Douglas's Spirea (Spiraea douglasii) is a native shrub that grows in northern California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 7 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are purple and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are dark green and deciduous. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-6400 feet.

Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) is a moderately fast-growing and moderately long-lived bunchgrass, native to southern and central California. It thrives in a variety of habitats, from coastal areas to foothills, central valley, and desert mountains, typically in locations with slightly more moisture. Its most notable feature is its ability to tolerate alkaline soils, which is reflected in its name. Early settlers viewed it as an indicator of underground water. This grass grows upright to a height of 3 feet, with active growth in spring and summer, producing yellow flowers that bloom in mid-summer. The showy seedheads persist throughout the summer and last for many months. The medium green leaves are deciduous and fall off in winter.

Alkali Sacaton is found in moist, but not saturated, places at elevations ranging from 0 to 6,900 feet. It can tolerate occasional foot traffic, but it should not be considered as a replacement for a lawn in areas that experience regular or heavy foot traffic.

White Hedge Nettle, Stachys albens, is a mint endemic to California. The plant is fuzzy all over, with opposite, triangular, serrate leaves, a square stem, and a fragrant minty smell if bruised. It produces a layered spike of many small white to cream colored flowers with purplish veins. Each flower has a 2-lipped and 5-lobed calyx which is densely cobwebby.

Stachys albens occurs between sea level (0 ft.) and 9000 ft. (2740 m) in nature. It is found in moist to wet riparian, bog, seep, and swamp habitats within the following plant communities: Central, Foothill, and Southern Oak Woodland; Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub;, Valley Grassland; Wetland-Riparian; Yellow Pine Forest; Red Fir Forest; Lodgepole Pine Forest; California Mixed Evergreen Forest; and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (Mojave and Colorado Deserts).

White Hedge Nettle is very easy to grow in sun (coast-high elevations) to part sun (coast-inland) in regularly watered landscape areas. It is a winter deciduous/dormant perennial plant, and in dryer gardens it may go partially or fully summer dormant/deciduous also. It spreads by rhizomes to the edge of moisture, and in consistently moist garden conditions can become invasive. Stachys albens is a larval host for the Variable Checkerspot. Butterfly.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Central and south western CA.

Nodding Needle Grass is a native grass that grows in many parts of California, primarily in the Coast Ranges from Tehama County southward at elevations from sea level to 5,000 ft. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. There have been some taxonomic changes related to this genus (Needlegrass) over the years, and some sources may refer to it as Nasella. The Stipas generally have been a major component of California's native grasslands. In the garden it is best used in small patches between chaparral or sage scrub species and mixed with various perennial herbs and annuals.

Stipa lepida, known as Foothill Needlegrass or Small Flowered Needlegrass, is a native bunchgrass that grows in northwestern, central western, and southwestern California. In nature it tends to grow on dry slopes below 4,600 feet, in chaparral, grassland, oak savanna, or coastal sage scrub habitats.
This is a 'cool season' bunchgrass, with active growth during the winter through spring, and mid to late summer dormancy (partial to full deciduous) into the autumn.

Foothill Needlegrass is moderate to fast growing and can be long-lived. It grows in an upright mounding form to a height of 3 feet. It blooms in the early spring with golden yellow-tan flowers on stems above the foliage. Long narrow leaves are a medium green. It can tolerate occasional summer water, and may stay greener as a consequence, but will rot and die if it gets too much irrigation. It is drought tolerant with a very deep root system once established It is more tolerant of some shade than the other native needlegrasses (Stipa spp.), and can be used under the canopy of mature oaks and other native trees.

Purple Needlegrasss is California's most widespread native grass. It was named California's State Grass in 2004.

Purple needlegrass gets its name from the color of its young seeds. It is a perennial bunchgrass that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It has a deep root system, which makes it drought adapted and a good plant choice for erosion control.

