California Goldfields – Lasthenia californica ssp. californica (las-THEE-nee-uh kal-ee-FOR-ni-cuh)

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Native to: Southwestern U.S. from OR to to NM & south to Mexico; in CA, most areas west of Sierras & western Mojave Desert. Abundant in many vegetation types below 4500 feet elevation.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: < 1 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft. Herbaceous annual wildflower with narrow, slightly hairy leaves. Growth commences with winter

rains. Plant dies after setting seeds.

Blooms/fruits: Spring bloomer (Feb-May, depending on rains). Flowers in bright golden-yellow

sunflower heads, ~ ½ inch in diameter. Very showy, particularly when massed – as they are in

nature. Plants of this species tend to all bloom at once, hence the name ‘Goldfields’. Fruits are

small sunflower seeds that are enjoyed by seed-eating birds.

Uses in the garden: Lovely addition to the native wildflower garden or cottage garden. Excellent

cover for native bulbs. Fine mixed with native grasses and around summer-dry shrubs. Lovely

massed – creates a pool of golden yellow color in spring. Great in containers.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native sunflowers.

Attracts: Excellent habitat plant; birds love the seeds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-sun.

Soil Any local soil – sand to clay; any local pH.

Water Needs good winter/spring water; withhold water after blooming.

Fertilizer None needed – but won’t hurt them.

Other Inorganic (gravel) mulch or bare ground only.

Management: Very easy. Plant seed just before a rain storm to decrease bird consumption of

seeds (or use a gravel mulch). Save some seed each year for re-planting. Re-seeds nicely.

Propagation: from seed: Easy. No pretreatment required.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 13, 14, 16, 20 11/30/09 © Project SOUND

Turkish rugging – Chorizanthe stacticoides (cor-ee-ZAN-thuh stat-ee-coe-EE-dees )

Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

Native to: CA endemic with range from the foothills of Monterey County south to southern CA. Also

on Catalina Island and coastal areas of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties; common in

sandy/gravelly/rocky soils, in coastal scrub, mixed grassland and chaparral communities, pine-oak

woodlands at elevations from sea level to about 4000 ft.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft. Herbaceous annual wildflower with erect or reclining/spreading habit. Stems and leaves usually

hairy, often quite so. Leaves spatula-shaped and mostly basal. Leaves dry before plants flower.

Blooms/fruits: Bloom season is variable, depending on spring rains; sometime between April &

July in S. CA. Flowers are small (1/4 inch), pink to white, in loose to dense clusters at the ends of

stems. Flowers are somewhat reminiscent of Statice, hence the scientific name stacticoides. The

dense pink flower clusters and green of dying foliage suggest a ‘Turkish rug’. Extremely showy.

Uses in the garden: Plant has not been used much due to lack of seed sources. It would be

wonderful in a mixed ‘color bowl’ with blue, purple or white wildflowers. Excellent annual for a dry

garden, particularly as filler between pruned shrubs. Dramatic massed; good along pathways.

Striking when viewed from above.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native pink-flowered annuals; statice

Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides pollen, nectar and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to light shade.

Soil Well-drained soils best; any local pH including alkali.

Water Adequate water in winter/spring. Taper off in April.

Fertilizer None needed; will not hurt plants and good idea for container plants.

Other No mulch or gravel mulch (best).

Management: Supplement winter rains if needed.

Propagation: from seed: no pre-treatment needed. Let re-seed naturally or collect dried flowers

& seeds in summer (no need to separate tiny seeds from chaff – like any buckwheat).

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 19 1/1/14 © Project SOUND

*Desert Candle – Caulanthus inflatus (kaw-LAN-thus in-FLAY-tus)

Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Native to: Most common in Mojave Desert, Antelope Valley. Also in Sierra foothills, Transverse

Ranges of S. CA; open sandy plains and washes/slopes in creosote bush scrub, valley grassland and

joshua tree woodland communities between 2000' and 5000' elevation.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2

ft. Unusual herbaceous annual with erect habit. Conspicuous hollow, swollen yellow stem makes it

look like a candle – hence the common name. Leaves basal, 2-3 inches long.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – anytime from Mar. to May depending on precipitation. Flowers

occur along the inflated stem – clustered particularly at the top, which is typical for Mustard Family.

