PLANT PROFILES
Perennials
Achillea millefoliumβ
Yarrow
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Yarrow is a fragrant, spreading perennial that comes in a variety of colors. It is an excellent addition to any pollinator friendly landscape. Plant along borders or pathways in your garden. You can dead-head the flowers and pull off the dead leaves to encourage new growth and to keep neat.
Common varieties include:
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Common Yarrow- white flowers
'Moonshine'- bright yellow flowers
'Terra Cotta'- yellow/orange flowers
'Paprika'- bright red flowers
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California native
1-5' tall x 1-3' wide
π§Low water
β Full sun - partial shade
βSpring - Summer
κ€ Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
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Agapanthus
Lily of the Nile
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A very popular plant with a neat, bunched look. The foliage remains evergreen year round, and its many flowers bloom in the summer. The fragrant flowers make great cut flowers, growing in large clusters on long stalks.
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2-3' tall x 3-4' wide
π§Average water
β Full sun - partial sun
βSummer
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Anemone x hybrida
Pink Japanese Wildflower
These wildflowers make a great addition to your late Summer and Fall landscape. They stay small, and have large numbers of pale pink, whimsical flowers that have a neat appearance. Grow these in your garden beds or along the edges of your garden. They are low maintenance, but require regular watering.
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2-3' tall x 2-3' wide
π§Average water
β Full - partial sun
βSummer - Fall
κ€ Attracts bees, butterflies
Deer/gopher resistant
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Anigozanthos
Kangaroo Paw
Kangaroo paw is a fun and unique addition to your rock or low maintenance garden. It has unusual, velvety flowers that come in several vibrant colors like yellow, red, pink and purple. There are tall and smaller, dwarf varieties of this plant. Cut the flowers back after they bloom to maintain a neat appearance.
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1-6' tall x 1-3' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βSpring - Summer - Fall
κ€ Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Callistemon citrinus
Bottlebrush Shrub
Bottlebrushes shrubs are the dwarf version of the larger Bottlebrush trees. They come in different sizes depending on your selection. They have distinct feathery flowers that grow in deep pinks and reds. These shrubs are evergreen and often bloom throughout the year. They make a fun addition to garden beds or along borders. Prune in the Summer.
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5-12' tall x 5-12' wide
π§Low - average water
βοΈFull sun
βYear round
κ€Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Dicentra 'Luxurient'
Fernleaf Bleeding Heart
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This pretty, low - growing perennial has lacey, fern like foliage and clusters of pink bleeding heart flowers. The flowers have a long bloom time. This plant makes a great addition to the edges of your garden or along pathways.
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1-2' tall x 1-2' wide
π§Average water
β Full - partial sun - shade
βSpring - Summer - Fall
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies
Deer/gopher resistant
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Diplacus aurantiacus
Sticky Monkey Flower
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Sticky Monkey Flower is a very drought-tolerant, spreading California native with long, evergreen stems and lots of flowers. Its leaves are slightly sticky to the touch, hence the common name. The flowers come in a range of warm colors including peach, yellow, orange and red. Hummingbirds and bees love this plant. Plant along the edges of your rock or low water garden.
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California native
3-4' tall x 3-4' wide
π§Low water
β Full - partial sun
βSpring - Summer
κ€Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Echium candicans
Pride of Madeira
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This is an impressive shrub with large, cone shaped flowers. This is an evergreen plant that is a great choice for hillsides or slopes, and will grow quickly to fill space within your landscape. Flowers should be cut back after blooming to encourage new growth.
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5-6' tall x 6-10' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βLate Spring - Summer
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
Erigeron glaucus
Seaside Daisy
Seaside daisies are low-growing, perennials commonly found on the rocky coast of California. They grow in bunches with lots of pink or purple flowers and bright yellow centers. Plant these along the pathways in your garden or for a splash of color in your rock gardens.
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California native
6"-1' tall x 1-2' wide
π§Low water
β Full - partial sun
βSpring - Summer
κ€ Attracts bees, butterflies
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Eriogonum karvinskianusβ
Santa Barbara Daisy
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This small, mounding shrub has lots of white to pink flowers that grow as wildflowers in California. They are very drought tolerant and low maintenance. Great for use in borders, edging, or as a ground cover.
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California native
1-2' tall x 2-5' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βYear round
κ€ Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
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Epilobium canum
California Fuschia
With pale green leaves and red, tubular flowers, this native shrub is a great addition to any low-water, hummingbird friendly or rock garden. You should cut this plant all the way back in the fall to maintain a neat appearance.
