (Rockrose) family which is endemic to California. There may be some taxonomic confusion about this species, and some sources include it in the genus Helianthemum. Its common names include Peak Rockrose and Peak Rushrose. There are two recognized varieties, both uncommon. This is a small perennial shrub bearing long, smooth stems and small flowers each with five bright yellow petals. It is found in dry, sandy areas in hills and low mountains primarily along the coast from the Bay Area southward, with a concentration in San Diego County. It should be noted that there are many non-native varieties of Cistus that are commonly available in nurseries; almost all are commonly called Rock Rose or Sun Rose.