Achillea millefolium, or
Yarrow. It is a summer and fall blooming
perennial. Forms a nice ground-cover. The Yarrow has yellow to white to pink (or this hybrid has red) blossoms.
Artemisia californica, California sagebrush. This is what you smell after a rain, a truly unforgettably-good smelling evergreen shrub that is a focal point of a native habitat. Used for native restoration.
Asclepias fascicularis, or Narrow-leafed Milkweed, is a gorgeous native milkweed, attracting Monarchs.
Asclepias speciosa, on the bottom, or Showy Milkweed, is one of a few native varieties of California. They all are butterfly magnets.
Arctostaphylos species. Manzanita has over 50 species in California alone, from a 2" groundcover to a large tree. The next page shows the amazing varieties. Absolutetly gorgeous, drought tolerant, unforgettable.
Eschscholzia californica, California poppy, our state flower. Resiliant perennial in S. California, it blooms through spring and into summer.
Artemisia douglasiana, or mugwort, is a riparian species that likes it's feet a little wet. It is a medicinal and supposedly a cure for poison oak. It spreads by runners.
Carpenteria californica, or bush anemone. A large, evergreen shrub with fragrant blooms and dark green narrow leaves.
Ceanothus species, or California lilac. there are 50-60 species in California. One can find anything from a 3" groundcover to a tree. A true bee/butterfly/hummingbird magnet when flowering, this plant family is in the Magnolia family, and they are all very hardy.
Dudleya species. Dudleyas are California native succulents, each individually gorgeous. From top left, Dudleya cymosa, Dudleya lanceolata, Dudleya pulvulerenta (has a gorgeous red bloom), and Dudleya virens (bottom, occuring in Palos Verdes).
Eriogonum, or California buckwheat, from the top left: Eriogonum crocatum, Eriogonum grande rubescens, Eriogonum fasciculatum. These plants are bee and,hummingbird magnets and once established, incredibly hardy.
Eriogonum giganteum, top, and Eriogonum parvifolium, bottom.
Fragaria californica, or woodland strawberry is a fast-growing, hardy native strawberry with tasty little fruits. It can handle full shade.
Fremontodendron californicum, or California flannelbush. This is a large shrub with olive green leaves and profuse yellow blooms. Grows from 5 ft. to 20ft.
Garrya Eliptica, or Coast tasselbush, is a beautiful small tree, with dark green (evergreen) foliage, and pendulous, hanging 8" long flowers.
Heteromeles arbutifolia, or Toyon, is a large, evergreen shrub/tree that grows to 15ft. or more. It develops white flowers that later turn to bright red berries in the winter months. The source of the name Hollywood came from settlers who thought this bush was Holly.
Heuchera elegans, or Coral bells, is a herbaceous perennial, which can be used as a groundcover or border in a shadier garden. Beautiful under oak trees.
Iris douglasiana, or Douglas Iris, is a herbaceous perennial that forms flowering clumps. Can handle full sun to full shade
Isocoma menziesii, or coast goldenbush, is from the sunflower family and is very common along the coastal areas of California. It forms beautiful yellow blooms with seeds that have parachutes similar to Dandelions. Butterflies love this plant. It blooms nearly constantly.
Keckiella cordifolia, or Heart-leaved penstemon, is a sprawling vine-like shrub that brings gorgeous red flowers in the spring.
Isomeris arborea, or Cleome isomeris, or Bladderpod is one of the hardiest, most adaptable, and gorgeous natives around. It has lacy greyish-green foliage, bright yellow orchid-like flowers that are constantly blooming (all year long), and a complementary purple hued seed pod that hangs like a bladder or pouch.
Coreopsis gigantea, or Giant coreopsis, is a Dalhia that forms a fleshy grey trunk, straight out of a Dr. Seuss book! The shrub flowers in the spring after the winter rains, shows it's lacy green foliage, and goes dormant all summer for the dry season. All that is left is the big, unusual trunk.
Juncus patens, or California gray rush, is a perennial rush that likes moist conditions. There are 6 or so rush varieties in California.
Lavatera assurgentiflora, or Tree Mallow grows quickly to 10-15ft., and is an evergreen. Bloom time is summer. Extremely hardy
Lessingia filaginifolia californica is a groundcover with silver leaves, and lavender flowers. It spreads attractively and flowers in summer and fall.
