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More information »	Danthonia californica (California oatgrass) California oatgrass is a native bunchgrass found throughout mountains and coast ranges in both open and partly shaded areas. Forms dense leafy tufts with flower stalks of nodding spikelets to 1 1/2 ft. tall. Not to be confused with the invasive alien wild oats, this native makes a good basic grass for a meadow planting. Withstands trampling and traffic. Good for soil stabilization. Sun to very light shade. Little to no summer water once established. Deer resistant.
More information »	Darmera peltata (umbrella plant, indian rhubarb) Native to mountain streamsides of Northern California and Oregon. A spectacular plant for pond, stream, moist woodland, or anywhere there is regular moisture and lightly shaded conditions. The lovely pink flower clusters on tall naked stems are the first to emerge in the spring. Next the very large bright green round leaves on sturdy stalks unfurl, reaching a height of up to 4 ft.. The foliage turns yellow in the fall and dies back to chunky rhizomes in the winter. A bold and beautiful flowering and foliage plant. Does well in containers too.
More information »	Darmera peltata - dwarf form (umbrella plant, indian rhubarb) This is a surprising dwarf form of the moisture loving umbrella plant. The normally large round leaves of this species are dramatically reduced in height and width in this novel selection. Only about 1 1/2 ft. tall with leaves 8 - 10 inches wide. Deep pink flower clusters, unusually dark for the species, emerge on slender stems in spring and are soon followed by the bright green leaves. The foliage turns yellow in the fall and dies back to chunky rhizomes in the winter. A nice compact alternative for the smaller garden with part shade and regular moisture. Does well in containers.
More information »	Delphinium nudicaule (red larkspur) In late winter and spring, scarlet flowers with elongated tails perch on upright stalks, usually not more than 3 ft tall. The green, lobed leaves which form a low mound above the ground have a distinctive pale patch in their centers. This native makes its home on summer-dry slopes throughout much of Northern California and parts of Central Ca., inhabiting bright, open woodlands and rocky road cuts. Needs good drainage and little to no irrigation in the summer. While it can grow in a fair amount of shade, it blooms best under a bright, dappled canopy. A favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. All parts are poisonous if ingested.
More information »	Delphinium trolliifolium (Columbian larkspur) Towers of dense, blue purple flowers reaching up to 4 ft high make this one of our most striking native larkspur. The robust stalks rise above elegantly cut leaves featuring an appealing matte finish. The new leaves emerge in winter after a summer/fall dormancy, followed by the stunning floral display in early spring. Native to the northwest corner of our state, where it grows in oak woodlands, bright, coniferous forests and coast chaparral. Enjoys moisture in the winter and spring, but should be allowed to go somewhat dry in the summer when dormant. Provide light shade away from the coast. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. All parts are poisonous if ingested.
More information »	Dendromecon harfordii (island bush poppy) A beautiful and much sought after shrub native to California’s Channel Islands. Growing 6 - 10 ft. tall with bluish-gray foliage and a showy display of brilliant yellow poppy blossoms - spring into early summer, with scattered flowers throughout the year in mild climates. Requires full sun, good drainage, and little to no irrigation once established.
More information »	Dendromecon rigida (bush poppy) This is our local bush poppy, growing 4 - 8 ft. tall with bluish-gray foliage and a showy display of brilliant yellow poppy blossoms from spring into early summer. Scattered flowers may be seen throughout the year in mild climates. The leaves are narrower than those of the island bush poppy and the plant has a more open form. Requires full sun, good drainage, and little to no irrigation once established.
More information »	Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. cespitosa (tufted hairgrass) Tufted hairgrass has a large natural distribution, in both the northern and southern hemispheres, in high elevation mountains as well as lower elevations along the coast. The seed for this crop is from coastal Sonoma County, a good choice for low elevation gardens. Forms a deep-green bunch of finely textured blades up to one foot tall with airy flower panicles extending two foot or more above the foilage. Useful framework among wildflowers or with perennials and shrubs. Sun to light shade and a little summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. holciformis (coastal hairgrass) This native bunchgrass makes its home on windswept coastal bluffs from Central CA north to British Columbia. The tidy, evergreen clumps of foliage reach 6 – 12 inches tall and get at least as wide. Stiff, green leaf blades can give plants a spiky appearance, but also make this variety look more symmetrical than many native grasses. The narrow Inflorescences can reach up to 2 ft tall. Does best with full sun near the coast, but enjoys some afternoon shade in hotter areas, where moderate irrigation is recommended. Grows well with iris, seaside daisies and other coastal species. Deer resistant.
