Slender Sunflower is a species in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that is native to central and southern California and Baja California, where it is a member of the chaparral and yellow pine forest habitats. This is a perennial herb growing from a thick taproot to heights anywhere between one half and two meters. The lance-shaped, pointed leaves are smooth-edged or slightly toothed and up to about 11 centimeters long. The long, slender stems and foliage are covered in rough hairs. The flower cluster bears flower heads with an array of short, hairy phyllaries behind a thick center of yellow to red-brown disc florets. The golden ray florets around the edge are one to three centimeters long. Grows well in chaparral and yellow pine forest habitats.

Helianthus nuttallii (Nuttall's sunflower) is a species of sunflower native to northern, central, and western North America, from Newfoundland west to British Columbia, south to Missouri, New Mexico, and California. Helianthus nuttallii is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 50-400 cm (20-160 inches) tall. The leaves are opposite on the lower part of the stem, alternate higher up, narrow lanceolate, 8-20 cm (3. 2-8. 0 inches) long and 6-30 mm wide, with a rough texture. The flowers are yellow, produced in a flowerhead approximately 9 cm (3. 6 inches) diameter with 10-20 ray florets and at least 60 disc florets; each stem bears one to a few flowerheads.

Hemizonia congesta is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name hayfield tarweed. It is native to California and Oregon, where it is a common member of the flora in a number of habitats, particularly grasslands and fields. This is a spindly, thin-stemmed annual herb growing erect to 10 to 80 centimeters in height. Like other tarweeds the stem and foliage are hairy and have an odor reminiscent of tar. Most of the long, narrow, pointed leaves are located on the lower portion of the stem below the branching. The flower clusters are covered in hairy hairs and hold daisylike flower heads. Each head has a center of yellowish dark-tipped disc florets and a fringe of bright yellow to white ray florets, often with purplish striping on the undersides. The ray florets are toothed or lobed on the tips, with the middle tooth thinner than the others. There are many subspecies which can vary in appearance.

Hemizonia congesta ssp. lutescens is a common native annual herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and North Coast Range regions. It tends to grow in open grassy places, at elevations from 0-4600 feet.

Hayfield Tarweed (Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulifolia) is a common native annual herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in open places, at elevations from 0-3000 feet.

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is a member of the Apiaceae (Carrot) family and the only member of this genus native to North America. Cow Parsnip is distributed throughout the continental United States and Alaska except the Gulf Coast and a few neighboring states. It is the only native member of this family to occur throughout the U.S. In California it occurs primarily in the northern half of the state. It is relatively large for an herb and features a large flower head consisting of the typical flat-topped umbels of the Carrot family. Chemicals in the plant may cause dermatitis in some individuals. It may be weedy or invasive in portions of its range.

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), also known as Christmas Berry, is an evergreen shrub in the Rose family (Rosaceae). In the summer it produces bunches of fragrant white flowers. In the winter it develops vibrant clusters of scarlet berries. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. The berries are eaten by many birds, including Mockingbirds, American Robins, and Cedar Waxwings. Mammals including coyotes and bears also eat and disperse the berries. For humans, the berries are edible after cooking, or drying and crushing, in order to break down the small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides. Indigenous People use the berries to make cider, and a granular sugar. 

Toyon is a prominent component of the Coastal Sage Scrub plant community, and is a part of drought-adapted Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest and Oak Woodland habitats. Toyon are beautiful plants and easy to grow. If properly situated, they can grow very quickly, up to 10 feet in three years. They like sun or part shade, though they tend to do better in part shade in the southern, drier part of their geographic range. They can handle a wide variety of soils, including clay, sand and serpentine. They are an excellent hedge plant.

Horticultural selection from Heteromeles arbutifolia. A keystone shrub in the native landscape, Toyon (also known as Christmas Berry), is the common name for Heteromeles arbutifolia. Toyon is known as a dependable long lived shrub and valued for the visual appeal of its small white flowers in summer, persistent berries in the winter and evergreen foliage. A cultivar of Heteromeles arbutifolia var. cerina, 'Davis Gold' has striking yellow berries instead of the typical red, and has been noted as having improved resistance to disease. Toyons are very flexible when it comes to light exposure, growing best in sun but tolerating almost full shade. A classic wildlife attractor, birds in particular love to eat the golden berries that linger on the plant. 'Davis Gold' toyon has leathery serrated leaves 2 -4" long and grows well in sandy soils and on slopes with dry, well drained soils. 'Davis Gold' is excellent as a screening plant, hedge, or multi-trunk small tree, reaching a typical height and width of about 6 - 1 '; given ideal conditions and enough time it can grow to 15' or more.This is a selection introduced by UC Davis and it tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Heterotheca grandiflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Telegraph Weed. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, but it can be found in other areas as an introduced species, such as Hawaii. In California it is widespread from Butte County southward. It is a pioneer species and roadside weed even where it is native. This is a tall, bristly, hairy plant exceeding a meter in height and densely foliated in hairy to spiny toothed or lobed leaves. Leaves are smaller and more widely spaced toward the top of the stem, which is occupied by an flower cluster of bright yellow daisylike flower heads. The disc and ray florets drop away to leave a spherical head of achenes, each with a long white pappus. This plant is rarely used in the garden but is a useful for restoration projects.

