Abies grandis
Grand indeed. Glossy, dark green needles and a symmetrical form make this native fir one of our choicest conifers. Native from coastal Sonoma County, just south of the Russian River, north to British Columbia and east to the Rockies. Grows up to a foot a year and is not suitable for the small garden. Plant in full sun along the coast but protect from hot afternoon sun in the interior. Occasional deep waterings are required when young. Combines well with redwoods and bigleaf maples. Often used as a Christmas tree.
Acer circinatum
Deciduous shrub or tree 5 to 20 ft. tall, native to moist woods and streambanks in the coastal mountains of northern California to British Columbia. Attractive in all seasons: bare reddish twigs in winter, delicate lobed leaves in spring and summer, and good color in autumn. Wonderful in the woodland setting, under tall conifers where its fall color will stand out. A natural with ferns and other woodland plants that receive dappled to part shade and regular to moderate summer water. Can be espaliered too.
Acer macrophyllum
This stately and picturesque tree is native to stream banks and moist canyons from Southern Alaska to the foothills of California. A large, round-topped tree with large dark green lobed leaves and smooth silver-gray bark. Fast growing 30 ft or more tall. One of the few native trees to offer good fall color. Sun to partial shade, occasional to regular water. When planting in a sunny location, protect the trunk from sun-scald with a dilute application of white latex paint.
Acer negundo var. californicum
The box elder at maturity features a broad canopy supported by thick branches and a wide, gray trunk. In spring, the silky pink inflorescences hang from the tips of the branches as the leaves begin to emerge. Quickly grows to a height and width of up to 50 ft. Often used as a restoration plant in riparian zones. Full sun to part shade. Enjoys regular moisture. Deer seem to leave it alone once established.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Lake County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Lake County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Napa County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Napa County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – inland form – Sonoma County seed source
A vigorous and easy to grow perennial, yarrow grows native throughout California in many plant communities. This crop is grown from seed collected from a hot inland site in Sonoma County. In this form, flower stems rise 18 inches above the gray ferny foliage bearing white flowers in flat topped clusters. Plant in a sunny location with moderate to a little water. Spreads by rhizomes and can form sizable clumps if happy. A good addition to the habitat garden where the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies and the foliage provides winter forage for birds. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium – Montara Mountain form
We discovered the parent of this giant seed strain on the lower slopes of Montara Mountain in San Mateo Co.. With broad, white flower clusters reaching up to 4 ft. high, this is the largest yarrow we've encountered. While seedlings can vary, we have high hopes for this new introduction. Give full sun and moderate to infrequent irrigation. Potentially an excellent spreading perennial for a tall meadow. Attracts all sorts of pollinators. The green, fuzzy leaves are usually considered to be deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Island Pink’
A color variant of the normally white California native yarrow from Santa Cruz Island. Dark green ferny foliage topped with clusters of bright pink flowers on 18 inch stems over a long period. Sun to partial shade, occasional to moderate water. Good habitat value, providing nectar for bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Red Velvet’
This yarrow is getting rave reviews for its deep-red flowers produced atop grey-green ferny foliage. Spreading 2 foot or so wide with flowers rising 2 – 2 ½ feet tall. Best in full sun with moderate to occasional watering. Popular with bees and butterflies. Often deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Sonoma Coast’
This is a local selection from the Sonoma County coast near Salmon Creek. Bright green foliage is topped with white flowers in dense heads on compact stems to around 1 ft. tall. Can bloom over a long period, spring through fall, depending on conditions. Best in sunny areas with some summer water, though it is drought tolerant. Flowers attract butterflies and other insects. The foliage is deer resistant.
Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’
This hybrid yarrow forms a mat of grey-green ferny foliage 2 - 3 ft. wide with interesting earth-tone colored flowers. The long-lasting flower clusters simultaneously sport peachy-yellow tones through burnt orange, on sturdy non-floppy stems to around 2 ft. tall. Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer water once established. Bees and butterflies love yarrows, but they are not deer favorites. Excellent cut flowers too.
Actaea rubra
Native to moist wooded plant communities throughout the Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada. The attractive astilbe-like foliage emerges in the early spring. The tiny white flowers have no petals and are made up of clusters of creamy white stamens. The spikes of vivid, shiny red berries are very showy though poisonous - hence the common name baneberry. A wonderful addition to shady situations with some summer water. Goes dormant in the winter. Deer resistant.
Actaea rubra – white fruited form
This is the special white fruited form of the more commonly seen red fruited baneberry. We are not sure how true these will come from seed and suspect there will be some red berries showing up in this crop. So far we have had only white fruits coming from this seed source, but we will have to see how the entire crop develops. Baneberry is a wonderful woodland plant and easy to grow in shady locales with some summer moisture. The foliage is astilbe-like and late spring brings tall flower stems topped with white flowers that have no real petals and are made up of clusters of creamy white stamens. The showy and VERY POISONOUS fruits follow, hopefully in this case white, but may be shiny red. Dies back to the ground in the winter. Deer resistant.
