1

CA Native Plants for Western L.A. County – Plants for Dry Shade (part-shade and full-shade)

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

Trees and Tree-like Large Shrubs

X Aesculus californica CA Buckeye 12-30+ ft tall & w

White/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Any well-drained

1 1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 14

X * Arctostaphylos glauca Big-berry

Manzanita 7-10 ft tall & wide

White/ Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 8, 12-14 20, 24

Blue-green foliage; ‘Canyon Blush’ is 4 ft. tall

X Ceanothus arboreus Catalina

Ceanothus <20 ft. t

8-10 ft w Blue/Sp FS/PS

Any well-

drained 1

1, 3, 7, 9, 14,

19

** Ceanothus ‘Ray

Hartman’

‘Ray Hartman’

Ceanothus To 20 ft t 10-15 w

Lt. blue/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 6, 9, 13 Spreading; evergreen; good for garden

X * Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud 6-20 ft tall 10-15 ft w

Magenta/ Sp

FS/PS Any incl clay

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19

Fall color (red, orange); edible fruit, flowers

X Cercocarpus montanus

var. blancheae/ C. alnifolius/

C. betuloides var. blancheae

Birchleaf Mountain

Mahogany 6-12 ft tall 4 ft. wide

Yellow-white/Sp

FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 1, 7, 13 Hedge; evergreen; upright form

X

Comarostaphylis

diversifolia ssp.

planifolia

Summer Holly < 18 ft tall White/Sp FS/PS Any well-

drained 1 10, 14, 16

Good under

oaks

X * Garrya elliptica Coastal Silktassel 12 ft tall &

wide Cream/W FS/PS

Any well-

drained 1 to 1-2 3, 8, 14

Good under oaks; 'Evie',

‘James Roof’

X * Garrya veatchii Canyon Silk Tassel

Bush

6-15 ft tall 6-8 ft wide

Cream/ W-Sp

FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2 1, 13 Evergreen; silvery

X Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon 6-10 ft + 4-6 ft w

White/Su FS/PS/FSH Any well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18

Berries toxic in lg. amounts

X * Holodiscus discolor Creambush; Ocean

Spray 10-20 ft

tall White/Su-Fa FS/PS

Any, incl.

clays 1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 13, 14

Fragrant at a

distance; good

under oaks

X Lavatera

assurgentiflora ssp.

glabrata & assurgentiflora

Island (Rose)

Mallow 8-12 ft tall & wide

Magenta/ yr round

FS/PS Well-drained

1 1, 2, 13

X Lyonothamnus

floribundus Catalina Ironwood

To 50 ft t 15-30 ft w

White-yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Any well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 14

Evergreen

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I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia & lyonii

Holly-leaf and

Catalina Island

Cherries

< 50 ft White/Su PS any 1-2 1, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19

Good under oaks

X Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea

Blue (Mexican)

Elderberry 8-25+ ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS

Well-drained

1-2 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 12-14, 16, 19

Edible berries

Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)

X Arctostaphylos

catalinae Catalina Manzanita

6-18 ft tall 5-8 ft wide

Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Any well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 1, 13, 14 Well-drained soil

X

** Arctostaphylos

densiflora 'Howard

McMinn' ‘Harmony’

‘Sentinel’ (Vine

Hill) Manzanita 4-8 ft tall 6-10 ft w

Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Any, incl. clays

2 to 2-3 1, 3, 13, 14

X Baccharis pilularis Coyote Bush To 8 ft Cream/F FS/PS any 1-2 1, 2, 3, 5, 10,

13, 14, 16, 18

X ** Baccharis pilularis

‘Pigeon Point’

Pigeon Point

Coyote Bush 6-12 ft T

to 10 ft W

Buff-White/

Su-F FS/PS any

1 to 1-2 Winter flooding

1, 2, 7, 8, 10,

13, 14, 16, 20

X * Calycanthus occidentalis Western Spicebush 6-12 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

Purple-

bronze/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Pref.light deep rich

2-3 1, 13, 14 Spicy; wine-like fragrance

X * Carpenteria

californica Bush aneneme

6-8 ft tall

6-12 ft W

White-

Yellow/ Spr PS/FSH

Well-

drained 1-2 to 2-3

1, 3, 7, 13, 14,

19

Showy, fragrant

flowers

X Ceanothus megacarpus Big-pod Ceanothus To 12 ft tall

White-lavender/ Sp

FS/PS Any well-drained

1 1, 3, 10, 13, 14, 16

X Dendromecon harfordii Channel Island

Tree Poppy 8 ft tall 4 ft wide

Yellow/W-Sp FS/PS Any well-drained

1-2 1, 9, 13, 14, 19

Showy; blue-green foliage

X * Garrya fremontii Fremont’s

Silktassel 5-15 ft tall

& wide Yellow/W-Sp FS/PS

Any well-

drained 1-2 to 2 8, 13

Under oaks;

blue berries

X * Holodiscus discolor Creambush; Ocean

Spray 10-20 ft tall

White/ Su-Fa

FS/PS Any, incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 13, 14 Fragrant at a distance

X Mahonia (Berberis)

nevinii Nevin’s Barberry

3-8+ ft tall

6-12 ft w Yellow/Sp FS/PS

Well-

drained 1-2 1, 7, 13, 14

Edible berries;

good bird habitat

* Mahonia pinnata California Barberry 4-12 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

