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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by Joe Ghio in 1983.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. I. 'Canyon snow' and I. 'With this Ring' hybrid selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by Joe Ghio in 22.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by Joe Ghio in 1989.

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by philips in 1971.

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by Joe Ghio in 1998.

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Joe Ghio in 25.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Hybrid by Joe Ghio in 1992.

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade or shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. A hybrid introduced by Joe Ghio in 1997.

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. A selection for the garden;. (possible cross between I. douglasiana, I. macrosiphon, & I. fernaldii).

The Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) is a common and attractive wildflower of the coastal regions of Northern and Central California and Southern Oregon, with scattered locations inland. The Douglas Iris grows mainly at lower elevations, below 330 feet, though it is occasionally found at heights of up to 3,300 feet.

It is most common in grasslands near the coast; it is regarded as a noxious weed in pastures, because it forms clumps that inhibit other vegetation, and its leaves are bitter and unpalatable to cattle.

Douglas Iris prefers part or full shade and richer soils and is fast growing near the coast. If not planted next to a creek or in a naturally wet area, it likes summer water every 2 to 4 weeks. It is more drought tolerant near the coast where it benefits from cooler temperatures and fog. The flowers can be highly variable in color, and many cultivars are available.

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade or shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. A selection introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

Central Coast Iris (Iris longipetala) is a rare native perennial herb that is found in the wild only in the counties surrounding the Bay Area. It is included on CNPS list 4.2. It tends to grow in moist open places, at elevations from 0-1,500 feet. This Iris is a good garden performer with large flowers and a pleasant fragrance. It is recommended for gardens on the central and northern coast.

Iris missouriensis (syn. I. montana) is a hardy flowering rhizomatous species of the genus Iris, in the family Iridaceae. Its common names include western blue flag, Rocky Mountain iris, and Missouri flag. It is native to western North America. Its distribution is varied; it grows at high elevations in mountains and alpine meadows and all the way down to sea level in coastal hills. Its leaves are quite unpalatable to wildlife and livestock and the roots are poisonous to humans.

Isolepis cernua (syn. Scirpus cernuus) is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family known by the common names low bulrush, slender club-rush, tufted clubrush, and fiberoptic grass. It is widespread, being native to many regions of the world, including parts of Australasia, Eurasia, Africa, and North and South America.

Iva hayesiana is a rare species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names San Diego marsh-elder and San Diego povertyweed. It is native to Baja California, and to California only in the vicinity of San Diego. This is a shrubby perennial herb approaching maximum heights near one meter. Its green oval-shaped leaves are fleshy, hairy, aromatic, and 3 to 6 centimeters long. The flowers are nearly invisible; male flowers have translucent corollas and simple yellow stamens and female flowers, if they occur, lacking corollas altogether. This is a plant of mineral-rich waterways such as intermittent streams and alkali flats.

Iva hayesiana is a fast spreading, aromatic evergreen plant that is a great choice for ground cover or bank stabilization. In nature, it's usually found in wetland flats or moister areas, but it's still fairly drought tolerant, and very tolerant to garden conditions. If used for bank stabilization on dry slopes, it needs occasional water, but in flats and sites that retain slightly more moisture, it needs no supplementary irrigation. Plant in sun or part shade.

Jaumea carnosa, known by the common names marsh jaumea, fleshy jaumea, or simply jaumea, is a halophytic salt marsh plant native to the west coast of North America. It has succulent green leaves on soft pinkish-green stems, not unlike ice plant in appearance. Its flowers are yellow. It spreads by an extensive rhizome system. Jaumea carnosa ranges from British Columbia to northern Baja California, and can be found in wetlands and salt marshes.

Southern California black walnut (Juglans californica) is a deciduous tree or shrub-like tree with multiple trunks. It has large, divided leaves and thick bark that is deeply furrowed when the tree is mature. This tree is now endangered in large parts of the southern portion of its natural range, due to development. 

