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

Chilean Cudweed (Gnaphalium stramineum) is a native annual or perennial herb that grows in central California.

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

Pycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint. It is endemic to California, where it grows in mountains and foothills throughout the state, in chaparral, woodland, forest, and other habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect one half to one meter in height, with hairless to fuzzy, aromatic herbage. The oppositely arranged leaves are lance-shaped to nearly oval, each a few centimeters long. The inflorescences are located in clusters about the stem just above each upper pair of leaves. Each flower has a whitish upper lip and a purplish lower lip, sometimes with spots.

Island oak (Quercus tomentella), also known as island live oak or channel islands oak, is an evergreen tree in the Oak family (Fagacea). A smaller oak tree in stature, the leaves are hairy (tomentose) on the upper and lower surfaces, toothes, and large compared to other oaks. Young twigs are also hairy, yet mature bark is gray and furrowed. Mature acorns have rounded tips and are also quite large compared to other species.

Endemic (limited) to six islands off the coast of California, it is also federally listed as a rare species because of its limited distribution in the wild. Island oak's natural habitat is Island canyons, slopes and bluffs. Oak trees support a larger number of wildlife than any type of tree in our state. Multiple mammals, birds, amphibians, and pollinators use oak trees for food and shelter. Indigenous People ground the acorns to make flour, after leaching out the tannins; they may also have roasted and ground them and used it as a coffee alternative.

In the garden it is fast growing and trouble-free. It is best used near the coast, but can tolerate inland conditions within about 20 miles of the coast if given some protection and a little extra water during dry times, especially when the young plant is getting established. The large leaves and dense shade create unfavorable conditions for understory plants; plant island shrubs and perennials with similar growing conditions next to it, rather than under it for better results.

Ranunculus eschscholtzii is a species of buttercup known by the common name Eschscholtz's buttercup. It is native to much of western North America from Arctic northwestern Canada and Alaska to California to New Mexico, where it grows in meadows and talus on high mountain slopes and other open rocky habitat. It is a perennial herb producing one or more erect stems up to 20 or 25 centimeters tall. The lower leaves have somewhat rounded blades each divided into a few lobes and borne on long petioles. Any upper leaves are smaller and not borne on petioles. The herbage is hairless and sometimes waxy in texture. The inflorescence is made up of one to three flowers on narrow pedicels. The flower has five to eight oval or rounded shiny yellow petals up to 1. 5 centimeters long each around a central nectary with many stamens and pistils. The fruit is an achene borne in a cluster of 17 or more. Media related to Ranunculus eschscholtzii at Wikimedia Commons

Ranunculus flammula, the lesser spearwort, greater creeping spearwort or banewort, is a species of perennial herbaceous plants in the genus Ranunculus (buttercup), growing in damp places throughout the Boreal Kingdom. It flowers June/July. Ranunculus flammula is poisonous. It is very closely related to R. reptans, which is distinguished by prostrate and more slender stems, narrower leaves and smaller flowers and is sometimes included within R. flammula sensu lato as a variety (R. flammula var. reptans (L. ) E. Meyer).

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Prefers part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. North Coast, Klamath Ranges, Outer North Coast Ranges, Inner North Coast Ranges, High Cascade Range, High sierra Nevada, Central Coast, sF Bay area, High sierra Nevada.

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


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

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

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

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

Alpine Prickly Current (Ribes montigenum) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 1 foot, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are red and striking, and bloom in the early summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow at elevations from 6400-12500 feet.

Coulter's Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri) is one of the largest and showiest California poppies. Large white petals with a crinkled texture surround yellow stamens, giving this poppy a bright, cheerful appearance. Its flowers, which can be as large as 7 inches across, are attractive to bees and butterflies.

This plant can be challenging to establish, as it can suffer from both too much and too little water. Once established, however, it readily spreads by rhizomes and can soon outgrow its intended area. (Pulling shoots usually suffices to control it.) Plant in full sun in well-draining, sandy soil. Matilija Poppy is a low-water plant that does not need supplemental summer irrigation once established.

Hybrid of Romneya coulteri and Romneya trichocalyx. The Matilija Poppy "White Cloud" variety is similar to Rhomneya coulteri, having a fuzz on the calyx and thinner, narrower leaves. We find this selection to stay a little more compact, have profuse flowers and a slightly longer flowering season. The 6" wide flowers are precision white with a yellow, round center. These bushes spread via rhizomes and can be utilized in a beautiful hedge, if properly controlled. The bushes tend to reach eight feet in height and spread as long as there is room.

