California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum) is a common native that grows in southern California. It tends to grow in dry south facing slopes, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Leafy California Buckwheat, (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum), is one of the four recognized varieties of this widespread species, and the one most often seen in populated areas of southern California. However, it is fairly common throughout central and southern California along the coast and on western side of the peninsular range, where it grows on dry slopes, washes and canyons, at elevations from sea level to 5,200 feet.

This plant is tough and easy to grow, even in very dry conditions. Plant in a well draining sunny site. It shouldn't need supplemental water after established, but it will tolerate occasional summer water better than most extremely drought tolerant California natives. Form is is variable, ranging from more often open and upright in the foothills, to often dense and mounding closer to the coast. As the plant ages, it often develops a beautiful ropy red, brown and gray ropy woody trunk and interesting twisting structure. Produces profuse pink to white and cream-colored flowers as early as March that dry to a pretty red rust color as the soil dries. It sheds its dried flowers and significant portion of its small blade-like leaves each dry season, and is an important plant for creating natural mulch. California Buckwheats are a keystone species for sagebrush scrub ecosystems, and a great choice for wildlife and butterfly gardens.

For further detail please refer to the listing for the main species, Eriogonum fasciculatum.

Eriogonum grande is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name redflower buckwheat. It is native to the Channel Islands of California, as well as northwestern Baja California. It is a mat-forming perennial herb producing tall, stout flower clusters of white, pink, or red flowers. Its long bloom time in summer makes it popular with pollinators. Leaves are located mainly at the base of the plant and are wavy along the edges and up to 10 centimeters long; the upper side is dark green, the underside is very pale. Although it is spreading, it doesn't spread far or fast and retains a petite form. It is useful in rock gardens, spilling over a wall, or in the understory of larger plants. Despite its island origin, it performs well inland if given some afternoon shade and a little extra water. There are three recognized varieties in the wild. Var. rubescens is the most commonly available form found in nurseries.

This petite, attractive buckwheat originated on California's Channel Islands, but has become a popular landscape plant throughout the state. Its rosy-colored flower clusters rise above low-growing foliage and bloom from spring to fall. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies. After blooming, the seeds provide food for birds.

This plant spreads moderately but stays compact, making it a good choice for small spaces. It does best in full sun with a small amount of supplemental summer water. Combined with other drought-adapted plants, it does well in rock and pollinator gardens, along borders, and on slopes.

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

Nude buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum) is a perennial shrub in the wild buckwheat family  that features a striking, upright form. It has a basal rosette of flat green leaves from which tall, bare stems rise, reaching up to six feet. At the top of these stems, rounded clusters of white, pale pink, or yellow flowers bloom, adding delicate color to the landscape.

This adaptable plant has one of the widest ecological distributions of all buckwheats. It thrives in environments ranging from wet coastal areas to the cold, dry elevations of the Sierra Nevada. While the species is generally common, certain varieties are rare.

Nude buckwheat is easy to grow and looks especially beautiful when planted in groups for a massed effect. The nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while its seeds provide food for birds. Additionally, the plant serves as a host for caterpillars, supporting native ecosystems.

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.

Eriogonum trichopes is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name little desert trumpet. It is native to the mountain slopes and deserts of the southwestern United States from California to New Mexico, and its range extends into Mexico. This is an annual herb quite variable in height, growing to a spindly 10 centimeters or a sprawling, brambly 1.5 meters. Its leaves form a basal patch on the ground, each rounded with ruffled margins and covered in woolly or stiff hairs. The erect flower cluster is naked and sometimes hairy, with many slender branches that flower year-round. Flower clusters hang on short, thready stalks. Each minuscule flower is hairy or hairy and is bright yellow when new, darkening over time to a reddish color.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Bart O'Brien.

Golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) is a flowering plant in the daisy family that is highly variable and can be an annual, a perennial or a small shrub.  Golden yarrow is part of a number of plant communities, including chaparral, coastal sage shrub, and southern oak woodland.

 It grows in large clumps of many erect stems, often as high as 2 feet high and 2 feet wide. It has lacy silver foliage.  At the top of each stem is a flower cluster of up to 30 flower heads, each bright golden yellow.  The long blooming season from winter to summer makes this plant welcome in the garden. Cutting the dead flower heads extends the bloom.

IT is not to be confused with Yellow Achillea which is a European import. Golden yarrow is very attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies.

Golden yarrow is a fast growing plant that takes full sun and well-draining soil. It needs very little water, a maximum of two times per month in summer once established.

