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More information »	Festuca 'Beyond Blue' (blue fescue) A natural mutation of Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’, introduced by a Dutch nursery and said to offer the bluest of the blue colored blades. This cool season grass forms a neat mound of vibrant blue foliage, 9 - 12 inch tall and 12 - 18 inches wide, with silvery grass flowers that fade to tan. Requires decent drainage with full sun along the coast and light shade inland and moderate to occasional summer water. Beautiful in mass or as an accent, grows well in containers too. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca 'Siskiyou Blue' (blue fescue) A handsome selection from the Berkeley Botanic Garden. Features dense bunches of lovely chalky blue leaf blades 10 - 12 inches tall with grass flowers rising up to 12 inches above the foliage. Sun or light shade in cooler climates. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in warmer areas. Good with moderate to occasional irrigation. Once thought to be native but now recognized as a hybrid of unknown origin. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca californica (California fescue) California fescue is a beautiful native bunchgrass often seen cascading down oak studded slopes. Blue-green leaf blades 1 1/2 ft. tall with graceful, airy flower stalks rising another 2 ft. above the foliage. A natural for under native oaks where they receive light shade and little summer water. Accepts full sun near the coast. They are drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca californica 'Long Canyon' (California fescue) We selected this unusual form of California fescue from the Trinity Mountains in Northern California. Features remarkably broad, stiff leaves colored an appealing silvery-grey reaching up to about 18 inches in height. In late spring, slender, airy grass flowers rise another 2 ft. above the foliage. Grows naturally in partial shade under oaks where it can be very drought tolerant once established. Similar to ‘Scott Mountain’, but with taller, more silvery foliage. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca californica 'Phil's Silver' (California fescue) A bunch grass selected from seedlings grown from seed collected almost within sight of the ocean (Shell Beach area, Sonoma Coast). Gray-green in spring, it turns more silver-gray as the dry season progresses. Relatively dense (2 ft. X 2 ft.) foliage with unusually stout and heavy grass-flowers, this robust clone holds up well throughout the season. Its cultivar name is a pun for baby boomers that watched the 50’s show The Phil Silver’s Show, starring Phil Silvers. It prefers good drainage and bright shade inland with little to occasional summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca californica 'Scott Mountain' (California fescue) A Native Sons Nursery selection from Siskiyou County. A good choice for gardens with limited space where the typical California fescue may prove too large. Smaller, stiff. blue-green blades to 1 foot tall with airy flower stems rising to 3 ft. tall. Will accept full sun along the coast but best with light shade. Wonderful understory grass among trees and shrubs or other partly shaded areas. Can stand alone or use in drifts for a wonderful textural effect. Drought tolerant but appreciates a little supplemental summer water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca californica 'Willit's Giant' (giant California fescue) Living up to its name, this selection is extremely robust, growing twice the size of typical California fescue. Wide gray blades grow in mounds about 3 ft. tall and wide. The grass flowers rise 5-6 feet tall with loose inflorescences dangling from the arching stems. Useful as a specimen or in drifts, this grass serves as a sturdy ground cover in deciduous oak woodlands or other lightly shaded areas. Drought tolerant once established but thrives with occasional summer water. We selected this cultivar from a seed crop collected near Willits, Mendocino County. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue) A modest sized native bunchgrass with beautiful green to blue-green, fine-textured foliage. The blades grow eight inches to 1 ft. tall with flower stems 18 inches to 2 ft. tall. Grow in full sun to light shade. Appreciates some protection from hot afternoon sun, especially inland. Drought tolerant, though a little water in hot regions is helpful. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca idahoensis 'Little Bald Hills' (Idahoe fescue) This tidy little beauty was discovered on the south fork of the Smith River in Del Norte County. Soft, blue-grey leaves form a dense little mound about 10 inches high by a foot wide. Airy grass flowers rise another foot with chalky-blue stems. Enjoys full sun near the coast but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot, inland areas. Needs moderate to infrequent irrigation once established. Plant with iris, yarrows and buckwheats to create a little meadow in your own garden. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca idahoensis 'Muse Meadow' (Idaho fescue) Idaho fescue is a widely distributed native bunch grass growing in seasonally dry habitats below 5,000 ft. The cultivar ‘Muse Meadow’ was selected in the Marble Mountains by Nevin Smith of Suncrest Nursery. Forms hummocks of fine-textured blue blades around 6 inches tall, making it one of the smallest native Idaho fescue cultivars. The flower stems are 12 - 18 inches tall and become straw colored with age. Best in well drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in hot areas. Provide moderate to occasional irrigation. Deer tolerant.
