This document provides a list of native plant species for gardens in western Los Angeles County, California. It includes trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials suitable for use in landscapes, as well as notes on their size, flowering period, light and soil requirements, and water needs. Many of the plants listed are suitable for use in floral arrangements and bouquets due to their attractive flowers.

1. CA Native Plants for Western L.A. County Gardens – Plants for Bouquets & Floral Arrangements
I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1, 3, 5, 6, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
Fall color (red,
orange); edible
fruit, flowers
10, 14, 16
Showy berries
in summer
Trees and Tree-like Large Shrubs
X Ceanothus – all species
X * Cercis occidentalis
Western Redbud
6-20 ft tall
10-15 ft w
Magenta/
Sp
FS/PS
Any incl
clay
Comarostaphylis
X diversifolia ssp.
planifolia
Summer Holly
< 18 ft tall
White/Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1
X Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon
6-10 ft +
4-6 ft w
White/Su
FS/PS/FSH
Any welldrained
1-2
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
10, 13, 14, 16,
18
Berries &
flowers
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 7, 13, 14,
19
Showy,
fragrant
flowers
1-2 to 2-3
Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)
X
* Carpenteria
californica
X
* Ceanothus – all
species
X
* Ceanothus
tomentosus
Bush aneneme
6-8 ft tall
6-12 ft W
WhiteYellow/ Spr
Wooly-leaf
Ceanothus
6-12 ft t
4-8 ft w
Blues/Sp
X Holodiscus discolor
Creambush; Ocean
Spray
X * Hyptis emoryi
Desert Lavender
10-20 ft
tall
4-12 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
X
Mahonia (Berberis)
nevinii
Nevin’s Barberry
X
Malacothamnus
fasciculatus
Chaparral Mallow
X * Philadelphus lewisii
CA Mock Orange
X Rhus integrifolia
Lemonadeberry
X Rhus ovata
Sugar Bush
3-8+ ft tall
6-12 ft w
To 12 ft t
4-6 ft wide
4-10 ft tall
& wide
2-10 ft
3-20 ft w.
8-12 ft
6-15 ft w.
White/
Su-Fa
Violet/W-Sp
PS/FSH
FS
FS/PS
FS
Welldrained
Sandy or
rocky
Any, incl.
clays
Welldrained
1-2
1-2 to 2-3
1-2 to 2
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
Pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
any
White/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any, incl
clays
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
any
1-2
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
any
1-2
1-2
1, 13, 14
1, 5, 13, 14
1, 8, 10, 13, 14
1, 7, 13, 14
Upright;
evergreen;
heavy bloomer
Fragrant at a
distance
‘Silver Lining’;
fragrant
Flowers,
berries &
foloiage
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 5, 10, 13,
19
‘Casitas’ good
for gardens
1-2 to 2-3
1, 7, 13, 14, 19
Very fragrant
1, 3, 7, 9, 10,
12, 14, 16, 18
1, 3, 9, 10, 1214, 16, 19
Edible fruits
Edible fruits
1

2. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X * Romneya coulteri
Matilija Poppy
3-8 ft tall
spreading
White/Su
X Rosa californica
California Wild
Rose
3-6+ ft tall
3-10 ft w
Pink/
Sp-Su
I
Scientific Name
Light**
FS
FS/PS/FSH
Soil
Welldrained
any
Water
Zone+
Availability
1-2
1, 3, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 19
1-2;
3 (sun)
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
Notes
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Smaller Shrubs ( < 6 ft. tall) ; includes woody sub-shrubs
X * Abutilon palmeri
Indian Mallow
2-6 ft tall &
wide
3-6 ft tall
Yellow to
Or/Sp-Su
FS
Welldrained
FS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16,
Unusual
1 to 2-3
1, 6, 7, 13, 14
‘Silver Canyon’
1-2
1, 3, 5, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
Showy flowers
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 10, 13, 18
Showy flowers
X Coreopsis gigantea
Giant Coreopsis
3-5+ ft
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Catalina Silverlace
3-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
2-3 ft
Orange/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Sandy
2-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Yellow/W-Sp
FS/PS
Constancea
