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Sedum spurium 'John Creech' stonecrop
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Sedum spurium 'John Creech'

(stonecrop)

A durable semi-evergreen, hardy groundcover, suitable for pathways, rock gardens, and as a bank cover. ‘John Creech’ is a particulary low and tight form of S. spurium that grows 2 inches tall and spreads to a foot wide, then slowly creeps in a noninvasive manner. Its dense habit tends to keep weeds from poking through. Topped by purplish-pink flowers in summer that attract butterflies. Plant in well drained soil. Looks best with occasional summer water. Somewhat drought tolerant. Named for Dr. John Creech, of the U.S. National Arboretum, who discovered the plant in Siberia. Supposedly deer resistant.
Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy' sedum
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Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy'

(sedum)

Introduced to the U.S. in 1955, this dependable, late flowering, easy to grow perennial will except a wide range of conditions.  Fleshy blue-green leaves with large dusty rose-pink flower heads in summer turn a wonderful rust color with age. Sun, light shade, moderate to little water. About 2 - 2 1/2 ft tall. A bee and butterfly favorite.
Sequoia sempervirens  coast redwood
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Sequoia sempervirens

(coast redwood)

A beautiful and fast growing conifer, famous, as it is the world’s tallest tree. Provides a symmetrical pyramid of soft fragrant foliage 70 to 100 ft. or more tall. Outside its native range it will be shorter, topping out at around 50 ft. The columnar trunks are covered with thick fibrous red-brown bark. Small one inch cones form in clusters at the branch tips. Grows easily in areas with coastal influence and fog but will grow in drier interior sites with regular summer water. Performs well in the regular watering regimes of many urban gardens and lawns. Can be planted as a specimen, in groves, or even pruned as a hedge. As long as its watering requirements are met it has very few pest or disease problems.
Sequoia  sempervirens 'Kelly's Prostrate' Kelly's prostrate coast redwood
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Sequoia sempervirens 'Kelly's Prostrate'

(Kelly's prostrate coast redwood)

A low growing form of the coast redwood with a flat, spreading habit.  Exceptionally low growing, we have never seen any upright growth in this form.  The flat sprays of foliage are deep green with light green new growth and spreading to five foot wide or more.  Best in moist, well drained soils with light shade. Use where the unique form can be shown off.  Makes an excellent container subject.
Sequoia sempervirens 'Nana Pendula' prostrate coast redwood
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Sequoia sempervirens 'Nana Pendula'

(prostrate coast redwood)

An intriguing prostrate form of the coast redwood. Bluish-green leaves on pendulous branches spread out in a circular form usually under 1 ft. tall. May mound up taller over time, trim out any tall leaders that may occur. An interesting specimen or container subject for lightly shaded areas with regular water. Grows much slower than the upright tree form of coast redwood, with the branches achieving a spread of around 6 to 12 ft. in ten years.
Sequoiadendron giganteum  giant Sequoia, Sierra redwood
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Sequoiadendron giganteum

(giant Sequoia, Sierra redwood)

This iconic Californian giant hales from the west side of the Sierra Nevada where it forms dramatic cathedrals with its massive, cinnamon-colored trunks. The leaves are gray-green and scale-like, hugging the billowing stems. In nature, this close relative of the coast redwood can be over 3,000 years old and reach over 300 ft. tall with trunks bulging to 56 ft. in diameter. In a garden setting you can expect a more reasonable height of 60 – 90 ft. with a canopy spread of around 40 ft. A stunning specimen tree for a large garden. Needs decent drainage and occasional irrigation when young, though it will become quite drought tolerant once established. Full sun to light shade. More cold hardy and drought tolerant than the coast redwood. Reported to be deer resistant.
Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata  Point Reyes checkerbloom
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Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata

(Point Reyes checkerbloom)

Plant description coming soon.