Purple needlegrass is easy to grow and tolerant of most soil types, including poor and disturbed soils. Plant in full or part sun as part of a low-water meadow garden. This grass produces a large amount of seeds, which attract birds and other wildlife. It has long awns, and pet owners should be aware that they are prickly. It can be cut back when it turns brown at the end of summer.

Storax (Styrax redivivus) is a uncommon native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in grassy and open places, at elevations from 0-5000 feet.

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family known for its delicate bell-shaped pink flowers in spring and clusters of white berries in fall and winter. Native to moist, shady areas, it thrives as an understory plant in woodlands and along streambanks, forming dense thickets when conditions are favorable.

In the garden, snowberry is an excellent choice for dry shade, though it also tolerates additional water. Its adaptability makes it well-suited for a variety of soils and moisture levels. The shrub provides valuable shelter for wildlife, while its berries serve as a favorite food source for birds. Although the berries are mildly toxic to humans, they are harmless to many animals.

The spring blooms are a reliable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding to its appeal as a habitat-friendly addition to native plant gardens.

Canyon Snowberry is recognized variety of Symphoricarpos albus. For garden purposes, the two are virtually identical. It is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California, along the coast, in the coastal mountain ranges, and in the Sierra foothills. It tends to grow in woods, streambanks and north-facing slopes, at elevations from 0-4000 feet.

It is a beautiful plant with lovely white berries in autumn and a great plant for wildlife gardens. It attracts many birds including hummingbirds, butterflies and many other pollinators. Easy to grow in landscaping applications, and tolerates many different soil types and sun conditions. Prefers relatively moist soils --- best to plant near a stream, seep or irrigated area. See listing for Symphoricarpos albus for additional information.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected from san Bruno Mountain.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected by Roy Taylor at Tilden park Botanical Garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Symphoricarpos mollis, with the common names creeping snowberry, Southern California snowberry, and trip vine, is a shrub in the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae). It is found in western North America from British Columbia to California inland to Nevada and Idaho.

The shrub does well in warm climates and can tolerate both intense sun and constant shade. It is a plant of chaparral ecosystems, especially along coastlines.

The cheerful California Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) is a member of the Sunflower family that's native to coastal California. This perennial blooms from summer to fall, making it a good garden companion for other plants that have a spring blooming season. Its petite flowers bloom in subtle shades of blue and lavender. Butterflies and moths are attracted to the nectar. California Aster is a host plant for several species of both insects. Birds eat the seeds after blooming.

California Aster likes loamy clay soil and full or partial sun exposure. It does well in moist soil,but is also drought-adapted and can tolerate receiving little to no supplemental summer water. Cut this plant back to the ground in late fall or early winter. Deadheading produces more flowers, but in wildlife gardens it is often left to go to seed. New growth appears in late winter. It spreads easily by rhizomes; the low-growing 'Point Saint George' cultivar is often used as a groundcover plant.

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

Horticultural selection from Aster chilensis. This native perennial has beautiful showy lavender flowers that last from summer through fall providing a gorgeous color when most flowers are gone. It is a groundcover selection of the species that spreads rapidly which makes it a great option for borders,or containers or as a lawn substitute. It will bear light traffic. This plant grows from rhizomes, so some form of edging to contain its eventual spread and keep it in bounds should be considered when planting. It attracts both butterflies and birds which make it a great choice for both butterfly and bird gardens especially since the flowers bloom in summer and fall when most plants have stopped flowering.

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

Bigflower Tellima (Tellima grandiflora) is a native perennial herb in the Saxifagiaceae (Saxifrage) family that grows in central and northern California, from Santa Cruz northward. It is found in the Coast Ranges and northern Sierras. It tends to grow in the moist shade of evergreen forest at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet. The basal leaves resemble Heuchera and other plants in the same family. The leaves and inflorescence are somewhat hairy. The spike-like raceme carries numerous red, pink or white flowers that are small and ephemeral but very attractive. It would be a good addition to the understory of a woodland garden.