Yellow/Sp PS/FSH

Most; acidic

fine 1-2 to 2 8, 13, 20

Slow-growing; ‘Ken Hartman’;

edible fruits

X Malacothamnus

fasciculatus Chaparral Mallow

To 12 ft t 4-6 ft wide

Pink/ Sp-Su

FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 5, 10, 13, 19

‘Casitas’ good for gardens

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I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X * Philadelphus lewisii CA Mock Orange 4-10 ft tall & wide

White/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Any, incl clays

1-2 to 2-3 1, 7, 13, 14, 19

Very fragrant

X Quercus berberidifolia (Q. dumosa)

Scrub Oak 10-20 ft tall & wide

Yellow/ W-Sp

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 7, 13, 14, 19 Evergreen; small leaves

Quercus dumosa var. elegantula

Coastal Sage

Scrub Oak 3-10 ft tall to 15 ft w

Yellow/Sp FS/PS Sandy best

1 to 1-2 7, 14 Evergreen

Quercus pacifica Channel Island

Scrub Oak To 15 ft tall & wide

Yellow/Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 7, 14 Evergreen

X * Rhamnus californica incl. ‘Eve Case’, ‘Mound San Bruno’

California

Coffeeberry

6-12 ft t &

wide; short cultivars

Buff/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 7, 9, 10,

13, 14, 16, 18

'Eve Case', smaller; good under oaks

X * Rhamnus crocea Redberry

Buckthorn 3-6 ft tall 6 ft wide

Yellow/Sp FS/PS/ FSH Any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 20

Pretty fruits; birds; under oaks

X * Rhamnus ilicifolia Holly-leaf Redberry 12 ft tall 5-6 ft w

Yellow/Sp FS/PS/ FSH Any 1-2 to 2 1, 10, 12-14, 20, 21

Nice hedge plant’ holly-like leaves; under oaks

X Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry 2-10 ft

3-20 ft w. Pink/Sp FS/PS any 1-2

1, 3, 7, 9, 10,

12, 14, 16, 18

Edible fruits; ok

under oaks

X Rhus ovata Sugar Bush 8-12 ft 6-15 ft w.

Pink/Sp FS/PS any 1-2 1, 3, 9, 10, 12-14, 16, 19

Edible fruits; ok under oaks

X Ribes aureum var.

gracillimum Golden Currant To 10 ft

Yellow/

W-Sp FS/PS/ FSH Any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 12, 14

Any well-

drained; Birds eat berries

X * Romneya coulteri Matilija Poppy 3-8 ft tall spreading

White/Su FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19

Smaller Shrubs ( < 6 ft. tall) ; includes woody sub-shrubs

X * Arctostaphylos

edmundsii

Little Sur

Manzanita 2-5 ft tall 4-6 ft w

Pink/W-Sp FS/PS well-drained

1-2 to 2 1, 3, 8, 13, 14 Cultivars: ‘Greensphere’

X * Arctostaphylos

hookeri Hooker’s

Manzanita 2-5 ft tall 4-6 ft w

Pink/W-Sp FS/PS well-drained

1-2 to 2 1, 3, 13 Cultivars ‘Sunset’, ‘Wayside’, ‘Ken Taylor’

* Arctostaphylos

tomentosa ssp.

tomentosa

Wooly-leaf

Manzanita 3-8 ft tall

4-5 ft wide White/Sp FS/PS

Well-drained;

acidic

1-2 13 Large shrub; silvery blue foliage

X * Berberis (Mahonia)

aquifolium Oregon Grape < 6 ft Yellow/Sp PS any 2 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14

Good under oaks

X Brickellia californica California

Bricklebush < 4 ft tall to 4 ft w

Buff/Su-F FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 10, 12, 16

Fragrant flowers

* Brickellia nevinii Nevin’s

Brickelbush 1-2 ft tall Buff/F FS/PS

Well-drained

1 to 1-2 12 Silvery foliage

4

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Constancea

(Eriophyllum) nevinii Catalina Silverlace

3-4 ft tall 2-4 ft wide

Yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Any well-drained

1 to 2-3 1, 6, 7, 13, 14 ‘Silver Canyon’; under oaks

X Dendromecon rigida Bush Poppy 4-8 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

Yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 3, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16

Good under oaks

X Diplacus aurantiacus

ssp. aurantiacus

Bush

Monkeyflower 2-3 ft

Orange/

W-Sp FS/PS Sandy 1-2

1, 3, 5, 10, 12,

13, 14, 16,

Good under

oaks

X

Epilobium canum

(Zauschneria

californica)

CA Fuschia 1-3 ft Orange/F FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19

Good under oaks

X Eriogonum cinereum Ashy-leaf

Buckwheat 2-5 ft

Pink-wht/ Sp-F

FS/PS Any well-drained

1 to 2-3 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 16

Gray foliage; under oaks

X * Eriogonum crocatum Conejo Buckwheat 1 ft tall 1-3 ft wide

Yellow/Sp-Su

FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 12, 14, 19

Good under oaks

X Eriogonum parvifolium Coastal Buckwheat 2-4 ft Pink-creme/ Su +

FS/PS/ FSH

Any well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 16

X Gambelia (Galvezia)

speciosa

Catalina

Snapdragon 2-4 ft tall Red/Sp + FS/PS

Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14

‘Firecracker’; under oaks

X * Keckiella antirhinnoides Yellow Bush

Penstemon 3-8 ft tall 3-6 ft wide

Yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 1, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 22, 24

