1. CA Native Plants for Western L.A. County – Plants for Dry Shade (part-shade and full-shade)
I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
Trees and Tree-like Large Shrubs
X Aesculus californica
CA Buckeye
12-30+ ft
tall & w
White/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any welldrained
X * Arctostaphylos glauca
Big-berry
Manzanita
7-10 ft tall
& wide
White/ Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
X Ceanothus arboreus
Catalina
Ceanothus
<20 ft. t
8-10 ft w
Blue/Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
‘Ray Hartman’
Ceanothus
To 20 ft t
10-15 w
Lt. blue/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 6, 9, 13
Western Redbud
6-20 ft tall
10-15 ft w
Magenta/
Sp
FS/PS
Any incl
clay
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 5, 6, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
Birchleaf Mountain
Mahogany
6-12 ft tall
4 ft. wide
Yellowwhite/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
Summer Holly
< 18 ft tall
White/Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1
X * Garrya elliptica
Coastal Silktassel
12 ft tall &
wide
Cream/W
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 1-2
X * Garrya veatchii
Canyon Silk Tassel
Bush
Cream/ WSp
FS/PS
Any
X Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon
6-10 ft +
4-6 ft w
White/Su
X * Holodiscus discolor
Creambush; Ocean
Spray
10-20 ft
tall
Island (Rose)
Mallow
Catalina Ironwood
** Ceanothus ‘Ray
Hartman’
X * Cercis occidentalis
Cercocarpus montanus
X var. blancheae/ C. alnifolius/
C. betuloides var. blancheae
Comarostaphylis
X diversifolia ssp.
planifolia
Lavatera
X assurgentiflora ssp.
glabrata & assurgentiflora
X
Lyonothamnus
floribundus
6-15 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
1
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
1-2
1, 3, 8, 12-14
20, 24
1
1, 3, 7, 9, 14,
19
1-2 to 2
FS/PS/FSH
Any welldrained
1-2
White/Su-Fa
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
8-12 ft tall
& wide
Magenta/
yr round
FS/PS
Welldrained
To 50 ft t
15-30 ft w
Whiteyellow/ SpSu
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1
1-2
1, 7, 13
Blue-green
foliage; ‘Canyon
Blush’ is 4 ft. tall
Spreading;
evergreen;
good for garden
Fall color (red,
orange); edible
fruit, flowers
Hedge;
evergreen;
upright form
10, 14, 16
Good under
oaks
3, 8, 14
Good under
oaks; 'Evie',
‘James Roof’
1, 13
Evergreen;
silvery
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
10, 13, 14, 16,
18
Berries toxic in
lg. amounts
1, 5, 13, 14
Fragrant at a
distance; good
under oaks
1, 2, 13
1, 3, 7, 9, 13,
14
Evergreen
1
2. I
Scientific Name
X
Prunus ilicifolia ssp.
ilicifolia & lyonii
X
Sambucus nigra ssp.
cerulea
Common Name
Holly-leaf and
Catalina Island
Cherries
Blue (Mexican)
Elderberry
Size
Flower/
season
< 50 ft
White/Su
8-25+ ft
White/Sp-Su
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
any
1-2
1, 7, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Good under
oaks
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
12-14, 16, 19
Edible berries
1, 13, 14
Well-drained
soil
PS
Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)
Arctostaphylos
catalinae
** Arctostaphylos
X densiflora 'Howard
McMinn' ‘Harmony’
X
X Baccharis pilularis
X
** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point’
X * Calycanthus occidentalis
X
* Carpenteria
californica
X Ceanothus megacarpus
X Dendromecon harfordii
X * Garrya fremontii
X * Holodiscus discolor
Catalina Manzanita
6-18 ft tall
5-8 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
‘Sentinel’ (Vine
Hill) Manzanita
4-8 ft tall
6-10 ft w
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
2 to 2-3
Coyote Bush
To 8 ft
Cream/F
FS/PS
any
Pigeon Point
Coyote Bush
6-12 ft T
to 10 ft W
Buff-White/
Su-F
FS/PS
any
Western Spicebush
6-12 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
FS/PS
Pref.light
deep rich
Bush aneneme
6-8 ft tall
6-12 ft W
Purplebronze/
Sp-Su
WhiteYellow/ Spr
PS/FSH
Welldrained
Big-pod Ceanothus
To 12 ft
tall
Whitelavender/ Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1
1, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
8 ft tall
4 ft wide
Yellow/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1-2
1, 9, 13, 14,
19
Showy; bluegreen foliage
5-15 ft tall
& wide
Yellow/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1-2 to 2
8, 13
Under oaks;
blue berries
10-20 ft
tall
White/
Su-Fa
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 5, 13, 14
1-2
1, 7, 13, 14
Channel Island
Tree Poppy
Fremont’s
Silktassel
Creambush; Ocean
Spray
1-2
1 to 1-2
Winter
flooding
2-3
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 13, 14
1, 2, 3, 5, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
1, 2, 7, 8, 10,
13, 14, 16, 20
1, 13, 14
Spicy; wine-like
fragrance
1, 3, 7, 13, 14,
19
Showy, fragrant
flowers
X
Mahonia (Berberis)
nevinii
Nevin’s Barberry
3-8+ ft tall
6-12 ft w
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
* Mahonia pinnata
X
California Barberry
4-12 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
PS/FSH
Most;
acidic
fine
1-2 to 2
8, 13, 20
Malacothamnus
fasciculatus
Chaparral Mallow
Pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 5, 10, 13,
19
To 12 ft t
4-6 ft wide
Fragrant at a
distance
Edible berries;
good bird
habitat
Slow-growing;
‘Ken Hartman’;
edible fruits
‘Casitas’ good
for gardens
2
3. I
Scientific Name
X * Philadelphus lewisii
X
Quercus berberidifolia (Q.