More information »	Festuca idahoensis 'Stony Creek' (Idaho fescue) From Del Norte County comes this blue-gray native. Tolerant of full sun even inland, getting chalkier with summer scorching, but would prefer some afternoon shade. It grows to about 12 inches by 18 inches, with inflorescences rising to 2 ft in height. Enjoys moderate to occasional water. Good drainage, as its name implies. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca idahoensis 'Tomales Bay' (Idaho fescue) This attractive blue-green selection of our native bunchgrass was discovered in the Nicasio area of Marin County. The soft foliage reaches a height of up to a foot and a width of about 1 1/2 ft.. The inflorescences are smaller than is typical for this species and can grow up to 18 inches tall. Best with full sun near the coast and light afternoon shade inland. Prefers moderate to occasional water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca idahoensis 'Warren Peak' (Idaho fescue) A Nevin Smith selection of Idaho fescue from the Warner Mts. in northeastern California. Forms dense 8 inch hummocks of very narrow bright green blades that become grey-blue with age. Perhaps the bluest of the native Idaho fescues. The 1 - 2 ft. tall flowering stems are silvery in color. Best in well draining soils in full sun to part shade (especially in hot regions) with moderate to occasional water. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca occidentalis (western fescue) Western fescue has a wide distribution in western north America, largely found in low to mid elevations of Central California north to British Columbia. Native to conifer, oak and mixed evergreen woodlands where it grows in light shade. Forms dense tufts of fine evergreen foliage 6-12 inches tall. Delicate flower panicles on stems rise 2 ft. or so above the blades in early spring or summer. A nice accent in lightly shaded areas with decent drainage and some summer moisture. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca rubra 'Jana's Blue' (creeping red fescue) An ideal choice for the edge of a meadow or a small garden, this spreading grass was selected from Point Arena along the Mendocino coast for its small size and intense blue-gray color. The foliage reaches a height of about 6 inches with flower stalks rising a few inches above that. Looks best when cut close to the ground in early winter. Plant in full sun near the coast, but protect from hot afternoon sun in warmer areas. Provide moderate to occasional water in inland locations. Selected by Jana Mariposa Muhar, a long time native plant enthusiast, landscape gardener and nursery operator. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca rubra 'Patrick's Point' (creeping red fescue) Discovered on a rock at Patrick's Point on our north coast, this perennial grass slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes to form tufted drifts of silvery blue. Effective as a component of a meadow or as a small scale groundcover. Typically at its best in situations where it is either unmown or infrequently mown. The 6 - 12 inch tall, vivid blue-gray blades have a soft flowing appearance which combines strikingly with dark foliaged plants such as Iris and beach strawberries. The grass flowers rise 6 to 12 inches above the foliage in loose panicles. Plant in full sun to light shade. Protect form the hot afternoon sun in inland areas. Enjoys occasional to moderate irrigation away from the coast. Deer resistant.
More information »	Festuca rubra - Molate strain (creeping red fescue) Discovered on Point Molate near Richmond, this selection spreads to form soft, flowing drifts of gray-green foliage 12 to 18 inches tall with graceful, open flowers rising to 3 feet. One of the biggest forms of our native red fescue, it’s eye-catching when planted in large masses or when combined with mounding shrubs or some of the more robust native bulbs. Very choice for a meadow or parking strip. Prefers some afternoon shade in the hotter climates and occasional water away from the coast. More drought tolerant than many other red fescues. Deer resistant.
More information »	Fragaria chiloensis 'Green Pastures' (beach strawberry) Beach strawberry is native to Pacific coast beaches and bluffs of North and South America. A popular and adaptable groundcover growing well in a wide range of climates and conditions. This selection forms lush carpets of shiny dark green foliage. The five-petaled white flowers are particularly large, showy and profuse in the spring. A great colonizer and stabilizer, this vigorous perennial spreads by runners to form dense carpets. Plant in sun to light shade with moderate to occasional summer water. Drought tolerant along the coast. This ia a male selection and will not fruit. Deer resistant.
More information »	Fragaria vesca (woodland strawberry) This native woodland strawberry is a great colonizer and can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Pretty little white flowers are followed by small, tasty, red berries. Tolerates drought but best with a little summer water. Well suited for under oaks and conifers. Said to be deer resistant.
