Plantago subnuda is a species of plantain known by the common name tall coastal plantain. It is native to western North America from the west coast of the United States to west-central Mexico, where it grows in wet and moist habitat types, often in coastal areas, such as marshland. It is a perennial herb producing few oval leaves around a thick caudex. The broad smooth-edged or slightly toothed leaves may be up to 40 centimeters long. The stemlike flower clusters grow erect to a maximum height near half a meter. Atop the peduncle of the flower cluster is a dense cylindrical spike of many tiny flowers. Each flower has a corolla of ephemeral petals about 3 millimeters long.

The Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), a species of plane tree native to California, is a tall, distinctive tree that stands out in any landscape. This tree is known for its bark, which is mottled in shades of pale tan, gray, and white. The bark peels as it ages. It has twisting branches and large leaves which turn orange-yellow in the fall. It produces seed balls after blooming. It's an important host plant for the Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

Naturally found in moist areas near rivers and streams, this tree requires a significant amount of water to thrive. When not planted near a water source, it needs regular irrigation. The Western Sycamore tolerates different soil types and does best in full sun. It can grow up to 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide, so be sure to give new trees a large planting area.

Platystemon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the Papaveraceae (Poppy) family containing the single species Platystemon californicus, which is known by the common name Creamcups. It is native to the southwestern United States and Baja California, where it is a common spring wildflower in many types of habitat. In California it is found from north to south, along the coast, in foothills, the Coast Ranges, Transverse Range and Peninsular Range. It is populr as an ornamental plant for landscaping and revegetation of recently burned areas. This is an annual herb which is quite variable in appearance. The oppositely arranged leaves are 2 to 8 centimeters long and in shape linear, lance-shaped, or oblong. It is hairy in texture, sometimes with very long hairs. The flower cluster is a single flower on a tall peduncle up to 20 centimeters high. The flower has six petals which may be pure white or golden or white with large gold spots or gold tips. The center of the flower is filled with a tuftlike cluster of many thick, flattened stamens. The fruit is a capsule with several one-seeded sections that break apart. There is one recognized variety, var. ciliatus, which is a rare plant endemic to Santa Barbara Island.

Pluchea odorata is a species of flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae, that is native to the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Common names include Sweetscent, Salt Marsh Fleabane, and Shrubby Camphorweed. It inhabits wetlands and other coastal habitats and moist inland areas, often in saline substrates. It is an introduced species and a noxious weed in Hawaii. It is an annual or perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height over one meter. It is hairy, coated in rough trichomes (hairs), and strongly aromatic. The toothed oval leaves are up to 12 centimeter (4.7 inches) long and alternately arranged on the stiff stems. The flower cluster is a large cluster of many flower heads. Each head is less than 1 centimeter (0.39 inches) long and filled with bright pinkish-purple or magenta flowers. The fruit is a tiny achene tipped with a bristly pappus.

Poa secunda (variously known by the common names of Sandberg bluegrass, alkali bluegrass, big bluegrass, Canby's bluegrass, Nevada bluegrass, one-sided bluegrass, Pacific bluegrass, pine blugrass, slender bluegrass, wild bluegrass, and curly bluegrass. ) is a widespread species of grass native to North and South America. It is highly resistant to drought conditions, and provides excellent fodder; and has also been used in controlling soil erosion, and as revegetator, often after forest fires. Cultivars include 'Canbar', 'Service', 'Sherman', and 'Supernova'. Historically, indigenous Americans, such as the Gosiute of Utah, have used P. secunda for food. It was originally described botanically in 1830 by Jan Svatopluk Presl, from a holotype collected from Chile by Thaddäus Haenke in 1790.

Poliomintha incana is a species of flowering plant in the mint family which is known as frosted mint. It is native to dry and desert areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is a strongly aromatic shrub with dark green foliage covered in small white hairs. Scattered about the foliage are fuzzy, tubular flowers in shades of light purple and blue with tiny purple spots. Frosted mint is eaten fresh or dried or used as a flavoring by Native American groups, particularly the Tewa and Hopi.

