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Veratrum fimbriatum  fringed cornlily
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Veratrum fimbriatum

(fringed cornlily)

From moist, coastal areas of Sonoma and Mendocino County comes this very rare lily relative. A cousin of the high mountain cornlily, this threatened species features large, pleated leaves which emerge in late winter and are followed in the autumn by icy-white flowers with fringed edges. After its long bloom period is over, the plant will go dormant through the winter. Surprisingly tolerant of shade, but will accept full sun along the coast with ample moisture. A choice plant for woodland gardens and will also thrive in a container. This plant is POISONOUS when consumed. Deer and gopher resistant.
Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'
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Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'

A pint size version of the statuesque Verbena bonariensis, offering the same long bloom season and easy care. Growing 2 ft. tall by 2 ft. tall with narrow serrated leaves on rigid stems and lollipop like spheres of lavender-pink nectar rich blossoms over a long period. Prefers full sun and is drought tolerant once established. Useful in a sunny border or in containers plantings. Adored by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds and not favored by deer.   
Verbena hastata  blue vervain
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Verbena hastata

(blue vervain)

Plant description coming soon.
Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' Cedros Island verbena
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Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

(Cedros Island verbena)

Introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden from the Cedros Island off of Baja, Mexico and selected for its darker shade of lavender flowers. Forms a lacy mound of foliage 1-2 ft. tall and 2-3 ft. wide, blooming over a long period with dense clusters of deliciously fragrant rich lavender blossoms that are highly attractive to butterflies. Hardy to around 20 degrees. Can bloom nearly year round along the coast, spring through fall elsewhere.  Grows fast enough that it can be used as an annual where it won't survive the winters.  Plant in full sun with moderate to occasional summer watering. A fabulous container plant too. Reportedly deer resistant.
Viburnum ellipticum  western viburnum
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Viburnum ellipticum

(western viburnum)

Loosely branched deciduous shrub 3-10 feet tall. Common in Washington and Oregon and rare in California where it can be found in chaparral and coniferous forests generally on north facing slopes. Soft reddish new growth makes way for the neat deep green oval leaves with a serrated edge. Small white flowers in terminal clusters followed by shiny black fruits which are enjoyed by birds. Attractive reddish fall color. Best with some shade and a little summer water.  A candidate for the high banks of creeks, margins of wetlands or edges of forests.
Viola adunca  Western dog violet
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Viola adunca

(Western dog violet)

Native to both coastal and mountain plant communities, this violet can be seen locally blooming in coastal meadows and bluffs. Forms low-growing, slowly creeping, neat clumps of heart-shaped leaves. Sweetly fragrant, nodding, blue to purple flowers with white interiors and purple nectar guides bloom in the spring. This pretty little wildflower is visited by bees and other pollinators and is a host plant for a number of butterflies, some of which are rare and endangered. Grows in sun along the coast and light shade inland with moderate summer water. Can reseed if happy.
Viola palustris  marsh violet
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Viola palustris

(marsh violet)

Native to moist environments in both coast and mountain plant communities of N. America and Eurasia. Rare in California, where it is found in the northern counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte. Rounded to heart shaped leaves with shallow scalloped edges grow from basal rosettes and spread by slender rhizomes. The charming flowers bloom April through July and range from white through lavender in color with dark-purple nectar guides. Used by Fritillary butterflies as a larval food source. Easy to grow, this is not a violet for heavy shade, but prefers brighter locations with light shade and moist, but well drained soils. 
Vitex agnus-castus 'Sensational' chaste tree
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Vitex agnus-castus 'Sensational'

(chaste tree)

Vitex is a heat loving, summer-flowering, deciduous shrub or small tree 6-25 ft tall. The selection 'Sensational' sports especially long, showy flower spikes of lavender- blue blossoms in August, which attract a wide array of pollinators. A tough shrub that thrives in summer heat and full sun is drought tolerant but best with a little summer water. Deer resistant.

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Vitis 'Swenson Red'

(Swenson Red grape)

Thanks to Kate Frey for sharing this tasty table grape from her home garden in Hopland, Ca. Developed by pioneering grape breeder Elmer Swenson, in his quest to breed a quality table grape that was disease resistant and hardy enough to grow and produce fruit in the cold and short season regions of the upper mid-west of the United States. A vigorous climbing vine growing 10 – 20 ft. tall, bears a heavy crop of crisp and sweet, large round red, seeded-grapes in early fall. Plant in full sun with moderate summer water. A handsome vine to train on a sturdy arbor, trellis or fence.      
Vitis  californica  California wild grape
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Vitis californica

(California wild grape)