Fragrant flowers

X Lepechinia fragrans Fragrant Pitcher

Sage 3-6 ft tall &

wide Lavender/Sp FS/PS any 1 to 1-2

1, 3, 8, 12, 13,

14

Incl. ‘El Tigre’;

under oaks

X Lupinus albifrons var.

albifrons Silver Bush Lupine

3-4 ft tall & wide

Purple/Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19 ? var

X Rhus trilobata Basket Bush; Sour

Berry; Skunkbrush 2-6 ft

Yellow-green/Sp

PS any 1-2 10, 13, 14, 16, 19

Nice shrub

X * Ribes californicum

var. hesperium Hillside Gooseberry To 3 ft

Red-white/ W-Sp

PS/FSH Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 10, 12, 13 (var. californicum)

Birds eat berries; under oaks

X Ribes indecorum White Currant To 6 ft White/W-Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 1, 3, 12, 14 Birds eat berries; under

oaks

X Ribes malvaceum Chaparral Currant 5-8 ft Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Well-

drained 1-2 3, 13, 14, 19

Birds eat berries; under oaks

X Ribes speciosum Fuschia-flowered

Gooseberry 3-6+ ft tall and wide

dark pink/ W-Sp

FS/PS/FSH Well-drained

2; 3 in sun

1, 3, 10, 12-14, 19

Prickles; showy

X * Ribes sanguineum

var. glutinosum

Red-flowering

Currant 4-10 ft Pink/Sp PS/FSH

Well-drained

2 to 2-3 3, 5, 13, 14, 19

Pretty flowers; edible fruit

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I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Rosa californica California Wild

Rose 3-4 ft tall 3-10 ft w

Pink/ Sp-Su

FS/PS/FSH any 1-2;

3 (sun) 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16

Tol. seasonal flooding; fine under oaks

X * Salvia clevelandii Fragrant

(Chaparral) Sage 2-5 ft

Purple/lav. Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19

Cultivars: ‘Betsy

Clebsch’, ‘Compacta’, ‘Winifred Gilman’,

X Salvia mellifera Black Sage 3-5 ft Light purple/ Sp

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19

Good under oaks

X Symphoricarpos albus

var. laevigatus

Common

Snowberry 3-5 ft, spreading

White/Sp PS Clays, loams

1-2 to 2-3 7, 9, 13, 19 Fruit toxic to humans; under

oaks

X Symphoricarpos mollis Snowberry 2-4 ft tall & wide

Pink/W-Sp PS/FSH any 2 to 3 13, 14 Mulch; under oaks

X Trichostema lanatum Wooly Bluecurls 2-4 ft Purple/

W-Sp FS/PS

Well-

drained 1

1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19

difficult

X * Verbena lilacina Cedros Island

Verbena 2-4 ft tall 3-5 ft wide

Lilac/Sp-F FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14

Lovely year-

round; showy flowers

Perennial Vines

X * Calystegia purpurata

ssp. purpurata

Pacific Morning

Glory 6-8 ft

Wht-purple /Sp-Su

FS/PS Any 2 8 ‘Bolinas’ has pink flowers;

X * Clematis lasiantha Chaparral Clematis 8-20 ft vine

White/Sp-Su; sep. m/f

FS (top) PS (roots)

any 1-2 to 2 1, 6, 8, 13 Winter decid.; under oaks

X Clematis ligusticifolia Virgin’s Bower To 15 ft White/Su PS/FSH Any 2-3 to 3 3, 5, 13, 14, 19

Winter decid.; under oaks

X Keckiella cordifolia Climbing

Penstemon 3-4 ft

Red-Or/

Sp-Su PS/PS/

FSH any 1-2

1, 3, 7, 10, 12,

13, 14

Good under

oaks

X * Lathyrus splendens Pride of California 6-12 ft Red/Sp PS Well-drained

1-2 ? Gorgeous flowers

X Lathyrus vestitus Wild Sweetpea;

Canyon Pea 3-9 ft

Purple-white/ Sp

PS/FSH any 1-2 1, 8, 13

Good under

trees; drought deciduous

X Lonicera hispidula var.

vacillans

Western

Honeysuckle 5-18 ft Pink/Sp-Su PS/FSH clay 1-2 to 2-3

1, 5, 13, 14, 19

Tolerates seasonal flooding

X * Lonicera involucrata Twinberry 3-5 ft Yellow/Su PS/FSH any 1-2 to 2-3 3, 7, 13, 19

X

Lonicera subspicata

var. denudata &

subspicata

Santa Barbara &

Southern

Honeysuckles

3-8 ft Cream/ Sp-Su

PS/PS/ FSH

any 1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 12, 13, 14

Edible fruit

6

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X ** Vitis californica

‘Roger’s Red’

‘Roger’s Red’

California Grape > 20 ft White/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13

X Vitis girdiana Desert Grape > 25 ft White/Su PS any 1-2 to 2-3 2, 3, 10, 13, 20