Polygonum paronychia is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common names dune knotweed, black knotweed, and beach knotweed. It is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to California, where it grows in sandy coastal habitat such as beaches, dunes, and scrub. Polygonum paronychia is a small prostrate or upright shrub producing multibranched brown stems up to a meter (40 inches) long. The stems may root at nodes that come in contact with moist substrate. The leaves are alternately arranged on the stems but are mostly located bunched around the tips of the stem branches. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped with rolled edges and bristly midribs on the undersides. Each leaf has a large stipule which forms a wide, membranous ochrea. The ochrea is up to 2 centimeters (0. 8 inches) long and is persistent, fraying into fibrous, silvery shreds that remain on the plant through the seasons. Flowers occur in the leaf axils. Each is up to a centimeter (0. 4 inches) wide with five narrow white or pinkish corolla lobes. Polygonum paronychia is a small prostrate or upright shrub producing multibranched brown stems up to a meter (40 inches) long. The stems may root at nodes that come in contact with moist substrate. The leaves are alternately arranged on the stems but are mostly located bunched around the tips of the stem branches. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped with rolled edges and bristly midribs on the undersides. Each leaf has a large stipule which forms a wide, membranous ochrea. The ochrea is up to 2 centimeters (0. 8 inches) long and is persistent, fraying into fibrous, silvery shreds that remain on the plant through the seasons. Flowers occur in the leaf axils. Each is up to a centimeter (0. 4 inches) wide with five narrow white or pinkish corolla lobes.

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

Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) is a fast-growing native shade tree found in alluvial bottomlands and along streamsides at elevations from 0 to 6,500 feet. It thrives in moist soils with plenty of sunlight and is known for its striking, heart-shaped leaves that shimmer in the wind.

This tree is tough and easy to grow, reaching up to 100 feet tall and 35 feet wide when well-watered. It can grow 10–20 feet in a single year, making it ideal for large spaces but unsuitable for small gardens. Due to its invasive roots, it should not be planted near lawns or structures.

Often, only male trees are sold to avoid the "cotton" produced by female trees. Fremont cottonwood is ecologically important, providing habitat and food for birds and butterflies.

Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) is a native tree that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 100 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in alluvial bottomplands and streamsides, at elevations from 0-9000 feet. Tough and easy to grow as long as it is in sun, near a water sources and has very good drainage. Black Cottonwood is a great choice to help build a natural irrigation system - its long shallow roots will reach out to the water source and pull underground water molecules through your garden. It needs moist soil until mature, and then becomes moderately drought tolerant.

Argentina anserina, also known as common silverweed, silverweed cinquefoil or just "silverweed", is a flowering perennial plant in the rose family Rosaceae. It is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, often on river shores and in grassy habitats such as meadows and road-sides. The plant was formerly classified in the genus Potentilla but was reclassified into the resurrected genus Argentina by research in the 1990s. It is a species aggregate which has frequently been divided into multiple species. Silverweed is most often found in sandy or gravelly soils, where it may spread rapidly by its prolific rooting stolons. It typically occurs in inland habitats, unlike A. egedii, which is a salt-tolerant coastal salt marsh plant.

Potentilla gracilis, known as Slender Cinquefoil, or Graceful Cinquefoil is a species of cinquefoil. Named varieties are:

Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana) is a common subspecies of the small to medium-sized flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, but has been introduced to at least a half-dozen other countries. In California's Central Valley and deserts it is an important habitat plant for many species of wildlife. Honey Mesquite has a rounded crown and crooked, drooping branches with feathery foliage and straight, paired spines on twigs. In some settings it will remain a low growing shrub forming dense thickets that are used as refuge by rabbits, quail, and other animals. In other settings it grows as a tree that reaches 20-30 feet, rarely as tall as 50 feet. It is highly adapted to arid environments with a very deep taproot (up to 100 ft.) to reach underground water. The fruit is a nutritious "bean pod" that is valued by many animals and was eaten by native people of the desert. It has spines and caution should be used when deciding where to plant it. It is an essential plant for the desert wildlife garden.

Prosopis pubescens, commonly known as Screwbean Mesquite or Tornillo, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the southwestern United States (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, southern Nevada and Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora). In California it is found primarily in desert areas from Inyo County southward. It has light brown bark, usually short, straight spines (1-3 centimeter/0.39-1.2 inches), twice-compound leaves, and numerous, small, yellowish flowers appearing in elongate spikes. It is found along streams and valleys in deserts, particularly in damp or saline soil, and grows to about 7 meter (23 feet). It is distinguished from the very similar Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) by its tightly twisted seedpods (legumes) which very much resemble turned screws. This morphology may have been an evolutionary defense against seed predators such as bean weevils (Bruchinae). Like Honey Mesquite, these seed pods are valued by wildlife and were eaten by native people.