More information »	Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. holciformis - Jughandle (coastal hairgrass) This form of tufted hairgrass from the Mendocino Coast has a different look than those farther south. The bright green blades are relatively broad and stiff. The flower stalks are 1 1/2 to 2 ft. tall with panicles which emerge greenish then turn golden. A natural for along the coast, a little shade and moisture inland. Deer resistant.
More information »	Deschampsia elongata (slender hairgrass) Graceful fine-textured perennial bunch grass, native to partly shaded, seasonally moist areas in California. Features bright green blades and gently arching flower stalks 12-18 inches tall. Yellowish-green in spring, turns soft gold in summer. Deer resistant.
More information »	Dicentra formosa (western bleeding heart) Ferny foliage makes a lacy groundcover in shady areas. Clusters of pendulous, pink, heart-shaped flowers in spring and into summer. Will spread rapidly when happy, enjoying moist but not soggy woodland conditions. Tolerates dry shade where it goes dormant with drought. Early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumble bees. Deer resistant.
More information »	Dichelostemma congestum (ookow) Description coming soon!
More information »	Dichelostemma ida-maia (firecracker flower) Blooming firecracker flowers are a sight to behold. Native to grassy slopes and woodland edges from Mendocino County to Southern Oregon, this distinctive native bulb is truly unique. Long, strap-shaped leaves give rise to tall, naked stems, 20 - 25 inches in height. Generous clusters of pendulous, one inch floral tubes of striking crimson with reflexed green tips reveal protruding little fringes of white. Bloom in late spring to early summer. Prefers lightly shaded areas that will go dry in summer after flowering. Does well in containers, as long as it is allowed to go dry once dormant. Flowers are custom built for hummingbirds and butterflies.
More information »	Dichelostemma ida-maia x multiflorum 'Pink Diamond' (pink firecracker flower) A natural occurring hybrid involving the red firecracker flower and a blue flowering species, producing bright, magenta-pink tubular flowers with charming reflexed tips like it's firecracker parent. Strap shaped leaves emerge in the spring with leafless flower stems following, 8-20 inches tall. The umbels of deep pink flowers are favored by hummingbirds and butterflies. Tolerant of different soil types in full sun to light shade. Dry conditions once it goes dormant is a must. Good container plant.
More information »	Dichondra donelliana (California ponysfoot) Dichondra is a small genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family that form a thick, mat-like ground cover of rounded leaves, once popular as lawn substitutes. This native species is uncommon in the nursery trade and in gardens, but has potential worth exploring. Native to California coastal plant communities on open slopes and moist grasslands, it forms a flat, perennial ground cover with tidy, rounded leaves, densely packed along creeping stems. The flowers are tiny and greenish-white, not real showy but interesting. An obvious application would be a small scale ground cover or meadow planting in areas with some moisture. Could be a candidate for green roofs or walls, where a low and spreading plant is the ticket. Plant in full sun on the immediate coast, otherwise light shade is necessary. Moderate summer water.
More information »	Dodecatheon hendersonii (broad-leaved shooting star) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Dryopteris filix-mas (male fern) The male fern is a beautiful, large, deciduous fern, native to much of Europe, Asia as well as North America, where it is uncommon in California. Large and slightly arching, the medium green fronds can reach 3 ft. tall and form a sizable clump. This fern increases slowly from stout rhizomes making it a fine choice for containers. An excellent addition to the woodland garden where it is easy to grow in part to full shade. Prefers humusy soil, rich in organic matter, though it is adaptable and accommodating. Best with regular to moderate watering. Rabbit and deer resistant.