Perennial Groundcover Plants

X Achillea millefolia Yarrow 1-2 ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 most Alkali soils fine

X * Arctostaphylos

edmundsii

Little Sur

Manzanita

1-3 ft tall 6-20 ft

wide

Pink/W-Sp PS best Any incl.

clays 1-2 to 2-3

1, 3, 6, 8, 13,

16

Red berries in summer; good under oaks

** Arctostaphylos

edmundsii ‘Bert

Johnson’

Bert Johnson

Manzanita < 1 ft tall 6 ft wide

Pink/W-Sp FS/PS Any incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 19 further inland; under oaks

** Arctostaphylos

edmundsii ‘Big Sur’ Big Sur Manzanita

< 4 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

White/W-Sp FS/PS Any; sandy ok

1-2 to 2-3 19, Open growth; under oaks

** Arctostaphylos

edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’

Carmel Sur

Manzanita 1 ft tall to 20 ft w

Pink/Sp FS/PS Any incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 3, 6, 13, 19 Coastal areas; under oaks

** Arctostaphylos

edmundsii ‘Danville’ Danville Manzanita

1-2 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

Pink/W FS/PS Any incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 6, Good under oaks

* Arctostaphylos

edmundsii ‘Parvifolia’

Little Sur

Manzanita 1-3 ft tall 3-6 ft wide

Pink/Sp PS best Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, Red berries in summer; good under oaks

** Arctostaphylos

edmundsii ‘Sandsprite’

Sandsprite

Manzanita Pink/W FS/PS

Any incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 8, 13

** Arctostaphylos

hookeri ‘Monterey

Carpet’

Monterey Carpet

Manzanita 1 ft high 5+ ft wide

White/Sp PS Sandy best

1-2 1, 3, 6, 13 Good under oaks

X * Arctostaphylos

pajaroensis Pajaro Manzanita

4-6 ft tall & wide

White/W FS/PS

Sandy

best; acidic

1-2 to 2 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14

Several cultivars used as groundcovers

X ** Arctostaphylos uva-

ursi ‘Pacific Mist’

Pacific Mist

Manzanita 1 ft tall 6-8 ft wide

White/Sp FS/PS Sandy 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 6, 8, 13

Best along

coast; needs pruning; under oaks

x ** Arctostaphylos uva-

ursi ‘Point Reyes’

Point Reyes

Manzanita <1 ft tall to 10 ft

Pink/Sp PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13, 16, 19

** Arctostaphylos uva-

ursi ‘Radiant’ Radiant Manzanita

<1 ft tall 8-10 ft w

Pink/W-Sp PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13, 19

7

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

** Arctostaphylos

’Emerald Carpet’

Emerald Carpet

Manzanita < 1 ft tall 3-6 ft wide

White/W-Sp FS/PS Rich, sl. acid

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13 A. uva-ursi X A. nummularia hybrid

X Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort 2-4+ ft tall & wide

Cream/Su PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 3, 5, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18

Tolerates

seasonal flooding

X **Artemisia

pycnocephala ‘David’s

Choice’)

Beach Sagewort /

Sandhill Sage 1-2 ft. tall 2-4 ft wide

Yellow/Su FS/PS Sandy best

1-2 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14,

18

‘

** Aster chilensis ‘Point

St. George’

Point St. George

Coast Aster 1-3 ft tall

spreading Lavender/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 1, 8, 11, 13

Good habitat

plant

** Baccharis pilularis

‘Pigeon Point’

Pigeon Point Dwarf

Coyote Bush 2 ft tall 6-8 ft wide

White-gold/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Any incl. clays

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 16

Light green leaves; good for coastal region

** Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks 2’

Twin Peaks Dwarf

Coyote Bush 1-3 ft tall to 10 ft w

White/F FS/PS Any incl. clays

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 13

Small dark

leaves; can shear to size

* Berberis (Mahonia)

aquifolium var. repens

Creeping Oregon

Grape 1 ft tall < 6 ft wide

Yellow/Sp PS/FSH Any; acidic

1-2 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14 Good habitat; edible berries; under oaks

** Berberis (Mahonia)

aquifolium ‘Compacta’

‘Compacta’ Oregon

Grape 2-4 ft tall

2-4 ft wide Yellow/Sp PS/FSH

Any;

acidic 1-2 to 2-3 1, 13

Good habitat; edible berries;

under oaks

X * Ceanothus gloriosus Point Reyes

Ceanothus 1-2 ft tall to 8 ft wide

Lt. blue/Sp FS (coast)

/ PS

Well-drained;

sandy 2-3 3

Dense foliage; holly-like

** Ceanothus gloriosus

‘Anchor Bay’

Anchor Bay

Ceanothus < 1 ft tall to 8 ft wide

Dk blue/Sp FS (coast)

/ PS any 1-2 to 2-3 8, 9, 19 Dense, compact

** Ceanothus gloriosus

‘Blue Jeans’

‘Blue Jeans’

Ceanothus 6 ft tall & wide

Lavender/Sp Fs/PS Most, incl alkali

1-2 to 2 3, 6, 14 Informal hedge, groundcover

** Ceanothus gloriosus

‘Heart’s Desire’