Prunella vulgaris, known as common selfheal, heal-all, heart-of-the-earth or h kh tho in Vietnamese, is a medicinal plant in the genus Prunella. It grows from 1 to 2 feet high, with creeping, self-rooting, tough, square, reddish stems branching at leaf axis. The leaves are lance shaped, serrated and reddish at tip, about an inch long and 1/2 inch broad, grow on short stalks in opposite pairs down the square stem. The flowers grow from a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster, immediately below this club are a pair of stalkless leaves standing out on either side like a collar. Flowers are two lipped and tubular, the top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white, it has three lobes with the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly. Flowers bloom at different times depending on climate and other conditions; Mostly from June to August. For medicinal purposes, the whole plant is gathered when the flowers bloom, and dried. The leaves and small flowers of heal-all are edible. Heal-all is a perennial herb found throughout Europe, Asia, Japan and the United States of America, as well as most temperate climates. Its origin seems to be European, though it has been documented in other countries since before any history of travel. In the United Kingdom it is abundant throughout Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. In the Republic of Ireland it is currently abundant in the west in counties Galway and Clare, the south-west in Kerry, the south coast and is also found around the central basin of Ireland. It is often found growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils. It is grown in any damp soil in full sun or in light shade. Seeds are sown in very early spring in a flat outdoor area.

Hybrid of Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry) and P. ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry). Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden.

Prunus andersonii is a species of shrub in the rose family, part of the same genus as the peach, cherry, and almond. Its common names include desert peach and desert almond. It is native to eastern California and western Nevada, where it grows in forests and scrub in desert and mountains. Prunus andersonii is a shrub approaching two meters (80 inches) in height, its tangling branches narrowing to spiny-tipped twigs. Serrated, lance-shaped to oval leaves occur in clusters, each leaf measuring up to 3 centimeters (1. 2 inches) long. The shrub is deciduous. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or pair of flowers. Each flower has usually five concave pink petals each just under a centimeter (0. 4 inches) long, with many whiskerlike stamens at the center. Flowers bloom before or at the same time as the leaves appear. The fruit is a fuzzy reddish-orange drupe around a centimeter (0. 4 inches) wide. The fruits are fleshy in years with ample moisture, and dry in drought years. The seed is a heart-shaped stone. The plant reproduces sexually via germination of the seed, and vegetatively by sprouting from its rhizome. One plant may sprout and resprout from its rhizomes to form a very large clone which can spread over several acres.

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

Prunus fremontii is a North American species of plants in the rose family, known by the common name desert apricot. It takes its scientific name from John C. Frémont. It is found in northern and western Baja California especially, mostly Pacific and western, and the adjacent area of southern California. It also occurs in northern Baja California Sur. Prunus fremontii is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching up to five meters (16 2/3 feet) in height. Flowers are white or pink, blooming about the same time as the leaves unfurl in the Spring. Fruits are yellow and egg-shaped.

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

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

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

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

The edible fruits are favored by birds and other wildlife. 

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

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

California Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium californicum) is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family. It is native to the west coast of North America from Washington to Baja California, where it is a member of the flora of many habitats, including chaparral. In California it is most often found near the coast from Sonoma County southward and in the Sierra foothills.

This is an annual or biennial herb with branching stems. Its green herbage is hairy, sticky and scented. The flower head is a wide cluster of flowers, each enveloped in ringed rows of bright white. The flowers are very long lasting when dried and are used in flower arrangements.

Classification is disputed between the genera Pseudognaphalium and Gnaphalium, but it is presently classified as Pseudognaphlium. Also, some sources refer to this plant as Pearly Everlasting, but that's actually the common name of a different species (Anaphlis margaritacea). California Cudweed would work best in an informal garden or wildscape. It re-seeds prolifically, so be prepared to pull seedlings from areas where it is not wanted.