The nuts are edible but hard to remove from the shell so these trees are not planted for agricultural use.  However, birds eat the nuts and like to nest in the branches.  

This hardy tree tolerates heat, smog, and drought and is great on slopes.  It does best in moist areas and can handle garden watering.  Toxins in walnut seeds will typically prevent other plants from growing under the tree, so don't try to put understory plants too close.

Northern California black walnut (Juglans hindsii) is a large, deciduous tree native to central and northern California. It often grows with a single, straight trunk, reaching heights of 30 to 60 feet with a broad, spreading crown. The tree produces smooth, brown nuts with thick shells and small edible nutmeats. It is commonly used as a rootstock for English walnut orchards worldwide, often hybridized as ‘Paradox’ (J. hindsii x J. regia).

With its deep taproot and resistance to frost, Northern California black walnut thrives in warm, sunny environments. Its leaves emerge late in spring, providing dense summer shade. The tree also supports wildlife, offering food and shelter for deer, squirrels, and various bird species.

While prized for its durable wood in furniture-making and gunstocks, it also serves as a beautiful shade tree in larger landscapes.

Spiny rush, sharp rush or sharp-pointed rush is of the monocot family Juncaceae and genus Juncus. It grows in salt marshes and on dunes and is reliable for reducing erosion rates. The stems which emerge from a central cluster have sharp terminal spines. It has been introduced in some countries like Australia where it is considered to be an invasive weed and the spines harmful to young children. In California it is found primarily along the central and southern coast. It is a brown and green "tussocky" perennial that can be to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall in all kinds of soils- in areas which go from extremes in flood and dry like dunes or that just stay wet like lowland grassland and grassy woodland, riparian vegetation, freshwater wetland, and saline and sub-saline wetlands. There is one recognized variety, var. leopoldii, which is rare and included on CNPS List 4.2. This plant is not often used in home gardens because of its terminal spines and its habitat requirements. It is one of several species of Juncus used by native people of California for basket weaving.

Leopold's Rush (Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii) is a rare native grass that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow in moist salt marshes, at elevations from 0-1000 feet.

Juncus balticus is a species of rush known by the common name Baltic rush. It is native to a large part of North and South America. In California it is very widespread and occurs in every county. It is a plant of wetlands and other mesic places, though sometimes found in non-wetland areas. It prefers freshwater but can handle some salinity. It spreads by a rhizome and will occupy any suitably moist area. It will hybridize with many other Juncus species. There is one recognized subspecies at this time, ssp. ater, which also occurs over a large part of the state.

Juncus bufonius, known as Toad Rush, is a common annual species in the Juncaceae family found worldwide. It grows in moist and muddy places and is considered a weed in many areas. This is an annual monocot that is quite variable in appearance. It is sometimes described as a complex of variants labeled with one species name. There are three recognized varieties in California that are weakly delineated and have overlapping ranges. It is generally a green clumping grasslike rush with many thin stems wrapped with few threadlike leaves. The flowers are borne in flower clusters and also in the joint where the flower cluster branches off of the stem. The flowering period is from September through March and is a grassy flower folded within tough leafs and sepals.

Soft rush (Juncus effusus) is a member of the Juncaceae (Rush) family found growing in wet areas, as indicated by the common name. It is very widespread and native to most continents; for this reason there are a number of native and non-native subspecies and varieties, and numerous synonyms. It grows in large clumps about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the water's edge along streams, ditches and ponds and can be invasive anywhere with moist soil. It is commonly found growing in humus-rich areas such as marshes, ditches, fens, and beaver dams. It can be useful around ornamental ponds and bioswales. It is very easy to grow, and is great native alternative to photinia and raphiolepis.

Bog Rush (Juncus effusus var. pacificus) is a native grass that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in wet places, at elevations from - feet.