Heterotheca sessiliflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name False Goldenaster. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows primarily along the coast, in the foothills and mountains, in many types of habitat. This is a perennial herb which is quite variable in appearance. There are four recognized subspecies which vary in morphology and geographic range. Depending on subspecies and location, it may be a small clumping or mat-forming plant or grow tall stems to heights exceeding a meter. It may appear as an annual or perennial herb. It is coated in small bristles or long woolly hairs and it is hairy, particularly around the flower cluster. The flower head contains long yellowish disc florets and the edge is fringed with yellow ray florets. Its most outstanding feature is nearly year-round flowering.

Bolander's Goldenaster (Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. bolanderi) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and Central Coast regions. It tends to grow in dunes and grassy places, at elevations from 0-800 feet.

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

Hairy False Goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are gray-green and deciduous. It tends to grow in crevices, at elevations from 1300-10200 feet.

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

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

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Ron Lutsko and introduced by Cal Flora Nursery.

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

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

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

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

Rosada Coral Bells is an Alum Root hybrid (H. maxima x H. sanguinea) that is on the UC Davis Arboretum's "All stars" list due to its toughness and its dependable 3 month long blooming period. Rosada has medium green leaves that can reach 4 inches across and has numerous 14 inch tall, light pink flower spikes that appear in spring and keep going into summer. The foliage can reach 12 to 18 inches tall and form clumping rosettes 1 to 2 feet wide. Rosada tolerates clay well and, once established, infrequent water. This plant is a beautiful accent for a shade or butterfly garden, along shady borders and in containers. It is particularly effective in masses. Recommended for use under oaks. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

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

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

Heuchera hybrid. Santa Ana Cardinal is an outstanding red flowered hybrid of H. maxima and H. Sanguinea that forms vigorous and free flowering 2 by 2 foot compact clumps of bright green foliage. Multitudes of vibrant rose-red flowers appear on 2 foot tall spikes from mid-spring through the summer. Plant in cool full sun on the coast to light shade inland with moderate to occasional summer water once established. This is a fantastic hummingbird plant. Mix in masses with white and light pink heuchera for a remarkable effect in shady spots under oaks and in woodland gardens. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

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

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

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

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

Heuchera caespitosa is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family known by the common name urn-flowered alumroot. It is endemic to the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California, where it grows on the rocky slopes. While uncommon in the wild, this species is cultivated as an attractive garden flower. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb with multi-lobed leaves. It produces an erect, drooping flower cluster which bears bright pink or magenta bell-shaped flowers.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers part shade or shade in coastal sites, and shade in inland sites. Selected and introduced by Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden.

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

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

Heuchera hirsutissima is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family known by the common name shaggy-haired alumroot. It is endemic to the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, California, where it grows on rocky slopes between 4,000 and 10,000 ft. While uncommon in the wild and normally found at higher elevations, this species is cultivated as an attractive garden flower and can be used at lower elevations. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb with small, lobed, rounded leaves. It produces an erect, hairy flower cluster which bears light pink flowers.

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

Heuchera micrantha is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family known by the common name crevice alumroot. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, where it grows on rocky slopes and cliffs. Within California it is found primarily in the central and northern Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills.This plant is quite variable in appearance. There are a number of wild and cultivated Varieties: The leaves are lobed and usually coated in glandular hairs. They are green to reddish-green or purple-green in color and may have very long, gland-dotted petioles. The plant produces an erect flower cluster up to a meter high bearing many clusters of pink, white, or greenish flowers. Each rounded flower has fleshy, hairy lobes tipped with tiny petals and protruding stamens and stigma.

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

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

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

Hibiscus lasiocarpos (also, H. lasiocarpus orth. var. ) is a species of hibiscus known by the common name hairy-fruited hibiscus. It is also one of several hibiscus called rosemallow. It is native to much of the southeastern United States, as well as parts of California and northern Mexico. It is a large, bushy perennial herb with sprawling stems reaching one to two meters long. The leaves are heart-shaped, toothed, and pointed, and generally between 6 and 10 centimeters long. The inflorescence holds large showy, solitary flowers. Each flower has a cup of partly fused sepals beneath a layer of slender bracts. These may be covered in hairs or woolly fibers. The flower's large petals may be up to 10 centimeters long and are generally bright white with red bases. The stamen tube and anthers are white or cream. The fruit is a capsule 2. 5-3 centimeters long containing spherical seeds.