More information »	Dudleya 'Frank Reinelt' (liveforever) The beautiful and rarely offered Dudleya will form dense mounds 6" - 8" tall with silvery, finger-like leaves, sometimes developing a purple-red blush. Slender stalks appear in late spring and display star-like flowers of soft yellow up to a foot above the foliage. They make handsome specimens in a rock garden or perform as a striking groundcover up to 2' wide mixed with other coastal bluff plants like red buckwheat, seaside daisy, and sea thrift. Great in a container or planted under manzanitas amongst rocks. Needs good drainage and little water once established. Full sun near the coast, but light shade inland.
More information »	Dudleya Seedlings from 'Frank Reinelt' (liveforever) These seedlings from the beautiful Dudleya ‘Frank Reinelt’ will form dense mounds 6 - 8 inches tall with silvery finger-like leaves. They make handsome specimens in a rock garden or perform as a striking groundcover in mass plantings mixed with other coastal bluff plants like red buckwheat, seaside daisy, and sea thrift. Avoid over-watering and control snails. Full sun to light shade with good drainage.
More information »	Dudleya brittonii (giant chalk Dudleya) A Baja California native. Useful and very dramatic in containers or well-drained rock gardens. Likes a protected and sunny microclimate where cold air and winter wet can drain away. Enjoys a little afternoon shade in hotter climates. Develops up to 1 1/2 ft. wide rosettes with fleshy chalk-covered leaves. Yellow flowers sit atop tall stalks in late spring and early summer.
More information »	Dudleya cymosa (canyon liveforever) This charming succulent is in native to California where it grows in between rocks on inland cliffs in sun or bright shade. Best in the garden in a rock wall or terra-cotta pot with some afternoon shade. Height in flower is under one foot. The yellow to orange flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Occasional to infrequent water in the ground. In pots, let dry out between waterings.
More information »	Dudleya edulis (mission lettuce) Native to rocky slopes and ledges below 3900’ in Southern Coastal California, the Peninsular Ranges, and Northern Baja California. This Dudleya forms clustering rosettes of dainty, light green, pencil-like leaves. In summer, tall stalks of fragrant, pale yellow flowers rise high above the foliage. Growing about a foot tall (with flowers) by one foot wide. Plant in well drained soil and cool full sun to part shade inland. A delicate accent in a rock garden or amongst coastal plants, also fine in containers. Known as “mission lettuce” for its fleshy raw leaves, once considered a delicacy.
More information »	Dudleya farinosa (bluff lettuce) Native to sea bluffs in central and northern California. Rosettes of fleshy leaves are chalky grey or bright green and often red tipped. Candelabra-like clusters of light yellow flowers on thick stalks appear in summer. Provide part shade away from the coast. Excellent for rock garden, walls or containers, where good drainage and a little summer water can be provided.
More information »	Dudleya farinosa - Noyo River form (bluff lettuce) Perched on the cliffs of the Noyo River are beautiful rosettes of bluish-white succulents known as bluff lettuce. This special form from the Mendocino coast was selected by Matt Teel for its small and compact stature, striking color and flat leaves. The foliage reaches a height of about 4 inches and slowly spreads to make small colonies. Yellow flowers sit atop slender pink stalks rising 8 inches off the ground. Provide protection from the afternoon sun in inland sites and plant in well-draining soil. Excellent in containers where it only needs occasional water.
More information »	Dudleya pulverulenta (chalk liveforever) Large, broad, chalky-white leaves forming rosettes up to two ft. wide make this Dudleya one of our most sought-after native succulents. A multitude of tubular red flowers appear in late spring and early summer on stalks reaching from 1.5 to 3 ft. tall. Fleshy, heart-shaped bracts line the stems. Plant in bright shade or provide morning sun and afternoon shade. Needs excellent drainage and infrequent irrigation. Plant at an angle to prevent water from gathering around the base in winter. A gravel mulch around the plant can help stabilize soil temperature and prevent excessive dehydration. Good container plant.
More information »	Dudleya virens ssp. hassei (Catalina Island Dudleya) Endemic to Catalina Island, this rare succulent forms chalky-grey rosettes made up of plump fingerlike leaves, 6 inches tall and spreading to form a mat 1 – 2 feet wide. Small white flowers with yellow centers on stems 6 -12 inches tall, bloom in the late spring and are attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional deep summer watering. Tolerates heavier soils than most Dudleyas. A dependable small-scale groundcover or container plant.