Meadow Rue is a native perennial herb in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family. However, it looks nothing like the conventional image of a Buttercup. It is widespread in Western North America. In California it is found in many locations including the Bay Area, central coast, Coast Ranges, Sierras, and coastal Southern California. It is found from sea level to 10,500 ft., most often in moist forest or woodland areas. It is a shade lover and works well with ferns and other shade plants. In warmer or drier areas it may go dormant in summer and die back to the ground, as some ferns do, but should recover with normal watering.

Torrey's Meadow Rue is a perennial herb that grows in Southern, Central, and Northern California, especially in the Peninsular Ranges' Southern Oak Woodlands. It grows in moist places, often in colonies along stream courses and on shaded slopes in Oak Woodland and Mixed Evergreen Forest habitats.


Torrey's Meadow Rue is used in woodland and shade gardens as a perennial background plant. It has beautiful lacy blue-green foliage that unfurls from purplish shoots.
The tiny unisexual flowers are produced atop 2 - 4 ft. tall stalks on separate plants. The male flowers are showier with dangling cream-yellow colored stamens; the female flowers are clusters of greenish pistils.
It goes dormant in late summer when it is allowed to go dry.


This Meadow Rue is easy to grow, in part sun to shade. It grows with occasional to regular irrigation, and can be drought-tolerant once established.

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), also Western redcedar, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae. In the American horticultural trade, it is also known as the Giant Arborvitae, Arborvitae being another name for its genus. Western red cedar is the Provincial tree of British Columbia, and has extensive applications for the indigenous First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. The western red cedar is not actually a cedar (Cedrus), but belongs in the Cupressaceae family, along with cypresses. It is known by many names, Pacific red cedar, British Columbia cedar, canoe cedar, giant cedar, or just red cedar. Plicata, the species name, derives from a Greek word meaning "folded in plaits", a references to the pattern of its small leaves. It is one of two arborvitaes (Thuja) native to North America. Arborvitae comes from the Latin for "tree of life". Coincidentally, native Americans of the West coast also address the cedar as "long life maker".

Western red cedar is valued for many industrial uses, including roof shingles, construction and cedar chests. It is allergenic, can cause asthma, and construction workers are advised to limit exposure.

Left to itself, it will grow above 200 '. It can be pruned and trained to become a thick 6' tall hedge.

The plant Tolmiea menziesii is the only member of the monotypic genus Tolmiea. It is known by the common names youth on age, thousand mothers, and piggyback plant. It is a perennial plant commonly kept as an ornamental. It is native to the west coast of North America, especially in regions dominated by s. It requires moisture and does not tolerate much sun or dry conditions. The plant is most interesting for its reproductive habits. It grows plantlets from the petiole near the base of each leaf. The plantlets drop off, fall in the soil, and take root there. It will also reproduce by rhizome and by seed propagation. It bears small flowers of various colors, usually brownish-purple to white depending on the cultivar. It has hairy, toothed leaves and a capsule fruit containing spiny seed.

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Toxicodendron diversilobum, commonly named poison oak, Pacific poison oak or western poison oak, is a woody vine or shrub widely distributed in western North America. It is common in various habitats, from riparian zones to dry chaparral. It thrives in shady and dappled light through full and direct sunlight conditions. It is one of the more common shrubs in California, growing throughout the coastal and coast mountain ranges, the Transverse mountain ranges, through the Sierra foothills, and in the Sacramento Valley. It is extremely variable in growth habit and leaf appearance, growing as a dense tall shrub in open sunlight, and a treelike vine or dense thickets in shaded areas. It reproduces by spreading rhizomes and by seeds. The plant is winter deciduous, so that after cold weather sets in, the stems are leafless and bear only the occasional cluster of berries.

Poison oak is known for causing itching and allergic rashes in many humans after contact by touch or smoke inhalation. Because of this, it is usually eradicated from gardens and public landscaped areas. However, it can be a carefully situated component in wildlife gardens, habitat gardens, and natural landscaping. The plant is used in habitat restoration projects. It can be early stage succession where woodlands have been burned or removed, serving as a nurse plant for other species.