Hoita macrostachya is a species of legume known by the common name large leatherroot. It is native to California and Baja California where it can be found in moist areas of a number of habitat types. This is a hairy, hairy perennial herb producing a tall, branching stem approaching two meters in maximum height. The sparse, widely spaced leaves are each made up of three leaflets up to 10 centimeters long each attached to a long petiole. The leaflet blades are hairy. The plant produces many clublike raceme flower clusters on sturdy stalks from the stem. The flower cluster contains many purplish pealike flowers. The fruit is a hairy, veiny brown legume pod under a centimeter long containing a kidney-shaped seed.

Cream Bush (also called Ocean Spray) is famous for its cascading clusters of fragrant, creamy white flowers. These lovely blooms attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. After blooming, the seeds provide food for birds, and the plant itself provides shelter for birds and small animals.

Cream Bush is an attractive deciduous shrub, commonly found in forest and woodland environments. In the garden, it does well in shade or part shade and adapts to a variety of soil types. Water needs are moderate, and it can enjoy supplemental irrigation in drier areas.

Desert Ocean Spray (Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens) is a native shrub that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in rocky places and outcrops, at elevations from 2000-9500 feet.

Hordeum brachyantherum is a species of barley known by the common name meadow barley. It is native to western North America from Alaska to northern Mexico, far eastern Russia, and parts of eastern North America. It can be found in other parts of the world as an introduced species. This is a tufting perennial grass approaching a meter in maximum height. It produces compact, narrow flower clusters 8 to 10 centimeters long and purplish in color. Like other barleys the spikelets come in triplets. It has two small, often sterile lateral spikelets on pedicels and a larger, fertile central spikelet lacking a pedicel.

Horkelia californica is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name California horkelia. It is endemic to California, where it grows on scrubby coastal and inland mountain slopes. This is a clumping perennial herb producing erect green stems variable in height from 10 centimeters to over a meter. The green leaves are up to 40 centimeters long and are made up of hairy, rounded, toothed leaflets each up to 6 centimeters in length. The flower cluster holds solitary and clustered flowers, each with toothed leaflets and thick, pointed sepals. There are five small white petals.

Horkelia clevelandii is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name Cleveland's horkelia. It is native to the Peninsular Ranges of southern California and northern Baja California. This is a perennial herb forming clumps of long, fernlike leaves and erect stems. The leaves are up to 18 centimeters long and are made up of triangular to rounded leaflets, each toothed or lobed and covered in thin hairs. The narrow stems reach 10 to 50 centimeters in height and bear flower clusters of several flowers. Each flower has hairy, lance-shaped leaflets and pointed sepals. The narrow oval petals are white. The center of the flower contains ten stamens and up to 50 pistils.

There are many species of Horkelia in California, and the genus has undergone some taxonomic revision. For information regarding other species and varieties of Horkelia, please refer to Calflora.org or the Jepson Manual.

Horkelia cuneata is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name wedgeleaf horkelia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in coastal chaparral communities and sandy areas. This is a matting or clumping perennial herb producing erect green or red stems up to 70 centimeters tall. The fernlike green leaves are up to 30 centimeters long and are made up of toothed, oval-shaped leaflets each one or two centimeters long. The foliage and stems are often quite hairy. The flower cluster holds several flowers, each with narrow, pointed leaflets and wider, reflexed sepals. The sepals and five white petals may be tinted with bright pink. The center of the flower holds ten stamens and up to 60 small pistils.

Lotus crassifolius is a species of trefoil, a legume, known by the common names big deervetch and broad-leafed lotus. It is a long-lived, somewhat bushy plant which bears long straight stems with evenly spaced oval-shaped leaves. It produces thick bunches of yellow or pink-and-yellow pea flowers and brownish pea pods containing speckled red or brown peas. This legume is native to the western United States. One very rare variety of this plant is found only on Otay Mountain in southern San Diego County, California. Other varieties are much more common and can be found in chaparral ecosystems.

Otay Mtn. Lotus is a rare native perennial herb in the Fabaceae (Legume) family. It is one of two recognized varieties of Hosackia crassifolia found in California. It is found primarily in the Otay Mountain area of San Diego County and adjacent Baja, although there is also a disjunct population reported in San Luis Obispo County. The more common var. crassifolia also occurs in the same area of San Diego. Otay Mountain Lotus tends to grow in chaparral or disturbed areas at elevations from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. This plant is rarely used in gardens, a little information is available on its cultural tolerances and requirements.