More information »	Fragaria vesca 'Montana de Oro' (woodland strawberry) A vigorous, heavy blooming selection of woodland strawberry from a coastal canyon at Montana de Oro in San Luis Obisbo County. This easy to grow, carpet forming, ground cover is a great colonizer and stabilizer for lightly shaded areas. Deals well with root competition and thin soils. Pretty little white flowers are followed by small, tasty, red fruits. Often deer resistant.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica (California coffeeberry) Description coming soon.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Ed Holm' (dwarf California coffeeberry) Prized by gardeners for its low, dense habit and shiny, leathery leaves, this special selection of coffeeberry was discovered along Skyline Dr. in the northern Santa Cruz Mountains. Clusters of small, creamy-yellow flowers are produced from spring through fall and are followed by penny-sized, deep purple fruits. Over time, 'Ed Holm' will reach a height of up to 3 ft. and a width up to 6 ft.. Plant in full sun to light shade. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in hot areas and give moderate to infrequent irrigation. The blossoms are a favorite of bees.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Eve Case' (California coffeeberry) This well-known cultivar of coffeeberry was introduced to the trade in 1975 by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation. Coffeeberry is a handsome evergreen shrub with broad leathery leaves. This selection grows to 6 ft. tall and wide, though mature specimens can reach 8 ft. or more tall under ideal circumstances. The small yellow-green flowers are not showy but attract an array of pollinators. The berries start out green and age to burgundy-black and are attractive to small mammals and birds. A larval food source for pale swallowtail butterfly. Adaptable, grows in sun to light shade. Drought tolerant but appreciates occasional summer water.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Gumdrop' (California coffeeberry) This somewhat diminutive selection of our native coffeeberry was discovered as a seedling from a plant found on Montara Mountain, south of San Francisco. We thought the dense form and evocative, gumdrop shape was deserving of this sweet moniker. Only reaches to about 5 - 6 ft. tall and wide and offers attractive, slightly-concave, dark green, leathery leaves, not unlike its close relation ‘Leatherleaf’. Will accept full sun in somewhat cooler locations but enjoys a little shade in hotter regions. Occasional to infrequent irrigation once established. The small, yellowish flowers which appear in spring and summer are extremely popular with bees, and the juicy, purple fruits which follow are enjoyed by birds.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Leatherleaf' (California coffeeberry) Another fine Roger Raiche selection, this coffeeberry cultivar is well worth growing. The evergreen leaves are particularly dark and broad with a mounding habit growing 5 - 6 ft. tall and wide. The tiny flowers attract a wide array of pollinators. Larval food source for pale swallowtail butterfly. The handsome fruits go green to red to black and are enjoyed by small mammals and birds. Plant in sun to light shade. Drought tolerant once established though occasional summer watering is helpful. An adaptable and useful shrub for both formal and naturalistic plantings.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Mound San Bruno' (California coffeeberry) Selected by Roger Raiche on San Bruno Mountain in San Mateo County, this is one of the most reliable coffeeberries. Grows 6 ft tall and wide, with narrow, evergreen leaves and a compact habit. For full sun on the coast to part shade inland. Will tolerate irrigation, but needs only occasional summer water once established. Flowers are loved by pollinators, especially bees. A larval food source for the pale swallowtail butterfly. Provides black juicy fruit in the fall for thrushes, jays, mockingbirds, and robins. May grow to as much as 8 ft. tall with moderate water and good drainage in cooler areas.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Olema' (California coffeeberry) We discovered this large, dense form of our native coffeeberry near the town of Olema in coastal Marin County. While it reached up to around 15 ft. tall and wide in nature, it has been a little slow to do so in the ground here at the nursery. After about 4 years, it’s reached a height of about 9 ft. This selection of coffeeberry is ideal for a tall hedge or screen where an evergreen shrub is needed to create privacy. Grows well in full sun somewhat near the coast but will need a little shade in hot, inland sites. Occasional to infrequent irrigation once established. Coffeeberries are some of the best habitat plants. The small, yellowish flowers are adored by bees in spring and summer, while the plump, purple fruits that follow are relished by birds.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Salt Point' (California coffeeberry) A beautiful selection of our native coffeeberry from the northern Sonoma Coast featuring a very dense and mounding habit. Here at the nursery this cultivar has slowly grown to 6 ft. tall and wide. Provide full sun to partial shade and moderate to occasional water when established. Produces black, juicy fruits in the fall for thrushes, jays, mockingbirds, robins, bandtailed pigeon and purple finch. Flowers attractive to pollinators, especially bees. Used as a larval food source by the pale swallowtail butterfly.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica - large, inland form (California coffeeberry) Handsome native evergreen shrub with small greenish-yellow flowers followed by showy dark-colored berries. Seed from this crop was collected from tall, upright shrubs on a hot inland site. Growing 8 ft. or more tall, coffeeberries thrive in full sun to light shade. They are drought tolerant once established, but would appreciate occasional deep summer waterings. A good choice for hedgerows and habitat gardens, coffeeberry provides food and nectar for a wide array of beneficial insects, birds and wildlife.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ssp. occidentalis (Western California coffeeberry) Description coming soon!