(Eriophyllum) nevinii
Diplacus aurantiacus
X
ssp. aurantiacus
X Diplacus linearis
Bush
Monkeyflower
Chaparral Bush
Monkey Flower
Fertile,
welldrained
Any welldrained
X * Diplacus longiflorus
Southern Bush
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft &
wide
Yellow to
white/ W-Sp
PS (morning
sun OK)
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
X Diplacus parviflorus
Island Bush
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft &
wide
Red /W-Sp
PS (morning
sun OK)
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
X Diplacus puniceus
Red Bush
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft &
wide
Darker
orange/Sp
PS (morning
sun OK)
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
X Encelia californica
CA Bush Sunflower
2-5 ft
Yellow/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
X * Encelia farinosa
Brittle Bush
3-5 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS
Any;
sandy
best
1 to 1-2
Epilobium canum
X (Zauschneria
californica)
CA Fuschia
1-3 ft
Orange/F
FS/PS
'Canyon Gray';
1
Coastal Sagebrush
X
1, 8, 13, 14
1, 7-10, 12, 13,
14, 16, 18
X Artemisia californica
Gold/Su
1-2
any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 6-8, 1014, 16, 17, 20,
21, 24, 25, 28
3, 7, 8, 11-14,
16, 20-24, 26,
28
3, 7, 8, 10-14,
16, 20, 21, 24,
26, 28
1, 2, 3, 7, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
1, 3, 6, 8, 10,
13, 14, 16, 21,
20, 24
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
foiage for
arrangements
San Gabriels
S. Islands
S. Islands; Riv.
& San Diego
Co.
Good winter
color
Short-lived;
whiter w/ little
water
Tolerates
winter flooding
2

3. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X * Ericameria nauseosa
Rabbitbush
2-5 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/Su-F
X Eriogonum cinereum
Ashy-leaf
Buckwheat
2-5 ft
X * Eriogonum crocatum
Conejo Buckwheat
1 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
X Eriogonum fasciculatum
California
Buckwheat
1-3 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
St. Catherine’s
Lace
I
Scientific Name
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
7, 10, 13, 16
Butterflies &
other insects
any
1-2 to 2-3
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 2-3
FS/PS
any
Pink/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
3-6 ft
Pink-white/
Su
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 5, 8, 9,
13, 14, 16, 19
Catalina
Snapdragon
2-4 ft tall
Red/Sp +
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 7, 8, 9,
13, 14
Bracted Gumplant
2-4 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Yellow/Su
Fs
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 6, 12, 16
Tolerates salty,
alkali soils
Yellow Bush
Penstemon
3-8 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16, 22, 24
Fragrant
flowers
Oregon Grape
< 6 ft
Yellow/Sp
PS
any
2-3 to 3
1, 7, 9, 13, 14
Flowers,
foliage
X * Perityle incana
Guadalupe Island
Rock Daisy
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS coast
PS
Welldrained
1-2
X * Verbena lilacina
Cedros Island
Verbena
2-4 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Lilac/Sp-F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 9, 13,
14
X * Viguiera laciniata
San Diego
Sunflower
1-2 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
Eriogonum giganteum
X vars. formosum,
giganteum
Gambelia (Galvezia)
X
speciosa
Grindelia camporum
X
var. bracteosa
X * Keckiella antirhinnoides
X
* Mahonia (Berberis)
aquifolium
Perennial Vines
Pink-wht/
Sp-F
Yellow/SpSu
FS
1 to 1-2
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
1, 3, 8, 12, 14,
19
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18,
19
1, 7, 13, 14, 19
X Clematis lasiantha
Chaparral Clematis
8-20 ft
vine
White/SpSu; sep. m/f
plants
FS (top)
PS (roots)
any
1-2 to 2
1, 6, 8, 13
X Clematis ligusticifolia
Virgin’s Bower
To 15 ft
White/Su
PS/FSH
Any
2-3 to 3
3, 5, 13, 14, 19
X * Lathyrus splendens
Pride of California
6-12 ft
Red/Sp
X Lathyrus vestitus
Wild Sweetpea;
Canyon Pea
3-9 ft
Purplewhite/ Sp
PS
PS/FSH
Welldrained
1-2
?
