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More information »	Juncus patens 'Elk Blue' (California grey rush) Introduced by San Marcos Growers, this form of Juncus patens was selected from the hills southeast of the town of Elk in Mendocino County. Features exceptionally blue foliage and and a vigorous spreading habit. This selection is shorter than the typical grey rush only reaching about 18 inches tall. An adaptable species, will thrive in moist soils, even shallow water but once established tolerates dry conditions too. Grows in sun to moderate shade. An excellent accent plant with its stiff, vertical foliage. Deer resistant.
More information »	Juniperus communis 'Point Saint George' (dwarf juniper) A striking selection from our northern coast of a species that is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere but rare on the coast of California. Sadly, the original population no longer exists due to seaside erosion. Forming dense mats of silver-green foliage under six inches tall, it slowly spreads to several feet wide. A perfect addition to the rock garden, preferring decent drainage and occasional water once established. Also works well as a container plant where the branches can cascade over the sides creating silvery waterfalls. Likes full sun to light shade. Deer resistant.
More information »	Keckiella cordifolia (heartleaf keckiella) This Penstemon relative produces a profusion of bright red-orange, tubular flowers on the branch tips late spring into summer which are adored by hummingbirds. It likes to climb through tall chaparral shrubs or spill down slopes. Forms an open arching mound 3 ft. by 3 ft. but can climb 6 ft. or more. Deciduous with winter cold or summer drought, semi-evergreen in milder coastal regions. Requires good drainage in sun to part shade. Moderate to little summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Koeleria macrantha (June grass) An evergreen perennial bunchgrass forming a rounded tuft of narrow, bluish-green blades 6 - 12 inches long. Spike-like panicles of pale green florets rise another 6 - 12 inches above the blades in summer. This widespread species grows from coastal woodlands and prairies to high mountains. Best in sunny locations with well drained soil and moderate to a little summer water. Tolerates light shade, does NOT like heavy, wet soils or deep shade. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lasthenia californica ssp. macrantha (perennial goldfields) Native along the immediate coast of California and just into Oregon, where it forms low, tight mounds of deep green succulent foliage. Cheerful, bright yellow daisies bloom over a long period. Best in full sun with some sumer water and good drainage. Long blooming, open faced flowers are excellent sources of nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
More information »	Lathyrus vestitus (hillside pea, Pacific pea) From woodland to chaparral throughout much of the California coast ranges comes this charming sweet peat relative. Clusters of dainty flowers ranging in color from white to pink and lavender grace this evergreen vine in the spring, followed by clusters of small peapods. Plant along a fence or amongst shrubs where it will climb up to 8 ft. tall and wide. Provide light shade inland but will tolerate full sun near the coast. Drought tolerant once established but will also accept occasional irrigation. This vine is a host plant to the silvery blue butterfly and the arrowhead blue butterfly.
More information »	Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba' (white flowered English lavender) English lavender is native to the mountainous regions of southern Europe. This species is the traditional lavender, long used for it's essential oils. Forms a symmetrical, rounded shrub, with aromatic, grey narrow leaves, growing 3 ft. in height and spread, with flower spikes rising another foot or so above the foliage. This cultivar sports elegant, pure-white, flowers in spring and summer which are adored by honey bees, mason bees, carpenter and bumble bees. Butterflies and hummers like it too. Plant in full sun, with good drainage and moderate to occasional summer water once established. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue' (dwarf English lavender) A strain of the popular 'Hidcote' English lavender, which sports compact foliage and intense, velvety, dark lavender-blue flowers. The fragrant grey foliage forms a chubby shrub 12 - 18 inches tall by 2 ft. wide. The sweetly fragrant flowers bloom in late spring to early summer and are highly attractive to pollinators. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy this plant but deer do NOT. Plant in sunny areas with good soil drainage, where it will be drought tolerant once established.
