5/16/2020 Plant Briefs www.plantmaster.com/gardens/projects/reportbriefs.php 1/13 UC Marin Master Gardeners - Easy California Natives Botanical Name: Aquilegia formosa Common Name: Western Columbine Plant Type: Perennial Sun: Half, Shade Water: Medium, Extra in Summer This perennial will grow about 1-3' tall and has medium-sized green leaves with red/scarlet owers that bloom in spring and summer. Plant Height: 1-3' Flower Color: Red, Multi-Colored Attracts Wildlife: Hummingbirds Leaf Color: Green Flower Season: Spring, Summer Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos den. 'Howard McMinn' Common Name: Howard McMinn Manzanita Plant Type: Shrub Sun: Full, Half Water: Low This shrub is highly appreciated for its decorative characteristics, which include a dense show of small, pale pink urn-shaped owers in winter and spring. One of its main often overlooked attractions of this plant is the mahogany-red to brown bark (which peels beautifully) that can be revealed with some internal pruning once the plant is mature . It's small, red fruit resembles the tike apple, appearing at the end of winter just as Spring is coming on. Evergreen, shiny leaves are very neat and tidy. It can reach 8' tall and 10 wide. It can be pruned to desired size. This shrub attracts b ... Plant Height: 6-12' Flower Color: Pink Attracts Wildlife: Hummingbirds, Butteries Leaf Color: Green Flower Season: Winter, Spring Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Common Name: Bearberry Plant Type: Ground cover Sun: Full, Half Water: Low A hardy, creeping evergreen shrub, it grows 6"-12" high and spreads as much as 10"-12'. It has glossy green leathery leaves attached to dark brown branches. Its owers are white to light pink in late winter and early spring; berries are bright red. Plant Height: Under 1' Flower Color: Pink, White Attracts Wildlife: n/a Leaf Color: Dark Green Flower Season: Winter UC Marin Master Gardeners 1682 Novato Blvd Suite 150B Novato, CA 94947 415-473-4204 [email protected]
UC Marin Master Gardeners - Easy California Natives
Botanical Name: Aquilegia formosaCommon Name: Western ColumbinePlant Type: PerennialSun: Half, ShadeWater: Medium, Extra in SummerThis perennial will grow about 1-3' tall and hasmedium-sized green leaves with red/scarlet �owersthat bloom in spring and summer.
Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos den. 'HowardMcMinn'Common Name: Howard McMinn ManzanitaPlant Type: ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: LowThis shrub is highly appreciated for its decorativecharacteristics, which include a dense show ofsmall, pale pink urn-shaped �owers in winter andspring. One of its main often overlooked attractionsof this plant is the mahogany-red to brown bark(which peels beautifully) that can be revealed withsome internal pruning once the plant is mature . It'ssmall, red fruit resembles the tike apple, appearingat the end of winter just as Spring is coming on.Evergreen, shiny leaves are very neat and tidy. It canreach 8' tall and 10 wide. It can be pruned todesired size. This shrub attracts b ...
Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursiCommon Name: BearberryPlant Type: Ground coverSun: Full, HalfWater: LowA hardy, creeping evergreen shrub, it grows 6"-12"high and spreads as much as 10"-12'. It has glossygreen leathery leaves attached to dark brownbranches. Its �owers are white to light pink in latewinter and early spring; berries are bright red.
Plant Height: Under 1'Flower Color: Pink, WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Dark GreenFlower Season: Winter
UC Marin Master Gardeners1682 Novato BlvdSuite 150BNovato, CA [email protected]
Botanical Name: Baccharis pilularis 'Pigeon Point'Common Name: Pigeon Point Coyote BushPlant Type: Shrub, Ground coverSun: Full, HalfWater: LowFast-growing, easy evergreen groundcover to 2' talland 12' wide. Native from Baja to the Oregon coastin dunes and blu�s in coastal scrub, and dry slopesand woods in chaparral, woodlands, and mixedevergreen forests. Tolerates ocean spray and isdeer resistant. Preferred coyote bush for slopestabilization and landscaping, coastal or inland.Prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but toleratesalkaline, sandy, or clay soil. Once mature, toleratesdryness; looks better, grows faster, and is healthierwith some summer water. White, insigni�cant�owers in fall. Plant 6-10 feet apart for ...
Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Fall
Botanical Name: Calamagrostis foliosaCommon Name: Mendocino Reed GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: FullWater: LowCool-season bunchgrass native to northernCalifornia coastal scrub. Grows 1' tall and 2' wide,with arching blue-green foliage that often haspurple highlights. Silver-purple �ower heads appearmid-spring through early summer, turning a goldenwheat tone in fall. Plant along the coast in full sunor light shade inland in well-drained soil. Toleratesdrier conditions when grown in shade but looksbest with occasional to regular irrigation. Tolerateswind and salt spray and is resistant to predation byherbivores. Does NOT respond well to beingchopped back. Instead, divide existing clumps ...
Botanical Name: Calamagrostis nutkaensisCommon Name: Paci�c Reed GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Low, MediumA large handsome bunch grass from the coastalregions of Monterey County to Alaska that formshuge tussocks in open moist meadows and oncoastal blu�s. It can also be found as an understoryat the edges of coniferous forests. Wide greenblades grow 2 - 3 ft. tall with �owering culms to 4 ft.Good background or accent plant for the woodlandor meadow. Will take full sun in somewhat coolerareas. Best with some summer water and partialshade inland. Deer resistant. -Cal Flora Nursery
Botanical Name: Carex pansaCommon Name: California Meadow SedgePlant Type: GrassSun: FullWater: Medium, Extra in SummerCA native Carex stays 6" or under and spreads up to2' by rhizomes. Can be used as a naturalistic lawnsubstitute. Requires signi�cant water to obtain goodcoverage, but once coverage is reached water canbe reduced and maintenance is close to zero.Unmowed, the plant can be used e�ectively in avariety of conditions. Prefers sandy soil.
Plant Height: Under 1'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: n/a
Botanical Name: Carex tumulicolaCommon Name: Foothill SedgePlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: MediumCarex tumulicola, or foothill sedge, is an evergreenperennial sedge that grows in 1-2' arching clumps. Itis native to open woods, meadows and coastalprairies from the central coast of California north toOregon and Washington. Features narrow, grass-like, medium green leaves to 18" long and 1/8"wide. Brown, non-showy �owers bloom in springatop stems rising above the foliage. This easy-careplant is useful as an informal groundcover undershrubs or trees, for a meadow-like look, or for soilstabilization where the rhizomatous roots helpcontrol erosion. Prefers some shade unless on th ...
Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Ceanothus 'Concha'Common Name: Concha California LilacPlant Type: ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: LowConcha is a lilac that grows 6'-8' in height and width.It has small narrow, glossy, dark green leaves withintense dark blue �ower clusters in spring. It istolerant of coastal and inland conditions. Mostceanothus varieties do not tolerate a lot of summerirrigation but this cultivar does. It also tolerates clayand alkali soil better than other varieties. It is hardfrost tolerant.
Plant Height: 6-12'Flower Color: BlueAttracts Wildlife: Hummingbirds,Butter�iesLeaf Color: Dark GreenFlower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman'Common Name: Ray Hartman California LilacPlant Type: Tree, ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: Low, Extra in SummerGrowing vigorously as either a large shrub or smalltree, the Ray Hartman has big, round, dark greenleaves and medium blue, delicate �owers in 3"-5"clusters that bloom in winter and spring. It grows to12' high and 8'-10' wide. This cultivar has goodtolerance for heat; it needs occasional deepwatering with good drainage. It does well in coastalas well as inland valley gardens. Deer love newfoliage. Plant in full to part sun; it is not fussy aboutsoil, growing in clay as well as sandy soil.
Plant Height: 12-25'Flower Color: BlueAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Winter, Spring
Botanical Name: Ceanothus gloriosus 'Anchor Bay'Common Name: Anchor Bay Creeping CeanothusPlant Type: Shrub, Ground coverSun: Full, HalfWater: Very Low, Extra in SummerThis shrub, also used as ground cover, can reach 3'high and 4'-6' wide. Foliage is evergreen, dark green,resembling holly leaves with spines. During spring,dark blue �ower clusters cover the plant. The shrubhas slightly arching branches. This is a great plantfor coastal areas, tolerating full sun and salt spray.Deer tend to stay away from this cultivar as thespines discourage browsing. It does best withafternoon shade in warm, inland valleys andadditional summer irrigation. It also frost hardy to15 degrees F. This plant is great for erosion controlon hillsides. Butter�ies love ...
Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: BlueAttracts Wildlife: Butter�iesLeaf Color: Dark GreenFlower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacusCommon Name: Sticky Monkey FlowerPlant Type: Shrub, PerennialSun: Full, HalfWater: LowSticky monkey �ower is a drought tolerantevergreen shrub 2-3' tall with numerous tubularorange-yellow �owers in spring and summer. Growson hillsides and along the coast, where it prefersgood drainage and somewhat dry conditions.Prefers full sun near coast, light shade inland. ThisCalifornia native provides nectar for hummingbirdsand is a larval food source for the commoncheckerspot and buckeye butter�ies. Deer resistant.Trim annually to maintain shape.
