Mexican rush – Juncus mexicanus (JUN-kuss mex-i-KAY-nus)

Family: Juncaceae (Rush family)

Native to: Western U.S. to S. America. Grew locally in western Los Angeles Co.; moist or alkaline

places, usually coastal but sometimes in foothills, mountains, even desert.

Growth characteristics: spreading perennial rush mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft. Rather short, spreading rush. Leaves/stems slender, un-branched – may be straight to somewhat twisted. Spreads via stout rhizomes to form a dense mat.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in warm weather – May to Aug. Flowers tan-brown on branched flowering

stem on side of stem. Somewhat showy.

Uses in the garden: Best used in moist areas of the garden: rain gardens, dry swales, around

ponds/pools or in bog gardens/bog pots. Does fine in containers. Excellent for stabilizing wet banks. Nice, carefree ground cover alone or mixed with native grasses like Leymus triticoides and

Agrostis exarata. Green color even when dry. Interesting accent plant. Important basketry plant.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native rushes.

Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to quite shady.

Soil Adaptable; most local soils, pH. Can take alkali soils.

Water Best with occasional summer water; Water Zone 2 to 3.

Fertilizer Not needed; leaf mulch is fine.

Other

Management: Will spread vigorously with water – may want to use in containers. Otherwise,

makes a good groundcover. Best to taper off water in fall.

Propagation: from seed: yes by divisions: very easy in late winter/spring

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 3, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20, 24, 32 12/31/14 © Project SOUND

Spiny (Leopold’s) Rush – Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii (JUN-kus uh-CUTE-us lee-oh-POLD- ee-eye)

Family: Juncaceae (Rush Family)

Native to: Coasts and deserts of S. CA, AZ, Baja. Locally native to South Bay; moist saline places,

coastal salt marshes, alkali seeps, alkali sinks at elevations < 1000 ft. Rare in wilds (habitat loss).

Growth characteristics: clumping perennial rush mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft. Clumping or spreading, ever-green with regular water – fall dry with less. Fast growing. Stiff cylindrical leaves have very sharp tips. Nice mounded shape at maturity – typical for rushes. Slowly

spreads via rhizomes.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms March to May or June. Flowers small, wind-pollinated, typical for the

rushes. Seed pods spherical, dark brown at maturity and quite attractive. Seeds spread by water.

Uses in the garden: Good for moist places in the garden: in rain gardens, dry swales and infiltration

basins, around ponds and pools. Interesting foliage is good choice for the mid-ground, (contrasts well with background and fore-ground plants). Elegant in a large container. Makes a good barrier

plant! Be sure to place where sharp leaf tips will not be a problem. Soil binder - useful on slopes. Important basketry plant wherever it grows. Also inhibits growth of algae in ponds, standing water.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native grasses like Pampas grass or non-native pond plants.

Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade

Soil Very adaptable. Any local soil from sandy to clay. Takes alkali, sandy soils.

Water Best with regular to semi-regular water (Water Zone 2 to 3) even standing water,

but can take less.

Fertilizer None needed except in containers.

Other

Management: Prune off dead leaves in winter. Cut down to several inches to rejuvenate.

Contain to keep from spreading.

Propagation: from seed: easy with fresh seed; surface sow by divisions: easy in winter/spring

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 24 12/23/14 © Project SOUND

Marsh Jaumea/ Salty Susan – Jaumea carnosa (ZHO-ME-uh kar-NO-suh)

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Native to: Coastal North America from British Columbia to N. Baja; coastal salt marshes, brackish

marshes, tidal flats, coastal strand and other moist places near the coast.

Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1 ft. mature width: 1-4 ft.

Spreading/creeping perennial groundcover. Foliage blue-green. Leaves narrow, shiny and

succulent. Stems are weak, usually prostrate on ground. Spreads via rhizomes to cover.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in warm weather (May to Oct). Flowering heads small (~ ½ inch), typical

for the Sunflower family. Ray, disk flowers yellow. Pretty and surprising flowering groundcover.

Uses in the garden: Best in moist areas of the garden, since this plant likes water. Makes a nice

herbaceous groundcover in areas with little foot travel. Good under a bird bath, areas that get

some overflow water (such as near lawns). Fine choice for moist containers. Good habitat plant. This plant is rare in nature (habitat is gone) so it makes a nice ‘historic plant’ in coastal gardens.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native groundcovers.

