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UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County

Fall Garden Fair Native Plants

Tidy Tips native flowers

California native plants have evolved to be well adapted to our dry summer/wet winter climate, plus they support native birds and insects. They are generally water-wise choices for landscaping.

Remember that California contains a wide variety of growing conditions, from sandy deserts to moist creek sides. Some plants are broadly adaptable while others have specific soil, water, or sun requirements. For gardening success, try to select plants whose growing requirements best match your landscape's conditions. A good source for additional information is the California Native Plant Society's site, Calscape.org.

Please understand that some varieties may sell out quickly or not be available due to germination difficulties.

Native plant list

Achillea-millifolium-MG-Carol-Peck

Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
Perennial, evergreen. White flowers April–August. Edible leaves with slight peppery taste. 1–3' tall x spreading. Low water. Full/part sun. Hardy to -10°F

Aristolochia-californica-UC-Davs-Arboreturm

Dutchman's Pipe, Aristolochia californica
Perennial vine, winter deciduous. Cream w/purple stripe flowers January–April. Deer resistant, easy to grow, fire follower plant. 1–20' tall x spreading. Water 1/month once established. Slow draining soil. Part sun. Hardy to 25°F

Artemisia-californica-Cal-State-Channel-Islands

Coast Sagebrush Artemisia californica
Adapts to various soils. Fragrant grey foliage. 1–8' tall x 3–4' wide. Water 1/month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 20°F

Asclepias-fascicularis-Cal-State-Channel-Islands

Narrowleaf Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis
Perennial, winter deciduous. White or lavender flowers in June–September. Hosts monarch & queen butterflies and birds. 2–3' tall x 1' wide. Water 2/month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 5°F

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Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa
Perennial, winter deciduous. White or pink flower in June–July. Very easy to grow. 4–6' tall x 4' wide. Water 2/month once established. Prefers draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to -5°F

Bahiopsis-laciniata-CNPS-San-Diego

San Diego Sunflower, Bahiopsis laciniata
Shrub, evergreen. Yellow flowers February–June. Easy to grow, attracts butterflies & bees. Found in SW corner of California. 2–3' tall x 3–4' wide. Water 1/month once established. Draining soil. Full sun

Castilleja-exserta-Cal-State-Channel-Islands

Owl's Clover, Castilleja exserta
Annual, hemiparasite of native grasses. Lavender, pink, purple or white flowers in March–June. 18" tall x 12" wide. Very low water once established. Prefers draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F

Ceanothus-oliganthus-Las-Pilitas

Hairy Ceanothus, Ceanothus oliganthus
Shrub, evergreen. Blue/purple flowers March–May. Attracts birds, butterflies & native bees. 10' tall x 12' wide. Water 1/month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F

Ceanothus-verrucosus-Las-Pilitas

White Coast Ceanothus, Ceanothus verrucosus
Shrub, evergreen. White flowers w/black center January–April. Tolerates minimal trimming. 4–10' tall x 8' wide. Water 1/month once established. Draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to 30°F

Datura-wrightii-MG-Carol-Peck

Sacred Datura, Datura wrightii
Perennial, semi-deciduous. White flowers at night. Poisonous, especially fruit & seeds. 3' tall x 5' wide. Low water once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 15°F.

Encelia-californica-Cal-State-Channel-Islands

California Bush Sunflower, Encelia californica
Shrub, summer semi-deciduous. Yellow, brown, purple daisy-like flowers February–June. Fast growing, reseeds easily. Very easy to grow. Hosts butterfly fatal metalmark and moth dwarf tawny wave. Found in south California. 2–5' tall x 3–7' wide. Water 1/month once established. Part/full sun. Hardy to 30°F

Eriogonum-fasciculatum-Cal-State-Channel-Islands

California Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum
Shrub, evergreen. Yellow, cream, pink, white flowers April–September. Supports birds, bees, caterpillars, & pollinators. 1–7' tall x 3' wide. Water 1/month once established. Likes loam. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F

Eriogonum-grande-rubescens-Las-Pilitas

Red Buckwheat, Eriogonum grande var. rubesens
Perennial, evergreen. Rare. Rose red flowers April–Oct. Deer resistant. Good for containers and groundcover. Found on Catalina Islands. 8–18" tall x spreading. Water 1/month once established. Slow draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to 20°F

Frangula-californica-Oregon-State

Coffeeberry, Frangula californica
Shrub, evergreen. Cream flowers June–August, edible berries. Supports butterflies. 6–15' tall and wide. Water 2/month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 10°F

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Great Valley Gum Plant, Grindelia camporum v. camporum
Perennial. Yellow daisy-like flowers April–October. Supports butterflies. Water 1/month once established. 2–6' tall x 3' wide. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F

Heuchera-maxima-Las-Pilitas

Island Alum Root, Heuchera maxima
Perennial, evergreen. Pink or white flowers in February–May. Attracts hummingbirds. 1–2' tall x 2' wide. Water 3/month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 12°F

Native-CA-Common-Rush-MG-Carol-Peck

Common Rush, Juncus patens
Grass, evergreen. Flowers red, brown. Deer resistant. Seeds in June–October. 1–3' tall x 3' wide. Water 1/month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F

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Chick Lupine, Lupinus microcarpus
Annual. Yellow, pink, purple flowers May–June. Attracts birds, bees, & pollinators. 4–31" tall x 1' wide. Moderate water. Draining soil. Full/part sun

Mimulus-aurantiacus-MG-Carol-Peck

Bush Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus var. aurantiacus
Shrub, evergreen. Yellow-orange flowers May–August. Attracts hummingbirds, birds, bees, & pollinators. Deer resistant. 4–36" tall x 1–4' wide. Regular water. Draining soil. Part sun. Hardy to 15°F

Penstemon-spectabilis-Las-Pilitas

Showy Penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis
Perennial, evergreen. Blue, pink, purple flowers April–July. Attracts hummingbirds, birds, bees, & pollinators. 2–4' tall x 3–4' wide. Water 1/month once established. Draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to 0°F

Prunus-ilicifolia-Calscape

Catalina Island Cherry, Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii
Tree, evergreen. White or cream flowers May–June. Edible cherries with large pits. Attracts pollinators. 25–40' tall x 20' wide. Water 2/month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 10–20°F

Native-CA-White-Sage-MG-Bob-Tolan

White Sage, Salvia apiana
Shrub. Aromatic bluish-white floliage. Tall white flower stalks April–July. Deer resistant. 3–5' tall x 3–8' wide. Water 1/month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 0°F

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Purple Needlegrass, Stipa pulchra
Bunch grass, evergreen. Cream/green/purple-red needle flowers March–May. Very easy to grow. CA state grass. 3' tall x 1.5' wide. Water 1/month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 5°F

Symphyotrichum-chilensis-Las-Pilitas

California/Pacific Aster, Symphyotrichum chilense
Perennial, winter deciduous. Pale lilac daisy-like flowers in July-August, deadhead for more. Can copice in winter. Fast growing. Deer resistant. Attracts bees, birds & butterflies (nectar). Very easy care. Spreads by rhizomes. 1–3' tall x 3' wide. Water 2/month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 5°F