Heart’s Desire

Ceanothus 1-3 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

Dk blue/ FS (coast)

/ PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 8

X * Ceanothus griseus

horizontalis

Carmel Creeper

Ceanothus 1-3 ft tall 5-15 ft w

Lt. blue/ FS/PS Any incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13

** Ceanothus griseus horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’

Yankee Point

Ceanothus To 4-5 ft To 10 ft

Med. Blue/ FS (coast)

/ PS

Any incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13, 19 Best near coast; fast grower

** Ceanothus griseus

'Kurt Zadnik'

Kurt Zadnick

Ceanothus 3-4 ft 8-10 ft

Dk purple/ FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2 13 More reliable than ‘Yankee

Point’; oaks

8

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

** Ceanothus griseus

‘Santa Ana’

‘Santa Ana’

Ceanothus 5 ft tall & wide

Dk blue/Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 3, 8

* Ceanothus hearstiorum Hearst’s

Ceanothus 1 ft tall

6-8 ft wide Blue/W-Sp PS

Any incl

clays 1 to 1-2 3, 7, 8, 16, 19

Sticky; mat-like; best near coast

** Ceanothus rigidus ‘Snowball’

‘Snowball’

Ceanothus 2-5 ft tall 4-6 ft wide

White/Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 3, 6 Under oaks

** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens ‘Louis Edmunds’

Louis Edmunds

Ceanothus 1-2 ft tall 6-10 ft w

Med. Blue/ FS (coast)

/ PS

Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 3, 8, 9 Much confusion with name

** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Skylark’

Skylark Ceanothus 4-5 ft tall 4-7 ft wide

Med Blue/Sp FS/PS Any, incl. clays

1-2 to 2-3 6, 8, 13, 19 Quite shade & water toleratant

** Ceanothus ‘Joan Mirov’ C. foliosus X C. griseus

‘Joan Mirov’

Ceanothus 3-6 ft tall 8-12 ft w

Dk blue/Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 13, 14 Afternoon shade; coastal

** Ceanothus ‘Joyce Coulter’ - ? Ceanothus

papillosus var. roweanus X C. thyrsiflorus

‘Joyce Coulter’

Ceanothus 2-3 ft tall 6-12 ft w

Med blue/Sp FS/PS Most 1-2 to 2-3 3, 6, 13, 24 Prune to keep low

** Ceanothus ‘Wheeler Canyon’ - ? Ceanothus

papillosus var. roweanus hybrid

‘Wheeler Canyon’

Ceanothus 4-6 ft tall to 8 ft wide

Dk Blue/Sp FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 6, 8, 9, 11, 19 Dark leaves;

X * Clinopodium (Satureja) chandleri

San Miguel Savory 1-2 ft tall 2-3 ft wide

White/Sp PS/FSH Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 3, 14

minty

X Clinopodium (Satureja)

douglasii Yerba buena

< 6 in

spreading White/Sp-Su PS/FSH

Well-

drained 2-3 to 3 1, 3, 7, 13, 14

X

** Corethrogyne

(Lessingia) filaginifolia

‘Silver Carpet’

Silver Carpet Sand

Aster 1 ft tall 2-3 ft w

Violet/Sp-Su FS/PS

Any; sandy best

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 8, 10, 13, 16

X

Epilobium canum

(Zauschneria

californica)

CA Fuschia 1-3 ft 3-5 ft wide

Orange/F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19

Tolerates winter flooding; under

oaks

** Epilobium canum

(Zauschneria

californica) ‘Catalina’

Island CA Fuschia 2-3 ft tall 3-5 ft wide

Red/all year

(S/F/W most) FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 13, 19

Gray foliage; shrub-like’ under oaks

** Epilobium canum (Zauschneria californica) ‘Everett’s Choice’

Everett’s Choice

CA Fuschia 1 ft tall 3 ft wide

Dark Or-red/ Spr-Su

FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 3, 11, 16 Low-growing; under oaks

9

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

** Epilobium canum

(Zauschneria CA)

‘Hurricane Point’

Hurricane Point CA

Fuschia 1 ft tall 2 ft wide

Or-red/Su-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 8, 19 Low-growing; under oaks

** Epilobium canum

(Zauschneria CA)

‘Solidarity Pink’

‘Solidarity pink’ CA

Fuschia 2-3 ft tall & wide

Pink/Su-F FS/PS Most 2 to 2-3 13

under oaks; tolerates winter flooding

** Epilobium canum

(Zauschneria CA)

‘Wayne’s Silver’

‘Wayne’s Silver’ CA

Fuschia

1-2 ft tall 3-4 ft wide

Red/Su-F FS/PS most 2 to 2-3 13, 14

under oaks

X ** Erigeron glaucus

‘Bountiful’

Bountiful Seaside

Daisy < 1 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Lavender/ Sp-Su

PS best Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 8, 9, Green foliage; large flowers

X ** Erigeron glaucus

‘Sea Breeze’ Seaside Daisy

1 ft tall

2 ft wide

Lavernder/

Sp-Fa FS/PS/FSH

Well-

drained 1-2 to 3

1, 3, 5, 6, 7,

8, 9, 13, 14

Attractive flowers, foliage; habitat

X

* Fragaria chiloensis

ssp. pacifica (and

cultivars)