any
1-2
1, 8, 13
Gray foliage
Showy flowers
'Dana Point' tight,
compact; ‘Bruce
Dickinson’ prostrate
Don’t plant
near native
buckwheats
Evergreen with
silvery foliage
Lovely yearround; showy
flowers
Flowers &
seeds
Flowers &
seeds
Gorgeous
flowers
Good under
trees; drought
deciduous
3

4. I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
Herbaceous Perennials (including smaller sub-shrubs)
X Achillea millefolia
Yarrow
1-2 ft
White/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
most
Alkali soils fine
X * Agastache urticifolia
Nettleleaf Giant
Hyssop (Horse
Mint)
2-5 ft tall &
wide
Pink/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
2 to 2-3
6, 13, 19
Great bee
plant; fragrant
X Anemopsis californica
Yerba Mansa
1 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
Any incl
clay
2 to 3
3, 10, 14, 16
Tolerates
flooding
X * Aquilegia formosa
Western
Columbine
1-2 ft
Redyellow/Su
PS/FSH
Welldrained
2 to 3
1, 3, 5, 13, 14,
16, 19, 20
X Asclepias fascicularis
Narrow-leaf
Milkweed
2-3 ft
Creampink/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
X Asclepias speciosa
Showy Milkweed
2-3 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Pink/Su
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
2, 8, 19
X Coreopsis gigantea
Giant Coreopsis
3-8 ft tall
3 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
1, 2, 3, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
X Coreopsis maritima
Sea Dahlia
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/Spr
FS/PS
Sandy
best
Common Sand
Aster
1-4 ft tall &
wide
Violet/SprSu
FS/PS
CA Larkspur
3-6 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Lavender or
white/
FS
Parry’s Blue
Larkspur
1-5 ft
Bluepurple/Spr
FS/?PS
X Delphinium cardinale
Scarlet Larkspur
To 6 ft
Red/Spr-Su
FS
X * Epipactis gigantea
Stream (Giant)
Orchid
1-2 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Maroon/
X *Erigeron glaucus
Seaside Daisy
½ ft
Red Buckwheat
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Sulfur-flowered
Buckwheat
1 ft tall
3 ft wide
X
Corethrogyne
filaginifolia
* Delphinium
californicum
Delphinium parryi ssp.
X
maritimum & parryi
X
* Eriogonum grande
var. rubescens
* Eriogonum
umbellatum
Lavernder/
Sp-Fa
Red-pink/
Su-F
Yellow/
PS/FSH
FS/PS/FSH
Any;
sandy
best
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
1-2
1-2
1 to 1-2
1-2 to 2
1
1, 3, 10, 14
Needs
seasonal
flooding
Tol. Flooding;
Monarch host
plant; silvery
8, 13, 14
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
1, 8, 10, 16
‘Silver Carpet’
19
8, 20
1 to 1-2
10, 16, 19
2-3 to 3
1, 8, 13, 18
Good under
oaks
2-3
1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9,
13, 14
FS/PS
Any
1-2
1, 5, 7, 8, 14
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
Can grow in
pond/stream
Attractive
flowers, foliage
Tol. moderate
salt, alkali soils
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
4

5. I
Scientific Name
Eriophyllum
X confertiflorum var.
confertiflorum
Erysimum capitatum
X
var. capitatum
Erysimum insulare ssp.
X
suffrutescens
X Grindelia camporum
Grindelia hirsutula var.
hirsutula
* Heuchera maxima
X (incl. many cultivars &
hybrids)
X
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Golden Yarrow
1-3 ft
Gold-yellow/
Sp-Su
Western Wallflower
1-3 ft
1-2 ft wide
Yellow-Or/
W-Sp
Dune Wallflower
Large Gumplant
Hairy Gumplant
Island Alumroot
1-3 ft
1-2 ft
2-3 ft
3-5 ft
1-2 ft
wide
tall
wide
tall
wide
tall &
1- 3 ft
Light**
FS/PS
FS
1, 2, 10
FS
Any
PS/PS/ FSH
X Limonium californicum
California SeaLavender
1-2 ft tall
and wide
Purple/Su-F
FS
X *Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal Flower
Red/Sp-Su
FS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
See note
Any;
sand to
clay
any
X
* Lobelia dunnii var.