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California native
1-2' tall x 2-4' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βSummer - Fall
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
Freesias
Freesias
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Typically grown as cut flowers, these have wonderful, brightly colored, and long lasting blooms. They are well known for their strong, sweet fragrance and multi-colored flowers. Plant several different colors of these in clusters and enjoy them in your landscape as well as cut flowers inside.
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1-2' tall x spreading
π§Average
βοΈFull sun
βYear round
κ€Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Germanium spp.
Cranesbill
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Easy to grow with many flowers, hardy geraniums are a great choice for a variety of your garden needs. Some are excellent groundcovers, while others do well as a border or edge plant. They have different colored flowers and sun and water preferences dependent on variety.
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4"-4' tall x 10"-5'wide
size dependent on variety
π§Low - average water
β Full sun - partial sun
βBloom dependent on variety
κ€Attracts butterflies
Deer/gopher resistant
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Helleborus
Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'
Helleborus is a great choice for ensuring color and interest in your landscape starting in the late Winter through early Spring, as it comes up before most of your other plants will. It stays low to the ground, and has blushed pink, purple, and white flowers and dark evergreen foliage. Plant this perennial under trees or on the shady edges of your garden.
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1-2' tall x 1-2'wide
π§Average water
β Full - partial shade
βLate Winter - Spring
Deer/gopher resistant
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Hosta Fortunei
Hosta
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Hostas are recognized βfor their large, heart shaped leaves that add color and texture to the shady areas of your garden. They have long stalks with clusters of flowers that come up in Spring and Summer. This shrub is low maintenance and hardy, but you should cut back the stalks after blooming.
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1-2' tall x 1-2'wide
π§Average water
β Full - partial sun - shade
βSpring - Summer - Fall
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Iris douglasiana
Pacific Coast Iris
These Irises are a wonderful addition to any lush garden or meadow. They spread through rhizomes, and will come up year after year. You can separate clumps of them to plant in other sections of your garden if desired. Plant along your pathways for a bold splash of color.
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1-2' tall x 2-4' wide
π§Low water
β Full - partial sun
βSpring blooms
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies
Deer/gopher resistant
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Lupinus albifrons
Bush Lupine
This fast growing, native perennial is a wonderful addition to meadows, and low maintenance rock gardens. It has light green, silvery leaves and showy clusters of many flowers in a variety of colors from purple to magenta. Be careful not to over water this plant, and it is very low maintenance.
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3-4' tall x 4-5' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βSpring - Summer
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
Penstemon heterophyllus X 'Margarita BOP'
Foothill Penstemon
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Neat evergreen perennial with bright purple flowers. This shrub has delicate light green foliage and stays compact. It is a go to for your pollinator friendly gardens, and is especially loved by hummingbirds.
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California native
1-2' tall x 1-2' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βYear round
κ€ Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Polygala fruticosa
Sweet Pea Shrub
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This small, mounding shrub has β
lots of pink pea-like flowers that have a long bloom time, sometimes blooming nearly year round in temperate areas. This plant is evergreen and the flowers can be used as cut flowers. It should be watered regularly and it
looks great along borders or under windowsills.
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3-4' tall x 3-4' wide
π§Average water
β Full - partial sun
βSpring - Summer
κ€ Attracts bees, birds
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Romneya coulteri
Matilija Poppy
Matilija Poppy's impressive blooms are eye catching and love to be planted next to other tall shrubs for competition. They can take over in small gardens and should be given lots of space to grow. They are recommended for borders and along edges.
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California native
6-8' tall x 6-8' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βEarly Spring - Summer
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Salvia spathacea β
Hummingbird Sage
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This sweet smelling, showy sage is an absolute favorite for hummingbirds. It is a spreading plant, and can be used to fill in any gaps in your garden. This plant should be dead-headed after blooming to encourage new growth.
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California native
1-3' tall x 3-5' wide
β Full sun - partial sun
βSpring - Summer - Fall κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Salvia sylvestris 'Blue Night'
Blue Night Sage
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This showy, herbaceous Sage has glorious deep purple flowers that bloom from early Spring into the Summer. This plant makes a great addition to any pollinator friendly garden, or on the edges or borders of your landscape.
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1-3' tall x 1-2' wide
βοΈFull sun
βSpring - Summer
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Santolina chamaecyparissus
Lavender Cotton Santolina
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This cute, low growing, evergreen perennial makes a great addition to your rock garden. It is known for its long, silvery foliage that looks good year round. It has little yellow button flowers that bloom in the Summer that can be used as potpourri when dried. You should prune this plant back yearly, in the Spring before it blooms.
