Showing 161–176 of 209 results
This herbaceous perennial grows to about 6 inches tall and is an important plant for attracting caterpillars and butterflies to the garden. The young leaves have a delicious flavor to humans as well, and can be eaten raw or cooked, or as an acceptable addition to a mixed salad. The plant flowers June to August,…
Tall coastal plantain This herbaceous perennial grows to 6 inches tall, and its seed stalks, which are extremely striking, stand 1 foot tall. The pink veined leaves are attractively arranged in a low-growing rosette. A grouping of this plant makes an eye-catching design in the native prairie. In your garden provide a sunny situation with…
Saltmarsh fleabane Saltmarsh fleabane is a perennial that grows to 1-3’ tall and dies back in the winter. A pretty addition to the native garden, the lavender to pink flowers make quite a vibrant display from July to November. Naturally found in fresh and salt marshes, this useful and attractive plant is adapted to a…
Lance self-heal Self-heal is an spreading low growing evergreen perennial that grows from about 4 to 12 inches tall. The flowers form a purple spike that appear from late spring until early fall. A colorful delight to a meadow garden The stems and young leaves can be eaten raw or brewed as a tea and…
California Everlasting A biennial or short-lived perennial about 2′ tall. A pioneer plant that helps to prepare a site and aid in the establishment of longer-lived plants in the native landscape. The green foliage has a cumin-like fragrance; creamy-white flowers summer to fall are used in dried and fresh flower arrangements. Attractive companion plants: Sagebrush,…
Wright’s cudweed Wright’s cudweed is a shrubby perennial that grows 1-3′ tall. Great for a butterfly garden as it attracts the painted lady butterfly where this plant provides protection and food for the larvae. The foliage is white and woolly that provides a welcome texture and color to local gardens; one could design an interesting…
Cotton-batting cudweed Cotton-battting cudweed can be an annual or perennial herb that grows 1-1.5 feet. A cluster of small yellow flowers appear in the summer and will persist into the fall. The feature that will give the garden texture is the woolly leaves and gray color that are delightfully soft. Sun: Full Sun Water: Light,…
California buttercup A perennial 1-3 feet tall, goes deciduous in summer. Along with blue-eyed-grass, buttercups are the first color of spring in our local meadows. A must have addition to any bay area meadow garden. Prefers clay/serpentine but can grow on many soils. Buttercups are prone to self-sow so you can have returning spring color…
Willow dock Willow dock is a perennial herb that grows upright or sometimes prostrate and spreading. It grows 1-3 feet tall. Commonly found along streams and canyon bottoms where there is a source of water. The reddish flowers appear April-June followed by green then bronze colored seeds that persist on the plant. A valuable addition…
California tea It is a low, bushy perennial. grows to about 2′ tall. Space about 2′ apart. Good ground cover for shady spots in the garden and great addition to a butterfly garden with low water requirements. The purple tipped white flowers appear in late spring to summer and the dark-green foliage also persists into…
Pickleweed Pickleweed is a halophytic (tolerant of salty conditions).It is a spreading, low growing perennial which grows in various zones of intertidal salt marshes and can be found in alkaline flats. Salicornia species are being tested as a biofuel crop as it is composed of 32% oil and being a halophyte can be irrigated with…
Sonoma sage This is a prostrate, semi-woody, herbaceous perennial ground cover 8-12″ high x 3-4′ wide. Fragrant, elliptical, dull green leaves and short spikes of blue-purple flowers attractive to bees. Creeping Sage commonly grows in clay that is very wet in winter, but dry in summer, so be careful not to over water during the…
Hummingbird sage Hummingbird Sage grows about 1′-3′ in height. It is a perennial that spreads by rhizomes. Space 4’0″ apart. This sage is native to coastal California from Napa to Orange. As the name implies Hummingbirds work this species very heavily. Well adapted to a variety of conditions and does best with rich soil, part…
Pacific sanicle, snakeroot A hardy understory perennial, 1-3 ft. tall Attractive in a woodland garden. Prefers coarse, sandy loam, but can survive in clay. It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California, where it can be found in many types of habitat, including mountain slopes, grassland, and…
Common tule Common tule is found along marshes and shorelines in waters up to 1.5 m deep. Plants grow up to 8′ tall. This plant provides food, cover, and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other birds. It acts as a buffer for wind and wave action and is currently used for bank stabilization and to…
Three square bulrush Three square bulrush is a rhizomatous perennial that is found primarily in fresh and brackish wetlands. It grows to 3-5′ tall and will spread. This bulrush was used for baskets and hat making by native Americans. It also provides food and shelter for animals such as muskrats and show geese.