Adiantum capillus-veneris
A lacy and delicate looking fern with arching dark stems that carry bright green fan-shaped leaflets. A wonderful addition to a woodland garden or any shady space where it is easy to grow as long as it receives regular water. Lovely in containers or raised beds, on a shady bank or border, along the north side of a building. Can grow as much as 1 1/2 ft. tall and wide. Southern maidenhair can be grown through much of California except for high mountain areas. Goes winter dormant with cold. Somewhat deer resistant.
Adiantum x tracyi
A naturally occurring cross between Western five finger and California maidenhair fern. Offers a delicate lacy effect with gorgeous bright green fronds on black arching stems. One of the parents is winter dormant, the other, summer dormant, with the resulting hybrid being evergreen. Easy to grow with shade, woodsy soil and summer irrigation. Excellent container plant too. Deer resistant.
Agastache ‘Blue Boa’
From Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon, this stunning hybrid has won awards at a number of plant trials. Growing 2-1/2 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide with fragrant foliage and flowers of deep violet-blue. The large and sturdy terminal flower spikes dazzle mid to late summer into fall and are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Best in full sun with good drainage. Drought tolerant, but happiest with moderate to occasional summer water. Deer resistant.
Agastache ‘Coronado Red’
Agastaches are rewarding perennials with fragrant foliage and abundant flowers, which are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. ‘Coronado Red’ has a vertical growth habit with silvery foliage to 2.5 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. Spikes of orangy-red flowers bloom over a long period in the summer delighting the hummingbirds. Requires good drainage and full sun with moderate to occasional summer water. Deer resistant.
Agastache ‘Morello’
Calling all pollinators! Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies will delight in the large, dense flower spikes of deep, burgundy-rose on this fragrant perennial. This summer bloomer has minty scented foliage which has a purple blush early in the season, growing 2 -3 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. Plant in full sun with good drainage and moderate to occasional watering. Good in container plantings, too. Deer resistant.
Agrostis scabra
Native to middle and high elevation forests and meadows throughout California, this small bunchgrass forms dense tufts of blue-green foliage about six inches high with airy inflorescences rising another eighteen inches. Works well in a meadow planting or in a container. Combine with other small perennials such as Grindelia and yarrow or plant in large masses to show off the delicate grass flowers. Needs regular moisture and full sun to light shade. Deer resistant.
Allium unifolium
An adaptable and easy to grow native onion with handsome blue-green foliage. Late spring brings beautiful lavender-pink flowers on short stems 6 - 8 inches tall. Native in the Coast Range from the Central Coast, northwards. The flowers on this form have a particularly appealing saturated color. The original plants were given to us by the internationally known bulb expert and native plant horticulturist, Wayne Roderick. Fairly water tolerant, often found on seasonally moist and heavy soils. Spreads vigorously by seeds or bulb offsets. Goes dormant after bloom and will tolerate dry conditions at that time. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Reported to be gopher resistant. Deer resistant.
Alnus rhombifolia
From creeks and rivers throughout California, the white alder rapidly grows to become a large tree, reaching to 50 ft. or more at maturity. Serrated green leaves produce an excellent canopy above the straight, silvery-gray trunk. In winter, when the leaves have fallen, the ghostly branches make a striking silhouette with dangling catkins from the branch tips. An excellent plant for creek restoration where its aggressive roots help to stabilize banks. Keep away from irrigation pipes and foundations. Needs regular moisture and sun to light shade.
Ambrosia chamissonis
The silvery mats of this sand-dwelling species are important for soil stabilization along our coastline, but can also be used as an attractive, evergreen groundcover in the garden setting. Dissected leaves line crawling branches, forming a dense carpet up to about 10” high and spreading wherever they have room to grow. While vigorous, it can be pruned back easily. In summer, short stalks of inconspicuous, cream colored flowers raise, followed by bur-like seed capsules. Plant in sunny locations with moderate to occasional irrigation. Tolerant of different soil types.
Amelanchier alnifolia
A common native shrub or small multi-trunked tree often found growing along seasonal streams. Serviceberries provide a touch of autumn color where the leaves turn a lovely butterscotch yellow. The white spring flowers are followed by dark blue-purple fruits coveted by ring neck doves in the wild. Sun to partial shade. Moderate to infrequent water. Many butterflies use this species as a larval host, such as the California hairstreak and the Ceanothus silkmoth. Grows well in a large container.
Anaphalis margaritacea
An adaptable plant with silver-green leaves that are densely white and woolly beneath. The flowers appear in summer and are made up of pearly white papery bracts surrounding yellow centers. The “straw flowers” retain their shape and color and are often used in dried arrangements. Tolerant of almost any soil type, it prefers full sun where it will grow in moist to somewhat dry conditions. Can spread vigorously, perhaps best used in meadow plantings or other naturalistic settings. Grows 1 - 3 ft. tall and spreading. Dies back to the ground in the winter. Larval food source for the painted lady and American lady butterflies. Deer resistant.