Pseudognaphalium canescens (syn. Gnaphalium canescens) is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Wright's Cudweed. It is native to western North America from western Canada to northern Mexico. It can be found in many habitats, from mountains to plateau to coastline. The many-branched stem is erect to a maximum height of around a meter. It is gray-green and woolly with many narrow leaves. Atop the stem branches are flower clusters of several pointed oval-shaped pale yellowish, cream, or white flower heads. Each woolly head is a few millimeters across and contains many tiny disc florets. This plant is seldom seen in gardens but is useful for restoration projects.

White Everlasting (Gnaphalium canescens ssp. microcephalum) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows primarily in southern California, along the central coast, and in the Sierras. It tends to grow at elevations from sea level to 6,500 feet. Like other members of this genus, the flowers are very long-lasting when dried and are used in flower arrangements. It is the larval host plant for the American lady butterfly. Fuzzy greenish-white leaves and stems sometimes visited by Woolcarder Bees, who harvest the fuzz to build their nests. Flowers very long lasting and good in dried flower arrangements. Pioneer species along with native grasses and lotus (Acmispon) species.

The Smokethorn (Psorothamnus spinosus) is a perennial legume tree common to the desert washes of the southern part of California, Arizona, and most of Baja California. The Smokethorn is also common to Joshua Tree National Park, where it is called the Smoketree. The twigs of the Smokethorn are slender and densely covered with fine whitish hairs. The flowers are lateral clusters of purple in June, with small seeded pea pods as its fruit.

Brackens (Pteridium) are a genus comprising several species of large, coarse ferns. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells (eggs and sperm). Brackens are in the family Dennstaedtiaceae, which are noted for their large, highly divided leaves. They are commonly found on moorland. Brackens are cosmopolitan, being found on all continents except Antarctica and in all environments except deserts. The genus probably has the widest distribution of any fern genus in the world. In the past, the genus was commonly treated as having only one species, Pteridium aquilinum, but the recent trend is to subdivide it into about ten species.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) is a slow-growing, evergreen tree with a distinctive broad crown. The glossy dark green leaves and reddish-brown bark give it a formal look.

In winter and spring, the oak blooms with green and white flowers. The tree's long, narrow acorns serve as a food source for deer.

Interior Live Oak is a resilient and adaptable species. It thrives at elevations ranging from sea level to 5,000 feet, making it an essential part of diverse ecosystems throughout California. Interior Live Oak grows in part to full shade and prefers dry, loamy soil.

Rafinesquia neomexicana is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family. Common names include Desert Chicory, Plumeseed or New Mexico Plumeseed. Plants are gray-green with sparse foliage and are between 15 and 50 centimeter high. Basal leaves are 5 to 20 centimeter long and pinnate with narrow lobes while leaves further up the stem are smaller. White flowerheads appear at the end of the stems between May and June in the species native range.

California Buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) is a perennial herb with glossy, deep yellow flowers featuring 9 to 17 petals. Native to much of California, Baja California, Oregon, and Pacific coastal islands, it blooms in late winter to spring. Two varieties exist: Var. californicus grows 1–2 feet tall, while Var. cuneatus forms a low ground cover.

This buttercup thrives in borders, meadows, and with native annuals or bulbs, needing little summer water. It self-seeds easily and can be propagated from seeds. Occasionally, nursery plants are available. A beautiful, low-maintenance addition, its seeds can even be toasted for culinary use.

Horticultural selection from Frangula californica from Little sur. 'Little sur' is a very neat and compact evergreen Coffeeberry selection. It is ideally suited to smaller gardens since it stays under 4'h and 3-4' spread. It has rich, dark green foliage year round, with small, white flowers in spring and eye-catching berries in the fall. The large berries start out green, then turn purple and finally black. Use this as a small hedge, under oaks, or as a feature shrub in a small garden or medium height accent shrub in a larger garden. It is naturally suited to coastal areas and most experts recommend some partial shade inland. However, it has done well for us in full sun at our inland site. As with the regular Coffeeberry, this shrub is a hub for birds who feast on the berries in fall.