dumosa)
Quercus dumosa var.
elegantula
Common Name
CA Mock Orange
Scrub Oak
Coastal Sage
Scrub Oak
Channel Island
Scrub Oak
Flower/
season
Size
4-10 ft tall
& wide
10-20 ft
tall & wide
3-10 ft tall
to 15 ft w
White/
Sp-Su
Yellow/
W-Sp
Light**
FS/PS
FS/PS
Soil
Any, incl
clays
Welldrained
Sandy
best
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1-2 to 2-3
1, 7, 13, 14,
19
Very fragrant
1 to 1-2
7, 13, 14, 19
Evergreen;
small leaves
1 to 1-2
7, 14
Evergreen
1 to 1-2
7, 14
Evergreen
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
To 15 ft
tall & wide
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
California
Coffeeberry
6-12 ft t &
wide; short
cultivars
Buff/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 5, 7, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
'Eve Case',
smaller; good
under oaks
X * Rhamnus crocea
Redberry
Buckthorn
3-6 ft tall
6 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS/ FSH
Any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14, 20
Pretty fruits;
birds; under oaks
X * Rhamnus ilicifolia
Holly-leaf Redberry
12 ft tall
5-6 ft w
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS/ FSH
Any
1-2 to 2
1, 10, 12-14,
20, 21
Nice hedge plant’
holly-like leaves;
under oaks
X Rhus integrifolia
Lemonadeberry
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
any
1-2
X Rhus ovata
Sugar Bush
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
any
1-2
FS/PS/ FSH
Any
1-2 to 2-3
Quercus pacifica
* Rhamnus californica incl.
X ‘Eve Case’, ‘Mound San
Bruno’
X
Ribes aureum var.
gracillimum
X * Romneya coulteri
Smaller Shrubs ( < 6 ft. tall) ;
* Arctostaphylos
X
edmundsii
* Arctostaphylos
X hookeri
* Arctostaphylos
tomentosa ssp.
tomentosa
* Berberis (Mahonia)
X
aquifolium
X Brickellia californica
* Brickellia nevinii
2-10
3-20
8-12
6-15
ft
ft w.
ft
ft w.
1, 3, 7, 9, 10,
12, 14, 16, 18
1, 3, 9, 10,
12-14, 16, 19
Edible fruits; ok
under oaks
Edible fruits; ok
under oaks
Any welldrained; Birds
eat berries
Golden Currant
To 10 ft
Yellow/
W-Sp
Matilija Poppy
3-8 ft tall
spreading
White/Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 3, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 19
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
welldrained
1-2 to 2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14
Cultivars:
‘Greensphere’
1, 3, 13
Cultivars ‘Sunset’,
‘Wayside’, ‘Ken
Taylor’
includes woody sub-shrubs
Little Sur
2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft w
Manzanita
7, 12, 14
Hooker’s
Manzanita
2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft w
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
welldrained
1-2 to 2
Wooly-leaf
Manzanita
3-8 ft tall
4-5 ft wide
White/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained;
acidic
1-2
13
Large shrub;
silvery blue
foliage
Oregon Grape
< 6 ft
Yellow/Sp
PS
any
2 to 3
1, 7, 9, 13, 14
Good under
oaks
California
Bricklebush
Nevin’s
Brickelbush
< 4 ft tall
to 4 ft w
Buff/Su-F
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 10, 12,
16
Fragrant flowers
1-2 ft tall
Buff/F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
12
Silvery foliage
3
4. I
X
Scientific Name
Common Name
Constancea
(Eriophyllum) nevinii
Catalina Silverlace
Flower/
season
Size
3-4
2-4
4-8
4-6
ft
ft
ft
ft
X Dendromecon rigida
Bush Poppy
Diplacus aurantiacus
ssp. aurantiacus
Epilobium canum
X (Zauschneria
californica)
Bush
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft
CA Fuschia
1-3 ft
X Eriogonum cinereum
Ashy-leaf
Buckwheat
X * Eriogonum crocatum
X Eriogonum parvifolium
tall
wide
tall
wide
X
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Orange/
W-Sp
Light**
FS/PS
FS/PS
Soil
Any welldrained
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
1 to 2-3
1 to 1-2
Availability
Notes
3, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16
1, 3, 5, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
‘Silver Canyon’;
under oaks
Good under
oaks
Good under
oaks
1, 6, 7, 13, 14
FS/PS
Sandy
Orange/F
FS/PS
any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Good under
oaks
2-5 ft
Pink-wht/
Sp-F
FS/PS
Any welldrained
1 to 2-3
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
Gray foliage;
under oaks
Conejo Buckwheat
1 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Yellow/SpSu
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 12, 14,
19
Good under
oaks
Coastal Buckwheat
2-4 ft
Pink-creme/
Su +
FS/PS/
FSH
2-4 ft tall
Red/Sp +
FS/PS
Any welldrained
Welldrained
1, 2, 3, 10, 13,
14, 16
1, 3, 7, 8, 9,
13, 14
‘Firecracker’;
under oaks
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
3-6 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/Sp
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 12, 13,
14
Incl. ‘El Tigre’;
under oaks
Silver Bush Lupine
3-4 ft tall &
wide
Purple/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 3, 7, 8, 10,
13, 16, 19 ? var
Basket Bush; Sour
Berry; Skunkbrush
2-6 ft
Yellowgreen/Sp
PS
any
1-2
Hillside Gooseberry
To 3 ft
Red-white/
W-Sp
PS/FSH
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
X Ribes indecorum
White Currant
To 6 ft
White/W-Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
X Ribes malvaceum
Chaparral Currant
5-8 ft
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
3, 13, 14, 19
Fuschia-flowered
Gooseberry
Red-flowering
Currant
3-6+ ft tall
and wide
dark pink/
W-Sp
FS/PS/FSH
Welldrained
2;
3 in sun
1, 3, 10, 1214, 19
Prickles; showy
4-10 ft
Pink/Sp
PS/FSH
Welldrained
2 to 2-3
3, 5, 13, 14,
19
Pretty flowers;
edible fruit
X
Gambelia (Galvezia)
speciosa
X * Keckiella antirhinnoides
X Lepechinia fragrans
X
Lupinus albifrons var.