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Sidalcea hendersonii

(Henderson's checkermallow)

A striking, rare checkerbloom from western Oregon northwards, featuring stalks up to 3 ft high densely clothed in substantial, rich pink flowers. The rounded, scalloped leaves create low mounds on the ground. Will slowly spread to from small drifts, blending beautifully with other showy perennials in the moist garden bed. Enjoys full sun to light shade. If the spent blooms are removed, it can bloom from spring through to autumn! Attractive to bees and butterflies. Works well in a container.
Sidalcea malviflora  checkerbloom
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Sidalcea malviflora

(checkerbloom)

Beautiful spring blooming native perennial found in moist meadows along the coast and inland from Southern Oregon to the Mexican border. Reliable and easy to grow, and an excellent addition to a grasslands or meadow planting. Grow in full sun to partial shade where it thrives with moisture and tolerates moderate to little water once established. With drought will go summer dormant. Light to dark pink, small to large flowered; they are all beautiful. A nectar and larval food source for the West Coast Lady, Painted Lady, Common Checkered Skipper, and the Gray Hairstreak butterflies.
Sidalcea malviflora 'Palustre' checkerbloom
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Sidalcea malviflora 'Palustre'

(checkerbloom)

This selection of our native checkerbloom has particularly large, saturated pink flowers held on stems which spread across the ground. Leathery, dark-green, scalloped leaves form a carpet on this small-scale groundcover. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide moderate irrigation. Butterflies nectar on the flowers and also use checkerbloom as a larval host plant. West Coast lady, painted lady, checkered skipper and gray hairstreak butterflies all depend on this species to support their caterpillars.
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. patula  Siskiyou checkerbloom
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Sidalcea malviflora ssp. patula

(Siskiyou checkerbloom)

Bright, rose-pink flowers line foot long stems on this rare checkermallow from northwest California. Spreading mats of fuzzy, round leaves only a couple of inches tall provide an appealing backdrop for the colorful flowers. Enjoys full sun to part shade. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in inland climates. Provide moderate to occasional irrigation. An excellent plant for bees and butterflies. 

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Sidalcea malviflora ssp. virgata

(rose checker mallow)

This beautiful, perennial mallow can be found in grasslands, meadows, and roadsides of Oregon. Forms a low rosette 1 to 2 ft. wide with trailing branches and rounded, lobed leaves. The showy, hollyhock-like flowers are arranged on upright spikes, ranging from light to deep pink and bloom for a long period beginning in late spring. Plant in full sun to light shade with moderate to occasional water once established. Lovely in meadow plantings with other perennials, bulbs and grasses. An important nectar source for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects and a host plant for several butterfly species.
Sidalcea reptans  Sierra checkerbloom
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Sidalcea reptans

(Sierra checkerbloom)

From moist meadows in the Sierra Nevada comes this charming checkerbloom groundcover. In early summer, soft-pink, cup-shaped flowers perch along stems up to 20 inches high. Thick, bright-green leaves with scalloped edges carpet the ground. Plant in full sun to light shade and don’t let them dry out completely. The Sierra checkerbloom is an easy-to-grow mountain species which combines nicely with umbrella plant, rushes and Dunn’s lobelia. Great in a container, too!

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Sidalcea stipularis

(Scadden Flat checkerbloom)

A very rare checkerbloom native to a single marsh in the Sierra foothills.  Round, serrated leaves appear in late winter and spread quickly to form an eight inch tall, light green groundcover.  Soft-pink cup-shaped flowers bloom in early summer atop two foot stems clothed in lance-shaped leaves.  Combine with low grasses in a well-watered meadow for a lovely naturalized look.  Plant in full sun to light shade with moderate to regular water.  Tolerant of heavy soils.  Winter deciduous. 
Silene californica  Indian pink
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Silene californica

(Indian pink)

Native to open woods from Southern California north to Oregon, this native perennial is a knock out in bloom. Late spring and early summer bring brilliant, deeply lobed scarlet petals over the low growing mound of foliage about one foot tall by one foot wide. Best suited for well drained soils in lightly shaded settings where water can be withheld once plants begin to go dormant. A top notch rock garden subject and hummingbird favorite.
Sisyrinchium bellum  blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum

(blue-eyed grass)

A beloved native perennial wildflower with grass-like foliage and six-petaled spring blossoms that range from blue to purple with occasional pure white forms. Grows 6 - 12 inches tall in small clumps where it is useful in meadow or grassland plantings as well as mixed borders. Sun to partial shade, with moderate to infrequent summer water. Goes summer dormant in dry gardens. Does well in heavy soils and often seeds about when happy.
Sisyrinchium bellum 'Arroyo de la Cruz'  blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum 'Arroyo de la Cruz'

(blue-eyed grass)

A common spring wildflower of grasslands and coastal prairies, where cheerful six petaled blossoms top grassy blades. Flower color can range from pure white to deep violet blue, but the cultivar 'Arroyo de la Cruz' has particularly large dark purple flowers and grows 10-12 inches tall. Plant in full sun to partial shade, moderate to infrequent summer water.  Goes summer dormant in dry gardens. Does well in heavy soils. Deer resisitant.        
Sisyrinchium bellum 'Dwarf' blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum 'Dwarf'