Hybrid, random; origin = plant (19__) R. coulteri x R. trichoclayx?; intro Theodore Payne pre-1956 Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Theodore payne.

Romneya trichocalyx is species of flowering plant in the poppy family. This poppy is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in dry canyons in chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities, sometimes in areas recently burned.It is a popular ornamental plant, kept for its large, showy flowers. This is a shrub which may exceed two meters in height, its woody stem growing from a network of rhizomes. The gray-green, waxy-textured leaves are each divided into a few lance-shaped lobes, the blades growing up to 20 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a large, solitary flower with six crinkly white petals each up to 10 centimeters long. At the center of the flower is a cluster of many yellow stamens. The fruit is a bristly capsule 3 or 4 centimeters long containing many tiny seeds. This plant bears the largest flowers of any species native to California, rivaled only by Hibiscus lasiocarpos. It was nominated for the honor of California state flower in 1890, but the California poppy won the title in a landslide.

This plant is very similar to Romney coulteri in both appearance and requirements. This species differs only in having more prominent bristles on the sepals. Most plants sold in nurseries in California will be coulteri; trichocalyx is rarely available. The two species will hybridize and there is at least one named horticultural hybrid known as 'White Cloud'.

With charming open-faced blooms in shades of pink that range from near-white to magenta, the California Wildrose (Rosa californica), a native rose species, adds beauty to any garden or landscape. Its fragrant flowers bloom abundantly through spring and summer. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. In fall, it produces deep red rose hips that provide food for birds.

California Wildrose is easy to grow. It can tolerate low-water conditions but benefits from supplemental irrigation, especially during summer. It grows in different soil types, although it does best in moist, loamy soil. This shrub can form large thickets, making it a good choice for barrier planting. Pruning is not necessary when it has room to grow. Otherwise, light shaping keeps it from overgrowing small spaces.

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

Rosa pinetorum is an uncommon species of rose known by the common name pine rose. It is endemic to California, where it occurs in the coniferous forests of the Central Coast Ranges around Monterey Bay.

Cluster Rose (Rosa pisocarpa) is a native shrub that grows in northern California in the Sierras and North Coast Range. It is fast growing and short-lived, with fewer thorns than some other members of the genus. It grows in an irregular form to a height of 6 feet. Flowers are red and striking, and bloom in the summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in moist areas, at elevations from 0-5,000 feet.

Rosa spithamea is a species of rose known by the common names ground rose and coast ground rose. It is native to Oregon and California, where it grows in forest and chaparral habitats, especially areas recently burned. Rosa spithamea is a small shrub growing no taller than about half a meter. The stem is studded with a few or many prickles. The glandular leaves are each made up of several double-toothed oval leaflets, the terminal leaflet up to 3 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a cyme of up to 10 flowers with pink petals each up to 1. 5 centimeters in length. The fruit is a rose hip about a centimeter wide. Rosa spithamea is a small shrub growing no taller than about half a meter. The stem is studded with a few or many prickles. The glandular leaves are each made up of several double-toothed oval leaflets, the terminal leaflet up to 3 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a cyme of up to 10 flowers with pink petals each up to 1. 5 centimeters in length. The fruit is a rose hip about a centimeter wide.

California Coneflower, with the botanical name Rudbeckia californica, is a deciduous perennial species in the Sunflower or Aster Family (Asteraceae). It is a large showy flowering plant, that grows in seeps, meadows and wetlands, at elevations of 400-7,800 feet, in Red Fir Forest and Mountain Meadow habitats from the central Sierra Nevada and in the Klamath Mountains into into southwestern Oregon
The Klamath Coneflower, a former variety of this species named Rudbeckia californica var. intermedia and endemic to northwestern California in the Klamath Mountains, has been reclassified as the species Rudbeckia klamathensis.

California Coneflower grows from a thick rhizome, reaching 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m) tall. It has large leaves that can be up to 1 foot (30 cm) long, and are lance-shaped to oval, smooth-edged or lobed. Most of these large leaves are basal, with a few alternately arranged along the bloom stems.

The yellow flower has an inflorescence that is a usually solitary sunflower-like flower head with a base up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide lined with several ray florets, each of which are 0.75 to 2.5 inches (2-6 cm) long. The yellow ray florets extend outwards and then become reflexed, pointing back down along the stem. It blooms in July and August. The disc florets filling the button-shaped to conical to cylindrical center of the head are greenish yellow. The fruits are achenes tipped with a pappus of scales.
California Coneflower prefers partially shaded, cool, and seasonally to always moist garden conditions.