Botanical Name: Epilobium canumCommon Name: California FuchsiaPlant Type: PerennialSun: FullWater: Very LowDense, sprawling perennial to 2’ tall and 5’ wide,with gray-green foliage and tubular orange toscarlet red summer-fall �owers that attracthummingbirds. Prefers cool sun but also toleratespart-shade or hot sun with water. Performs in i�ysoil (including clay) and is drought tolerant onceestablished, making it a good choice for drygardens, hillsides, neglected areas, and parkingstrips. Cut foliage to ground in winter when foliageis dormant. The name Epilobium is consideredcurrent but this group of sub-shrubs used to becalled Zauschneria and are so di�erent from theother Epi ...
Botanical Name: Erigeron glaucus 'Wayne Roderick'Common Name: Seaside Daisy, Beach FleabanePlant Type: Ground cover, PerennialSun: Full, HalfWater: Low, Medium, Extra in SummerPerennial grows 1' tall and 1.5' wide. Has deepgreen foliage and lavender �owers with goldcenters. Blooms spring through fall if deadheaded.Does well in coastal areas where it can be planted infull sun. Prefers afternoon shade inland. Requireslittle water once established but looks better withextra summer water. Attracts bees and butter�ies.Deer and rabbit resistant.
Botanical Name: Eriogonum giganteumCommon Name: St. Catherine's LacePlant Type: ShrubSun: FullWater: Very Low, LowSt. Catherine's Lace is a large open shrub growing4'-5' high and 3'-4' wide. Evergreen leaves are ovalshaped, silvery on top and woolly white on bottom.During spring, �at clusters of tiny, cream colored�owers appear reminding one of Granny's lacedoilies. These �owers turn rust in summer and fall.It is a full-sun California native that does well incoastal areas, not needing irrigation onceestablished. In warmer, inland areas, this plant willalso thrive with minimal watering. It attractsbutter�ies and bene�cial insects. It does best withwell draining soil but tolerates clay s ...
Botanical Name: Eriogonum grande v. rubescensCommon Name: San Miguel Island BuckwheatPlant Type: Shrub, Ground coverSun: FullWater: Very Low, LowSan Miguel Island Buckwheat is a low growing shrub1'-2' high and 3' wide. This attractive Californianative has a prostrate habit. It has showy, dark pinksummer �owers held on stems above the foliage.Leaves are evergreen and spoon-shaped; leaves onupper surface are gray green and lower surface iswoolly. It does well in coastal and inland valleyareas, needing very little irrigation once it'sestablished. It tolerates clay soil. It attractsbutter�ies.
Botanical Name: Eschscholzia californicaCommon Name: California PoppyPlant Type: AnnualSun: Full, HalfWater: MediumThe California State Flower. This small annual(sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow toless than 1' tall and has light, small blue greenleaves with gold and orange �owers that bloom inspring and summer. It is an aggressive grower andcan get away from you in a residential gardenspace. Plant it in spaces where it is alright for it toroam.
Plant Height: Under 1'Flower Color: Gold, OrangeAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Blue Green, Grey Green, LightGreenFlower Season: Spring, Summer
Botanical Name: Festuca californicaCommon Name: California FescuePlant Type: Perennial, GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: Very Low, Extra in SummerThe California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrasswith blue-green blades that reach 2' high. The violetcolored �ower stalks are 5' tall, appearing in springand summer, creating fountain-like clumps. Thisgrass is drought tolerant for sun and shadealthough it looks better with additional summerwater. The California fescue is a bene�cial insectplant. Plant on dry sunny slopes or on the edge of adry creek bed.
Botanical Name: Fragaria vesca ssp. californicaCommon Name: Woodland StrawberryPlant Type: Ground cover, PerennialSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: Medium, Extra in SummerThis ground cover is a California native found inmountain areas and coastal hillsides. This perennialhas medium-sized green, evergreen, fragrantleaves. During spring and summer, tiny white�owers appear followed by tasty red berries. Thisground cover is less than 1' tall but will spread 10'wide. Works in shady or sunny areas, under oaksand conifers. This ground cover needs regularwatering. It will tolerate clay soil, occasional �oodingand deer. It looks great in hanging baskets andcovering retaining walls!