albifrons
X Rhus trilobata
X
* Ribes californicum
var. hesperium
X Ribes speciosum
X
* Ribes sanguineum
var. glutinosum
Catalina
Snapdragon
Yellow Bush
Penstemon
Fragrant Pitcher
Sage
1-2
1 to 1-2
1 to 1-2
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
10, 12, 13
(var.
californicum)
1, 3, 12, 14
Nice shrub
Birds eat
berries; under
oaks
Birds eat
berries; under
oaks
Birds eat
berries; under
oaks
4
5. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
X Rosa californica
California Wild
Rose
3-4 ft tall
3-10 ft w
Pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS/FSH
any
1-2;
3 (sun)
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
X * Salvia clevelandii
Fragrant
(Chaparral) Sage
2-5 ft
Purple/lav.
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 19
X Salvia mellifera
Black Sage
3-5 ft
Light purple/
Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18, 19
Symphoricarpos albus
var. laevigatus
Common
Snowberry
3-5 ft,
spreading
White/Sp
Clays,
loams
1-2 to 2-3
7, 9, 13, 19
X Symphoricarpos mollis
Snowberry
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Pink/W-Sp
PS/FSH
any
X Trichostema lanatum
Wooly Bluecurls
2-4 ft
Purple/
W-Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1
1, 3, 7, 8, 9,
10, 13, 14, 16,
18, 19
difficult
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
Lovely yearround; showy
flowers
Perennial Vines
* Calystegia purpurata
X
ssp. purpurata
Pacific Morning
Glory
6-8 ft
FS/PS
Any
2
X * Clematis lasiantha
Chaparral Clematis
8-20 ft
vine
Wht-purple
/Sp-Su
White/SpSu; sep. m/f
FS (top)
PS (roots)
any
1-2 to 2
X Clematis ligusticifolia
Virgin’s Bower
To 15 ft
White/Su
PS/FSH
Any
2-3 to 3
X Keckiella cordifolia
Climbing
Penstemon
3-4 ft
Red-Or/
Sp-Su
PS/PS/
FSH
any
1-2
X * Lathyrus splendens
Pride of California
6-12 ft
Red/Sp
PS
Welldrained
1-2
?
X Lathyrus vestitus
Wild Sweetpea;
Canyon Pea
3-9 ft
Purplewhite/ Sp
PS/FSH
any
1-2
1, 8, 13
Western
Honeysuckle
5-18 ft
Pink/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
clay
1-2 to 2-3
1, 5, 13, 14,
19
3-5 ft
Yellow/Su
PS/FSH
any
1-2 to 2-3
3, 7, 13, 19
3-8 ft
Cream/
Sp-Su
PS/PS/
FSH
any
1 to 1-2
I
X
X
Scientific Name
Lonicera hispidula var.
vacillans
X * Lonicera involucrata
Lonicera subspicata
X var. denudata &
subspicata
Twinberry
Santa Barbara &
Southern
Honeysuckles
PS
Water
Zone+
2 to 3
Availability
13, 14
8
1, 6, 8, 13
3, 5, 13, 14,
19
1, 3, 7, 10, 12,
13, 14
1, 3, 8, 12, 13,
14
Notes
Tol. seasonal
flooding; fine
under oaks
Cultivars: ‘Betsy
Clebsch’, ‘Compacta’,
‘Winifred Gilman’,
Good under
oaks
Fruit toxic to
humans; under
oaks
Mulch; under
oaks
‘Bolinas’ has
pink flowers;
Winter decid.;
under oaks
Winter decid.;
under oaks
Good under
oaks
Gorgeous
flowers
Good under
trees; drought
deciduous
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Edible fruit
5
6. I
X
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Common Name
** Vitis californica
‘Roger’s Red’
‘Roger’s Red’
California Grape
> 20 ft
White/Sp
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 8, 13
Desert Grape
> 25 ft
White/Su
PS
any
1-2 to 2-3
2, 3, 10, 13,
20
X Vitis girdiana
Size
Flower/
season
Scientific Name
Availability
Notes
Perennial Groundcover Plants
X Achillea millefolia
X
* Arctostaphylos
edmundsii
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Bert
Johnson’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Big Sur’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Danville’
* Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Parvifolia’
** Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Sandsprite’
** Arctostaphylos
hookeri ‘Monterey
Carpet’
Yarrow
1-2 ft
White/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
most
Alkali soils fine
Little Sur
Manzanita
1-3 ft tall
6-20 ft
wide
Pink/W-Sp
PS best
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 6, 8, 13,
16
Red berries in
summer; good
under oaks
Bert Johnson
Manzanita
< 1 ft tall
6 ft wide
Pink/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
19
further inland;
under oaks
Big Sur Manzanita
< 4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
White/W-Sp
FS/PS
Any;
sandy ok
1-2 to 2-3
19,
Open growth;
under oaks
Carmel Sur
Manzanita
1 ft tall
to 20 ft w
Pink/Sp
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
3, 6, 13, 19
Coastal areas;
under oaks
Danville Manzanita
1-2 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Pink/W
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
6,
Good under oaks
Little Sur
Manzanita
1-3 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
Pink/Sp
PS best
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3,
Red berries in
summer; good
under oaks
Pink/W
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
8, 13
Sandsprite
Manzanita
Monterey Carpet
Manzanita
1 ft high
5+ ft wide
White/Sp
PS
Sandy
best
1-2
Pajaro Manzanita
4-6 ft tall &
wide
White/W
FS/PS
Sandy
best;
acidic
1-2 to 2
** Arctostaphylos uvaX
ursi ‘Pacific Mist’
Pacific Mist
Manzanita
1 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
White/Sp
** Arctostaphylos uvax ursi ‘Point Reyes’
** Arctostaphylos uvaursi ‘Radiant’
Point Reyes
Manzanita
<1 ft tall
to 10 ft
Pink/Sp
Radiant Manzanita
<1 ft tall
8-10 ft w
Pink/W-Sp
X
* Arctostaphylos
pajaroensis
1, 3, 6, 13
Good under
oaks
1, 3, 6, 8, 13,
14
Several cultivars
used as
groundcovers
Best along
coast; needs
pruning; under
oaks
Sandy
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 6, 8, 13
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13, 16,
19
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 8, 13, 19
FS/PS
6
7. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
** Arctostaphylos
’Emerald Carpet’