serrata
Dunn’s Lobelia
* Monardella crispa
X
Waveyleaf Dune
Mint
1-2 ft tall
3-4 ft wide
Purplepink/Su-F
FS/PS
Sandy
best
* Monardella
macrantha
Red Monardella
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Red/Su-F
PS best
Any; no
alkali
Mountain
Monardella
1-2ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Lilac/ Sp-Su
PS best
Sandy
best
Coyote Mint
1 ft
Pink/Sp-Su
PS
See note
Scarlet Bugler
1-3 ft
OR-Red/
Sp-Su
FS
Grinnell’s
Penstemon
1-2 ft
Purple/Su
FS
Foothill Penstemon
1-2 ft
Purple/
Sp-Su
* Monardella
odoratissima
* Monardella villosa
X
(ssp. subserrata)
* Penstemon
centranthifolius
X
X * Penstemon grinnellii
X
Penstemon
heterophyllus
Lavender/Su
PS
FS/PS
Tol. moderate
salt, alkali soils
1-2 to 2-3
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Pink/Spr
1, 3, 6, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
Sandy
Welldrained
1-3 ft
Notes
13
FS
PS/PS/ FSH
1-2
Availability
1-2 to 2
Yellow/Sp-F
White/Spr
Water
Zone+
Welldrained
FS/PS
Crevice Alumroot
ft tall
wide
tall
ft wide
Sandy
best
Yellow/W-Sp
X * Heuchera micrantha
1-2
1 ft
1 ft
1-3
Soil
Welldrained
1-2
1-2 to 2-3
1-2 to
2-3
2-3 to 3
2-3 to 3
2-3 to 3
2-3 to 3
1, 2, 6, 12, 16
Spreading
1, 10
Butterfly plant
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
1, 3, 8
10, 14, 16
Well-drained
soil
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
3, 8, 13, 19
Toxic
1, 6, 8, 13
Lovely blooms
2-3
1, 6, 8, 13, 14,
19
2 or 2-3
1, 3, 6, 8, 11,
13, 14, 24, 28
Butterfly plant;
fragrant
Hummingbird
plant; scented;
‘Marion
Sampson’
Minty scent;
lovely flowers
1-2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14,
19
Well-drained
soil best
Welldrained
1
1, 3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14
May be difficult
Welldrained
1
1, 6, 8, 10,
13, 14
sandy
2
1 to 1-2
11, 13
14
Many blooms
5

6. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X * Penstemon laetus
Gay Penstemon
1-3 ft
Lavender/
Sp-Su
* Penstemon newberryi
var. sonomensis
Sonoma
Penstemon
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Magenta/
* Penstemon palmeri
Pink Wild
Snapdragon
4-5 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Lavender/
Sp-Su
Penstemon spectabilis
ssp. subviscosus
Showy Penstemon
3-4 ft
Bolander’s Phacelia
1-2 ft tall
* Phacelia californica
CA Phacelia
1-2 ft tall
and wide
Lavender/
FS
Phacelia distans
Common Phacelia;
Wild Heliotrope
1-2 ft tall
Violet/Sp
FS/PS
Wooly Everlasting
1-2 ½ ft
White/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Coulter’s (White)
Snapdragon
2-4 ft tall
White to
lavender/Sp
FS
I
X
X * Phacelia bolanderi
Pseudognaphalium
X canescens ssp.
beneolens
Sairocarpus
X (Antirrhinum)
coulterianus
* Sairocarpus
X
multiflorus
X
X
Scrophularia californica
ssp. floribunda
Sidalcea malviflora ssp.
malviflora
** Sidalcea hybrids
‘Elsie Heugh’ ‘Little
Princess’ ‘Party Girl’
‘Rosanna’
X * Sidalcea oregana
* Silene californica
X Silene laciniata
Lavenderpink/Sp-Su
Lavender/
Sp-Su
Light**
Soil
1 to 1-2
FS/PS
1-2 to 2
8, 13
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
FS
PS
FS/PS
CA Bee Plant
2-3 ft
Red/Spr
Dwarf Checker
Mallow
To 1 ½ ft
Pinklavender/
FS/PS
Checkermallow
2-3 ft
Pink to
purple/ Sp
FS/PS
Oregon
Checkmallow
2-4
1-2
1-2
2-4
Pinks/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Red/Su
PS/FS
Red/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Sandy or
rocky
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Any, incl.
clay
Welldrained
PS
Indian Pink
1-3 ft
Blue-green
foliage;
difficult; ‘St.