Horticultural selection R. californica: origin = cuttings (1985) Little sur River mouth, central coast, Monterey Co.; intro Tree of Life Nursery 1987 Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Hollyleaf Redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia) is an evergreen native shrub that grows in the foothills and mountains of southern and central California, the Sierra foothills, and the foothills west of Sacremento Valley. It primarily grows at elevations from 500 to 6600 feet. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Rhamnus crocea but is now considered a separate species. Their ranges overlap considerably, and they resemble each other superficially.

This plant is reasonable to grow if properly sited. Plant in part shade or full sun on rocky slopes, or at least with plenty of rocks surrounding it. It seems to prefer part shade in the drier parts of its range.

It can tolerate summer water up to 1x per month. However once established, it's usually happiest without any supplementary water, but in a spot where it can run its roots over to an irrigated area or a place with a little more natural moisture, such as a creek or rain gully. The flowers are inconspicuous; the plant is grown primarily for its springtime bright and shiny red berries. These berries are an important food source for birds.

This plant has small leaves with sharp points along their edges, resembling small holly leaves (thus its common name). These leaves give this plant significant deer resistance. This shrub is quite versatile in garden landscapes, from wildlife habitat to erosion control to hedges and barriers.

In optimal conditions, Hollyleaf Redberry can grow from a 1-gallon container to 3 feet tall in two years.

Hairyleaf Redberry (Rhamnus pilosa) is a relatively rare native shrub that grows in San Diego in the Peninsular Range, at elevations from 500 - 5000 feet. Most frequently it grows in rocky north facing slopes.

It's a striking plant, closely related to Rhamnus crocea, but with a more upright form, and leaves that are grey green in the winter and spring, with somewhat hairier leaves and stems than either Rhamnus crocea or Rhamnus ilicifolia. It produces a beautiful display of bright red berries in May and June. In the summer its leaves turn a darker green. It appears to grow in full sun and part shade.

Unfortunately, this plant is not carried in nurseries.

Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a shrub in the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family; it has several other common names, including lemonade sumac. It was formerly classified as Rhus trilobata; some sources still refer to it that way. 

It is native to western North America. It occurs in many parts of California, including the northern Coast Ranges, Sierra foothills, and southern coastal mountains. It can be found from deserts to mountain peaks up to about 7,000 feet in elevation.

The pale yellow flowers are followed by a red, fleshy drupe that has a sticky coating, similar to lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia). This species closely resembles other members of the genus that have leaves with three "leaflets" ("trifoliate" leaves), including poison oak. People with sensitivity to poison oak should use caution around fragrant sumac.

The shape of the leaflets and the habit of the shrub make this species, like some other Rhus species, resemble small-leafed oaks (Quercus). The plant is deciduous and exhibits good fall color.

Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It tends to grow slowly at first, then fast to 10 feet to 30 feet tall. Its form is upright  but it  can sprawl. However, it takes pruning very well and may be pruned, or sheared as a hedge, at any time of year.  The ;eaves are leathery, with a waxy appearance above and a paler tone below. The pink flowers, which appear from February to May, are small but noticeable. The fruit is dark red, block-shaped and sticky, and has a tart flavor which gives the plant its name. 

Lemonade berry is great for slopes. It is easy to grow and very hardy, becoming nearly indestructible once established. At that point it will stay green and healthy-looking year round without any supplementary summer water. It prefers sun or part sun and well-draining soil. 

Lemonade berry is very closely related to Sugar Bush. A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is within 5-10 miles of the coast, lemonade berry is a better choice. More inland, sugar bush does better.

This is an important wildlife plant. The berries are a significant food source for birds and small mammals, and the thick sprawling form provides excellent animal shelter.  It hosts almost a dozen species of butterfly and moth. 

Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata) is an evergreen shrub to small tree that grows in chaparral in dry canyons and slopes below 4300 feet in southern California, Arizona and Baja California. In the southern part of its range (in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties), Sugar Bush generally grows in the foothills and mountains, and the closely related Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) grows closer to the coast.

It has a rounded appearance, often growing wider than tall. Sugar Bush has thick,breddish twigs. Its foliage consists of dark-green, leathery, ovate leaves that are folded along the midrib. The leaf arrangement is alternate.

Its flower clusters, which occur at the ends of branches, consist of small, five-petaled flowers that appear to be pink but upon closer examination actually have white to pink petals with red sepals. Additionally, the flowers may be either bisexual or pistillate. The fruit is a small reddish, sticky drupe, about 0.2 to 0.5 inches in diameter, that is said to be edible.