I
Emerald Carpet
Manzanita
< 1 ft tall
3-6 ft wide
White/W-Sp
Mugwort
2-4+ ft tall
& wide
Beach Sagewort /
Sandhill Sage
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
A. uva-ursi X A.
nummularia
hybrid
FS/PS
Rich, sl.
acid
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
Cream/Su
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
1-2 ft. tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
best
1, 3, 5, 7, 8,
9, 10, 13, 14,
18
‘
Point St. George
Coast Aster
1-3 ft tall
spreading
Lavender/Sp
FS/PS
Any
** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point’
Pigeon Point Dwarf
Coyote Bush
2 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
White-gold/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 6, 8, 13,
16
** Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin
Peaks 2’
Twin Peaks Dwarf
Coyote Bush
1-3 ft tall
to 10 ft w
White/F
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 13
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium var. repens
Creeping Oregon
Grape
1 ft tall
< 6 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
PS/FSH
Any;
acidic
1-2 to 3
1, 7, 9, 13, 14
** Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium ‘Compacta’
‘Compacta’ Oregon
Grape
2-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Sp
PS/FSH
Any;
acidic
1-2 to 2-3
1, 13
X * Ceanothus gloriosus
Point Reyes
Ceanothus
1-2 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Lt. blue/Sp
FS (coast)
/ PS
Welldrained;
sandy
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Anchor Bay’
Anchor Bay
Ceanothus
< 1 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Dk blue/Sp
FS (coast)
/ PS
any
‘Blue Jeans’
Ceanothus
Heart’s Desire
Ceanothus
Carmel Creeper
Ceanothus
Yankee Point
Ceanothus
6 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/Sp
1-3 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Dk blue/
FS (coast)
/ PS
1-3 ft tall
5-15 ft w
Lt. blue/
To 4-5 ft
To 10 ft
Kurt Zadnick
Ceanothus
3-4 ft
8-10 ft
X Artemisia douglasiana
**Artemisia
X pycnocephala ‘David’s
Choice’)
** Aster chilensis ‘Point
St. George’
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Blue Jeans’
** Ceanothus gloriosus
‘Heart’s Desire’
* Ceanothus griseus
X
horizontalis
** Ceanothus griseus
horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’
** Ceanothus griseus
'Kurt Zadnik'
Fs/PS
Most,
incl alkali
1-2
1-2 to 3
1, 8, 11, 13
Good habitat
plant
Light green
leaves; good for
coastal region
Small dark
leaves; can
shear to size
Good habitat;
edible berries;
under oaks
Good habitat;
edible berries;
under oaks
3
Dense foliage;
holly-like
1-2 to 2-3
8, 9, 19
Dense, compact
1-2 to 2
3, 6, 14
Informal hedge,
groundcover
2-3
Any
1-2 to 2-3
8
FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
Med. Blue/
FS (coast)
/ PS
Any incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 13, 19
Dk purple/
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2
13
Best near coast;
fast grower
More reliable
than ‘Yankee
Point’; oaks
7
8. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
** Ceanothus griseus
‘Santa Ana’
‘Santa Ana’
Ceanothus
5 ft tall &
wide
Dk blue/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
3, 8
* Ceanothus hearstiorum
I
Hearst’s
Ceanothus
1 ft tall
6-8 ft wide
Blue/W-Sp
PS
Any incl
clays
1 to 1-2
3, 7, 8, 16, 19
Sticky; matlike; best near
coast
‘Snowball’
Ceanothus
2-5 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
White/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
3, 6
Under oaks
Louis Edmunds
Ceanothus
1-2 ft tall
6-10 ft w
Med. Blue/
FS (coast)
/ PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
3, 8, 9
Much confusion
with name
1-2 to 2-3
6, 8, 13, 19
** Ceanothus rigidus
‘Snowball’
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
var. repens ‘Louis
Edmunds’
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
‘Skylark’
** Ceanothus ‘Joan Mirov’
C. foliosus X C. griseus
** Ceanothus ‘Joyce
Coulter’ - ? Ceanothus
papillosus var. roweanus X
C. thyrsiflorus
** Ceanothus ‘Wheeler
Canyon’ - ? Ceanothus
papillosus var. roweanus
hybrid
X
* Clinopodium (Satureja)
chandleri
Clinopodium (Satureja)
douglasii
** Corethrogyne
X (Lessingia) filaginifolia
‘Silver Carpet’
Epilobium canum
X (Zauschneria
californica)
** Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria
californica) ‘Catalina’
** Epilobium canum
X
(Zauschneria californica)
‘Everett’s Choice’
Light**
Soil
Availability
Notes
‘Joan Mirov’
Ceanothus
4-5 ft tall
4-7 ft wide
3-6 ft tall
8-12 ft w
‘Joyce Coulter’
Ceanothus
2-3 ft tall
6-12 ft w
Med blue/Sp
FS/PS
Most
1-2 to 2-3
3, 6, 13, 24
Prune to keep
low
‘Wheeler Canyon’
Ceanothus
4-6 ft tall
to 8 ft wide
Dk Blue/Sp
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
6, 8, 9, 11, 19
Dark leaves;
San Miguel Savory