Helena’
1, 14
Pink/Sp
Indian Pink
Notes
1, 13
FS/PS
2-3 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
tall
wide
tall
wide
Availability
Welldrained
Rose Snapdragon
ft
ft
ft
ft
Water
Zone+
Any
1
1 to 1-2
2
1 to 1-2
1-2
1, 3, 6, 10, 13,
14, 16
5, 11, 19
13, 19
10
1, 16
1
1, 10, 13
Spreads; gray
foliage
1, 10, 13
1-2 to 2-3
Water in full
sun
Gray-green
foliage
Good under
other plants
Hummingbird
plant
Dried
seedpods,
stems
2-3 to 3
1, 5, 8, 10, 12,
13, 16
Any
2-3 to 3
1, 8, 13, 19
Any
2-3 to 3
Available
commercially,
incl. on-line
2-3 to 3
13
Gorgeous
flowers
2-3
19
difficult
1-2 to
2-3
12
Welldrained
Welldrained
Sandy or
rocky
6

7. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X Solidago californica
California
Goldenrod
2-4 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
Solidago spectabilis
var. confinis
Southern
Goldenrod
3-6 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F
FS/PS
Any
2-3
X * Sphaeralcea ambigua
Desert mallow
3-4 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Orange/
Sp-Su
FS
Sandy/
rocky
1 to 2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
X Stachys bullata
California
Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-4 ft
Pink/Spr-Su
PS
Welldrained
2-3
1, 3, 7, 12, 14
Rigid Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-2 ft
Pink/Spr-Su
FS/PS
Clay
2-3 to 3
1, 13
Coast Aster
1-3 ft tall
spreading
Lavender/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 3
1, 8, 11, 13
* Thalictrum fendleri
var. polycarpum
Mountain
Meadowrue
3-5 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
White/Su
PS/FSH
Welldrained
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 10, 1214, 19
* Venegasia
carpesioides
Canyon Sunflower
4-6 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Sp-F
Any
2 to 2-3
I
X
Scientific Name
Stachys rigida var.
X rigida (Stachys
ajugoides)
* Symphyotrichum
X chilense (Aster
chilensis)
X
Light**
PS
Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals)
Cirsium occidentale var.
4-6 ft tall
Pink/Sp-Su
X californicum &
Cobwebby Thistle
FS
1-2 ft w.
occidentale
Farewell to Spring
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
X Clarkia purpurea
Purple Clarkia
2-3 ft tall
X Clarkia unguiculata
Elegant Clarkia
2-5 ft tall
Chinese Houses
1-2 ft tall
Globe Gilia
1-2+ ft
Nevin’s Gilia
1-2 ft tall
* Clarkia amoena
Collinsia heterophylla
var. heterphylla
Gilia capitata ssp.
X
abrotanifolia
X
X Gilia nevinii
Pink-red/
Lavender/
Sp-Su
Pink-purple/
Sp-Su
Purple-white
Sp-Su
Purple-blue/
Sp
Yellow/Blue
Sp
Soil
–
Water
Zone+
Availability
7, 10, 14
10
Notes
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Hybridizes with
other malows
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Good habitat
plant; ‘Point
St. George’
Foiage used in
flower
arrangements
Longblooming;
seeds for birds
no water after flowering (Zone 1)
Welldrained
1-2
13, 19, 21
May survive
several
seasons
FS/PS
any
1-2
5, 8, 10, 16, 19
& other
commercial
Lovely flowers
FS/PS
any
1-2
1, 2, 10, 13, 16
FS/PS
any
1 to 2-3
2, 5, 10, 13, 16
PS/FSH
any
1-2
1, 5, 10, 13, 16
FS
FS/PS
Any welldrained
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
5, 13
1 to 1-2
Needs drought
for seeds
Well-drained
soil
easy
19
7

8. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X Gilia tricolor
Bird’s Eye Gilia
1-2 ft tall
Yellow/Blue
Sp
X Helenium puberulum
Rosilla;
Sneezeweed
1-5 ft tall
1 ft wide
I
Scientific Name
X Helianthus annuus
X Lasthenia californica
Common (Annual)
Sunflower
California
Goldfields
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
2, 5, 10, 13
Easy; fragrant
Yellowbrown/ Su
FS
any
2-3 to 3
2, 6, 13, 21
Edible;
pollinator
plant;
5-8 ft tall
Yellow/Su-F
FS
any
1-2
2, 10 (local
var.)