Attracts: Excellent nectar & pollen source for bees, butterflies & other insect pollinators.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun best.

Soil Sandy soil is excellent, but will take other textures. Fine in alkali & salty soils.

Water Likes moist soils; Zone 2-3 or 3 (weekly to regular water in summer)

Fertilizer Fine with light fertilizer, but not needed.

Other

Management: Probably best to let dry out a bit at in later summer/fall.

Propagation: from seed: soak in water; cold-treat 15 days – easy by cuttings: probably

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 13, 20 7/25/09 © Project SOUND

Alkali heath – Frankenia salina (fran-KEN-ee-uh sa-LIE-nuh)

Family: Frankeniaceae (Alkali heath family)

Native to: Southwestern U.S. (CA, NV) to Mexico, S. America. Once common in western L.A.

County along ocean bluffs/mesas. beaches and around salt and brackish marshlands.

Growth characteristics: spreading sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3+ ft. In western Los Angeles county, usually a 1-2 ft spreading/sprawling half-woody groundcover. Leaves simple, green/gray-green, in pairs along stem. Leaf margins roll under in drought making

them appear very narrow, heath-like. Plant spread via rhizomes. Evergreen with occasional summer water; drought deciduous under dry conditions. In salty soils, plants secrete salt from leaves.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms primarily in summer – June to Sep. Purple-pink flowers are small (1/4 - 1

in), solitary among the foliage. Pretty up close, the flowers are tubular, with 5 ‘petals’ and prominent stamens that exceed the floral cup. Fruit is a dry capsule with 1-20 brown seeds.

Uses in the garden: Most effective when used as a low-care ground cover. Also used in water-wise

and rock gardens, primarily as a pollinator plant. Good choice around rain gardens and dry swales.

Tea from leaves traditionally used for colds, congestion.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native groundcovers like ivy, ice plant.

Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: provides nectar and pollen for many insects. Lizards use plants for cover.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Prefers full sun – Ok with light shade.

Soil Not particular about soil texture – clay to sandy; takes pH to 9.0 (very alkali)

Water Looks best with occasional summer water – Water Zone 2 to 2-3

Fertilizer Not needed – fine with very occasional ½ strength fertilizer.

Other Fine with leaf mulch; very salt tolerant

Management: Prune or edge to contain. Other than that, this is a low maintenance plant.

Propagation: from seed: pre-chill 21 days by divisions & herbaceous stem cuttings: easy

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 10, 20, 21, 24 12/29/14 © Project SOUND

Salt Marsh Baccharis – Baccharis douglasii (BAK-uh-riss dug-LASS-ee-eye )

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Native to: West Coast of N. America from OR to Baja. In CA in lower coastal elevations and Sierra

foothills; coastal salt marsh, coastal salt scrub, moist places near streams to 2500' in Coastal Sage Scrub, Northern Coastal Scrub, Redwood Forest, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest.

Growth characteristics: spreading sub-shrub mature height: 4-5 ft. mature width: 6-8 ft. Spreading sub-shrub with many erect stems from rhizomes. Foliage evergreen if watered,

medium green and sticky-glandular (quite similar to Mulefat).

Blooms/fruits: Dioecious (separate male/female plants. Blooms off and on from July into fall depending on soil moisture. Flower heads similar to Mulefat in appearance, in clusters at the ends of

stems. Flowers attract a wide range of insect pollinators.

Uses in the garden: Most suitable for wetland, bog or rain gardens. Excellent choice for pots

including a ‘wetland in a pot’ garden. Pretty and green. One of the best native plants for insects – fascinating to watch. Plant used medicinally to disinfect wounds (infusion or dried leaf powder).

Sensible substitute for: Non-native pond/wetland plants.

Attracts: Excellent insect habitat plant. Food source for American Painted Lady, Buckeyes and

Acmon Blue butterflies . Flowers and foliage attract a wide variety of insects & insect-eating birds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade.

Soil Any texture; any local pH. Tolerates salty soils/brackish water.

Water Likes water, but fairly drought tolerant once established. Probably looks best with

semi-regular water (Water Zone 2-3 to 3) but will survive on little.