Botanical Name: Frangula californicaCommon Name: California Co�eeberryPlant Type: ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: Very LowEasy-care, long-lived evergreen shrub grows 6'-8'tall and wide, sometimes larger, with a roundedform that can be pruned to shape. Native inchaparral, woodland, and forest communities fromOregon coast ranges through most of Californiainto Arizona and Baja. Foliage is large, leathery,deep green with reddish tints, stems are reddishbrown when young, spring �owers areinconspicuous but attract butter�ies and bees. Leafedges curl under during dry summers to conservemoisture. Red berries turn black in late summer,when they attract birds (and resemble co�eebeans). Tolerates sun or p ...
Plant Height: 6-12'Flower Color: n/aAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Heteromeles arbutifoliaCommon Name: ToyonPlant Type: Tree, ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: Very Low, LowEvergreen shrub typically grows up to 8' tall and 5'wide, sometimes larger, with leathery, toothed,green leaves. Small, white, fragrant �owers appearin late spring or early summer, followed by clustersof red winter berries. Tolerates full sun, part shade,heat, smog, wind, and heavy or light soils.Established plants are drought tolerant. May takeseveral years to become established, after which it'sgreat for erosion control. Prune a little bit all yearlong if desired, or wait till August/September for aheavier prune.
Botanical Name: Heuchera maximaCommon Name: Island Alum RootPlant Type: Ground cover, PerennialSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: Low, MediumThis attractive California native has 2"-3" wide,evergreen leaves that are dark green but may turnreddish in winter. Foliage is mounding and dense.During spring, thin vertical stems emerge coveredwith small light pink �owers. Overall height of plantin bloom is 3' tall, spreading up to 2'. This Heucheratolerates full sun in coastal areas but needsafternoon shade or full shade in warm inland areas.Can be planted under oaks. This plant tolerates claysoil. Established plants need only occasional water.Hummingbirds love these plants.
Plant Height: 1-3'Flower Color: Pink, WhiteAttracts Wildlife: HummingbirdsLeaf Color: Dark GreenFlower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Iris douglasianaCommon Name: Douglas IrisPlant Type: Perennial, BulbSun: HalfWater: Medium, Extra in SummerDouglas iris is an evergreen perennial that canreach 2' tall and spread 3' wide. It tolerates full sunin coastal areas but needs afternoon shade in warminland valleys. Foliage is long, pointed and lovelygreen. It prefers rich soil. Not frost tolerant; doesnot tolerate gravel soil. Lavender blue �owers withlots of streaks appear in spring. Medium wateringrequired. Beautiful when planted en masse underoak trees.
Botanical Name: Lavatera assurgenti�oraCommon Name: Island Tree MallowPlant Type: ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: LowThis is a fast growing, evergreen, �owering shrubthat works great as a foundation planting orwindbreak. They require little maintenance otherthan occasional shearing to keep it dense. Othernames: Malva Rose
Botanical Name: Layia platyglossaCommon Name: TidytipsPlant Type: AnnualSun: FullWater: Very Low, LowThis native annual will grow 5-16" tall and 5-16"wide. It has narrow, gray green leaves with lightyellow �owers that are white at the tips and bloomin spring. Typically planted from seed; self sows andwill naturalize on banks or well drained sites.
Botanical Name: Mahonia repensCommon Name: Creeping MahoniaPlant Type: Shrub, Ground coverSun: Half, ShadeWater: LowThe creeping Mahonia is a small evergreen shrubthat grows 1'-3' high. It has spiny, red to greenfoliage and yellow �owers in the spring. This plantspreads by underground stems and is resistant tooak root fungus. It is native to California and isdrought tolerant.
Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia rigensCommon Name: Deer GrassPlant Type: GrassSun: Full, HalfWater: LowFast-growing, warm season perennial grass withdense, handsome, mounded form. Spike-like �owerstalks rise 2'-3' above foliage in summer. Good onbanks of seasonal creeks, along roads or in gullieswhere runo� forms in winter. Prefers sun, not pickyabout soil, and looks best with water once or twicea month once it's established. Very long-lived.
Botanical Name: Myrica californicaCommon Name: Paci�c Wax MyrtlePlant Type: ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: LowThis large shrub/tree can reach 30' tall and hasglossy, dark green leaves with purple nutlets thatattract birds. It is used very e�ectively as a screen.Also known as Morella californica.
Botanical Name: Penstemon heterophyllusCommon Name: Foothill PenstemonPlant Type: PerennialSun: FullWater: LowThis perennial will grow 1.5'-2' tall and 2'-3' wide. Ithas long slender green, deciduous foliage with blueviolet colored �owers that bloom from springthrough early summer. It does well in full sun and isdrought tolerant once it's established. It toleratescoastal, desert and mountain areas. Do not overfertilize. It needs well draining soil. Birds love thisplant too!