easy
< 1 ft tall
Yellow/W-Sp
FS
any
1 to 1-2
10, 13
Salt tolerant
Moderately salt
tolerant
Good for water
gardens; salt
tolerant
Lasthenia coronaria
Royal Goldenfields
< 1 ft tall
Yellow/W-Sp
FS
any
1 to 2-3
10
Lasthenia glabrata ssp.
coulteri
Coulter's Goldfields
< 1 ft tall
Yellow/Sp
FS
any
1 to 2-3
5, 10
X Layia platyglossa
Coastal Tidy-Tips
1-2 ft tall
FS
any
1 to 2-3
5, 10, 13
easy
X * Madia elegans
Common Madia
1-3 ft
FS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
5, 10, 16, 19
Foliage aroma
of tropical fruit
Indian Tobacco
1-3 ft tall
White/Su
FS
any
2-3
10
Sweet scent
Blue Toadflax
1-3 ft tall
Blue/Sp-Su
FS/PS
2-3
16,
Rock Daisy
< 1 ft tall
WhiteYellow/ Sp
FS
- to +/-
10
More common
in desert areas
X Phacelia grandiflora
Large-flowered
Phacelia
1-3 ft tall
Purple/Sp
FS/PS
2 to 3
8, 10, 13, 16,
17, 19
Very showy
X Phacelia parryi
Parry’s Phacelia
(Fiddleneck)
1-3 ft tall
Purplewhite/Sp
FS/PS
2-3
13, 16
X Phacelia tanacetifolia
Purple fiddleneck
1-3 ft tall
Purple/SpSu
FS/PS
Any welldrained
2-3 to 3
5, 10, 13,
Cream Cups
1-2 ft tall
Yellowwhite/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1 to 1-2
5, 10
Violet Snapdragon
2-3 ft tall
Violet/Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
2-3
1, 13,
Johnny Jump-up
< 1 ft
Yellow/SpSu
FS/PS
Welldrained
bare soil;
X
Nicotiana quadrivalvis
var. bigelovii
Nuttallanthus/Linaria
canadensis
Perityle emoryi
Platystemon
californicus
Sairocarpus (Antirrhinum)
X nuttallianus ssp.
X
Yellow/white
/ Sp
Yellow-red/
Su-F
nuttallianus & subsessile
Viola pedunculata
Sandy
best
Any
Welldrained/
sandy
Any welldrained
1
19
Easy, pretty,
scent, cut
flower
Don’t mulch;
difficult
8

9. I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
Cacti and Succulents
* Dudleya cymosa
Canyon Liveforever
To 1 ft tall
& wide
Yellow-red/
Sp
* Dudleya farinosa
Bluff Lettuce
1 ft tall &
wide
Lance-leaf Dudleya
1-2 ft tall
& wide
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
* Dudleya palmeri
Palmer's Liveforever
To 1 ft tall
& wide
Yellow-red/
Sp
YellowOrange/
Sp-Su
Yellow-red/
Sp
PS
Welldrained
1 to 2
Dudleya pulverulenta
(ssp. pulverulenta)
CA Chalk Dudleya
< 2 ft &
wide
Pink-Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
X Dudleya lanceolata
X
PS
Welldrained
FS
Rocks
1-2 to 2
1-2
1, 3, 8, 13
11, 13
Santa Monica
Mtns; good in
stone walls
good in stone
walls
1, 7, 13, 14, 15
1, 13
Santa Monica
Mtns; slopes
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 14, 19
With good
drainage
Ferns and Fern-like Plants
X
Polypodium
californicum
X * Polystichum munitum
CA Polypody
< 1 ft tall
spreading
none
PS/FSH
Any
1 to 1-2
6, 7, 13, 14,
19, 20
Good under
oaks;
containers
Western Sword
Fern
3-6 ft tall &
wide
None
PS/FSH
Rich
2-3 to 3
7, 8, 13, 14,
19, 20
Woodsy; regal
1
2, 8, 18, 30
Lovely flowers
1
8, 30
Showy flowers
8, 9 13, 18
Lovely flowers
Bulbs and Corms: most need adequate water in winter/spring. No or very little water in summer
Welldrained,
incl clays
Welldrained
X * Allium dichlamydeum
Coastal Onion
1 ft tall &
wide
Magenta/Sp
FS/PS
X * Allium peninsulare
Mexicali Onion
1-1 ½ ft
Magenta/ Sp
FS/PS
X * Allium unifolium
Meadow Onion
1-1 ½ ft
tall & wide
Magenta/ Sp
FS/PS
Most
Bloomeria crocea var.