Sugar Bush is tough, easy to grow, and very fast growing once established. A 5-gallon container plant will reach 10 feet in about three years if happy.

In nature, you'll almost always see Sugar Bush on slopes, though it grows well on flat areas in garden applications. It's one of the few larger chaparral shrubs that grows well in south-facing slopes even in the drier parts of its range, and it's a great bank stabilizer. It tolerates a wide variety of soils.

It grows fastest with full sun, just a little slower in part shade. It tolerates summer water up to 1x per month but shouldn't need any once established. It is incredibly healthy and typically will appear green and lush through the entire dry season without any supplementary water.

The biggest downside of this plant is that it can get huge, often more than 30 feet wide, and can aggressively crowd out nearby plants. It is said to be fire resistant, especially if given supplemental water.

Sugar Bush hybridizes often with Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia). A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is: Within 5-10 miles of the coast, Lemonade Berry is a better choice. More inland, Sugar Bush does better.

One of two recognized varieties of the species Ribes aureum, all known by the common name Golden Currant, it is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub 6-10 feet tall. It is native to the inland mountains of California, primarily the Sierras. It tends to have a more upright form than Ribes aureum var gracillimum. It blooms in spring with racemes of conspicuous golden yellow flowers that gradually turn red. Flowers often have a fragrance similar to that of cloves or vanilla. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Leaves are green, shaped similarly to gooseberry leaves, and turn red in autumn. The plant is deciduous from late December to early February. The shrub produces berries about half an inch in diameter from an early age. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black in color, are edible, and attract a wide range of birds. This plant is recommended for higher elevation gardens.

Ribes aureum var gracillimum, known by the common name Golden Currant, is a species of small to medium-sized deciduous shrub that grows 3-6 feet tall. It's native to the coast and foothill regions of California, growing most commonly in the southern foothills of the Transverse Range, and more rarely in the coastal ranges as far as the Mendocino National Forest. It blooms in spring with racemes of conspicuous golden yellow flowers, often with a pronounced fragrance similar to that of cloves or vanilla. The flowers attract hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Leaves are green, shaped similarly to gooseberry leaves, turning red in autumn. The plant is deciduous from late December to early February. The shrub produces berries about half an inch in diameter from an early age. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black in color, are tasty, and attract a wide range of birds.

While Golden Currants are fairly drought tolerant once mature, they grow best in areas with somewhat more ground water, such as the bottom of slopes, near creeks or canyon bottoms, or near irrigated areas. On the coast, they prefer full sun, and inland, part shade. They do best when surrounded by mulch, and grow well under oak trees and in mixed chaparral. When Golden Currants are thriving, they self-seed and spread out from the original plant and can serve as a groundcover.

Hillside Gooseberry (Ribes californicum) is an easy to grow native shrub. Hillside Gooseberry tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from sea level to nearly 6,000 feet. It will reach 4 to 8 feet high and 2 to 6 feet wide. The dangling flowers, which appear in spring, are pink, purple or yellow. The branches bear spines, so keep this in mind when deciding the planting location.

This plant will grow in part-shade, in sandy or rocky soil, and requires little water once established.

The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds and the berries make it a valuable wildlife plant, especially to birds. It hosts several butterfly species, including the Tailed Copper, Hoary Comma and Oreas Comma.

Ribes cereum is a species of currant known by the common names wax currant (R. c. var. pedicellare is known as whisky currant). It is native to western North America, including British Columbia, Alberta, and much of the western United States, from Washington, Oregon, and California east as far as the western Dakotas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Ribes cereum grows in several types of habitat, including mountain forests in alpine climates, sagebrush, and woodlands. It can grow in many types of soils, including sandy soils and soil made of clay substrates, serpentine soils, and lava beds. This is a spreading or erect shrub growing 20 centimeters (8 inches) to 2 meters (80 inches) tall. It is aromatic, with a "spicy" scent. The stems are fuzzy and often very glandular, and lack spines and prickles. The leaves are somewhat rounded and divided into shallow lobes which are toothed along the edges. The leaves are hairless to quite hairy, and usually studded with visible resin glands, particularly around the edges. The inflorescence is a clustered raceme of 2 to 9 flowers. The small flower is tubular with the white to pink sepals curling open at the tips to form a corolla-like structure. Inside there are minute white or pinkish petals, five stamens, and a two protruding green styles. The fruit is a rather tasteless red berry up to a centimeter (0. 4 inch) wide, with a characteristically long, dried flower remnant at the end.