Rudbeckia occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name western coneflower. It is native to the northwestern United States from Washington to northern California and east to Wyoming and Montana, where it grows in moist habitat types, such as meadows. It is an erect perennial herb growing from a thick rhizome, its mostly unbranched stem approaching two meters in maximum height. The large leaves are generally oval but pointed, and lightly to deeply toothed along the edges, growing to 30 centimeters long. The inflorescence is one or more flower heads with purplish bases up to 6 centimeters wide. There are no ray florets, just an array of reflexed phyllaries around the purple-brown center packed with disc florets. This center, containing the receptacles, lengthens to several centimeters in length as the fruits develop. The fruits are achenes each a few millimeters long, some tipped with pappi of tiny scales. Media related to Rudbeckia occidentalis at Wikimedia Commons

Pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in salt marshes and alkali flats, at elevations from 0-300 feet.

Salix melanopsis is a plant species known by the common name dusky willow. It is native to western North America from British Columbia and Alberta to California and Colorado, where it grows in many types of moist and wet habitat, such as riverbanks and subalpine mountain meadows, on rocky and silty substrates. Salix melanopsis is a shrub up to 4 meters tall, sometimes sprouting abundantly from its stem to form colonial thickets of clones. The pointed, oval, lance-shaped, or linear leaves may grow over 13 centimeters long and have smooth or spine-toothed edges. The inflorescence is a catkin of flowers up to 5 or 6 centimeters long. Salix melanopsis is a shrub up to 4 meters tall, sometimes sprouting abundantly from its stem to form colonial thickets of clones. The pointed, oval, lance-shaped, or linear leaves may grow over 13 centimeters long and have smooth or spine-toothed edges. The inflorescence is a catkin of flowers up to 5 or 6 centimeters long.

Allen Chickering sage (Salvia 'Allen Chickering') is a profusely blooming mint with aromatic grey-green foliage and whorls of purple flowers. One shrub can perfume the whole garden on a warm, summer afternoon.  It is a popular hybrid of purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) and Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii.) As such, it is a plant of the chaparral and coastal sage scrub in Southern California.

Hummingbirds adore the nectar from the flowers.  The plant also attracts butterflies, bees, moths, and other pollinators. 

Allen Chickering Sage (Salvia 'Allen Chickering') tolerates almost any soil type and, once established, needs no summer water. It is smaller and more compact than many sages.

A Blossom Hill original.  Salvia Clevelandii x with some Salvia apiana. Nice structure, foliage and extended flowering time.  Very adaptable and drought tolerant. Smaller than Vicki Romo, slightly larger that S. clevelandii.  Product of natural cross pollination in the Nursery.  As with most larger Sages, needs fall pruning.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Garden hybrid introduced by Bob sussman of Matilija Nursery.

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

Distinguished by its large bluish-purple flowers, celestial blue sage (Salvia ‘Celestial Blue’) attracts many native pollinators to the garden. Celestial blue sage is a hybrid created by Bert Wilson, the founder of Las Pilitas Nursery. It is a cross of Salvia clevelandii, Salvia pachyphylla, and Salvia leucophylla (Cleveland, blue, and purple sage).

Hardy and easy to grow, this low-water shrub is tolerant of coarse, sandy soil and summer heat. It grows in large mounds that can reach 5 ft in width and height. Fragrant gray-green leaves accent the richly colored blooms. The flowers attract hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies, including the Swallowtail. The seeds provide food for songbirds. 

Celestial blue sage does well on dry sunny slopes and in other areas where growing conditions may be challenging for other plants. It can be used for erosion control and as a groundcover

Dara's Choice Sage, botanically known as Salvia 'Dara's Choice', is a hybrid of Sonoma Sage (Salvia sonomensis) and Black Sage (Salvia mellifera). This evergreen plant is semi-deciduous in summer, reaching 1 to 2 feet in height and 3 to 6 feet in width. The small leaves are a rich green color and contrast well with the blue to lavender-blue flowers, blooming in the spring through early summer.

Dara's Choice Sage maintains its dense and solid foliage appearance, even after many years, making it useful to gardeners as a compact spreading ground cover or low mounding shrub. It is fast-growing and adaptable to different soils, from sandy, coarse-grained soil to clay. It prefers sun in coastal sites, and part sun or light afternoon shade in inland sites. Once established, it is drought adapted.

The fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

It was selected for the garden by horticulturalist Dara Emery, and in 1979 introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

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

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden (Introduced by TpF)

Hybrid of salvia apiana X mellifera.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Hybrid between s. clevelandii, s. dorrii, and s. mohavensis.

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.

Pozo Blue Sage (Salvia clevelandii x leucophylla 'Pozo Blue') is a small shrub in the Mint family. It is a hybrid that was introduced by Bert Wilson of Las Pilitas Nursery. It is prized for its highly fragrant, gray-green foliage and blue-violet flowers. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted to the trumpet-shaped flowers and birds eat the seed in late summer through fall. Deer and gophers tend to leave it alone, most likely due to the fragrance.

Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii) and Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla), the parent sages, grow naturally in Chaparral and Coastal Scrub plant communities. Hot, dry sights with excellent drainage are where Pozo Blue Sage will thrive. And yet, Pozo Blue Sage has proven to be adaptable to different types of soil, making it a good choice for a garden. It is tolerant of heat and low water.

Prune back by third in fall or winter for a fresher appearance and more blooms in spring and to prevent woody, leggy growth. Use the leaves for a delicious tea or to make aromatic and healing body care products.

Salvia hybrid. This sage was developed at Rancho santa Ana Botanical Gardens and is most likely a cross between White sage (S. apiana) and Black sage (S. mellifera). Starlight is fast growing shrub to about 4' x 4'. It has silvery green foliage which causes the spring and summer blooming white flowers to stand out and sparkle like stars. It is very attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and native pollenators. It does best in full sun and only needs occasional to no extra water. Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

White sage hybrid, long narrow light green leaves and pale blue to white flowers. Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

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

Native to Southern California's coastal sage scrub region, White Sage (Salvia apiana) is one of the state's most important Salvia species. White Sage is fragrant, with silver-white leaves, and clusters of white flowers with lavender streaks. Young leaves start off green and turn white as they get older.

White Sage is deeply rooted in the cultures and lifeways of Indigenous communities of Southern California and northern Baja, the only region this sage naturally occurs in the world. This plant's limited wild populations are under threat from poaching, climate change, and development.

Nursery-grown White Sage is a valuable pollinator plant in the garden. The small white flowers are a favorite of carpenter bees, bumble bees, and hummingbirds. In Latin, "apiana" means of or belonging to bees. The blooms are accented by silvery-white foliage. White Sage is a drought-adapted low-water shrub that grows best in full sun. Pruning helps keep it neat and compact.

This sage has light purple flowers and is even more aromatic than White sage or a Cleveland sage. Its leaves are similar to white sage but are slightly smaller and darker. It is a very attractive shrub to place along fences and at the back of a garden bed. Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. It is thought to be a cross between Salvia apiana and Salvia clevelandii, coming from Rancho Santa Ana (now California Botanic Garden).

Compact White Sage (Salvia apiana var. compacta) is a perennial shrub that is native to Southern California. Having all the attributes of White sage (Salvia apiana) but growing about half the size, with silver-gray foliage and tall flower stems of pollinator attracting white blossoms.

It is heat and drought tolerant, with powerfully fragrant foliage that is deer resistant.

Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a small, evergreen shrub in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). The small gray-green leaves are very fragrant, as are the whorls of purple flowers. One shrub can perfume the whole garden on a warm, summer afternoon. Hummingbirds adore the nectar from the tubular flowers. It also attracts butterflies, bees, moths, and other pollinators. This is an important food source during the heat of summer.

It is native to chaparral and coastal sage scrub in Southern California, where it survives on annual rainfall alone. Plant Cleveland sage on well-drained flats, bluffs or gentle slopes for best results. Limit summer water to no more than once per month; although, no irrigation in summer after a year or two is best. This sage is arguably one of the most fragrant. Several cultivars and hybrids that are often available in nurseries are 'Winnifred Gilman', 'Allen Chickering', 'Aromas', 'Pozo Blue', and 'Whirly Blue', and 'Celestial Blue'.

Horticultural selection from salvia clevelandii. Powerfully fragrant and incredibly long blooming, Alpine Cleveland sage is also the cold-hardiest variety of its species, tolerating temperatures well below freezing. Due to its long bloom time, the Alpine variety is a particularly good addition to wildlife gardens. Use it as a screen or border shrub. The flower spikes are attractive in cut-flower arrangements. This variety was discovered growing wild on a rocky, south-facing slope of san Diego's Cuyamaca Mountains near the small town of Alpine. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selection from san Diego County (Alpine).