Botanist John Howell observed the toxicity of Poison Oak obscures its merits: "In spring, the ivory flowers bloom on the sunny hill or in sheltered glade, in summer its fine green leaves contrast refreshingly with dried and tawny grassland, in autumn its colors flame more brilliantly than in any other native, but one great fault, its poisonous juice, nullifies its every other virtue and renders this beautiful shrub the most disparaged of all within our region."

Black-tailed deer, mule deer, California ground squirrels, western gray squirrels, and other indigenous fauna feed on the leaves of the plant. It is rich in phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur. Bird species use the berries for food, and utilize the plant structure for shelter. Neither native animals, nor horses, livestock, or canine pets demonstrate reactions.

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

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

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

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

White Brodiaea (Triteleia hyacinthina) is a native perennial herb in the Themidaceae family that grows in northern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from sea level to 7,200 feet in the Coast Ranges, Central Valley and Sierras. It grows from a corm that produces two or three strap-like leaves up to 16 in. long. The flower stalk can be up to 2 ft. tall topped by a cluster of a few to many funnel-shaped flowers. The white flowers are sometimes tinged with lavender. The large tepals have a prominent green central vein. The Triteleia genus has been lumped with the Brodiaea genus in the past, and some sources may still refer to it that way.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

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

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

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

With its dark, evergreen leaves and reddish bark, this attractive native shrub provides year-round interest in the garden. It is also an important wildlife plant. The berries are a food source for a variety of birds and mammals. The delicate, bell-shaped flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.

Evergreen Huckleberry grows in coastal California. In the garden, it is a slow-growing, medium-sized shrub that can serve as a hedge or groundcover. It is a low-water plant that tolerates nutrient-poor soil and shady conditions.

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Vancouveria hexandra (white inside-out flower) is a perennial herb in the barberry family Berberidaceae. It is found in western Washington and Oregon and northwestern California and is a common understory herb in moist, shady Douglas Fir forests. This plant grows 20-40 centimetres (8-16 in) high with compound leaves in triplets and is usually found in dense patches. It gets its name from the small delicate white flowers with petal-like sepals that are swept back abruptly as if in the process of turning inside out. The genus honors George Vancouver, the 18th-century explorer of the Pacific Northwest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

De la mina verbena (Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina') is an adaptable, mounding perennial that produces mounds of delicate green foliage and stunning dark purple blossoms with lavender highlights.  The blooms are lightly scented. Though more flowers are on the bush in spring, it blossoms throughout most of the year, making it a very attractive and versatile plant for any flower border, butterfly garden, or patio container. It grows fast to about 2 feet high and spreads to about 4 feet wide. It is evergreen but may be semi-deciduous in summer.

This shrub grows best in loamy, medium-draining soil but will tolerate clay soil provided it isn't over-watered. It uses little to very little water. To maintain a dense form, shear lightly in summer, and remove spent flowers. It prefers sun in coastal sites, part shade inland and is recommended for dry gardens. 

Dog Violet (Viola adunca) is a hairy, compact plant with nodding purple flowers blooming from spring through summer. With dark green heart-shaped fragrant leaves spreading via rhizomes (horizontal underground stems), Dog Violet makes a low mat that covers the ground.

Dog Violet grows in shade or part sun, prefers well-drained soil and needs watering year round. Dog Violet hosts moths and butterflies. Native to meadows and forests, Dog Violet makes a great mat groundcover for woodland and meadow gardens.

The Yellow Pansy (Viola pedunculata) is a common and attractive wildflower of coastal regions of California and Baja California. It is also known as the California Golden Violet, or as the Johnny Jump Up, though the latter name is more usually associated with the introduced Heartsease, Viola tricolor. The Yellow Pansy grows on open, grassy slopes, chaparral, and in oak woodlands, from sea level to around 1000 meters. It is a perennial, growing from a spongy rhizome. The leaves are 1-5.5 centimeter, heart-shaped (heart-shaped) to deltate-ovate (oblong-triangular), scalloped or toothed, and smooth or hairy. The plant is often low-growing, but can reach heights of up to 40 centimeter. The flowers appear in March and April, and are always yellow. They are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects. Dried in air, the seeds weigh about 4mg each.