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ssp. tomentella (serpentine coffeeberry) This distinctive species of coffeeberry features blue-grey leaves with velvety, silver undersides and grey, fuzzy stems. The somewhat open form grows 6 to 10 ft tall and wide. Clusters of small cream-colored flowers appear from winter through spring and are a favorite of bees. The deep purple fruits which follow are highly prized by birds. While native to serpentine soils, this coffeeberry should thrive anywhere with decent drainage. Provide full sun to light shade and give occasional irrigation once established. The grey stems contrast beautifully with the shiny, dark green leaves of Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’.
More information »	Frangula (Rhamnus) purshiana (cascara) Native to moist places from Mendocino County northwards and throughout the Sierra Nevadas, this medium sized deciduous tree is distinctive for its shiny, green leaves with strong venation. Ranges in height from 15 to 30 ft. tall. Bees are attracted to the clusters of small, cream-colored flowers and birds enjoy the dark purple berries which follow. Plant in riparian zones or in areas where it can receive regular moisture. Give full sun to part shade. Requires protection from the afternoon sun in the hottest areas.
More information »	Fraxinus dipetala (flowering ash) This is our only native ash with showy flowers. A large shrub or multi-trunked tree native to slopes, canyons and stream banks in hot interior regions of the state. Grows 7 to 25 ft. tall with pinnately compound leaves. The creamy white flowers are produced on dangling racemes in mid to late spring, followed by pendulous clusters of samara fruits. Like the California buckeye, it loses its leaves early to evade the long dry summer. Grows in sun to partial shade. Drought tolerant once established.
More information »	Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon ash) Fast growing hardwood tree, native to stream and river banks or other wetland habitats from San Diego to British Columbia. Growing 30 - 70 ft. tall, this deciduous tree has medium green compound leaves. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees and are not particularly showy. They bloom just as the spring foliage is leafing out. Fruits occur on the female trees and are paddle-shaped, single samara-style fruits in drooping clusters. Birds and mammals eat its seed, but probably used more as a nesting site for birds. Plant in sun to light shade with regular to moderate water.
More information »	Fremontodendron 'California Glory' (flannel bush) Beautiful, evergreen hybrid flannel bush to 20 ft. tall. Rich yellow, cup-shaped flowers cover the shrub May - June. Plant in full sun with plenty of room and no summer water once established. Fast growing and drought tolerant. The large flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. An excellent nectar plant for orioles. Needs decent drainage.
More information »	Fremontodendron 'Ken Taylor' (flannel bush) Showy native shrub for sunny, dry areas. This form of flannel bush only grows 4 - 6 ft. tall and 10 ft. (or more) wide but can be pruned to be kept narrower. Beautiful cup-shaped golden yellow flowers with orange backs bloom in late spring and into summer. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. An excellent nectar plant for orioles. Once established, this selection of flannel bush is completely drought tolerant and will accept infrequent summer water only where drainage is excellent.
More information »	Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset' (flannel bush) This showy hybrid flannel bush grows in a broad “V” shape to 20 ft. tall. Covered with large orange-yellow cup-shaped flowers for a long period in spring. The large flowers attract bees and other pollinators. An excellent nectar plant for orioles. Requires full sun and plenty of room. Best if not watered once established. Needs decent drainage
More information »	Fremontodendron 'San Gabriel' (flannel bush) Large, showy, hybrid flannel bush quickly growing to 20 ft. tall. Covered with buttercup yellow blossoms in the spring. Because of the nature of their branching, ‘San Gabriel’ and ‘Pacific Sunset’ both espalier well. An excellent nectar plant for orioles. Requires full sun. No summer water once established. Needs decent drainage.
More information »	Fritillaria affinis (checker lily) Charming, spring blooming, bulbous plant in the lily family, with beautiful, pendulous, bell-shaped flowers. This is California's most common fritillary and the most variable, in both size and flower color. Flowers vary greatly and can be yellow-green to purple-brown and may be beautifully checkered with brown and green, sometimes red-purple patterns. Can grow 12 inches - 3 ft tall depending on the habitat and substrate. Native to grasslands, woodlands and chaparral plant communities including serpentine soils. The easiest of the fritillaries to grow, preferring light, well drained soils, sun along the coast to light shade in hotter areas. Plants accept water in their growing season, but should be allowed to go dry once dormant. Protect from gophers, slugs and deer.