(Pacific) Coast

Strawberry < 1 ft spreading

White/Sp-Su PS Sandy best

1-2 to 2-3

1, 3, 8, 13 Edible fruit; under oaks

X * Fragaria vesca

(californica)

CA/Wood

Strawberry < 2 ft spreading

White/Su PS/FSH any 1-2 to 3 1, 13, 20 Edible fruit; under oaks

X

* Heuchera maxima

(incl. many cultivars &

hybrids)

Island Alumroot 1- 3 ft

White/Spr PS/PS/ FSH Any, incl. clays

1-2 to

2-3

1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 14

Good under oaks

X * Iva hayesiana San Diego Marsh

Elder 2-4 ft tall

4-6 ft wide Yellow/Su FS/PS/ FSH

Any, incl.

clays 1 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13

X ** Monardella villosa

‘Russian River’ Coyote Mint

1-2 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Pink/Spr-Su PS Well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 8, 13, 14, 19

X Ribes viburnifolium Catalina Perfume 1-3 ft Pink/ PS/FSH See note 2 to 2-3 1, 3, 9, 13, 14, 20

Well-drained soil

X * Salvia sonomensis Creeping Sage 1-2 ft tall 3-8 ft wide

Med. Blue/ Sp

PS best Well-drained

1 to 1-2 3, 8, 13, 14 Silver-green foliage; inland; ‘Mrs. Beard’

X Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage 1-3 ft Magenta/Spr PS/FSH Any 1-2 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 19

Cut back yearly

X Stachys bullata California

Woodmint 1-4 ft Pink/Spr-Su PS

Well- drained

1-2 to 2-3

1, 3, 7, 12, 14 Tolerates seasonal

flooding

X

Stachys rigida var.

rigida (Stachys

ajugoides)

Rigid Woodmint

(Hedgenettle) 1-2 ft Pink/Spr-Su FS/PS Clay 2-3 to 3 1, 13

10

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Verbena lasiostachys California Verbena 1-4 ft Lavender/Spr-Fa

FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 10, 13, 16 No water after flowering

Herbaceous Perennials

X Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort 2-4+ ft tall & wide

Crème/Su PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2-3 3, 5, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18

Tolerates seasonal flooding

X Artemisia dracunculus California

Tarragon; 1-3 ft tall 2-3 ft w

White/F FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 10, 16 Leaves - raw or a flavoring in

soups, etc.

X Asclepias eriocarpa Indian Milkweed 2-3 ft Pink/Su FS/PS Sandy 1-2 13

X Asclepias fascicularis Narrow-leaf

Milkweed 2-3 ft

Cream-

pink/Su FS/PS Sandy 1-2 1, 3, 10, 14

Needs seasonal

flooding

X Delphinium parryi ssp.

maritimum & parryi

Parry’s Blue

Larkspur 1-5 ft

Blue-purple/Spr

FS/?PS Well-drained

1 8, 20 Good under oaks

X Diplacus aurantiacus

ssp. aurantiacus

Bush

Monkeyflower 2-3 ft

Orange/W-Spr

FS/PS Sandy 1-2 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16,

X Diplacus (Mimulus)

linearis

Chaparral Bush

Monkey Flower 2-3 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Yellow/W-Spr

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 3, 10, 13

X * Diplacus puniceus Red Monkeyflower 2-3 ft Red/ FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 3, 6, 8, 10, 12-4, 16, 21

Nice color for shade

X Erigeron foliosus Fleabane Daisy

(Aster) 2-3 ft

Lavender/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well- drained

1 to 1-2 1? Good under oaks

X * Eriogonum grande

var. rubescens Red Buckwheat

1-2 ft tall 2-4 ft wide

Red-pink/ Su-F

FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 5, 7, 8, 14

Tol. moderate

salt, alkali soils; under oaks

* Eriogonum

umbellatum

Sulfur-flowered

Buckwheat 1 ft tall 3 ft wide

Yellow/ FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 1, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16

X Galium angustifolium

ssp. angustifolium

Narrowleaf

Bedstraw

1-3 ft tall & wide

White/Spr PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 10, 12, 14, 16

X Horkelia cuneata ssp.

cuneata

Wedgeleaf

Horkelia < 1 ½ ft T

2 ft wide White/Sp-Su FS/PS sandy 1-2 to 2-3

1, 2, 6, 10, 13

(ssp. puberula)

Dies back in

summer

drought

X * Monardella villosa

(ssp. subserrata) Coyote Mint 1 ft Pink/Sp-Su PS

Well-drained

1-2 1, 3, 8, 13, 14, 19

Good under oaks

X

Penstemon

heterophyllus incl.