Botanical Name: Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyoniiCommon Name: Catalina CherryPlant Type: Tree, ShrubSun: Full, HalfWater: Very Low, Low, MediumNative to California's Channel Islands, the Catalinacherry is an evergreen shrub or small tree thatgrows 15' to 30' tall and wide, usually smaller andupright. Makes a nice tall, dense screen or hedge.Easily pruned to shape or control size. Developsshowy white �ower spikes in spring that bees adoreand dark red-purple fruit in fall that is cherished bybirds. Catalina cherry is drought tolerant, resistsoak root fungus, and attracts bene�cial insects andbutter�ies.
Plant Height: 6-12', 12-25'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Quercus agrifoliaCommon Name: Coast Live OakPlant Type: TreeSun: FullWater: Very Low, LowStately drought-resistant tree grows fromMendocino to Baja, Mexico. Among the mostimportant wildlife plants, provides critical habitatfor 700+ insects and numerous birds and animals.Dominant overstory plant of the Coast Live Oakwoodland , often with Bay Laurel and CaliforniaBuckeye north of Big Sur. Evergreen and round-headed, it has variable holly-like leaves, grows 2' peryear, and can live 250 years. Reaches 20' to 70' talland wide (wider than tall with age). Helps controlerosion and maintain a healthy balance ofbene�cial insects. Spring male �owers arependulous catkins, fem ...
Botanical Name: Rhus ovataCommon Name: Sugar BushPlant Type: ShrubSun: FullWater: Very Low, Extra in SummerSugar Bush is a dense, rounded evergreen shrubgrowing 8'-15' tall and wide with creamy �owers inspring. Small red fruit follows blooms, which areedible. It grows well in inland areas and is droughttolerant. Leathery, rich, dark foliage is evergreen. Itprefers full sun and well draining soil. It is droughttolerant once it's established although it could useadditional irrigation in hot summer areas. Do notplant in wet areas.
Plant Height: 6-12'Flower Color: WhiteAttracts Wildlife: n/aLeaf Color: Green, Dark GreenFlower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Salvia apianaCommon Name: White Sage, Sacred White SagePlant Type: ShrubSun: FullWater: Very LowWoody shrub has sti�, upright stems with highlypungent, gray-green, wrinkled evergreen juvenileleaves that become smooth and white. Fragrantwhite-lavender �owers bloom in spring, attractingbees. Likes sunny dry slopes, fast-draining soil, andno extra water after the �rst year. May reach 6' talland wide over time, although it is considered slowgrowing. (A compact variety grows about half thissize.) Prune after bloom. Leaves used for herbalteas and for medicinal purposes. Native Americanscreated smudge sticks from this plant for use insweat lodges and ceremonies.
Plant Height: 3-6'Flower Color: Lavender, WhiteAttracts Wildlife:Leaf Color:Flower Season: Spring
Botanical Name: Salvia clevelandii 'Pozo Blue'Common Name: Grey Musk SagePlant Type: PerennialSun: FullWater: Very LowThis drought-tolerant 3' perennial has gray-green,aromatic, lance shaped foliage. It is a hybrid ofSalvia clevelandii and Salvia leucophylla. Clusters ofviolet blue �owers cover the plant spring andsummer, attracting hummingbirds, birds, andbutter�ies. This salvia needs full sun and is droughttolerant once established. It is cold and heattolerant, growing in desert and coastal areas. Ittolerates sandy and clay soil. Very reliable.
Botanical Name: Salvia spathaceaCommon Name: Hummingbird SagePlant Type: Shrub, Ground coverSun: Full, Half, ShadeWater: LowHummingbird sage is endemic to California, whereit is found at low elevations of the Coast Rangesfrom San Bruno Mountain to Orange County.Fragrant, fruity foliage spreads by rhizomes. Flowerstems rise 2 - 3 ft. above the leaves in spring, withball-like clusters of deep fuchsia �owers. Loved byhummingbirds. Does best in cool sun or part shadein hot areas. Drought tolerant, but looks best withoccasional summer water. Deer resistant. Excellentfor dry shade and under oaks.
Botanical Name: Sisyrinchium bellumCommon Name: Blue-Eyed GrassPlant Type: PerennialSun: Full, HalfWater: Very LowFollowing winter rains, this grassy perennial bringsa soft texture back into the garden. It produces anabundance of small blue-purple �owers which havea long bloom cycle. The foliage is similar to Irises.This California native prefers full sun and is droughttolerant once it's established. It's great in smallspaces and among rocks. This plant reaches about1' tall.