Common wooly sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum) is a perennial with yellow flowers looking much like true sunflowers. One flower head is borne on each flowering stalk, exhibiting great variability. There are many recognized varieties, some classified as rare.

Common wooly sunflower grows in full sun or part shade and is tolerant of a variety of soils including sand, clay and alkaline. It requires watering no more than once a month in summer.

It is deer resistant and supports many insects, hosting a likely total of 7 species of butterfly and moths.

Scarlet monkeyflower is a herbacious perennial in the lopseed family. It is an attractive plant which bears red or orange-red flowers and toothed, downy leaves. It is native to the southwestern United States and Baja California. It is typically found in wetlands or moist areas. It can take full sun but seems to do better with part shade. It is sometimes used as a garden plant for its blooms, which attract hummingbirds. It is a fairly large, spreading, attractive plant which bears strongly reflexed, nectar-rich red or orange-red flowers and toothed, downy leaves. It is native to the West Coast and Southwestern United States and Baja California, and is generally found at low elevation in moist areas. Occasional populations of yellow-flowered Erythranthe cardinalis (which lack anthocyanin pigments in their corollas) are found in the wild.

Erythranthe cardinalis is cultivated in the horticulture trade and widely available as an ornamental plant for traditional gardens; natural landscape, native plant, and habitat gardens; and various types of municipal, commercial, and agency sustainable landscape projects. Cultivars come in a range of colors between yellow and red, including the "Santa Cruz Island Gold" variety, originally collected from Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California.

Seep Monkey Flower (Erythranthe guttata syn. Mimulus guttatus) is a perennial wildflower in the Lopseed family (Phrymaceae). As the name suggests, it grows in moist stream banks and seeps. Often it will grow with its roots submerged, and the light green foliage and yellow flowers will float on the surface of the water. Its spreading root systems make it one of the best plants for filtering water in aquatic gardens, and its abundant yellow snapdragon-shaped flowers add spectacular color to a pond in winter and spring. Note that because it aggressively spreads and copiously self seeds, it may need to be periodically pulled or cut back to prevent it from crowding out other plants.

Seep Monkey Flower attracts bees, butterflies and moths. Useful in naturally wet landscapes, such as a moist alpine meadow, along any sort of waterway, and in serpentine soils.

The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is the state flower of California. Every garden can find a place for this easy, cheerful annual. It self-seeds freely and will give your whole neighborhood poppies, but is not particularly invasive. 

The plant grows in full sun but will tolerate part shade. It reaches one to two foot tall and can be perennial in milder areas. The feathery foliage is blue-green The flowers range from yellow to bright orange, appearing from February to September, though primarily in spring. The petals may remain closed in cloudy weather. The fruit is a slender capsule which splits to release numerous small black or dark brown seeds. The seeds are ready to take when the pods become dry and brown. Birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators are attracted to this plant. Rabbits may browse the leaves but it is deer resistant.

It is best introduced into the garden from seed sown in fall at the start of the rainy season. Do not cover the seeds with soil or mulch. California poppies like fast draining soil and plenty of sunshine but are very hardy and will also thrive in poor soil conditions, such as clay. If planting from seedlings, be careful with the long sensitive roots and water occasionally until established.

A nursery cultivated California Poppy. Pale butter-yellow blooms tip lovely gray-green finely cut foliage. A self-sower that would be dearly missed if it didn't reappear every spring, choosing edges of paths and gravelly well-drained spots.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Eschscholzia californica. Mahogany California Poppy is a colorful variation on the California state flower. Scarlet buds are breathtaking before opening. Mahogany Poppy is an annual or biennial, but will become a perennial if coastal, and will flower spring, summer and and into the fall if watered. Mahogany California Poppy is normally quite a low maintenance plant and is very easy to grow - great for beginner gardeners! Plant in full sun in average to poor, well-draining soil.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Eschscholzia californica. Moonglow California Poppy is a colorful variation on the California state flower. This variety sports beautiful creamy yellow blooms. Moonglow is an annual or biennial, but Will become a perennial if coastal, and will flower spring, summer and into the fall if watered. Moonglow California Poppy is normally quite a low maintenance plant and is very easy to grow - great for beginner gardeners! Plant in full sun in average to poor, well-draining soil Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Eschscholzia californica. Eschscholzia californica 'Purple Gleam' is a light purple-pink to dusky rose version of the state flower of the Golden state. Blooms in spring from a fall sowing, or in summer from a spring sowing. Superb in meadows or native gardens. Dead-head for extra long bloom! Poor, dry or good soil. Great for a beginner gardener. Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Eschscholzia lobbii is a species of poppy known by the common name frying pans. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the Central Valley and adjacent Sierra Nevada foothills. Frying pans is a small annual herb growing from a patch of segmented leaves with pointed leaflets. It produces erect stalks up to 15 centimeters in height each bearing a single poppy flower. The petals are about a centimeter long and bright yellow to somewhat orange. The fruit is a capsule 3 to 7 centimeters long containing tiny brown seeds. The plant is named after William Lobb (1809 - 1864), the English plant collector.