Flowers are small, with four reddish-purple sepals and whitish petals. Plant is really unique. Fruit is

a dry, elongated ‘pod’ that splits when dry, releasing seeds.

Uses in the garden: Most often used in desert-themed gardens, but appropriate for others. Makes a

unique specimen plant in containers or in beds. Very showy en mass, as it often occurs in nature.

Nice upright accent in a garden featuring blue, purple of pink-red flowers. Excellent for insect

pollinators such as native bees, pollinator flies and others. Young stems are edible (cooked).

Sensible substitute for: Non-native annuals.

Attracts: Excellent pollinator & bird habitat: provides nectar, pollen and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun.

Soil Well-drained – sandy or rocky best; any local pH.

Water Needs good winter/spring water; supplement if needed. Taper off when buds show.

Fertilizer None.

Other None or gravel mulch.

Management: Difficult to germinate, but may re-seed just fine.

Propagation: from seed: ? needs smoke treatment with stored seeds.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 16, 19, 30, 38, 46 1/1/14 © Project SOUND

* Douglas’ Meadowfoam – Limnanthes douglasii (lim-NAN-thees doug-LASS-ee-eye)

Family: Limnanthaceae (Meadowfoam Family)

Native to: Western U.S. including N. CA. Grows in wet places including wet meadows, edges of

vernal pools, ephemeral streams, valley grassland and foothill woodlands.

Growth characteristics: Annual wildflower height: 6-12 in. mature width: 8-10 in.

Low, mounded spreading annual that reproduces freely from seed. Leaves lobed.

Blooms/fruits: Mar-May. Dark yellow center with white, pink or crème outer-petal. Flowers are

showy and sweetly-scented.

Uses in the garden: sweet-scented, showy flowers, so place where they can be enjoyed. Looks

nice in rock gardens, or as an edging or border plant. Also good as ground cover. Plant in

vegetable garden to attract beneficial insects. Great as ground cover or in the front of mixed beds

or naturalized areas. Also does well in containers. Charming, old-fashioned look.

Sensible substitute for: non-native annual wildflowers.

Attracts: many types of native bees and other insect pollinators.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Prefers full sun

Soil Any well-drained; can tolerate alkali pH

Water Prefers cool, moist soils

Fertilizer Low requirement; no added fertilizer needed

Other Gravel or no mulch

Management: self-seeds freely. Cut off seed heads if you don’t want it to naturalize.

Propagation: from seed: fairly easy. Let pods ripen on plant. Sow seeds in prepared bed from

fall to spring. May be slow to germinate.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5 2/16/11

* California native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project

SOUND

*White Meadowfoam – Limnanthes alba (lim-NAN-thus AL-buh )

Family: Limnanthaceae (Meadowfoam Family)

Native to: Northern & Central CA in Great central Valley and surrounding foothills; wetlands and

moist spots like edges of vernal pools, ephemeral streams in Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland,

Yellow Pine Forest plant communities.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.

California endemic wildflower with erect or mounded habit. Leaves are usually divided into several

lobes. Plant medium green, though stems may be red-tinged in hot conditions.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – generally Feb-April but may be later. Flowers cup-shaped with

five petals. Petals are white, fading to pink, with distinctive veining. A very pretty white flower

that’s attractive to native bees including bumblebees. Sweetly scented. Seeds are pressed to

produce Meadowfoam oil used in cosmetics.

Uses in the garden: Most often used in seasonally moist areas like rain gardens, seasonal swales,

etc. Good under birdbath, near fountain. Fabulous swathed. Provides a nice white accent in

mixed flower beds or in pots and planters. Good choice for cottage garden, pollinator garden, rock

garden or for edging pathways. Grow near/in vegetable garden to attract pollinators.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native white-flowering annuals.

Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat; also provides seeds for birds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun best.

Soil Any local; any local pH.

Water Needs moist soil until after flowering is completed – then let soils dry out.

Fertilizer Not needed, but fine.

Other

Management: Keep well-watered until flowering decreases – sensitive to drought. For good seed

production, decrease water gradually during flowering season. Let plants reseed, or gather seeds

and store in cool, dry place.