1-2 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
White/Sp
PS/FSH
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
Yerba buena
< 6 in
spreading
White/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
Welldrained
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 7, 13, 14
Silver Carpet Sand
Aster
1 ft tall
2-3 ft w
Violet/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any;
sandy
best
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 8, 10, 13,
16
CA Fuschia
1-3 ft
3-5 ft wide
Orange/F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Tolerates winter
flooding; under
oaks
Island CA Fuschia
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Red/all year
(S/F/W most)
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 13, 19
Gray foliage;
shrub-like’
under oaks
Everett’s Choice
CA Fuschia
1 ft tall
3 ft wide
Dark Orred/ Spr-Su
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
3, 11, 16
Low-growing;
under oaks
Skylark Ceanothus
Med Blue/Sp
FS/PS
Dk blue/Sp
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
1-2 to 2
13, 14
3, 14
Quite shade &
water toleratant
Afternoon
shade; coastal
minty
8
9. I
Scientific Name
** Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria CA)
‘Hurricane Point’
** Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria CA)
‘Solidarity Pink’
** Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria CA)
‘Wayne’s Silver’
** Erigeron glaucus
X
‘Bountiful’
X
** Erigeron glaucus
‘Sea Breeze’
* Fragaria chiloensis
X ssp. pacifica (and
cultivars)
* Fragaria vesca
X
(californica)
* Heuchera maxima
X (incl. many cultivars &
hybrids)
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Hurricane Point CA
Fuschia
1 ft tall
2 ft wide
Or-red/Su-F
‘Solidarity pink’ CA
Fuschia
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Pink/Su-F
FS/PS
Most
‘Wayne’s Silver’ CA
Fuschia
1-2 ft tall
3-4 ft wide
Red/Su-F
FS/PS
most
Bountiful Seaside
Daisy
< 1 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Lavender/
Sp-Su
PS best
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
8, 9,
Seaside Daisy
1 ft tall
2 ft wide
Lavernder/
Sp-Fa
FS/PS/FSH
Welldrained
1-2 to 3
1, 3, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 13, 14
(Pacific) Coast
Strawberry
< 1 ft
spreading
White/Sp-Su
CA/Wood
Strawberry
< 2 ft
spreading
White/Su
PS/FSH
White/Spr
PS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to
2-3
FS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
1 to 2-3
Island Alumroot
1- 3 ft
Light**
FS/PS
Soil
Any
PS
Sandy
best
any
2-4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Yellow/Su
Coyote Mint
1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Pink/Spr-Su
X Ribes viburnifolium
Catalina Perfume
1-3 ft
Pink/
PS/FSH
See note
X * Salvia sonomensis
Creeping Sage
1-2 ft tall
3-8 ft wide
Med. Blue/
Sp
PS best
Welldrained
X Salvia spathacea
Hummingbird Sage
1-3 ft
Magenta/Spr
PS/FSH
Any
X Stachys bullata
California
Woodmint
1-4 ft
Pink/Spr-Su
PS
Stachys rigida var.
X rigida (Stachys
ajugoides)
Rigid Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-2 ft
Pink/Spr-Su
FS/PS
X
** Monardella villosa
‘Russian River’
Availability
Notes
8, 19
Low-growing;
under oaks
2 to 2-3
13
under oaks;
tolerates winter
flooding
2 to 2-3
13, 14
1-2 to 2-3
under oaks
San Diego Marsh
Elder
X * Iva hayesiana
Water
Zone+
PS
Welldrained
Welldrained
Clay
1-2 to
2-3
1-2 to 3
1-2
2 to 2-3
1 to 1-2
Green foliage;
large flowers
Attractive
flowers, foliage;
habitat
1, 3, 8, 13
Edible fruit;
under oaks
1, 13, 20
Edible fruit;
under oaks
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
Good under
oaks
1, 3, 8, 13
1, 3, 8, 13, 14,
19
1, 3, 9, 13, 14,
20
3, 8, 13, 14
Well-drained
soil
Silver-green
foliage; inland;
‘Mrs. Beard’
1-2
1, 3, 8, 9, 12,
13, 19
Cut back yearly
1-2 to
2-3
1, 3, 7, 12, 14
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
2-3 to 3
1, 13
9
10. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
California Verbena
1-4 ft
Lavender/Sp
r-Fa
X Artemisia douglasiana
Mugwort
2-4+ ft tall
& wide
Crème/Su
X Artemisia dracunculus
California
Tarragon;
1-3 ft tall
2-3 ft w
2-3 ft
Delphinium parryi ssp.
maritimum & parryi
Diplacus aurantiacus
X
ssp. aurantiacus
Diplacus (Mimulus)
X
linearis
Indian Milkweed
Narrow-leaf
Milkweed
Parry’s Blue
Larkspur
Bush
Monkeyflower
Chaparral Bush
Monkey Flower
X * Diplacus puniceus
X Erigeron foliosus
I
Scientific Name
X Verbena lasiostachys
Light**
FS/PS
Soil
Any
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
1-2
1, 10, 13, 16
No water after
flowering
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Herbaceous Perennials
X Asclepias eriocarpa
X Asclepias fascicularis
2-3 ft
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
Leaves - raw or
a flavoring in
soups, etc.
PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2-3
White/F
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
10, 16
Pink/Su
Creampink/Su
FS/PS
Sandy
1-2
13
FS/PS
Sandy
1-2
1, 3, 10, 14
Needs seasonal
flooding
8, 20
Good under
oaks
1-5 ft
Bluepurple/Spr
FS/?PS
Welldrained
2-3 ft
Orange/WSpr
FS/PS
Sandy
2-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Yellow/WSpr
FS/PS
Red Monkeyflower
2-3 ft
Red/
FS/PS
Fleabane Daisy
(Aster)
2-3 ft
Lavender/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
* Eriogonum grande
var. rubescens
Red Buckwheat
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Red-pink/
Su-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2
1, 5, 7, 8, 14
* Eriogonum
umbellatum
Sulfur-flowered
Buckwheat
Yellow/
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2
1, 8, 10, 13,
14, 16
X
Galium angustifolium
ssp. angustifolium
Narrowleaf
Bedstraw
X
Horkelia cuneata ssp.
cuneata
Wedgeleaf
Horkelia
< 1 ½ ft T
2 ft wide
White/Sp-Su
Coyote Mint
1 ft
Pink/Sp-Su
Foothill Penstemon
1-2 ft
Purple/
Sp-Su
X
X
* Monardella villosa
(ssp. subserrata)
Penstemon
X heterophyllus incl.
‘Maragarita BOP’
X
1 ft tall
3 ft wide
1-3 ft tall &
wide
White/Spr
PS
FS/PS
PS
FS/PS
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
1
1-2
1, 3, 5, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16,
1 to 1-2
3, 10, 13
1 to 1-2
3, 6, 8, 10,
12-4, 16, 21
1 to 1-2
1?
Nice color for
shade
Good under
oaks
Tol. moderate
salt, alkali soils;
under oaks
Any
1-2 to 2-3
10, 12, 14, 16
sandy
1-2 to 2-3
1, 2, 6, 10, 13
(ssp. puberula)
1-2
1, 3, 8, 13, 14,
19
Dies back in
summer
drought
Good under
oaks
14
Many blooms
Welldrained
sandy
1 to 1-2
10
11. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X * Penstemon laetus
Gay Penstemon
1-3 ft
Lavender/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Sonoma
Penstemon
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Magenta/
FS/PS
X * Penstemon palmeri
Pink Wild
Snapdragon
4-5 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
X * Phacelia bolanderi
Bolander’s Phacelia
1-2 ft tall
Common Phacelia;
Wild Heliotrope
1-2 ft tall
Violet/Sp
X Potentilla glandulosa
Sticky Cinquefoil
1-2 ft tall
Yellow/
Sp-Su
Pseudognaphalium
californicum
Pseudognaphalium
X canescens ssp.
beneolens
Scrophularia californica
X
ssp. floribunda
Sidalcea malviflora ssp.
X
malviflora
California
Everlasting
2-4 ft
White/Sp
FS/PS
Wooly Everlasting
1-2 ½ ft
White/Sp-Su
FS/PS
CA Bee Plant
2-3 ft
Red/Spr
Dwarf Checker
Mallow
To 1 ½ ft
Pinklavender/
FS/PS
X Silene laciniata
Indian Pink
1-3 ft
Red/Sp-Su
White (Douglas’)
Nightshade
2-5 ft tall
Purple (Chaparral)
Nightshade
I
* Penstemon newberryi
var. sonomensis
Phacelia distans
X
Solanum douglasii
X Solanum xanti
X Solidago californica
California
Goldenrod
Mountain
Meadowrue
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
1 to 1-2
1, 13
1-2 to 2
8, 13
1 to 1-2
1, 14
1 to 1-2
5, 11, 19
Water in full sun
1 to 1-2
10
Good under
other plants
1-2 to 3
1, 6, 12, 13
Strawberry-like
Any, incl.
clay
1-2
1, 2, 10, 13,
16
Sweet-scented
Any, incl.
clay
1-2
1, 2, 16
Spreads; gray
foliage
1-2 to 3
1, 5, 8, 10, 12,
13, 16
Afternoon shade
Any
1-2 to 3
1, 8, 13, 19
FS/PS
Sandy or
rocky
1-2 to
2-3
12
White/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
10, 14
2-4 ft tall
Purple/SpSu
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 7, 13
2-4 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 2-3
7, 10, 14
Lavender/
Sp-Su
Lavender/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
PS
FS/PS
PS
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Welldrained
Most
PS
* Thalictrum fendleri
3-5 ft tall
Well1, 3, 8, 10,
White/Su
2-3 to 3
PS/FSH
2-3 ft wide
drained
12-14, 19
var. polycarpum
* Venegasia
4-6 ft tall
1, 6, 8, 10, 13,
Yellow/Sp-F
Any
1-2 to 3
X
Canyon Sunflower
PS
2-4 ft wide
carpesioides
14, 24
Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals) – no water after flowering
X
X Clarkia purpurea
Purple Clarkia
Notes
2-3 ft tall
Lavender/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
any
1-2
1, 2, 10, 13,
16
Blue-green
foliage; difficult;
‘St. Helena’
Good under
oaks
Good under
oaks
Berries very
poisonous;
under oaks
Berries very
poisonous;
under oaks
Good under
oaks
Under oaks
(deciduous)
Long-blooming;
seeds for birds
Good under
oaks
11
12. Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
X Clarkia unguiculata
Elegant Clarkia
2-5 ft tall
Pink-purple/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
any
1 to 2-3
Miner’s Lettuce
1 ft tall
White/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
any
1-2
2, 5, 10
Chinese Houses
1-2 ft tall
Purple-white
Sp-Su
PS/FSH
any
1-2
1, 5, 10, 13,
16
Good under
oaks
Coastal CA Poppy
< 1 ft tall
Yellow/Or/
Sp-F
FS/PS
1 to 2
1, 2 many
Be sure to get
coastal ssp.