Fertilizer Not particular – but none needed

Other Likes a leaf mulch (typical wetland plant)

Management: Plant in a container to keep from spreading. Container plants need dividing once a year in spring. Other than that, not much management required.

Propagation: from seed: yes - fresh by cuttings: easy from divisions.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 3, 13 5/19/13 © Project SOUND

Emory Baccharis – Baccharis emoryi (BACK-ar-us em-MORE-ee-eye)

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Native to: Southwestern U.S. from CA to Texas & S. to Baja. In CA, on South Coast, foothills and desert waterways; sandy edges of rivers and washes, salt marshes in coastal prairie & shrubland,

coastal sage scrub, chaparral, deserts.

Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 4-12 ft. mature width: 2-4+ ft.

Upright shrub with stiff, woody branches; more flexible and arching at ends. Foliage bright to dark

green, leaves small to medium (1-2 inches), somewhat rounded, toothed. Stress desciduous, but retains leaves with occasional summer water. Looks like a cross between Mule Fat (Baccharis salicifolia) and Coyote Bush (Baccharis pilularis). Spreads via roots or rhizomes.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in fall (Aug to Oct, even into Dec.). Plants are dioecious (separate male

and female plants). Male flowers buff, in small heads. Female flowers more showy, white and

tufted. Numerous flowers make both sexes showy in fall.

Uses in the garden: Most useful as a large shrub in backs of beds, along wall or fences, or as a large

hedge or screen. Good on slopes – roots retain soil. Excellent on stream banks, dry streams.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs like Escalonia, small Acacias.

Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and nesting sites. Good nectar source for bees in fall. Attracts a large number of beneficial insects, and the birds that eat them.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part shade.

Soil Well-drained soils – sandy soils particularly good; takes alkali soils.

Water Wide range of tolerance: Zone 2 to 2-3. Give some summer water to keep it green.

Tolerates winter flooding.

Fertilizer None needed; organic mulches are fine

Other Good salt tolerance.

Management: Easy to grow. Can be shaped with yearly pruning. Cut back severely to

rejuvenate (as needed). Spreads via rhizomes or root sprouting.

Propagation: from seed: fresh seed only; barely cover, keep wet by cuttings: probably

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 24 12/24/14 © Project SOUND

Pointed rush – Juncus oxymeris (JUN-cuss ox-ee-MARE-us)

Family: Juncaceae (Rush Family)

Native to: Far western North America from British Columbia, Canada to CA. Locally on Catalina

Island and in the San Gabriels; in wet places like stream and lake shores, montane meadows and season wetlands from ~400 to 7000 ft. elevation.

Growth characteristics: clumping perennial rush mature height: 2-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft. Clumping/spreading rush with flattened, somewhat iris-like leaves and lovely green color.

Evergreen with water, otherwise dies back. Spreads via underground rhizomes. Fast growth.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms late spring of summer – May to Aug. depending on elevation. Flowers are

fairly showy for a rush; tan/straw-colored in a loose panicle (many-branched flower cluster). Very

pleasant accent when in bloom.

Uses in the garden: Most often used around ponds/pools and in rain gardens. Good plant for

erosion control on wet banks. Lovely in a bog pot. Useful for any moist area of the garden.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native rushes.

Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade.

Soil Best in clays. OK in loams – probably difficult in sands.

Water Moderate to regular water (Water Zone 2-3 to 3 best).

Fertilizer Leaf mulch is fine – only fertilize if in a container.

Other Tolerates salinity, some compaction.

Management: Prune off old leaves in winter. Will spread with adequate water so contain or divide if this is not desired. Does not appear to spread appreciably from seed.

Propagation: from seed: may need soaking by divisions: easy in winter/early spring

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 3, 8, 39 12/29/14 © Project SOUND

Lippia (Fogfruit) – Phyla nodiflora (FY-luh no-dee-FLOR-uh)

Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Native to: Southern half of U.S. to tropics. In CA, moist, lowland areas of Los Angeles County and

the S. Channel Islands; moist places including ditches, roadsides, fields and beaches.

Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 6 in. mature width: 1-3 ft. Spreading, mostly herbaceous perennial. Fast growing, forming a dense groundcover. Leaves lance-shaped to oval, light green with red or purple, may be toothed. Dormant in cold winters.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms off and on from May until Oct. Small white flowers open sequentially along

a short blooming stalk (typical of Verbena family); youngest flowers are pink-purple. Many flower clusters bloom at once, carpeting the foliage. Very pretty. Excellent plant for many pollinators.

Uses in the garden: Best used as a groundcover; often used as lawn substitute in moist tropics and

may be mowed occasionally if desired. Grows around pavers, making it a good choice for walkways;

can tolerate some foot traffic. Lovely in planters, pots, and hanging baskets. Does well on slopes, parking strips and around rain gardens of dry swales. Often grown in habitat gardens, around lawn.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native groundcover plants like Ajuga.

Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: provides nectar and pollen for wide range of bees, butterflies

and other native pollinators. Larval food source for Common Buckeye butterfly.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun (best) with water; tolerates part-shade but fewer blooms.

Soil Any local soil, including poorly drained; wide pH tolerance.

Water Best with moderate to regular water (Water Zone 2-3 to 3) but OK with Zone 2.

Fertilizer Probably not needed, except in containers.

Other Tolerates heat, seasonal flooding, salinity.

Management: Plant is a spreader – plant where appropriate or cut back/edge regularly. If desired, may be mowed (4 inches) occasionally; mow only when not in bloom.

Propagation: from seed: likely by cuttings: easy from divisions

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 8, 46 12/29/14 © Project SOUND

Narrowleaf Bedstraw – Galium angustifolium ssp. angustifolium (GAL-ee-um an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-um)

Family: Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

Native to: The local ssp. (angustifolium) is limited to southwestern California, Baja and the southern Sierras; usually found in dry often shaded places, including cliffs and canyons below 8000 ft.

elevation (many plant communities).

Growth characteristics: perennial/sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 3-4 ft. Sprawling herbaceous perennial with a woody base. Leaves are attractive bright green, strap-like in whorls. Plant grows quickly with winter rains, dies back to ground in summer drought period.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring, time depending on rains. Plant are dioecious (separate male and

female plants). Flowers are tiny, yellow, in flat clumps above the foliage. Hundreds of flowers make this plant quite showy in bloom.

Uses in the garden: Best used as a spring-blooming deciduous perennial under oaks (and other

large Zone 1 or 1-2 plants) and in dry shady mixed beds. In nature, often found with other shade-

tolerant native annuals like Chinese Houses, shrubs and grasses. Place among other plants, as it dies back in summer.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native Galiums (Sweet Woodruff and others)

Attracts: Bird eat the seeds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun along immediate coast; part sun in most gardens

Soil Any

Water Zone 1-2 to 2-3; no summer water to occasional water; drought tolerant in shade

Fertilizer None needed; organic mulches ok

Other

Management: Cut back to just above woody stem in fall (if does not die back naturally)

Propagation: from seed: charred wood increases germination by divisions: probably, winter

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 12, 13, 16 12/29/14

© Project SOUND

*Rose mallow – Hibiscus lasiocarpus (hi-BIS-kus las-ee-oh-KAR-pus)

Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)

Native to: Southeastern United States, parts of California and northern Mexico; lowland borders of

sloughs, ponds & ditches and low, wet woods.

Growth characteristics: spreading perennial/sub-shrub mature height:3-6 ft. mature width:2-4 ft. Many-branched winter deciduous part-woody perennial. Form either upright or more sprawling in

shade. Leaves two inches long, bright green, heart-shaped and hairy – typical for genus. Dies back

substantially (often to the ground) in late fall.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring and summer, usually from May to Sep. with summer water.

Flowers are large (4-6 inches across and more) white hibiscus flowers with a purple-red center.

Flowers are very attractive, fragrant and showy. They close at night and open with the light.

Uses in the garden: Often used as an accent plant or shrub – even in large pots. Long bloom

season makes it a nice addition to the summer garden; good cut flowers. Excellent choice for moist areas of the garden – near a pond/pool, in an irrigated rain garden or bog garden or near a lawn.

Place where you can enjoy visiting hummingbirds and butterflies. Very tropical appearance.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native Hibiscus.

Attracts: Excellent hummingbird and butterfly habitat plant.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade.

Soil Not particular; all but the most alkali of local soils.