Leymus condensatus, or California giant wild rye is a large and tall grass that looks like Pampas grass but isn't evil like Pampas grass. In other words, same look, same feathery seed fronds, but no razor-sharp leaves to scar you with.
Lilium humboldtii, or Humboldt lily is a tall grass lily with amazing blooms through summer.
Linum lewisii is an upright perennial with blue-green, fern-like foliage with sky-blue flowers in the summer.
Lupinus chamissonis, or Dune lupine. Many varieties of Lupine can be seen from the highways when the california poppies are blooming. The plant is poisonous. But it is so pretty.
Mahonia aquifolium, or Oregon grape, also called Barberry There are quite a few varieties of this evergreen shrub Mahonia, from tree-sized to 1 ft. tall groundcover.
Malosma laurina, or Laurel sumac, is an evergreen shrub that sprawls to 15 ft. in height and girth. It grows very fast and is great for stabilizing hills and slopes
Mimulus, or Diplacus. The amazing Monkeyflower. To the left, we have Mimulus aurantiacus, or Sticky Monkeyflower which likes full sun, dry conditions. Below, left, we have Mimulus cardinalis, or Scarlet Monkeyflower, which likes moisture and part shade. Above is a hybrid, one of millions made for their showy colors. I don't remember the name of it. They bloom all spring, summer, and into fall.
Monardella villosa, or Coyote mint, above, and below is Monardella macrantha, or Scarlet Coyote mint
Muhlenbergia rigens, or Deergrass is a dark green bunchgrass that forms a 3-4 ft. clump with spikes of seed on top. It is very elegant, and we like to use it for a modern accent. A great replacement for that fountain grass weed people are always planting!
Myrica californica, or Pacific Wax Myrtle. This is an evergreen shrub/tree that we use as a hedge or screen in place of Podocarpos or Pittosporum or Bamboo. It has nice, fragrant leaves and grows fast.
Wow, not a single stick or cactus yet? Are you suprised? There is quite a variety of natives!. I figure I will include 2 species of cacti so that you remember your pre-conceived notion of native landscaping.
Opuntia littoralis, or Coast Prickly Pear, and below, Opuntia prolifera, or Coastal Cholla. It hurts just looking at these. You never forget touching a Cholla, as the spines have barbs, and don't really come out for about a month.
Penstemon spectabilis, or Showy Penstemon, is one of our favorite perennials, full of blooms spring through summer, a sure eye-pleaser (and hummingbird pleaser).
Philadelphus lewisii, or Wild Mock Orange. An unforgettable deciduous shrub, with large dark, veined leaves and fragrant blooms that smell like orange blossoms.
Platanus racemosa, or Western Sycamore is a commonly seen and loved native tree growing to 80 or more feet tall, with gorgeous fall foliage. All the places with the Spanish word "Aliso" are named after this tree.
Quercus Agrifolia, or Coast Live Oak, is an evergreen, gorgeous native Oak tree common throughout California in the Coast ranges
Rhamnus californica, or Coffeeberry, has about 11 or so species in California, ranging from 3-10ft. tall. it is evergreen, produces berries, is a great slope retainer, and very fire-resistant.
Rhus integrifolia, or Lemonade Berry, is a huge, sprawling, evergreen shrub that forms pretty pink flowers and red berries that birds love and that are the most sour thing I have ever eaten. The berries were/are used to make a lemonade drink. Just add a lot of sugar! Great erosion/slope control. It can make a great hedge, like Raphiolepsis. Grows to be about 10ft. by 15ft. if untrimmed. I have seen it 30ft. wide in some canyons, without trimming.
Ribes Malvaceum. A deciduous currant. More on the next page.
Ribes malvaceum, Chaparral currant. there are a bunch of native currants, some producing delicious berries, most of them deciduous except for the one below, which is Ribes viburnifolium, or Evergreen currant, a fragrant and beautiful shady groundcover.
Romneya coulteri, or Matilija Poppy, clumping evergreen perennial with showy white "fried egg" flowers.Grows to about 6 ft tall. Flowers in spring and summer.
Rosa Californica, or California Wild Rose, is a semi-riparian rose, semi-deciduous, with fragrant pink flowers and thorns.