Hosackia gracilis is a species in the Fabaceae (Legume) family known by the common name Seaside Bird's-foot Trefoil. It is a rare plant native to western North America from British Columbia to California, as far south as San Luis Obispo County, where it grows in moist spots in the coastal mountains and down to the oceanside bluffs. Due to its limited distribution it is included on CNPS list 4.2. It is a perennial herb growing upright or spreading to about half a meter in maximum length. It is lined with leaves each made up of a few oppositely arranged oval leaflets up to 2 centimeters long. The flower cluster is made up of several pea-like flowers each 1 to 2 centimeters long. The flower has a bright yellow banner, or upper petal, and bright pink or white lower petals. The fruit is a legume pod 2 or 3 centimeters long.

Hypericum anagalloides is a species of St. John's wort known by the common names creeping St. John's-wort, tinker's penny and bog St. John's-wort. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California and Nevada, where it grows in wet areas such as mountain meadows and streambanks. This is a stoloniferous annual or perennial herb forming lush green patches on the ground. The stems lie across the ground or rise erect somewhat at the ends and grow to about 25 centimeters in maximum length; they are often much shorter and form a carpetlike mat. Each round or oval gland-dotted green leaf is 4 to 15 millimeters long. The flowers grow singly or clustered together. Each has five oval-shaped petals which are usually golden yellow, and up to 25 yellow- or white-anthered stamens.

Iliamna rivularis, known by the common name streambank wild hollyhock, is a perennial plant species in the family Malvaceae. The plant grows 3 to 6 feet tall from a woody caudex and produces dense racemes of soft lavender-pink flowers. Plants blooms from June through August. They have five to seven lobed, cordate leaves. Seeds have a very hard coat and can remain viable in the soil for more than 50 years, seed germination is often triggered after a wildfire. This species is native to sunny mountain streambanks, meadows, and open forest slopes from east of the Cascade Range, from British Columbia and Alberta to Montana and south to Oregon and Colorado. Iliamna rivularis var. rivularis, which is often called Iliamna remota and has the common name Kankakee globe-mallow, has suffered drastic population declines in the eastern USA; largely from an altered fire regimen caused by long-term fire suppression which has changed the forest canopy structure. Shading limits plant growth and seed germination, additionally the seeds germinate after scarification by fire.

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.

Menzies' Goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii) is a shrub that blooms when most other flowers are finished.  It flowers in summer and fall, with many thick clusters of yellow flowers standing upright from the stems. The erect branching stems are generally hairy, and vary in color from gray-green to reddish-brown. The leaves may also be hairy.  It grows at a moderate rate up to 3 feet  tall.

This is a tough accent plant that likes full sun and prefers well-draining sandy or rocky soil.

Numerous insects, including butterflies and moths, are attracted to it.

Menzies' Goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens) is a rare native shrub that grows in southern California. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from - feet.

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.

Juncus articulatus is a species of rush known by the common names jointed rush and jointleaf rush. It is native to Eurasia and much of Canada and the United States. It grows in moist areas, such as wet sand, and thrives in calcareous soils. This is a perennial herb producing a mainly erect stem from a short rhizome. The stem may root at nodes, and it generally has one or more cylindrical leaves up to 10 centimeters long. The flower cluster atop the stem has several branches with up to 25 clusters of up to 12 flowers each. Each individual flower has greenish to dark brown, pointed petals 2 to 3 millimeters long, six stamens bearing anthers, and a protruding, feathery pistil. The fruit is a dark brown capsule with a pointed tip.

Juncus confusus is a species of rush known by the common name Colorado rush. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California to Colorado, where it grows in coniferous forests and wet, grassy areas such as mountain meadows. It is a bunching rhizomatous perennial herb which grows to a maximum height between 30 and 50 centimeters. Its thready leaves grow from the base of the light green stems to about 15 centimeters long. The flower cluster atop the stem is an array of individual flowers and there is a long leaf at the base which may be up to 8 centimeters in length. Each flower has long, pointed petals with dark and light longitudinal stripes and membranous, translucent borders. There are six stamens. The fruit is a light to dark brown oval-shaped or rounded capsule.

Juncus drummondii is a species of rush known by the common name Drummond's rush. It is native to western North America from northern Canada and Alaska to New Mexico, where it grows in wet coniferous forest and alpine meadows and slopes. This is a perennial herb forming narrow, erect tufts to about 40 centimeters in maximum height. The leaves are basal and most have no real blades; instead they form a sheath around the stem a few centimeters long. The flower cluster is borne on the side of the stem toward the top. There is a long, cylindrical leaf at the base which extends out past the flowers. Each flower is on a thin pedicel. The thick petals are dark brown, sometimes with green striping and thin, transparent edges. There are six stamens with yellowish anthers, and red stigmas. The fruit is a capsule.

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.