Though not used as often as California Poppy (E. californica), this one would be a great choice for Central Valley gardens. Its best use is in a meadow-like patch of annual wildflowers.

Euthamia occidentalis, known by the common names Western Goldenrod and Western Goldentop, is a deciduous flowering perennial plant. It is native to most of the western states. It is most widespread in California, where it is primarily found at elevations below 5,000 feet, in damp ground along rivers and streams, irrigation ditches, meadows, tidal channels, fresh to brackish marshes, and other wetlands.



Western Goldentop is a spreading rhizomatous plant with thin, tall, and branched stems clad with long, narrow, gray-green leaves. It will usually grow from 4 to 6 feet tall, and can be used for erosion control and bank stabilization. It produces numerous small yellow flower heads that are united into loose, rounded blossom clusters at the ends of the branches. It blooms during late summer and autumn, attracting many bees and other pollinators.

California fescue (Festuca californica) is a fast-growing perennial grass. It grows in clumps that spray out from the center to 3 feet wide and can reach 4 feet tall. The rough leaves are narrow but long, hosting butterflies and moths. 

California fescu is often used for revegetating grassland that has been cleared or claimed by non-native grasses. It prefers loamy or clay soils, grows poorly in sandy soils and tolerates serpentine soil.  It grows in full sun or part shade and takes very low water.  In summer, once established, it can be watered only 3 times per month.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selection made by Nevin smith from Middle Blue Ridge in Henry Coe state park in santa Clara County.

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden. Introduced by sally Casey from Horse Mtn.(Humboldt County, CA).

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

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

Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) is an elegant, long-lived perennial bunchgrass native to western North America. In California, it thrives in the Sierra foothills and Coast Ranges, growing in dense clumps with soft, fine-textured blades. Its deep root system helps it withstand dry conditions and supports beneficial soil fungi.

This versatile grass is an excellent choice for planting under oaks and pairs beautifully with ferns, Heuchera, and hummingbird sage. It provides valuable forage for wildlife while adding texture and color contrast to the landscape.

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.

Horticultural selection from Fragaria chiloensis. Lipstick is an extremely showy, easy-care ground cover for a wide variety of garden situations. Plant it in full sun on the coast, part shade inland and it will reward you with bright pink flowers from mid spring until mid fall. It's small shiny fruits are not as tasty as the woodland strawberry, but the birds are not so picky. It is a fast grower to 4"-6" high and 1'-2' wide. Water this ideal ground cover regularly during it's first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. This strawberry can tolerate regular garden water or infrequent irrigation. With regular water and partial shade Lipstick can make a wonderful lawn replacement. It is also ideal in borders, containers, rock gardens or as an embankment stabilizer. 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.

Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a perennial groundcover in the Rose family (Rosaceae). Naturally occurring across the Northern Hemisphere, it is also commonly known as Wild Strawberry and Wood Strawberry. Spreading by rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners), the dark green leaves and bright red fruits make an attractive groundcover. The fruits are small but flavorful and are priced both by wildlife and humans. Bees and other pollinators adore the flowers.

As the name suggests, Woodland Strawberry grows in partly shady Woodland and Forest habitats. Although tolerant of dry sites in full shade, they grow in moist locations in part sun, such as near creeks or streams. Plant Woodland Strawberries in a shady area of the yard, along pathways, between stepping stones, amongst ferns and under mature trees and shrubs. To propagate more plants, dig up and relocate new plants that have rooted from the runners. Do this in early spring just as new growth appears.

This cultivar was selected for improved vigor, heavy bloom, long bloom period (January - July) and tasty berries. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites.

Horticultural selection from Frangula californica. 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.

Eve Case coffeeberry (Frangula californica 'Eve Case') is an evergreen shrub with dark red branches and dense dark-green oval leaves. The greenish flowers are not showy, unlike the attractive berries which turn red, purple, and finally black over the summer.  Coffeeberry is a fairly common plant native to California and southwestern Oregon. This variety is smaller than others.  

The berries attract a variety of birds. 

Coffeeberry is easy to prune. This variety makes a great and fire resistant clipped hedge. Due to its small size, it is a good choice for pots or containers.

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.