Common Eucrypta
1-2 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp
1 to 1-2
13, 16, 21
Fire follower;
fern-like foliage
X Gilia tricolor
Bird’s Eye Gilia
1-2 ft tall
Yellow/Blue
Sp
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
2, 5, 10, 13
Easy; fragrant
X Linanthus dianthiflorus
Linanthus
< 1 ft tall
Purple-blue
FS/PS
any
2-3
X * Nemophila maculata
Five-Spot
1 ft tall
Purplewhite/Sp
FS/PS
any
2-3 to 3
5, 10, 13, 16
X
Baby Blue-eyes
1-2 ft tall
Blue/Sp-Su
PS/FSH
any
2-3
5, 10, 13, 16
X Phacelia parryi
Parry’s Phacelia
(Fiddleneck)
1-3 ft tall
Purplewhite/Sp
FS/PS
Any welldrained
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,
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 7, 13, 14,
15
Good under
oaks
PS
Welldrained
1 to 2
1, 13
Santa Monica
Mtns; slopes
I
Claytonia perfoliata
ssp. perfoliata
Collinsia heterophylla
X
var. heterphylla
Eschscholzia californica
X
ssp. californica
Eucrypta
X
chrysanthemifolia
X
Nemophila menziesii
var. menzeisii
X * Phacelia bolanderi
Cacti and Succulents
X Dudleya lanceolata
* Dudleya palmeri
Dudleya pulverulenta
(ssp. pulverulenta)
Dudleya virens ssp.
X
hassei
Dudleya virens ssp.
X
insularis
X
FS/PS/ FSH
Soil
Welldrained
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
2, 5, 10, 13,
16
Good under
oaks
Good under
oaks
16
Good under
oaks
Need summer
dry for seeds
easy
Good under
oaks
Easy, pretty,
scent, cut
flower
Lance-leaf Dudleya
1-2 ft tall
& wide
Palmer's Liveforever
To 1 ft tall
& wide
YellowOrange/
Sp-Su
Yellow-red/
Sp
CA Chalk Dudleya
< 2 ft &
wide
Pink-Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 3, 14, 19
Good under
oaks
Bright Green
Dudleya
<1 ft tall
1 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 8, 9, 14, 20
Good under
oaks
Island Dudleya
1-2 ft tall
& wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
1, 14, 20
Good under
oaks
none
PS/FSH
Welldrained
1-2
?13
Good under
oaks
Ferns and Fern-like Plants
Adiantum jordanii
Light**
CA Maidenhair
1-3 ft &
wide
12
13. Common Name
Size
Flower/
season
Coffee Fern
1-2 ft tall &
wide
none
PS/FSH
Welldrained
1 to 1-2
19
Bird’s Foot Fern
1 ft tall &
wide
none
FS/PS
Welldrained
1 tp 1-2
13
Goldback Ferns
< 1 ft
none
PS/FSH
Sandy,
rocky
1 to 1-2
13
Good under
oaks; summerdry
CA Polypody
< 1 ft tall
spreading
none
PS/FSH
Any
1 to 1-2
6, 7, 13, 14,
19, 20
Good under
oaks;
containers
X Allium haematochiton
Red-skin Onion
1-1 ½ ft
1
1, 8, 10, 13,
16
X Allium praecox
Early Onion
1-1 ½ ft
1
1, 10, 16
Golden Stars
1-2 ft
Yellow/Sp
FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1
1, 8, 10, 13,
16
White Fairy
Lantern
Splendid Mariposa
Lily
1 ft tall
<1 ft wide
White-pink/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Clays
best
1
1, 8, 13, 19,
20
6-18 in.
Pink/Sp-Su
FS/PS
Welldrained
1
1, 8, 10, 18,
20
difficult
Wavyleaf Soap
Plant
1-2 ft tall &
wide
White/Su
FS/PS
Any;
welldrained
1-2
1, 5, 8, 10, 12,
13, 19
Good under
oaks
Blue Dicks/Wild
Hyacinth
< 2 ft
Blue/Sp
FS/PS
welldrained
1
Douglas iris
1-2 ft
Purple/Sp
PS
See note
< 2 ft
Yellow/
Sp-Su
PS
sandy
1-2 to 3
1, 13
1-2 ft
Purpleyellow/Sp
FS/PS
any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
1-2 ft tall
Pale blue/
Sp
FS/PS
Clefts in
rocks
1-2 ft
Purple/Sp
FS/PS
Most
I
X
Scientific Name
Pellaea andromedifolia
Pellaea mucronata
Pentagramma
triangularis ssp.
X
maxonii, triangularis &
viscosa
X
Polypodium
californicum
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
Availability
Notes
Good under
oaks;
containers
Good for dry
slopes
Bulbs and Corms
X
Bloomeria crocea var.
crocea
X Calochortus albus
X Calochortus splendens
Chlorogalum
X pomeridianum var.
pomeridianum
Dichelostemma
X
capitatum
X Iris douglasiana
X Ranunculus californicus
X Sisyrinchium bellum
X Triteleia clementina
X
Tritelia laxa incl ‘Queen
Fabiola’
California
Buttercup
Western Blue-eyed
Grass
San Clemente
Tritelia
Ithuriel’s Spear
White-pink/
Sp
Whitepurple/Sp
FS/PS
PS
Welldrained
Welldrained
1 to 2
1-2
1
1, 2, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
1, 3, 5, 7, 10,
13, 14, 16
difficult
Good under
oaks; fine in
grass
Good under
oaks
Good under
oaks
Very welldrained soils
Good under
oaks
18
1, 8, 13, 18,
19
Lovely – garden
favorite
13
14. I
Scientific Name
Common Name
Size
Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)
Flower/
season
Cool-seas.
