December 2025 Plant Availability | | |
Greetings ,
In this season of gratitude, I have been reflecting on the resilience of nature. I see this tenacity embodied by pockets of habitat and wildlands persisting here in the Bay Area, despite the ever-present pressures of urbanization. It is an empowering example to watch, and a potent reminder of how deeply we need each other’s support to thrive and grow.
As an example, what a unique experience it is to drive to the Nursery, the view split between a crowded highway and the East Bay Hills peppered with Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens, right), the world’s tallest trees, capable of growing over 350 feet tall. It is an incredible reminder how special it is to live in one of the most ecologically, scenically, climatically, and topographically diverse places on earth, while also being reminded how threatened our native ecosystems are by the proximity & impact of human development.
California is recognized as one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Not only does the California Floristic Province hold a high level of species diversity and over 3,400 endemic vascular plant species, it has also experienced a significant loss of its native vegetation (over 75%)! This region is not bound by political borders, but includes most of California, extending into southwestern Oregon, a small part of western Nevada and northern Baja California (see map, right). Plants don’t pay attention to road signs–as a naturalist friend of mine once said, “we may write the books, but the plants don’t read them.”
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California represents just 4.3% of landmass of the US but ranks second in the country for the number of endemic plant species, or those found nowhere else on Earth. Over 60% of the species of vascular plants and 2.2% of the genera in California are endemic. This floristic biodiversity is deeply tied to the state’s varied geography, geology and our rare mild Mediterranean climate. Millions of years of tectonic history have created a multitude of rock and soil types across the state. Our mountainous topography has given rise to numerous microclimates within the overall Mediterranean climate characterized by mild wet winters and hot dry summers, creating numerous opportunities for plant adaptations.
Why plant endemic species?
- California’s endemic plant species are crucial in forming the backbone for healthy ecosystems throughout the state: providing food, shelter, and critical resources for the wildlife they have coevolved with: migratory & resident birds, butterflies, moths, pollen specialist bees, other insects, fauna, and more!
- Growing CA endemic plants can help us connect fragmented habitats through corridors & clusters
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Our endemic plant species currently & have historically served CA indigenous people through body, spirit, and mind. Protecting California’s endemic plants helps support the lifeways of the native Californians who are the keyholders to reciprocally stewarding California’s plant biodiversity.
- CA endemic plant species are numerous–it’s a diverse plant palette to choose from, where you can select species that have evolved to survive in your microclimate.
This biodiversity is under threat, largely due to habitat loss and invasive species. There are many steps you can take to support the survival of local endemic species beyond creating habitat in your own garden. For example, take time to educate yourself on which local species are at risk in your area and get involved with restoration efforts (contact your regional CDFW office regarding volunteer opportunities).
Living in this local biodiversity hotspot, we are endowed with the responsibility to protect endemic species that grow nowhere else in the world. We’ve listed a few CA endemic species we have available at the moment below, and here’s some helpful resources to jumpstart learning what CA endemic plants are your neighbors:
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Gophers, Deer, and more:
Thank you to the folks that have taken the time to contribute to our survey–there’s still a few more weeks if you’d like to share your experience growing CA native plants alongside deer, gophers, or other critters–please contribute your experience & advice here. Responses will go towards a public resource sheet!
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Oneleaf Onion
Allium unifolium
Available in D-16 containers for $12.80 apiece!
- Grown from seed. This species takes over three years to grow from seed!
- One of California’s easier native onions, this vigorous bulb will spread out and fill an area with it’s offshoots and seedlings.
- Actually growing several leaves per plant, the blue green growth is contrasted by the vibrant rose-pink clusters of flowers that explode from the tips of their 1′ long stalks.
- Adaptable to a number of different soil and water conditions but it thrives in a dry, partial shade border.
- The flowers can be used a long lasting cut flowers.
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Hairy Ceanothus
Ceanothus oliganthus
Available in D-40 containers for $12.30 apiece!
- This Ceanothus grows to 10 ft. tall x 12 ft. wide, and has a mounding form with a moderate growth rate.
- It has evergreen foliage and blue-purple fragrant flowers in early spring, which are a favorite amongst pollinators.
- Plant it on rocky slopes where it can stretch it’s roots to damp or irrigated areas 10 ft. away or so. Best to avoid direct summer water.
- Great for bank stabilization and hedges, and pairs beautifully with other chaparral species such as Purple Sage, Sticky Monkeyflower, California Sagebrush, and native grasses.
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Franciscan Manzanita
Arctostaphylos franciscana
Available in D-16 containers for $8.95 apiece!
- A rare low growing, spreading shrub native to the San Francisco peninsula. Federally listed as endangered, and listed in California as rare plant rank 1b.1 – rare, threatened, or endangered. Reaching up to 6′ tall and 10′ wide, with a low, mounding form.
- Until October of 2009, Franciscan Manzanita was considered extinct–it had not been recorded in the wild since 1947. Primarily threatened by urban expansion into coastal scrub. It is presumed to be native only to the immediate vicinity of San Francisco Bay.