California wild grape is a vigorous deciduous vine, native to watercourses in California and Oregon. Lush foliage on woody vines create leafy draperies in riparian areas. Useful in the garden for trellises, arbors, fences or to spill down a bank. Round green leaves take on nice yellow tones in the autumn. Flowers are very attractive to bees.Fruits are small and seedy but tasty. Excellent habitat value providing food and cover for wildlife.
Vitis californica 'Russian River' California grape
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Vitis californica 'Russian River'

(California grape)

Our own selection of what is likely a hybrid between the native Vitis californica and the European wine grape Vitis vinifera, originating along the Russian River near Rio Nido in Sonoma County. Similar to 'Roger’s Red’ in vigor and heavy fruit production, this cultivar has deeper purple-red fall colored leaves that tend to hold on to the vine longer than the selection 'Roger’s Red'. An adaptable vine, thriving in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. Will grow well with far less summer water, though plants in dryish conditions tend to be less rampant. Good habitat plant.
Vitis californica x 'Roger's Red' California grape
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Vitis californica x 'Roger's Red'

(California grape)

Selected by Roger Raiche, this cultivar is now thought to be a natural hybrid between the native Vitis californica and the European wine grape, Vitis vinifera. A beautiful and vigorous vine used to cover fences, trellises, arbors, or used as a ground cover. This selection has gorgeous warm red fall color and ample fruit clusters that are small (with seeds), but sweet and tasty. An adaptable vine, thriving in full sun to light shade with regular to moderate water. Will grow well with far less summer water, though plants in dryish conditions tend to be less rampant. Good habitat plant.
Vitis girdiana  desert grape
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Vitis girdiana

(desert grape)

Close relative of Vitis californica, native to southern California where it grows stream side or in canyons where some moisture can be found. Fast growing and heat tolerant, this vigorous vine can climb up to 50 ft. The growing tips, tendrils and new leaves are covered in downy hairs, providing gorgeous silvery colored new growth. Beautiful when allowed to spill and climb over walls or when trained to a fence or arbor. A good choice for hotter inland gardens. The purple-black fruits are highly attractive to birds and other mammals, including humans!

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Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea'

This beautiful cultivar of the European grape has gorgeous purple-green foliage all summer. The foliage color darkens and intensifies to richer tones in autumn. Produces small clusters of dark purple fruits. Grows to around 20 ft. Plant in sun to light shade with moderate summer water.
Whipplea modesta  modesty
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Whipplea modesta

(modesty)

The common name “modesty” fits this unassuming evergreen creeper. Though not super showy, one has to admire its ability to thrive on difficult sites. A good stabilizer native to forests of the Coast Ranges where it tolerates dry shady situations. Will appreciate a little summer water, but it is drought tolerant once established. Numerous tiny white flowers in late spring. Deer seem to leave it alone.
Woodwardia fimbriata  giant chain fern
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Woodwardia fimbriata

(giant chain fern)

The evergreen giant chain fern is the largest American fern, with striking fronds 3 - 5 ft. tall or more. Prefers part shade but will accept darker conditions. Will grow in open, somewhat sunny areas within the fog belt, as long as it has access to moisture. Great in moist woodland gardens near a stream or against a shady wall. Keep in mind, this fern likes some moisture but does not want to be kept wet. Allowing it to dry out just a little between waterings can be beneficial. To keep it looking fresh and vigorous, cut back to the ground in late winter just before the new fiddleheads begin to emerge. Deer resistant.
Wyethia angustifolia  narrow leaved mule ears
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Wyethia angustifolia

(narrow leaved mule ears)

Few hikers can resist the bright, golden-yellow flowers of this showy native sunflower relative. The large, 2” - 3” wide flowers perch atop stems up to 2 ft. tall in the spring. Bright green, lance-shaped leaves form low rosettes at the base of the flower stalks. This mule ears grows in sunny meadows and at the edges of woodlands. Perhaps the most garden tolerant of all of the mule’s ears, accepting occasional irrigation once established but not requiring it. Does not mind soils with poor drainage. A great plant for bees, butterflies and birds. Will go dormant once it finishes flowering but will re-emerge after the rain returns.
Wyethia glabra  smooth mule's ears
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Wyethia glabra

(smooth mule's ears)

Description coming soon!
Wyethia mollis  mountain mule's ears
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Wyethia mollis

(mountain mule's ears)

Description coming soon!
Xerophyllum tenax  bear grass
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Xerophyllum tenax

(bear grass)

Plant description coming soon.
Zauschneria species  California fucshia
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Zauschneria species

(California fucshia)

We are listing Zauschneria under the name Epilobium.

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