perennial
bunchgrass
cool-seas.
perennial
bunchgrass
Can mow
Warm-seas.
perennial
bunchgrass
Agrostis exarata
Spike Bentgrass
1-4 ft tall
X Agrostis pallens
Seashore
Bentgrass; Thin
Grass
1-2 ft tall
Purple Three-awn
1-2 ft tall &
wide
X Bromus carinatus
California Brome
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Perennial
bunchgrass
X * Carex spissa
San Diego Sedge
X Carex tumulicola
Berkeley Sedge
* Deschampsia
cespitosa
Tufted hairgrass
2-4 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
2 ft tall &
wide
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season,
sod sedge
Cool-season,
sod sedge
Cool-season
bunchgrass
Blue (Western)
Wildrye
2-4 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Big Squirreltail
X * Festuca californica
X
* Aristida purpurea var.
parishii & purpurea
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+
FS/PS
Not alkali
1-2 to 3
FS/PS
Not alkali
1-2 to 2-3
FS/PS
Welldrained;
sandy
1-2 to 2
FS/PS
Any
1-2
Availability
Notes
10, 16
4, 10, 13, 16
'Camp Pendleton'
1, 7, 8, 10, 13,
14 (1, 7, 8 var.
purpurea)
Seeds stick to
pets
5, 10, 13, 14,
16
FS/PS/FSH
Clays
best
FS/PS/FSH
any
1-2 to 3
FS/PS
any
1-2 to 2-3
Cool-season
bunchgrass
PS/FSH
Any; not
shallow
1-2 to 2-3
3, 4, 5, 10, 13,
14, 16
Salt-sensitive;
coarse-looking;
re-seeds well
1-3 ft tall,
wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS
Welldrained
1-2 to 2
10, 16
Showy
CA Fescue
<1-2 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS
any
1-2 to 2-3
1, 5, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 19
X * Festuca idahoensis
Blue Bunchgrass
< 1 ft tall
& wide
FS/PS
any
2 to 3
1, 5, 7, 10, 13,
16, 19, 20
X * Festuca rubra
Red Fescue
1-2 ft tall
spreading
FS/PS
Any
1-2 to 3
3, 5, 8, 10, 13,
16
X Juncus patens
Common Rush
1-3 ft tall &
wide
FS/PS
Any
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 9, 12,
13, 19
‘Carmen’s Gray’
is blue-gray
X Leymus condensatus
Giant Rye Grass
4-6 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
Cool-season
bunch/sod
grass; mow
Spreading/
bunching
perennial
rush
Warm
season
perennial
‘Phil’s Silver’, 'Horse
Mountain Green',
'Serpentine Blue'
FS/PS
Any
1-2
1, 3, 9, 10, 12,
16
‘Canyon Prince’
is low-growing
X
X Elymus glaucus
Elymus multisetus
1 to 3
1, 7, 8, 9, 10,
13
1, 6, 7, 8, 9,
13
1, 4-8, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
‘Deborah’;
‘Luval’
‘Cucamonga’ is
annual
Substitute for
Pampas Grass
‘Warren Peak’,
‘Siskiyou Blue’
Easy; ‘Molate’
‘Patrick’s Point’,
‘Jughandle’
14
15. I
Scientific Name
X Leymus triticoides
X * Melica californica
X Melica imperfecta
Muhlenbergia
microsperma
X * Muhlenbergia rigens
X Nassella cernua
X Nassella lepida
Flower/
season
Common Name
Size
Creeping Wild Rye
< 3 ft tall
spreading
California Melic
Grass
Coastal Melic
Grass
1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Cool-season
perennial
sod-grass;
light mow
Cool season
bunchgrass
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
Little-seed Muhly
Deergrass
Nodding
Needlegrass
Foothill
Needlegrass
X * Nassella pulchra
Purple Needlegrass
X Poa secunda (scabrella)
One-sided
Bluegrass
Light**
FS/PS
Soil
Any
Water
Zone+
1-2
Availability
1, 3, 5, 10, 14,
16
PS
Welldrained
Cool season
bunchgrass
PS
Any
1-2
Annualcool
season
FS/PS
Any
1-2
10, 16
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Perennial
bunchgrass
FS/PS
Any
1-2
3, 4, 5, 9, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
2-3 ft tall
& wide
Perennial
bunchgrass
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
2-3 ft tall
& wide
2-3 ft tall
& wide
Perennial
bunchgrass
Perennial
bunchgrass
Cool-season
bunchgrass;
light mow
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
FS/PS
any
1 to 1-2
FS/PS
welldrained
best
1 to 1-2
Great vernal
swale; cultivars
‘Yolo’, ‘Rio’,
‘Gray Dawn’
Good under
oaks
1, 3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14, 19
To 2 ft
Notes
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
1 to 1-2
3, 7, 10, 16
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
5, 10, 13, 14,
16
3, 5, 10, 13,
14, 16
3, 5, 10, 13,
14, 16,
2, 10, 16
fine textured;
reseeds
1/18/2011
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
Gardening Under Oaks - Most oak roots are in the upper 3 ft of the soil. The roots which take up water and nutrients are in the upper 12". The
critical root disease zone for an oak is within 6-10 ft of the trunk. Do not irrigate plants or disturb the soil in this area. Outside this zone but within
the drip line one deep watering per month is allowable for your plantings. The leaf mulch that accumulates under a large coast live oak increases
soil moisture and available nutrients, improves soil structure and moderates soil temperature. It’s a valuable resource that can be used in other
parts of the garden. Never remove the entire insulating layer of leaves from under a trees canopy and don’t allow leaf mulch to cover the trunk.
http://www.californiaoaks.org/ExtAssets/CompatiblePlantsUnder&AroundOaks.pdf
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