More information »	Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (dwarf English lavender) This dwarf lavender forms a chubby shrublet of grey, fragrant foliage 12 - 18 inches tall and wide. Spring and summer bring short flower spikes of rich violet-blue flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in full sun with good drainage and occasional water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' (lavender) This variety of lavender is planted widely in Europe for commercial harvest of the fragrant flowers. Forms a compact shrub of grey foliage, 2-1/2 ft. tall and wide, topped with long wands of violet-blue flowers in summer. Lavenders require conditions similar to rosemary, well drained soil and full sun to very light shade. Once established they are drought tolerant requiring occasional water. Very drought tolerant along the coast. The flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer resisitant.
More information »	Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence' (lavender) A very popular lavender variety which forms a rounded mound of gray-green foliage. The slender, fragrant, lavender-blue flowers appear in spring and summer on long, graceful stems. Grows 3 - 3 1/2 ft. tall. Lavenders are sun loving, drought tolerant shrubs, requiring good drainage and occasional summer watering. A bee favorite, especially honey and bumble bees. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers too. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lavatera (Malva) assurgentiflora (Island mallow, malva rosa) Light green, maple-like leaves with showy, rose-pink flowers with dark veination bloom over a long period from spring to fall. Native to the Channel Islands, this fast growing shrub will grow 10 ft. tall or more. Useful as a drought tolerant, wind resistant, fast growing screen or hedgerow plant, at its best in coastal environments. Inland needs some protection and periodic summer water. Pruning helps maintain a nice habit. Probably best in naturalistic garden designs. A favorite nectar source of orioles.
More information »	Layia chrysanthemoides (smooth tidy tips) Light up your plantings or containers with this cheerful, ANNUAL wildflower. Boasting clear, bright yellow daisies with pure white-tipped petals, providing a spectacular springtime display. Similar to the common tidy tips, this species is a little smaller, though the flower heads are equally large. Mostly found in the northern part of the state where it is native to vernal pools, grasslands, and valley bottoms, growing in heavy soils and full sun. Attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies. Birds relish the seeds.
More information »	Layia platygosa (tidy tips) Easy to grow native ANNUAL for open sunny areas. Wide distribution, from the coast to inland valleys, Mendocino County to Baja. Foliage grows 6-12 inches tall in lean soils and taller with more fertility. Cheerful, one inch, lemon-yellow daisies with pure white tipped petals entice bees and butterflies. Birds love the seeds. A knock out mixed with blues and purples of lupines or baby blue eyes. Does not need water once established.
More information »	Lepechinia calycina (pitcher sage) A super fragrant sage relative with a wide distribution in California’s coastal ranges. White to pale pink or lavender, open-mouthed, tubular flowers appear in late spring and early summer. Fuzzy, grey leaves clothe the plant all year but less densely in the winter. Can grow 2 - 4 ft. tall and wide with a rather lank form which can be improved with regular pinching. A fast growing perennial for sunny to lightly shaded areas with good drainage. Very drought tolerant once established. Attracts hummingbirds. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lepechinia calycina 'Rocky Point' (pitcher sage) An excellent form of a native pitcher sage selected by Tilden Botanic Garden. Features a more compact habit, growing 2 ft. or so tall by 4 ft. or so wide. Pale lavender, tubular flowers appear in spring and summer, drawing hummingbirds into the garden. The fragrant, felted foliage is basically evergreen but is less dense in the winter. Plant in full sun to very light shade and provide good drainage. Very drought tolerant once established and deer resistant.
More information »	Lepechinia fragrans (fragrant pitcher sage) This fragrant sage relative is endemic to Southern California, native to chaparral and woodlands of the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains and the Northern Channel Islands. Softly hairy and strongly fragrant, this woody perennial grows around 4 - 5 feet tall and wide. Showy, lavender-purple, wide-mouthed, tubular flowers bloom in mid to late spring, attracting bumble bees and hummingbirds. Will thrive in full sun to light shade, where it will be drought tolerant once established. Pinching back foliage helps form a dense growth habit. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lepechinia fragrans 'El Tigre' (fragrant pitcher sage) A wonderful addition to the dry garden, this rare fragrant pitcher sage is native to the Channel Islands off of California but is quite happy in Sonoma County gardens. Forms a shrub 4 - 5 ft. tall, with soft lavender flowers in the spring hanging gracefully from slender, arching stems. The long, angular leaves are colored soft, gray-green and covered in white hairs. This selection was chosen for its more saturated flowers with darker calyces. Adored by hummingbirds and bees. Plant in full sun on the coast, but provide partial shade inland. Needs good drainage and is drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lepechinia hastata (pitcher sage) A bold and beautiful sage relative which grows 4’-6’ tall and slowly spreads to form a small thicket. Large, fragrant, grey-green leaves are an excellent foil to the reddish-purple flowers which appear on branch tips in summer and early fall. Great in the flower border or out in the “wild” part of the garden. Easy and tough. Full sun to light shade with moderate to occasional water. Looks best when cut to the ground after blooming is done. Attractive to hummingbirds. Deer don’t seem to eat it.