crocea
Golden Stars
1-2 ft
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1
1, 8, 10, 13, 16
Fine in grass
* Brodiaea elegans
Harvest Brodiaea
1-1 ½ ft
Violet/Sp
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1
5, 8, 18, 30
Fine in grass
Brodiaea jolonensis (B.
terrestris)
Harvest Brodiaea
1-2 ft
Purple/
Sp-Su
FS
Any, incl.
clays
1
1, 8, 20
X Calochortus albus
White Fairy
Lantern
1
1, 8, 13, 19, 20
X * Calochortus amabilis
Diogenes’ Lantern
1 ft tall
<1 ft wide
1 ft tall
<1 ft wide
1
5, 8, 18, 30
X
X
White-pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Yellow/Sp
PS best
Clays
best
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
Enchanting
flowers
9

10. I
Scientific Name
X * Calachortus luteus
Calochortus splendens
* Calochortus superbus
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Gold Nuggets/
Yellow Mariposa
1 ft
Yellow/Sp
6-18 in.
Splendid Mariposa
Lily
Yellow (Superb)
Mariposa
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
FS
Welldrained
1
1, 8, 10, 18, 20
Summer-dry;
‘Golden Orb’
widely avail.
Pink/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1
1, 8, 10, 18, 20
difficult
1 ft tall
<1 ft wide
White-pinkyellow/ Sp
FS
1
8, 11, 18, 30
Lovely flower
1
1, 8, 13, 20
1
8, 18
Lovely flowers
1, 5, 8, 10, 12,
13, 19
Good under
oaks
Welldrained
Welldrained
Calochortus venustus
Butterfly Mariposa
1-2 ft tall
Pink/Sp-Su
FS/PS
* Camassa quamash
Common Camass
Lily
2 ft tall
Purple/Sp
FS/PS
Clay
Wavyleaf Soap
Plant
1-2 ft tall &
wide
White/Su
FS/PS
Any;
welldrained
1-2
Blue Dicks/Wild
Hyacinth
< 2 ft
Blue/Sp
FS/PS
welldrained
1
1, 2, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
welldrained
1
8, 11, 18, 30
Any
1
8, 13, 18, 30
1, 8, 13, 20
Chlorogalum
X pomeridianum var.
pomeridianum
Dichelostemma
X
capitatum
X
* Dichelostemma idamaia
Firecracker Flower
1 ft tall &
wide
Red-white/
Sp
PS best
X
* Dichelostemma
multiflorum
Manyflowered
Brodiaea
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Violet-pink/
Sp
FS
X
Fritillaria biflora var.