One of it's former common names (S**** currant) is considered derogatory as a slur used against Native women.

Ribes divaricatum is a species of currant known by several common names, including spreading gooseberry, coast black gooseberry, and wild gooseberry. It is native to the forests, woodlands, and coastal scrub of western North America from British Columbia to California. It is a shrub sometimes reaching 3 meters in height with woody branches with one to three thick brown thorns at leaf nodes. The leaves are generally palmate in shape and edged with teeth. The blades are up to 6 centimeters long and borne on petioles. The flower cluster is a small cluster of hanging flowers, each with reflexed purple-tinted green sepals and smaller, lighter petals encircling long, protruding stamens. The fruit is a berry up to a centimeter wide which is black when ripe. It is similar to Ribes lacustre and Ribes lobbi, but the former has smaller, reddish to maroon flowers and the latter has reddish flowers that resemble those of fuchsias and sticky leaves. The fruit was food for a number of Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest, and other parts of the plant, especially the bark, was used for medicinal purposes.

Ribes malvaceum, called "chaparral currant", is a member of the Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family). It is endemic to California. It occurs below 1500 meter in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest ranging from Baja California to the San Francisco Bay area and inner Northern Coastal Ranges. Less than 2 meters tall, this perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members in the genus Ribes. The leaf blades (20-50 millimeter) are densely hairy and double toothed. Bright pink flowers produce edible purple berries.

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

Horticultural selection from Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum. Dancing Tassels is a beautiful summer deciduous shrub for shady areas. Growing to 6 feet tall, this vase shaped shrub has soft green lobed leaves and peeling red-brown bark. The small, pinkish white flowers are jammed together on pendulous, chandelier-like 4 inch clusters. Dancing Tassels was selected for use in the garden by the Rancho santa Ana Botanical Garden because it sports the longest flower clusters of the species. It is originally from Bryce Canyon on san Clemente Island. Chaparral Currant blooms earlier in winter than the Pink Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), providing hummingbirds an outstanding nectar source in late fall and early winter. It is also more sun and drought tolerant than R. Sanguineum. After its long flowering period, Dancing Tassels produces dark blue fruits that appeal to a large variety of songbirds and human jelly makers. Tailed Copper butterflies also use it as a larval plant. In coastal areas plant in full sun or part shade, inland it needs filtered shade. It is not finicky about soil type, but it needs good drainage. Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden on san Clemente Island by Bart O' Brien and Tom Hayduk of Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden.

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

This is one of two recognized varieties of Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum). The other is var. viridifolium. Both are known by the same common name. Their ranges are somewhat different but overlapping. Var. Malvaceum is found primarily in the central Coast Ranges from Tehama County to Orange County. Var. viridifolium is found along the coast from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County and northern Baja. For further details see the entry for Ribes malvaceum.

Ribes malvaceum (Montara Rose), Chaparral Currant
Description
Ribes malvaceum, called "chaparral currant", is a member of the gooseberry family. It is endemic to California. This selection from Montara Mountain grows 4 to 6 ft. tall and has deep pink flowers clusters in the spring that produce edible purple berries. It can handle part shade to full sun, and is one of the earliest ribes to start blooming -- often in late winter. Popular with hummingbirds.

Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium) is a summer-deciduous shrub that native to southern and central California, growing primarily in the transverse range mountains and upper peninsular range mountains.

It grows quickly to about 6 feet in height, with beautiful red to light pink flowers in the winter that attract hummingbirds. It can handle some summer water (1-2x per month), and a wide variety of soil types. It prefers part shade or full shade.

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

Sierra Currant (Ribes nevadense) is a native shrub in the Grossulariaceae (Currant/Gooseberry) family that grows primarily in the mountainous interior regions of the state. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 6 feet, 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 places, at elevations from 3,000-10,000 feet but is said to perform well at lower elevations. It is moderately drought tolerant but can also tolerate more water.

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

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

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

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selection from the pacific Northwest.

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