Juncus mexicanus (Mexican Rush) is native to the southwestern quadrant of the United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. It is a plant of moist areas in a great number of habitats, from coast to desert to mountain and from sea level to 10,000 ft. It may be found in standing water or saturated soil. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb which varies in appearance. The thin erect stems reach a maximum height anywhere from 10 to 80 centimeters. The leaves grow from the base of the stem and can exceed 20 centimeters in length. The flower cluster usually sprouts from the side of the stem rather than the tip. The flowers grow on long peduncles. Each individual flower has thick petals with longitudinal stripes which vary in color from bright to dark. It has six stamens with very large anthers, and long stigmas. This species is sometimes treated as a variant of Juncus arcticus or Juncus balticus.

Juncus nevadensis is a species of rush known by the common name Sierra rush. It is native to much of western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico, where it grows in wet areas in many habitat types. In California it is found primarily in the Sierras. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb that is variable in appearance. Its thin, smooth stems reach a maximum height between 10 and 70 centimeters. The thin green leaves may be up to 30 centimeters long. The flower clusters generally contain a number of flowers, with each flower bearing dark to very light brown petals, six stamens with large anthers, and very long stigmas. The fruit is a shiny chestnut brown capsule This is a plant for wet areas.

With its upright growth habit and distinctive flowering stems, Common Rush (Juncus patens) is a grass-like evergreen perennial that adds visual interest to the garden. Common Rush is native to wet, marshy areas of California. It is also found in Oregon and Washington.

The tall, wire-like stems are gray-green in color and grow in clumps that can slowly spread over time.
Common Rush has small golden flower clusters that bloom along the stems, rather than at the tips. After flowering, the plant develops bunches of spherical red fruits.

Common Rush is normally found in areas that are moist year-round, but it is a tough plant that can also grow in areas that are seasonally dry. In the garden, it can be planted near water features but it also does well in dry areas with minimal summer irrigation. Common Rush is often used in lawn replacement applications, where its tall, rigid stems complement low-growing groundcover plants.

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

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

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, south Coast, n Channel Islands; Baja CA.

Juncus tenuis, the slender rush, is a clump-forming, round-stemmed perennial in the Juncaceae (rush family). Slender rush grows to be between 15 and 60 cm tall. Generally considered a weed, it is rarely sold by retailers as a household container plant. Where it is introduced, it is colloquially called path rush, field rush, slender yard rush, poverty rush or wiregrass. The leaves of the plant all come from the base and are not nearly as tall as the stems. The stems are partly covered by sheaths, and have the most distinctive characteristic of the plant on them: clusters or cymes at the top. These cymes consist of branches that have small egg-shaped seed capsules at the end of them. The seeds split into three parts when they become ripe. The plant also spreads via rhizomous root growth. Slender rush grows in landscapes, crops, roadsides, and all types of fields. It can grow on both wet and dry sites, in soils consisting mainly of sand or clay. Because of its high tolerance of compacted soils, it can outcompete other plant species in such places, hence the name "path rush". It is native throughout all fifty states of USA, most of Canada, and parts of northern Europe.

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

Juncus textilis is a species of rush known by the common name basket rush. It is endemic to California, where it grows along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges of the southern half of the state. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing to a maximum height between one and two meters. The stems are cylindrical with faint longitudinal grooves. The leaves lack blades and appear as small brown sheaths around the base of the stems. The long, bushy flower cluster arises from the side of the stem and splits into long branches bearing clusters of many flowers. Each flower is cupped by small, clear leaflets and has pointed greenish brown petals. There are six stamens with large anthers. The fruit is a dark brown, shiny capsule.

This species of rush has been used historically for basket weaving by several Native American peoples of southern California, such as the Cahuilla, Kumeyaay, and Chumash, among others. Juncus textilis is an important plant endemic to California; Chumash people use it today for basket-making as they have been for centuries. The rush is valued for its varied colors, from deep red to sun-dried tan; the stems may be dyed black with sea plants such as Suaeda species and yellow with Psorothamnus emoryi.