biflora
Chocolate Lily
1-2 ft tall
Brown/Sp
FS/PS
Any;
best in
clay
1
X Iris douglasiana
Douglas iris
1-2 ft
Purple/Sp
PS
Welldrained
1 to 2
X * Lilium pardalinum
Leopard Lily
Orange/
Sp-Su
PS
Pale pink/
PS
White/
Sp-Su
PS
< 2 ft
Yellow/
Sp-Su
PS
1-2 ft tall
Pale blue/
Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1-2 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 or 1-2
* Lilium rubescens
X
Chaparral Lily
* Lilium
washingtonianum
Washington Lily
X Ranunculus californicus
Triteleia clementina
* Triteleia hyacinthina
California
Buttercup
San Clemente
Tritelia
White Hyacinth
(Brodiaea)
3-6 ft
wide
2-4 ft
1-2 ft
3-6 ft
2-3 ft
tall &
tall
wide
tall
wide
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
sandy
Strikikng
flowers
Fine in grass
2-3 to 3
1, 8, 11, 13,
30, 31
Drought
tolerant if
mulched
Gorgeous
flowers
1-2 to 2
31
Very fragrant
1-2 to 2
31
Gorgeous
flowers
1-2 to 3
1, 13
Very welldrained soils
18
Good in stone
walls
8, 18, 19, 30
Sweet scent
1, 3, 5, 7, 10,
13, 14, 16
10

11. I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Tritelia laxa incl ‘Queen
Ithuriel’s Spear
Fabiola’
Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)
X
Size
Flower/
season
1-2 ft
Purple/Sp
Light**
Soil
FS/PS
Most
FS/PS
Welldrained;
sandy
FS/PS
Any
FS/PS
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1
1, 8, 13, 18, 19
Lovely –
garden favorite
1-2 to 2
1, 7, 8, 10, 13,
14 (1, 7, 8 var.
purpurea)
Seeds stick to
pets
Purple Three-awn
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Blue Gramma
1-2 ft tall
Leafy (Mendocino)
Reed Grass
Santa Barbara
Sedge
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Warm-seas.
perennial
bunchgrass
Warm-seas.
Perennial
bunch/sod
cool-season
bunchgrass
1-2 ft tall
to 3 ft w
Evergreen
sod sedge
FS/PS
Any
Blue (Western)
Wildrye
2-4 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
PS/FSH
Any; not
shallow
1-2 to 2-3
3, 4, 5, 10, 13,
14, 16
Equisetum hyemale
subsp. affine
Common Horsetail
2-4 ft tall
1-6 ft w
Perennial
rush
FS/PS
Any
2-3 to 3
2, 3, 4, 8
X Equisetum laevigatum
Smooth Horsetail
Perennial
FS
Clays
best
2-3 to 3
8
X Juncus patens
Common Rush
Spreading/
bunching
FS
Any
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 9, 12,
13, 19
‘Carmen’s
Gray’
X Koeleria macrantha
Prairie Junegrass
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS
Any;
sandy
best
1-2 to
2-3
1, 5, 8, 10, 13,
16, 19
Showy
X * Muhlenbergia rigens
Deergrass
2-4 ft tall &
wide
FS/PS
Any
1-2
3, 4, 5, 9, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
Tol. seasonal
flooding
X Sporobolus airoides
Alkali sacaton
2-3 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Perennial
bunchgrass
Warmseason
bunchgrass
FS/PS
welldrained
best
2 to 3
2, 3, 8, 13, 16
Salt-tolerant;
alkali fine
X
* Aristida purpurea var.
parishii & purpurea
X * Bouteloua gracilis
X * Calamagrostis foliosa
X * Carex barbarae
X Elymus glaucus
2-5 ft tall
spreading
1-3 ft tall &
wide
1-2 to 2-3
2-3
2 to 3
2, 3, 4, 7, 8,
10, 13, 16
1, 3, 8, 13
3, 8, 13, 16
Nice foliage
color
May be
invasive
Salt-sensitive;
coarse-looking;
re-seeds well
Will grow in
standing
water; contain
9/7/08
I : X = Gardening Information Sheet :(http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants.html) or at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center
* may not be immediately local, but is a CA native plant
++
+
** horticultural cultivar
light: FS=full sun; PS=part shade; FSH=full shade
Water Zones: 1 = no summer water; 1-2 = very occasional summer water (several times per summer); 2 = let soil dry out between waterings;
2-3 some regular summer water (about once a week); 3 = regular watering/moist soil (like a conventional lawn)
Availability: numbers correspond to the Plant and Seed Sources List at: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/where-to-purchase-native-plants.html
11