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More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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!
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	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.
More information »	Wyethia glabra (smooth mule's ears) Description coming soon!
More information »	Wyethia mollis (mountain mule's ears) Description coming soon!
More information »	Xerophyllum tenax (bear grass) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Zauschneria species (California fucshia) We are listing Zauschneria under the name Epilobium.