Roger's red grape (vitis 'Roger's red') is a vigorous hybrid between the native vitis californica and the European vitis vinifera.  It is a vigorous, deciduous vine, prized for its flaming red foliage in fall.

This vine either needs to climb or will become a mounding, spreading groundcover. It is great for covering arbors or fence and can provide good shade in summer.  It is best pruned and shaped during the winter before the appearance of spring leaves. It is said to have higher than average resistance to Pierce's Disease.

Roger’s red is also wonderful for wildlife.  It will attract pollinators when it flowers in spring, as well as birds and wildlife, which feast on the prolific bunches of small red grapes which ripen in late summer. Note that the fruit is toxic to dogs.

California grape (Vitis californica) is a vigorous, deciduous vine that can be trained to cover an arbor or fence or serve as a groundcover if left unsupported. Its edible purple fruit ripens in late summer (though it is toxic to dogs), and its large leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and yellow in fall.

This fast-growing plant thrives with water but is highly drought-adapted once established. While it can tolerate heavy irrigation, excessive growth may require regular pruning to keep it in check.

California grape provides excellent cover for wildlife. Birds and other animals rely on its fruit, bees are drawn to its flowers, and it is one of the best plants for supporting butterflies in the fall.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Cal Flora Nursery from possible hybrid found growing near the Russian River.

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

Desert Wild Grape is a native vine or shrub that grows in southern California. It tends to grow in streamsides, at elevations from 0-4100 feet, but it is found in more arid areas than its close cousin, Vitis californica. It grows in southern oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, pinyon-juniper woodland, joshua tree woodland, and riparian habitats. In the wild it tends to climb over other plants with stems reaching up to 50 ft. In the garden it can be trained to climb up a trellis, fence or wall. It is deciduous and is leafless for several months every year. The flowers are inconspicuous, followed by the edible fruits which attract many birds. It may not fruit reliably if too close to the coast.

Whipplea is a monotypic genus containing the single species Whipplea modesta, which is known by several common names including common whipplea, yerba de selva, and modesty. It is a dicot shrub or sub-shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family, native to the Pacific Coastal region of the United States. Whipplea appears to have been first recorded in 1853 by the Scottish botanical explorer John Jeffrey in the Umpqua Valley near Mount Shasta, California, and named for Lieutenant Amiel Weeks Whipple (1817-1863), American surveyor and engineer.

Mule Ears (Wyethia mollis) is one of several species in this genus that are found in California. It is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows primarily in the Sierra from Fresno County northward. It is slow growing and long-lived, developing an upright form, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are white-gray and deciduous. It tends to be a pioneer species, growing in open grassy areas or recently burned sites, at elevations from 4500 to 10,600 feet. Afternoon shade is helpful. It can handle very cold, snowy winters. For southern California mountain gardens, Wyethia ovata would be a better choice.

Xerophyllum tenax is a North American species of plants in the corn lily family. It is known by several common names, including bear grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and basket grass. Xerophyllum tenax has flowers with six tepals and six stamens borne in a terminal raceme. The plant can grow to 15-150 cm in height. It grows in bunches with the leaves wrapped around and extending from a small stem at ground level. The leaves are 30-100 cm long and 2-6 mm wide, dull olive green with toothed edges. The slightly fragrant white flowers emerge from a tall stalk that bolts from the base. When the flowers are in bloom they are tightly packed at the tip of the stalk like an upright club. The plant is found mostly in western North America from British Columbia south to California and east to Wyoming, in subalpine meadows and coastal mountains, and also on low ground in the California coastal fog belt as far south as Monterey County. It is common on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Cascades, northern Sierra Nevada and Rockies.

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

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

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

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