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Introduced by saratoga Horticultural Foundation.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Originally collected by sean Hogan, parker sanderson, and Bart O'Brien from a coastal terrace south of Erendira in Baja California, Mexico.

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. Introduced by Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden.

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

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.

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.

Whirly Blue sage is a hybrid of salvia clevelandii and s. leucophylla and sports aromatic grey-green foliage and rich violet flowers that appear on 1 to 2 foot blooming stems. It is a dense growing shrub, 4-5 feet tall, with an even greater spread.
The larger flower whorls and the deeper color of the flowers distinguish 'Whirly Blue" from both salvia 'Allen Chickering' and salvia 'Aromas'. Whirly Blue sage is great for dry, sunny spots and appreciates well-draining soil. Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies enjoy its flowers and we enjoy its leaves in tea. Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Winnifred Gilman Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gilman') is a fragrant and vibrant selection of Cleveland Sage, introduced by Strybing Arboretum (now San Francisco Botanic Garden). Native to Southern California's chaparral and coastal sage scrub, it thrives in well-drained soils with minimal water once established.

This small shrub has striking red stems and clusters of blue-purple flowers, blooming in late spring and summer. Its foliage has a sweet, fresh aroma, considered the most fragrant of all California native sages.

Winnifred Gilman Cleveland Sage is a standout choice for drought-tolerant gardens, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plant in full sun along the coast or with some afternoon shade inland.

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

Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that can become a mounding form up to five feet tall, or a spreading form up to 10 feet wide and only 2  feet tall, which makes a great ground cover.  The leaves are gray green and in spring and summer large spikes bear whorls of purple flowers with a strong scent.

Purple sage grows in full sun and is amazingly drought-tolerant but can take light water up to twice per month in the summer, which will keep it looking a little greener.  Though it prefers well-draining soil, it is tough and easy to grow.  

The highly aromatic flowers attract a variety of birds and insects, with several butterflies and moths hosted.

Black sage is the most common sage in California. Though less showy than other salvia species and cultivars, it is an important food source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers are small and pale blue-lavender in color. After blooming, black sage seeds provide food for birds, including quail and towhees.

A black sage shrub can grow up to 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide. In the garden, this aromatic plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It is a low-moisture plant, requiring no supplemental water once established. It is usual for the small, dark green leaves to curl during summer drought.

Salvia pachyphylla (Blue sage, Mountain desert sage) is a perennial shrub native to California, Nevada, and Arizona. In California, it grows between 5,000 to 10,000 ft (1,500 to 3,000 m) elevation on dry rocky slopes, blooming from July to September. It reaches 1 to 2 ft (0. 30 to 0. 61 m) high, with blue-violet flowers, rarely rose, growing in dense clusters. In the course of a study of the chemical composition of the flora used in Latin American popular medicine, Ivan C. Guerrero and coworkers have performed phytochemical studies of extracts of the aerial parts from Salvia pachyphylla and Salvia clevelandii . S. pachyphylla is used by indigenous communities for its medicinal properties in the treatment of flu symptom. The major secondary metabolites isolated from these species and the cytotoxic effects against five human cancer cells were reported for eight of the compounds obtained: carnosol, rosmanol, 20-deoxocarnosol, carnosic acid, isorosmanol, 7-methoxyrosmanol, 5,6-didehydro-O-methylsugiol, 8ß-hydroxy-9(11),13-abietadien-12-one, 11,12-dioxoabieta-8,13-diene, and 11,12-dihydroxy-20-norabieta-5(10),8,11,13-tetraen-1-one and pachyphyllone.

Sonoma Sage or Creeping Sage is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family native to California. It is found in the Coast Ranges, Peninsular Range, and Sierra foothills. As suggested by its common name, it is a mat-forming subshrub with stems growing no more about 40 centimeters high. The leaves are about 3-6 centimeters long and.5 to 1.5 centimeters wide; they are hairy, the upper surface with minute hairs, and the lower surface so densely covered with recurved hairs that it looks white. The flower clusters are scapose, with clusters 1 to 1.5 centimeter wide. The flowers range in color from white to blue, lilac and purple. It is moderately drought tolerant if given some shade. It is sensitive to heat and direct sun; leaf drop is an indication of too much sun or heat or inadequate moisture. In suitable growing conditions it will forma mat up to 15 ft. wide while remaining about 1 ft. high.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Kent Calkin, Creative Landscape Consultants, introduced by Cal Flora Nursery.