Propagation: from seed: easy; required no pre-treatment.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5 12/29/13 © Project SOUND

*Monterey Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaury) muehlenbergii (zelt-NAIR-uh mull-en-BERGE-ee-eye )

Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Native to: Northwestern North America from British Columbia to N.& central CA coastal and foothill

areas; common in winter-moist open areas in Sagebrush Scrub, Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen

Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Northern Juniper Woodland.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.

Herbaceous annual wildflower. Erect, slender, often with branching stems. Leaves oval to oblong,

simple, opposite. Foliage is fairly unremarkable.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring – April to July, depending on weather. Flowers are bright

pink or magenta (occasionally white), funnel-shaped with 5 simple petals. Flowers are in small

clusters, on short flowering stems, mostly at the ends of branches. Very showy in bloom! Flowers

have an old-fashioned appeal typical for the gentians. Fruit a dry, 2-chambered capsule.

Uses in the garden: Lovely annual wherever used. Use in pots for a splash of seasonal color. Pair

with blue, purple, pink and white wildflowers for a spectacular spring show. Good choice for native

grassland planting. Would work well in a rain garden or seasonal swale, around fountains, bird

baths, etc. Native peoples used an infusion of the plant to treat constipation.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native pink flowers.

Attracts: Good habitat plant: provides nectar and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun (best).

Soil Any, including clay; any local pH.

Water Needs moist ground in winter/spring; taper off as plants flower.

Fertilizer Not needed, but not harmful.

Other No mulch – or use an inorganic gravel mulch.

Management: Be sure ground remains moist prior to blooming. Let plants re-seed naturally or

collect seeds from dry capsules and store in cool, dry place.

Propagation: from seed: easy

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 19 12/29/13 © Project SOUND

Charming Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaurium) venustum ssp abramsonii (sen-TORE-ee-um ven-OOS-tum)

Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Native to: Foothills of N. CA mountains, southwestern CA & Mojave desert, Santa Monica Mtns ; common on dry slopes and flats in coastal sage scrub and chaparral, grassland, woodland and forest.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.

Simple erect annual with narrow, pale-green leaves. Looks like a garden plant.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms late spring to summer (May to Jul-Aug). Flowers are bright pink with white

& yellow center, solitary at ends of branches. Flowers have lovely colors and are trumpet shaped

with spreading petals. Very showy.

Uses in the garden: Most effective massed in flowers beds or pots. Can be used to give a touch of

color in the fronts of beds, along wall or walks, in rock gardens. Great with other wildflowers and

native grasses. Would be great in pots & planters.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native gentians, carnations.

Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides seeds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to light shade

Soil Any local texture, pH

Water Requires some spring/summer water (Zone 2 or 2-3); no water after flowering to

encourage seed set.

Fertilizer none

Other

Management: Probably easy. Needs adequate water until starts to flower.

Propagation: from seed: in pots or prepared ground in spring.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8 12/29/13 © Project SOUND

*Large-flower Linanthus – Leptosiphon (Linanthus) grandiflorus (lep-toe-SY-fon gran-dih-FLOR-us )

Family: Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Native to: North & Central CA coast to Santa Barbara Co.; uncommon in open woods & sandy soils

below 3500 ft. Full extent of original range is unclear.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.

Herbaceous annual that is short and mounded along immediate coast and taller in the garden

setting. Stems hairy, often many-branched above. Leaves almost needle-like with narrow sections;

in whorls around the stem. Plants often grow in dense colonies in wild.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – usually Apr-July. Flowers are adorable – shaped like open

funnels with 5 fused petals. Color white to pale lilac-pink; many petals are white near center and

colored at edges. Flowers look like a garden phlox – clustered at tops of stems. Sweetly fragrant.

Plants will bloom through summer if given some supplemental water.

Uses in the garden: Most often used as in nature – in swathes or clusters. Wonderful in pots, even

in hanging baskets. Used in flowering beds throughout California. Lovely in rock gardens or

cascading over a low wall. Plant in vegetable garden or near fruit trees to attract pollinators. Makes

a nice cut flower. Plant near a seating area or along paths to enjoy fragrance. Naturalizes well.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native phlox.

Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides nectar and seeds for pollinators, birds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade.

Soil Likes a well-drained soil – excellent for sandy – but adaptable; any local pH.

Water Adequate moisture during growth; none or occasional during bloom season.

Fertilizer None needed in ground; fine if grown in containers.

Other Bare ground or gravel mulch is best.

Management: Supplement water if needed in dry years. Collect seed as capsules begin to open –

or let the plants re-seed naturally. Plant is well-adapted to gardens.

Propagation: from seed: easy; no pre-treatment required.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 19, 45 1/29/12 © Project SOUND

*Red Ribbons – Clarkia concinna (KLAR-kee-uh kon-kin-uh)

Family: Onagraceae (Willowherb Family)

Native to: Northwestern CA from Santa Clara Co. north. Also Northern Sierra foothills; drier areas of

Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Douglas-Fir Forest, coastal scrub to 3500 ft.

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.

Erect, herbaceous annual wildflower. Stems slender – may be red-tinged. Leaves lance-shaped,

medium green, more rounded than other Clarkias.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring or summer – Apr-July. Flowers are unique, even among the

showy Clarkias. Flowers are dark to medium pink. The deeply incised petals with their white

streaks give this species a delicate appearance. flowers have four looping sepals of red or dark pink

which look like loops of silk ribbon. Plants are show-stoppers – popular throughout the world.

Uses in the garden: Commonly used in flower beds, often in mixed beds with cottage garden look.

Plants are brilliant when massed. Pretty choice for pots and hanging baskets. Plants do well in

part-shade, so useful under trees, north sides of walls, etc. Pair with other Clarkias, Baby Blue-

eyes, and perennials like Eriophyllum lanatum, Monardella villosa. Seeds can be parched and eaten.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native annual wildflowers.

Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Attracts native pollinators.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Best in part-shade.

Soil Well-drained best, but adaptable; any local pH.

Water Needs good winter/spring moisture; supplement if needed. Taper off after blooming

Fertilizer Not needed but OK.

Other Best with no mulch or organic (gravel) mulch.

Management: Easy. Don’t thin plants – better blooms if crowded (as in nature). Plants re-seed

well (or gather seeds by cutting plants when pods begin to open; invert in paper bag & let dry).

Propagation: from seed: easy.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 11, 16, 30, 31, 46 1/1/14 © Project SOUND

*Mountain Collomia/Large-flowered Phlox – Collomia grandiflora (kol-LOH-mee-uh gran-dih-FLOR-uh )

Family: Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Native to: Western North America from British Columbia to AZ, including much of CA (west of

Sierras). Locally in San Gabriel, Liebre Mtns; dry streambeds, open and shaded slopes, in many

plant communities < 8000 ft (Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest,

Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland).

Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1 ft.

Herbaceous annual. Stems erect , robust, hairy and often un-branched. Leaves medium green,

lance-shaped to linear, alternate; leaf margins may be smooth or serrated Plant has a long taproot.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring (Apr-June) in our area. Flowers are spectacular: up to 1 inch

diameter and white or more usually salmon- or pale orange-colored. Flowers are in dense clusters

at the tops of the stems. Individual flowers are trumpet-shaped, with 5 fused petals and distinctive

blue pollen. Fruits a dry capsule with sticky seeds.

Uses in the garden: Mostly used as an ornamental in flower beds throughout the world. Combine

with blue or purple flowers for a stunning effect! Excellent in pollinator garden with other annuals.

Reseeds well on bare ground or areas with inorganic mulch – good for naturalizing.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native orange-flowered plants.

Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides pollen and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade.

Soil Most local soils; any local pH.

Water Adequate winter/spring moisture; then dry to set seeds.

Fertilizer Not needed; not harmful

Other No mulch – or use gravel mulch.

Management: Supplement water if needed. Harvest seeds when capsules begin to open (they pop

open when dry, expelling seed) or let re-seed naturally. Remove dead plants after seeds are gone.

Propagation: from seed: easy; no pre-treatment

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 19, 46, commercial seed sources 12/29/13 © Project SOUND