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1-2' tall x 2-3' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βSpring - Summer - Fall
Deer/gopher resistant
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Scabiosa
Pincushion Flower
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Pincushion flowers come in a variety of different colors and grow in a mounding pattern. Combine several different colors for an eye-catching look. They also make great cut flowers and will dry nicely. You should deadhead the flowers to extend their growing season. They are a great addition to pathways and borders.
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1-2' tall x 1-2' wide
π§Low water
β Full - partial sun
βSpring - Fall
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies
Deer/gopher resistant
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Sisyrinchium bellum
Blue Eyed Grass
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This small perennial shrub has many small purple/blue flowers that grow on long, thin stalks. It looks great along pathways or you can use it to replace your lawn alongside native grasses for a lovely meadow look.
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California native
3"-2' tall x 4"-2' wide
π§Low - average water
β Full - partial sun
βSpring - Winter
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Stachys byzantina
Lamb's Ears
Lamb's ear is a wonderful, evergreen perennial that has very soft, green, silvery leaves. This plant adds great texture and interest to any garden. It stays low to the ground and can be used for borders or along pathways. It is very easy to grow and requires little to no maintenance.
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1-3' tall x 18"-24"wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βYear round
κ€Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Tulbaghia violacea
Society Garlic
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This is a small, bunched perennial with a strong garlicky scent. This plant's structure resembles a grass with long, thin stalks and clusters of light purple flowers on top. Use this plant in landscape borders, edging, or as part of your edible garden.
1-2' tall x 1-2' wide
π§Low - average water
βοΈFull sun
βSummer - Fall
κ€ Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Woody Shrubs
Acacia 'Cousin Itt'
Acacia 'Cousin Itt'
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This evergreen, weeping shrub adds great texture to your garden year round. It remains compact and grows relatively quickly. Plant this shrub on the borders of your garden or on a slope.
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2-3' tall x 3-4' wide
π§Low water
β Full -partial sun
βYear round
Deer/gopher resistant
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Arctostaphylos
Manzanita
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Manzanitas are some of California's most beloved native plants. There are tons of different varieties and they are well known for their trademark red, flakey bark, pale green leaves, and clusters of white/light pink flowers. These plants are very low maintenance and require very little water. Your native garden is not complete without manzanitas.
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Common shrub varieties include:
'Dr. Hurd' -
10-15' tall x 10-15' wide
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'Sunset' -
4-6' tall x 4-6' wide
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'Howard Mcminn' -
5-7' tall x 8-10' wide
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'Kings Mountain' -
12' tall x 12' wide
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California native
4-15' tall x 4-15' wide
π§Low water
βοΈFull sun
βBloom dependent on variety
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
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Artemisia is known for its gorgeous, lacey foliage that is light green and silvery. It does have small, yellowy flowers in Summer or Fall, but they are not very showy. This plant is fragrant and is a great addition to your herb or garden beds. It should be carefully pruned before it blooms to maintain a neat look and to encourage new growth.
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2-3' tall x 3-6' wide
π§Average water
βοΈFull sun
βYear round
Deer/gopher resistant
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Camellias
Camellias
Camellias are wonderful evergreen shrubs that thrive with little sun and in the shade. There are many different species of Camellias, with different bloom times and size ofβ growth. They have very fragrant and showy flowers with a long bloom time.
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2-20' tall x 2-10' wide
π§Average water
β Partial sun - shade
βSpring - Fall - Winter
κ€Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Carpenteria californica
Bush Anemone
With dark, evergreen foliage and sweet smelling white and yellow flowers, this shrub is an excellent choice for your native garden needs. It does well with some afternoon shade, and can be pruned for a neat appearance. Plant this shrub in a corner of your garden or use as a hedge.
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California native
4-8' tall x 4-8' wide
π§Average
β Full - partial sun
βLate Spring - Summer
κ€ Attracts bees, birds
Deer/gopher resistant
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Ceanothus
California Lilac
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A stunning group of native evergreen shrubs that grow in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ceanothus make an excellent focal point in any native garden. Their foliage remains evergreen year round, and its fragrant flowers are brightly colored and have a long bloom time.
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Common shrub varieties include:
Ceanothus 'Dark Star' -
5-6' tall x 8-10' wide
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Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' -
12-20' tall x 10-20' wide
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Ceanothus 'Snowball' -
3-5' tall x 3-5' wide
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California native
2-20' tall x 4-20' wide
π§Low water
β Full sun - partial sun - shade
βBloom dependent on variety
Mid Spring - early Winter
κ€Attracts bees, butterflies, birds
Deer/gopher resistant