Juncus xiphioides is a species of rush known by the common name irisleaf rush. It is native to the southwestern United States and Baja California where it grows in wet areas in many habitat types. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing erect stems to a maximum height between about 40 and 80 centimeters. It has wide leaf blades for a rush, often exceeding one centimeter in width at the base. The few straw-colored leaves reach up to 40 centimeters in length. The large flower cluster has many clusters of up to 70 flowers each. The flower has very narrow green, red, or yellow-brown, lance-shaped petals and six stamens with very small anthers. The fruit is a brown oblong capsule.

Climbing penstemon (Keckiella cordifolia), also known by its former name Penstemon cordifolius, is a vibrant flowering shrub prized for its striking blooms and rich foliage. The tubular flowers range from pale orange to deep scarlet and appear from spring through summer, creating a stunning display that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. The oval to heart-shaped dark green leaves add a lush appearance, although the foliage typically drops in summer.

This sprawling shrub can reach over 6 feet tall and spread 3 to 6 feet wide. It thrives in shady slopes in hotter inland regions, while cooler coastal areas allow it to flourish in full sun. Climbing Penstemon is drought-tolerant once established and adapts well to various soil types, making it a versatile choice for native gardens. Additionally, it serves as a host plant for several species of butterflies and moths, further enhancing its ecological value.

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

Koeleria macrantha is a species in the Poaceae (Grass) family known by the common name Junegrass. It is native to much of North America, from Alaska to northern Mexico to the eastern United States. In California it is found from the coast to the mountains but is largely absent from the deserts and central valley. It occurs in a large number of habitat types, especially prairie. This is a short, tuft-forming perennial bunchgrass, reaching heights from 20 to 70 centimeters. The leaves are basal and up to about 20 centimeters long. The flower cluster is nearly cylindrical and may taper somewhat toward the tip. It holds shiny tan spikelets which are sometimes tinted with purple, each about half a centimeter long. It is a good forage for many types of grazing animals and is sometimes used in golf course rough.

Krascheninnikovia lanata is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common name winter fat. It is native to much of western North America from central Canada to northern Mexico, where it grows in a number of habitats. This is a small shrub sending erect stem branches to heights between one half and one meter. It produces flat lance-shaped leaves up to 3 centimeters long. The stems and foliage are covered in woolly white hairs which age to a reddish color. The tops of the stem branches are occupied by plentiful spike flower clusters. The shrub is generally monoecious, with each upright flower cluster holding mostly staminate flowers with a few pistillate flowers clustered near the bottom. The staminate flowers have large, woolly leaflike leafs. The pistillate flowers have smaller leafs and develop tiny white fruits. The silky hairs on the fruits allow for wind dispersal. This species is an important winter forage for grazing domestic and wild animals. It thrives in salty soils such as those on alkali flats. The plants are very long-lived. They are sometimes cultivated.

Lasthenia glabrata is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name yellowray goldfields. It is endemic to California, where it is a resident of vernal pools and other moist areas in a number of habitat types. This is a daisylike annual herb growing up to about half a meter in maximum height. The thin stem has a few pairs of oppositely-arranged, smooth-edged linear leaves each up to 15 centimeters long. The plant flowers in solitary or loosely clustered flower heads with golden yellow disc and ray florets. The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long with no pappus.

Lathyrus vestitus is a species of wild pea known by the common name Pacific pea. It is native to western North America, where it is mostly found in the forests, woodlands, and chaparral of California. The ranges of some subspecies extend into Oregon and Baja California. This is a perennial pea vine which varies in appearance across subspecies. Leaves are made up of several leaflets of various shapes up to 4 or 5 centimeters long. The leaves usually bear coiling tendrils and the stipules may be large or small. The flower cluster is a showy array of up to 15 pea flowers, sometimes densely packed together, and usually some shade of bright violet, or light to medium purple, or white.