Water Needs regular water (Water Zone 3) until established. Older plants may be more drought tolerant (Water Zone 2-3; water every other week in summer).

Fertilizer Leaf mulch or yearly ½ strength fertilizer.

Other Organic mulch recommended.

Management: Prune back as needed when dormant. Easy to grow as long as soil is moist.

Propagation: from seed: easy – no treatment needed by cuttings: likely in summer

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 11, 13, 46 12/30/14 * not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND

Western/Red-osier dogwood – Cornus sericea (KOR-nus ser-ee-KEE-uh )

Family: Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)

Native to: North & NW U.S, Canada, CA Floristic Province; riparian areas and other moist sites

<9,200 feet (in CA). Locally in San Gabriel and possibly Santa Monica Mtns.

Growth characteristics: woody shrub/small tree mature height:5-20 ft. mature width:5-20 ft. Winter deciduous multi-trunk shrub or small tree. Form erect to loosely spreading depending on

sunlight. Shrubs often form dense thickets by stolons and prostrate, rooting stems and lower branches. Leaves simple, opposite. Bark of younger stems is bright red – showy in winter.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring. Flowers small, creamy white in umbrella shaped clusters.

Flowers in parts of 4 – typical for family. Very ornamental in bloom. Flowers attract wide array of pollinators. Showy white to blue-white fruits in fall.

Uses in the garden: Used as shrub or pruned to small tree. Useful along streams, around ponds or

in a rain garden or dry swale. Makes a naturalistic screen. Showy flowers and red bark. Used

extensively in northern gardens. Bark and roots used extensively as medicinals. Plants also used as

source of wood, fiber and dyes. Cultivar 'Kelseyi' is very short; ‘Peter’s choice’ more tree-like.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs, including non-native dogwoods.

Attracts: Excellent pollinator and bird habitat. Flowers attract wide range of pollinators including butterflies, bees. Larval food for Spring Azure butterfly. Birds eat the fruits.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Best in part-shade – fine under tall trees.

Soil Not picky – fine with clays and any local pH.

Water Tolerates seasonal flooding. Best with some summer water – Water Zone 2 to 3.

Fertilizer Benefits from leaf mulch, compost mulch.

Other

Management: Remove suckers as need to keep from spreading. Beware of fungal diseases, to which it is susceptible. Best bark color if oldest 25% of stems removed each year.

Propagation: from seed: cold moist treat 2-3 months by cuttings: hardwood tip cuttings, spring

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 8, 11, 13, 20 12/29/14 © Project SOUND

* White Alder – Alnus rhombifolia (AL-nus rom-bee-FOH-lee-uh)

Family: Betulaceae (Birch Family)

Native to: Western United States from Baja to British Columbia. In California, much of the state

except the Mojave Desert, including the Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mtns; along stream banks, canyon bottomlands and gulches to about 7000 ft., often in small stands along permanent streams.

Growth characteristics: woody tree mature height: 40-70+ ft. mature width: 30-40 ft. Lovely winter-deciduous tree with striking white-gray bark. Fast growing – to 30 ft. in less than a

decade. Leaves alternate, rounded with serrated edges, prominent veins – shiny above. Leaves on long petioles (stalks) so they quiver in the wind. May have one or several trunks. Sweet

fragrance. Roots are invasive (water-seeking) and may damage sidewalks/concrete.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in winter/early spring in our area. Separate male and female flowers on

each tree. Male flowers on drooping branches (catkins); female flowers develop into small, woody

cones < 1 inch long. Wind pollinated. Seeds are small – spread by wind and water.

Uses in the garden: Usually planted as a lawn tree in large lawns or as a street tree. Provides good

shade – few other plants can grow beneath it when mature. Excellent choice for stream banks and moist, shady canyons.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native deciduous trees.

Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and seeds for food.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade.

Soil Any local.

Water Needs regular summer water – Water Zone 2-3 or 3.

Fertilizer Not needed – probably not harmful.

Other Use an organic mulch (or let leaf mulch accumulate).

Management: Watch for Alder Borers, which can kill trees. Relatively short-lived (to 80 years).

Can prune up to a more open shape.

Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in fall; 180 day cold-treat stored seed by cuttings: yes

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14 4/30/13 © Project SOUND