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California Phacelia
Phacelia californica
Available in D-16 containers for $8.20 apiece!
- This herbaceous perennial grows to 1-2 feet tall. Plant in rock gardens or on a slope with good drainage. Space 1’0″ apart.
- Purple fiddleneck flowers are in bloom from March to September.
- The flowers provide an important nectar source for the endangered Mission blue butterfly. The flowers also provide for lots of native bee pollinators including bumble bees and honey bees.
- Be careful of the leaves, the tiny hairs can cause skin dermatitis in some people. Use gloves when gardening with this pollinator powerhouse.
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Great Valley Gumplant
Grindelia camporum
Available in D-40 containers for $12.30 apiece!
- This herbaceous perennial’s upright habit makes it an excellent candidate for meadow gardens and mixed borders, especially along the front of a dry border. Space 2’ apart.
- A fast growing, hardy, super drought tolerant, evergreen shrub 1-3 ft. tall that will grow to 4 feet with water, this plant produces abundant 2-inch wide, bright yellow daisy-like blooms from spring well into summer. It is a pollinator powerhouse, favored by Painted Ladies and Umber skippers, as well as many native bees.
- This species is called gum plant because of the sticky substance covering the flower buds. Endemic to CA and Baja.
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Torrey’s Melicgrass
Melica torreyana
Available in stub containers for $2.60 apiece!
- A floppy looking, bunch grass; grows to 2′ tall x 1 foot wide. Good looking, very adaptable, drought tolerant grass. Dormant in the late summer. Space 2 ft apart.
- Commonly found in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodland habitats. Useful in rock or shade gardens especially with Sticky Monkey flower, ferns, California honeysuckle, and currant or gooseberry.
- Can add balance and finish to a native garden, particularly if grouped, allowing it to create fine textured clumps.
- Endemic to CA, grows in habitats in the central Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills
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Serpentine Columbine
Aquilegia eximia
Available in D-16 containers for $8.20 apiece!
- Serpentine columbine is a dainty looking tough plant. It is a perennial that grows 2-3 feet tall and not widely available.
- The showy abundant dangling red flowers grace the plant Late spring through summer almost into fall. Perfect for attracting hummingbirds to sip on its nectar. As the name suggests, it grows well in serpentine soils, (but it can grow well in other soils, too). Does need a regular supply of moisture. Perfect for a meadow garden. Endemic to the moist forests of the coast ranges of CA.
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Suisun Marsh Aster
Symphyotrichum lentum
Available in D-40 containers for $10.90 apiece!
- Suisun Marsh Aster is a somewhat rare perennial, spreading herb that grows up to 4 feet tall.
- Suisun Marsh Aster grows in brackish or freshwater marshes and along the banks of sloughs and watercourses.
- It is listed as a federal Species of Concern and is endemic to Suisun Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta. Current threats to this species include invasive plants, erosion, creek channelizing, levee construction, and feral pigs.
- Previously named Aster lentus
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Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat
Eriogonum arborescens
Available in D-16 and 1-gallon containers for $8.95-17.70 apiece!
- Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat is an evergreen shrub with a moderate growth rate. It grows from 2-7 feet tall and 2-9 feet wide.
- It’s extremely drought tolerant, and after it is established and exposed to drought-stress in the summer, the plant still looks beautiful.
- Endemic to the Channel Islands of California.
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Seacliff Buckwheat
Eriogonum parvifolium
Available in D-16, TB2, and TB4 containers for $8.95-17.70 apiece!
- Seacliff Buckwheat is a perennial that will grow 2′ high and wide.
- It is covered with small balls of white to pink flowers from that can persist all year long.
- When planted inland it may need occasional water, otherwise it is very drought tolerant once established.
- It is easy to grow, and will self sow readily. Endemic to the southern and central CA coast
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Hop Tree
Ptelea crenulata
Available in D-40 and TB-4 containers for $11.45-16.50 apiece!
- A deciduous large shrub/small tree from the citrus family that grows to approx. 20-25 ft. in lower elevations of northern California. Enjoy the pale yellow flowers, glossy green scented foliage, and light green fruits which turn brown in age. Larval host to the Two-tailed Swallowtail.
- This little tree is very fragrant and can fill a yard with its sweet, almost syrupy fragrance. The flowers attract small insects, which in turn attract birds. Its juices are acrid and bitter and the bark possesses tonic properties.
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Blue Oak
Quercus douglasii
Available in D-40 containers for $11.45 apiece!
- Blue oak is a slow growing deciduous oak that usually grows 15-25 feet tall (can reach up to 80 feet tall) and about as wide. It is endemic to California and found in the foothills of the Central Valley. Space 40’0″ apart.
- Does well with little care and no water, on dry, well draining slopes.
- Rustic blue-grey leaves and light-colored bark.
- Makes a great shade tree.
- Grows with Coffeeberry, Ceanothus, Manzanita, California Bay, or other Oaks.
- Larval host to at least 11 species of butterflies and moths.
| | | Happy Holidays from The Watershed Nursery Coop! | |
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