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More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Violeta' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid - lavender (lavender Pacific Coast hybrid iris ) A native iris hybrid thought to be a cross with Iris douglasiana. Flowers are a deep lavender in color, with purple-veined petals and yellow throats. Evergreen foliage is 12-18 inches tall and spreads to form 2-3 foot-wide clumps. Tolerates full sun on the coast but does best with afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking good in summer. Like other Pacific Coast iris hybrids, it can be planted in the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
More information »	Isomeris (Cleomella) arborea (bladderpod) This distinctive small shrub from Southern California features clusters of golden-yellow flowers with long stamens, giving them a delicate, airy quality. The flowers are followed by papery, lantern-like seed pods which can become almost translucent with age. While this species blooms strongest in the spring, flowers can be seen year-round. Bladderpod has a loose, rounded habit, reaching 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide. If your plant becomes too lanky, simply cut it to the ground to rejuvenate it. Plant in full sun with good drainage and provide infrequent to zero irrigation once established. A great nectar source for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Deer resistant. Previously known as: Peritoma arborea
More information »	Juglans hindsii (California black walnut) Beautiful, deciduous tree native to riparian areas in Northern California. Canopies of pinnately compound leaves form a round-topped tree 20 - 60 ft. tall. Flowers in early spring are dangling catkins, followed by round nuts in a fleshy husk. The delicious nuts are small and held in thick, hard to crack shells. An important food source for wildlife. Prefers deep soils and is drought tolerant once established. A natural for along the upper slopes of creeks and rivers.
More information »	Juncus effusus (soft rush) Striking plant with bright green, erect, cylindrical blades that arch somewhat toward the tips. Creamy-gold, tassel-like flowers appear near the tips in spring and early summer. Grows 3 ft. or more tall and wide. Native to moist habitats in temperate regions of the world. Can grow in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. A natural for water features, making a great foliage accent for pools, ponds, or streamsides. Can grow in shallow water. Great in containers too. Deer resistant.
More information »	Juncus patens (California grey rush) This handsome evergreen rush provides a striking vertical accent 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 ft. tall with grey-green to grey-blue foliage. Brownish-yellow, tassel-like flowers appear in the spring and early summer. Very adaptable, tolerating a wide range of conditions. Enjoys sun with moisture, but will tolerate dry conditions once established. Accepts moderate shade. Robust root systems are excellent for soil stabilization. Deer resistant.
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.