‘Maragarita BOP’

Foothill Penstemon 1-2 ft Purple/

Sp-Su FS/PS sandy 1 to 1-2 14 Many blooms

11

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X * Penstemon laetus Gay Penstemon 1-3 ft Lavender/ Sp-Su

FS/PS 1 to 1-2 1, 13

* Penstemon newberryi

var. sonomensis

Sonoma

Penstemon 1-2 ft tall 2-4 ft wide

Magenta/ FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 8, 13 Blue-green foliage; difficult; ‘St. Helena’

X * Penstemon palmeri Pink Wild

Snapdragon 4-5 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Lavender/

Sp-Su FS/PS

Well-

drained 1 to 1-2 1, 14

X * Phacelia bolanderi Bolander’s Phacelia 1-2 ft tall Lavender/ Sp-Su

PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 5, 11, 19 Water in full sun

Phacelia distans Common Phacelia;

Wild Heliotrope 1-2 ft tall Violet/Sp FS/PS

Well-

drained 1 to 1-2 10

Good under

other plants

X Potentilla glandulosa Sticky Cinquefoil 1-2 ft tall Yellow/ Sp-Su

PS Most 1-2 to 3 1, 6, 12, 13 Strawberry-like

X Pseudognaphalium

californicum

California

Everlasting 2-4 ft White/Sp FS/PS

Any, incl. clay

1-2 1, 2, 10, 13, 16

Sweet-scented

X

Pseudognaphalium

canescens ssp.

beneolens

Wooly Everlasting 1-2 ½ ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS Any, incl. clay

1-2 1, 2, 16 Spreads; gray foliage

X Scrophularia californica

ssp. floribunda CA Bee Plant 2-3 ft Red/Spr PS 1-2 to 3

1, 5, 8, 10, 12,

13, 16 Afternoon shade

X Sidalcea malviflora ssp.

malviflora

Dwarf Checker

Mallow To 1 ½ ft

Pink-lavender/

FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 1, 8, 13, 19 Good under oaks

X Silene laciniata Indian Pink 1-3 ft Red/Sp-Su FS/PS Sandy or rocky

1-2 to 2-3

12 Good under oaks

Solanum douglasii White (Douglas’)

Nightshade 2-5 ft tall White/Sp-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 10, 14

Berries very poisonous;

under oaks

X Solanum xanti Purple (Chaparral)

Nightshade 2-4 ft tall

Purple/Sp-

Su FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 7, 13

Berries very poisonous; under oaks

X Solidago californica California

Goldenrod 2-4 ft tall spreading

Yellow/Su-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 10, 14 Good under oaks

X * Thalictrum fendleri

var. polycarpum

Mountain

Meadowrue 3-5 ft tall 2-3 ft wide

White/Su PS/FSH Well-drained

2-3 to 3 1, 3, 8, 10, 12-14, 19

Under oaks (deciduous)

X * Venegasia

carpesioides Canyon Sunflower

4-6 ft tall 2-4 ft wide

Yellow/Sp-F PS Any 1-2 to 3 1, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 24

Long-blooming; seeds for birds

Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals) – no water after flowering

X Clarkia purpurea Purple Clarkia 2-3 ft tall Lavender/ Sp-Su

FS/PS any 1-2 1, 2, 10, 13, 16

Good under oaks

12

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Clarkia unguiculata Elegant Clarkia 2-5 ft tall Pink-purple/ Sp-Su

FS/PS any 1 to 2-3 2, 5, 10, 13, 16

Good under oaks

X Claytonia perfoliata

ssp. perfoliata Miner’s Lettuce 1 ft tall White/Sp-Su PS/FSH any 1-2 2, 5, 10

Good under oaks

X Collinsia heterophylla

var. heterphylla Chinese Houses 1-2 ft tall

Purple-white

Sp-Su PS/FSH any 1-2

1, 5, 10, 13,

16

Good under

oaks

X Eschscholzia californica

ssp. californica Coastal CA Poppy < 1 ft tall

Yellow/Or/ Sp-F

FS/PS 1 to 2 1, 2 many Be sure to get coastal ssp.

X Eucrypta

chrysanthemifolia Common Eucrypta

1-2 ft tall &

wide White/Sp FS/PS/ FSH

Well-

drained 1 to 1-2 13, 16, 21

Fire follower;

fern-like foliage

X Gilia tricolor Bird’s Eye Gilia 1-2 ft tall Yellow/Blue Sp

FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 2, 5, 10, 13 Easy; fragrant

X Linanthus dianthiflorus Linanthus < 1 ft tall Purple-blue FS/PS any 2-3 16 Good under oaks

X * Nemophila maculata Five-Spot 1 ft tall Purple-

white/Sp FS/PS any 2-3 to 3 5, 10, 13, 16

Need summer

dry for seeds

X Nemophila menziesii

var. menzeisii Baby Blue-eyes 1-2 ft tall Blue/Sp-Su PS/FSH any 2-3 5, 10, 13, 16 easy

X * Phacelia bolanderi

X Phacelia parryi Parry’s Phacelia

(Fiddleneck) 1-3 ft tall

Purple-

white/Sp FS/PS

Any well-

drained 2-3 13, 16

Good under

oaks

X Phacelia tanacetifolia Purple fiddleneck 1-3 ft tall Purple/Sp-

Su FS/PS

Any well-

drained 2-3 to 3 5, 10, 13,

Easy, pretty, scent, cut flower

Cacti and Succulents

X Dudleya lanceolata Lance-leaf Dudleya 1-2 ft tall & wide

Yellow-

Orange/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 7, 13, 14, 15

Good under oaks

* Dudleya palmeri Palmer's Live-

forever To 1 ft tall & wide

Yellow-red/ Sp

PS Well-drained

1 to 2 1, 13 Santa Monica Mtns; slopes

X Dudleya pulverulenta

(ssp. pulverulenta) CA Chalk Dudleya

< 2 ft & wide

Pink-Yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 3, 14, 19 Good under oaks

