Yarrow is a low-growing, fern-like shrub that flowers almost constantly if dead-headed. It attracts beneficial and predatory insects.

Manzanita has over 50 species in California alone, from a 2" groundcover to a large tree. The next images show the amazing varieties. Absolutetly gorgeous, drought tolerant, unforgettable.

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.

Narrow-leafed milkweed is a beautiful perennial that attracts Monarch butterflies, who lay their eggs on it. One can watch their whole cycle on this plant. The larvae hatch, and quickly decimate almost the entire plant before cocooning and flying away. The flowers are stunning.

Coyotebrush is a fundamental native shrub. After a place has burned, or been grazed or cleared, the first shrub to come back is coyotebrush. Shown above is a female in flower, soon the shrub will look like it has been sprayed with that flocking stuff used at Xmas..these are the seeds..they fly everywhere. This plant brings tons of pollinators and predatory insects (parasitoid wasps!) Comes in a low ground cover variety also.

In flower

An amazing low ground cover, bees and butterflies absolutely love it! Flowers most of the year if dead-headed.

Bear berry manzanitas usually grow in the mountains or on the coast, hence the ground cover form. There are a bunch of hybrids out there. Makes a pretty tough ground cover for borders or rock walls. Likes good drainage.

Indian paintbrush is a semi-parisitic plant, which usually pops up under a perennial shrub such as Salvia, Ericameria, Isocoma or others in the spring.

Bush anemone is a beautiful evergreen, with stunning fragrant flowers. Usually grows in a woodland setting. Needs a bit more water and shade.

San Diego sedge is one of many sedges native to California. This one has cool cattails on it.

Beach evening primrose is found almost statewide on sand dunes. Flowers nearly all year, but needs really good drainage to survive, as well as beach conditions.

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. Most need full sun and good drainage to survive.

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.

Bush Island poppy is one of the most beautiful natives around. It has greyish-blue (glaucus) leaves, look and feel like cardboard or cardstock. Shrub gets to be about 10 ft tall and wide, and flowers all year around like above.

Diplacus, or Mimulus as they were formerly called. The amazing Monkeyflower. One usually sees these plants clinging to the sides of rocky cliffs. For this reason it is good to plant them in full sun with well-draining soil/gravel..They bloom all spring, summer, and into fall.

Scarlet monkeyflower, a riparian species that appreciates a bit of shade.

California sunflower blooms all year round, the only time it takes a break is in the coldest part of winter and the hottest part of summer.

California fuchsias, Epilobium species (now Zauschneria), are a myriad of beautiful 8" high to 4 ft. tall shrubs that are the only thing blooming from late summer into fall besides the buckwheats.

Santa Cruz island buckwheat. When it comes to buckwheats, no place beats California. More than 125 species are found in this state. These are foundation plants in any native garden, they bloom from spring to winter (when the blooms turn a dark rust color). They bring in many beneficial insects, pollinators and predatory insects.

A beautiful native bunchgrass, beautiful feather-like flowers.

Our native strawberry makes a resilient groundcover, can take drought to garden(wet) conditions, and makes pretty flowers and tasty berries.

Island snapdragon, along with Keckiella cordifolia, are some beautiful, vine-like red-blooming wonders.

Toyon, as it is known, is a large shrub/tree with evergreen foliage and pretty flowers that turn into red berries around winter time. Early European settlers named this shrub "Holly", hence the name Hollywood.

Heucheras are very popular natives. They grow best in part shade under oaks and other trees. They flower from late winter into early summer.

Desert lavender, as it is commonly called, is a desert species that has similar, although more fruity aroma in the foliage. The flowers attract people, birds, hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Why not plant this instead of European lavender?

Coast goldenbush, an integral and beautiful plant in the Coastal Sage Scrub community, although you can see it pretty far inland. Its pretty yellow flowers attract all sorts of native bees and other beneficial insects. It flowers from April to November.

Bladderpod grows from the deserts all the way to the ocean..beautiful purplish grey/green foliage with yellow blooms all year. In the caper family, the bean pods almost glow translucent. A pretty stinky aroma in the foliage, though. Harlequin beetles love this shrub..you always find them butt to butt mating on the pods or leaves.

Grey Rush. There are quite a few native rushes, used for baskets, etc. All rushes are riparian, yet can handle a dry streambed. they are beautiful and can be used to make a modern landscape or even Japanese landscape.

Fragrant Pitcher Sage..this is probably my favorite smelling plant on earth!! Shade to Sun it flourishes, put near a walkway so when you walk by and brush it, a waft of sweet pineapple comes to you. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies love this plant. The flowers are tasty, too..

Also named Corethrogyne filaginifolia. Carmel aster is a pretty ground cover with constant pretty purple flowers with yellow disc centers, and silvery grey foliage, all covered in fine hair. It is drought deciduous, and attracts a multitude of butterflies and moths.

A beautiful grey/blue bunchgrass that is drought tolerant as well as able to handle more garden conditions. California wild rye is the common name. Nice to plant a bunch of these in an area where the wind will blow the blades around.

California honeysuckle is a beautiful vine, with stunning flowers and berries that are attacked by birds. It usually needs a trellis or a fence. The foliage is deciduous.

Deerweed, as it is affectionately and un-creatively called, is a member of the pea family. It attracts all manner of butterflies to its yellow blooms, and is a nitrogen fixing plant and a pioneer plant where the area has been disturbed. It should be the plant to plant for restoration jobs, or even a graded lot where a native garden is wanted.

Coyotemint is a 1-2 ft. shrub that spreads, attracts tons of bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to it. The flowers are delicious and the foliage makes a nice tea. Tolerates sun to part shade..Beautiful! There are quite a few native mints under the name Monardella.

A beautiful, low growing penstemon cultivated by Las Pilitas nursery. Thanks to mother nature and them we have a really hardy and successful penstemon! Many types of penstemons native to California! Too many to list.

Western sycamore, or Aliso as it is called in Spanish, is a large, deciduous tree with beautiful bark and autumn foliage. It lives in more riparian areas where there is a bit of water to be had.

Coast live oak. This is a common oak to see in valleys and on north sides of hills. There are many types of oaks in California, but this is the most prevalent. It is evergreen, when many others are decidous

Coffeberry is a large shrub to tree with red then black berries and evergreen foliage..great under oaks, or as a native hedge. Very hardy under almost any circumstances.

Matilija poppy is a show-stopper! Giant fried egg flowers! Blue-grey foliage. Flowers spring to summer. By late winter, the stalks shoot up about 6 ft. tall, then the show begins. Once it is done flowering/seeding, cut it to the ground and wait for next year.

Ahh...Cleveland sage..the sages..all of them aromatic, beautiful, nectar-filled. Cleveland sage attracts bees, hummingbirds, and tons of butterflies. Flowers from May to August in most areas. Likes well-draining soil.