(blue-eyed grass)

While we’re a little unsure about this selection’s origins, we do know it’s an AMAZING bloomer and an easy garden plant! In spring and into summer, deep blue-purple flowers with yellow centers cover this very dwarf blue-eyed grass which stays under 6 inches tall. Very narrow, iris-like leaves slowly increase to form a small clump. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide moderate to infrequent irrigation. If allowed to go dry in summer, it will go dormant, only to re-emerge with the winter rains. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum 'Fort Bragg' blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum 'Fort Bragg'

(blue-eyed grass)

This special from of our native blue-eyed grass features pale lavender, almost white petals which darken to deep purple at their base, surrounding a yellow center. Only reaching up to 6 inches high, this little dwarf features narrow, iris-like leaves which form dense little clumps. Blooms most abundantly in spring by can continue to flower into summer if given moderate irrigation. If allowed to go somewhat dry, it may go dormant, only to re-emerge with gusto in winter. Plant in full sun to light shade. An excellent perennial for small spaces and narrow borders. We believe this selection was discovered by Charlie Swehla. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum 'Rocky Point' dwarf blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum 'Rocky Point'

(dwarf blue-eyed grass)

A vigorous selection of dwarf blue-eyed grass discovered on Rocky Point south of Carmel in Monterey County and introduced by Native Sons Nursery. Robust, rich green clumps of wide, iris-like leaf blades 4 - 6 inches tall feature vibrant blue-purple flowers with yellow centers. A great rock garden item. Plant in full sun to part shade. This spring bloomer will go semi-dormant in summer if allowed to go somewhat dry. With moderate irrigation it will be evergreen and have an extended bloom preiod. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium bellum 'Sonoma Snow' blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum 'Sonoma Snow'

(blue-eyed grass)

A beloved native perennial wildflower with grass-like foliage and half inch, six-petaled spring blossoms that range from blue to purple with occasional pure white forms. Grows 6 - 12 inches tall in small clumps where it is useful in meadow or grassland plantings as well as mixed borders. Sun to partial shade, with moderate to infrequent summer water. Goes summer dormant in dry gardens. Does well in heavy soils and often seeds about when happy.
Sisyrinchium bellum 'Stripey' variegated blue-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium bellum 'Stripey'

(variegated blue-eyed grass)

An eye-catching cultivar of blue-eyed grass, forming compact clumps of narrow variegated foliage. The gray-green blades have pale yellow margins growing around 6 inches tall and wide. The chubby clumps of narrow, variegated leaves are topped with cool blue flowers in the spring. Perfect rock garden item or container accent for sun to light shade with moderate water. Deer resistant.
Sisyrinchium californicum  yellow-eyed grass
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Sisyrinchium californicum

(yellow-eyed grass)

Native mostly to coastal areas where this easy perennial thrives in moist locations. From spring through to the end of summer, the bright yellow flowers rise above narrow, pale-green, iris-like leaves. Grows 6 to 12 inches tall and about a foot wide. Plant in sunny areas with regular water. Reseeds readily. Occurs from San Luis Obispo County north to British Columbia.
Solanum umbelliferum  blue witch
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Solanum umbelliferum

(blue witch)

A perennial subshrub from chaparral and oak woodland plant communities, often growing on the edge where they may receive some relief from the full sun. Grows quickly, to as much 3 ft. high with pale green oval leaves on green stems, often sprawling widely. Blooms over a long period with a multitude of blue-purple saucer shaped flowers followed by small tomato-like fruits. Plant in full sun to partial shade with little to no summer water. May go summer deciduous with drought, becoming twiggy and leafless until the rains return. All parts of the plant are poisonous which should make them dependably deer resistant.
Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' purple nightshade
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Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride'

(purple nightshade)

Outstanding selection by Carol Bornstein from the hills surrounding Santa Barbara,following the wildfires of 2008. Chosen for its particularly dark purple flowers, this subshrub grows 3 ft. tall and 3 ft. or more wide. Clusters of rich purple one inch blossoms with bright yellow stamens bloom over a long period but heaviest in spring. In nature it is often found growing along the borders of coastal scrub,chaparral and woodlands. Plant in full sun along the coast with a little shade inland, where it will be drought tolerant once established. Prune to promote bushy habit. A good container subject. Should be deer resistant as all parts of the plant are poisonous.  

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