Salix species, or Willow. There are many species of Willow trees native to California. They are deciduous and grow fast in riparian areas.
Baccharis pilularis, and Baccharis pilularis 'pigeon point'.
Coyotebrush, as it is called, is evergreen, fire-resistant and very drought tolerant. The top picture is a shrub that will grow up to 8ft. tall, while the bottom picture shows a Coyotebrush groundcover
Salvia clevelandii, or Cleveland Sage, on this page, and Salvia Apiana, or White Sage, on the next. Both are gorgeous California sages. Evergreen, aromatic and sacred California natives. There are nearly 18 varieties of sage in California, from groundcovers to large shrubs.
Salvia Apiana, or White Sage, a sacred aromatic sage used as a smudge. Gives an unforgettable aroma. Salvias are magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies. Apiana is the name of our company, and means "bringing the bees" in Latin.
Salvia mellifera, or Black Sage, perhaps the most commonly found coastal sage, aromatic, blue, white, or purple blooms.
Salvia spathacea, or Hummingbird Sage is drought tolerant, forms clumping masses, and smells incredible. It likes partial shade.
Satureja douglasii, or Yerba Buena, is a trailing, highly-aromatic herb with white flowers. Makes a great tea. San Francisco was originally named 'Yerba Buena' after this herb.
Sisyrinchium bellum, or Blue-eyed Grass is a clumping perennial with abundant purple-blue blooms. It's cousin, below, Sisyrinchium californicum, or Golden-eyed Grass is a clumping perennial with yellow blooms.
Sphaeralcea ambigua, or Desert Mallow is a beautiful evergreen Mallow with apricot-orange flowers. It gets to be about 5-6 ft. wide and 5 ft. tall
Abutilon palmeri is commonly known as Indian Mallow, or Superstition Mallow. It likes dry heat, and reaches up to 4ft. Soft, fuzzy green leaves and gorgeouse, poppy-like orange blooms.
Sambucus mexicana, or Elderberry, is a common native tree here in Southern California(where there is wild habitat). The berries are edible when dark blue and good for jam.
Trichostema lanatum, or Wooly-Blue Curls, is a herbaceous, fragrant evergreen that grows to about 5 ft. tall. It needs DRAINAGE, like sandy gravel to be happy.
Umbellaria californica, or California Bay Laurel, is a large, aromatic, evergreen tree that grows up to 60ft. tall. It likes shady canyons. You can use the leaves in soup.
Vitis californica, or California Wild Grape is a rambunctious grape vine that will cover your trellis , house and neighbor's house in 2 seasons. It is deciduous, with gorgeous fall foliage and tasty grapes.
And, finally, Zauschneria(Epilobium)or the California Fuchsia is an unforgettable plant to have, as it flowers spring---fall and will attract every moth, hummingbird, and bee in your neighborhood.
You didn't think it would ever end, did you? This is only a touch of the Natives of our state!!
Above is Castilleja applegatei, or Indian Paintbrush, which is impossible to transplant. It needs a Native host plant, like an Artemisia calif., or a Sagebrush to grow under. This one sprouted from seed at the Euclid Habitat! A wonderful suprise! It flowered from Spring to Fall. PLANT NATIVE!!!
Now you have seen a selection of the plants we use to turn your habit into a habitat! Remember that we plant 1 gallon plants, which start out smaller, then in 1 year or so will fill out and fill your habitat with color, aroma, and wildlife (including nosy neighbors and children who will not want to leave!) Once the plants start to flower and seed, you will see lots of seedlings appear from Mama plants in your yard! You will have a definite relationship with these beings, you will have your preferences of color and texture, size, and aroma. Apiana strives to bring people to be a part of their design, their habitats, and all the beauty they bring. Browse through Habitats (on your left) to see some examples of the Native Habitats we have completed!
Mimulus aurantiacus,
or sticky monkeyflower, a spring/summer/fall blooming perennial
California Native Plants
As you will see, contrary to popular, yet uninformed belief, the natives of our state/region are not brown sticks or just spiny cacti. We live in a specific climate that is not a desert. We live in the mediterranean. The plants that grow here as natives are unforgettable, gorgeous, and very resilient. As of now, we are in a drought. But the plants can shut down their structure and survive until the rains come. Flip through this book and take a look at the beauty and variety of california natives.
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view book