More information »	Lessingia (Corethrogyne) filaginifolia (common sandaster) This California native perennial often hugs the ground, spreading widely, it threads its silvery foliage decoratively among other plants. Bright lavender, yellow centered aster-like flowers give a summer long season of bloom. Provide full sun to light shade, some summer water and reasonable drainage. A nectar and larval food source for butterflies. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lessingia (Corethrogyne) filaginifolia 'Silver Carpet' (common sandaster) A variable species, this selection hails from the Big Sur Coast and was discovered by Carol Bornstein. Forms an attractive ground hugging mat 4 ft. or more wide. The gorgeous silver foliage is the perfect foil for the 1 inch lavender-pink daisies with yellow centers. Tolerates a wide range of conditions including full sun to light shade, drought and wind. Useful groundcover, meadow plant or spiller where its flowers are enjoyed by bees and butterflies. Best with some summer water inland. Deer resistant.
More information »	Lewisia cotyledon (cliff maids) Named for Meriwether Lewis, this attractive succulent is native to higher elevations in Northern California and Southern Oregon, typically granite outcrops. The flowers which usually emerge in spring and summer, can range in color from yellow to orange to pink to red. These frost hardy plants form evergreen rosettes, approx. 8 - 10” tall by a foot or so wide. Lewisias need very good, sharp drainage, are heavy feeders, and love a granite rock mulch. They like to be grown sideways, in rock walls, where their crown can drain any moisture away. Plant somewhat high in a fast draining mix and feed every now and then. Morning sun, afternoon shade is best inland. Water as you would any succulent, sparingly, and keep the crown high and dry.
More information »	Lewisia longipetala 'Little Peach' (cliff maids) Large flowers with long petals colored peachy apricot make this selection of our native cliff maids a knockout in the garden. Round clusters of narrow, succulent leaves form patches up to about 8 inches wide. The irresistible flowers emerge en masse from between the leaves on slender stalks up to about 10 inches high. A very long bloomer, beginning in spring and often re-blooming in summer. Works really well in a container with lean, fast draining soil, placed in bright partial shade. Water sparingly. For best results, mulch with granite chips and fertilize occasionally. Lewisias are native to the mountains of California and beyond, where they grow in rock cliffs. An excellent choice for the rock garden.
More information »	Lewisia longipetala 'Little Raspberry' (Truckee lewisia) The parent of this strain of Lewisias is found in rocky outcroppings of the Sierra Nevada Mts. Forms low, fleshy rosettes of tough evergreen leaves. Raspberry-red flowers bloom on short stems above the leathery foliage in the spring into summer and often again in the autumn. Requires good sharp drainage and rock mulch, but appreciates partial shade in hot summer areas. Perfect for rock walls, rock garden, containers and troughs. Water as you would any succulent, sparingly, and keep crown high and dry. This is not the plant for your perennial border, but it is easy to make happy in containers.
More information »	Ligusticum apiifolium (celeryleaf licorice root) We love members of the carrot family, with their flat-topped clusters of star-like flowers and excellent habitat value. This species is no exception, though it is rarely grown in nurseries. In spring the clear-white flowers appear in delicate umbels on slender stalks 2 - 4 ft. high. The ferny, bright-green foliage stays close to the ground, rarely reaching more than a foot tall. Occurs in the Coast Range from the San Francisco Bay Area northwards. You may find this species in full sun near the coast or in bright woodlands further inland. Needs decent drainage and occasional to infrequent summer water.