X Dudleya virens ssp.

hassei

Bright Green

Dudleya <1 ft tall 1 ft wide

Yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 8, 9, 14, 20 Good under oaks

X Dudleya virens ssp.

insularis Island Dudleya

1-2 ft tall & wide

Yellow/ Sp-Su

FS/PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 1, 14, 20 Good under oaks

Ferns and Fern-like Plants

Adiantum jordanii CA Maidenhair 1-3 ft & wide

none PS/FSH Well-drained

1-2 ?13 Good under oaks

13

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Pellaea andromedifolia

Coffee Fern

1-2 ft tall & wide

none PS/FSH Well-drained

1 to 1-2 19 Good under oaks; containers

Pellaea mucronata Bird’s Foot Fern 1 ft tall & wide

none FS/PS Well-drained

1 tp 1-2 13 Good for dry slopes

X

Pentagramma

triangularis ssp.

maxonii, triangularis &

viscosa

Goldback Ferns < 1 ft none PS/FSH Sandy, rocky

1 to 1-2 13 Good under oaks; summer-dry

X Polypodium

californicum CA Polypody

< 1 ft tall spreading

none PS/FSH Any 1 to 1-2 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20

Good under oaks; containers

Bulbs and Corms

X Allium haematochiton Red-skin Onion 1-1 ½ ft White-pink/ Sp

FS/PS Well-drained

1 1, 8, 10, 13, 16

X Allium praecox Early Onion 1-1 ½ ft White-purple/Sp

PS Well-drained

1 1, 10, 16 difficult

X Bloomeria crocea var.

crocea Golden Stars 1-2 ft Yellow/Sp FS/PS

Any, incl. clays

1 1, 8, 10, 13, 16

Good under oaks; fine in grass

X Calochortus albus White Fairy

Lantern 1 ft tall

<1 ft wide

White-pink/

Sp-Su FS/PS

Clays

best 1

1, 8, 13, 19,

20

Good under

oaks

X Calochortus splendens Splendid Mariposa

Lily 6-18 in. Pink/Sp-Su FS/PS

Well-drained

1 1, 8, 10, 18, 20

difficult

X

Chlorogalum

pomeridianum var.

pomeridianum

Wavyleaf Soap

Plant 1-2 ft tall & wide

White/Su FS/PS

Any; well-

drained 1-2

1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 19

Good under oaks

X Dichelostemma

capitatum

Blue Dicks/Wild

Hyacinth < 2 ft Blue/Sp FS/PS

well-drained

1 1, 2, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18

X Iris douglasiana Douglas iris 1-2 ft Purple/Sp PS See note 1 to 2 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16

Good under oaks

X Ranunculus californicus California

Buttercup < 2 ft

Yellow/

Sp-Su PS sandy 1-2 to 3 1, 13

Very well-

drained soils

X Sisyrinchium bellum Western Blue-eyed

Grass 1-2 ft

Purple-yellow/Sp

FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 3, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18

Good under oaks

X Triteleia clementina San Clemente

Tritelia 1-2 ft tall

Pale blue/ Sp

FS/PS Clefts in rocks

1-2 18

X Tritelia laxa incl ‘Queen

Fabiola’ Ithuriel’s Spear 1-2 ft Purple/Sp FS/PS Most 1

1, 8, 13, 18, 19

Lovely – garden favorite

14

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)

Agrostis exarata Spike Bentgrass 1-4 ft tall Cool-seas. perennial bunchgrass

FS/PS Not alkali 1-2 to 3 10, 16

X Agrostis pallens

Seashore

Bentgrass; Thin

Grass

1-2 ft tall

cool-seas. perennial bunchgrass Can mow

FS/PS Not alkali 1-2 to 2-3 4, 10, 13, 16 'Camp Pendleton'

X * Aristida purpurea var.

parishii & purpurea Purple Three-awn

1-2 ft tall &

wide

Warm-seas. perennial

bunchgrass FS/PS

Well-drained;

sandy 1-2 to 2

1, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14 (1, 7, 8 var.

purpurea)

Seeds stick to

pets

X Bromus carinatus California Brome 2-3 ft tall & wide

Perennial bunchgrass

FS/PS Any 1-2 5, 10, 13, 14, 16

‘Deborah’; ‘Luval’ ‘Cucamonga’ is

annual

X * Carex spissa San Diego Sedge 2-4 ft tall 2-3 ft wide

Cool-season, sod sedge

FS/PS/FSH Clays best

1 to 3 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13

Substitute for Pampas Grass

X Carex tumulicola Berkeley Sedge 2 ft tall &

wide

Cool-season,

sod sedge FS/PS/FSH any 1-2 to 3

1, 6, 7, 8, 9,

13

X * Deschampsia

cespitosa Tufted hairgrass

1-2 ft tall & wide

Cool-season bunchgrass

FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 4-8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18

X Elymus glaucus Blue (Western)

Wildrye 2-4 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Cool-season bunchgrass

PS/FSH Any; not shallow

1-2 to 2-3 3, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14, 16

Salt-sensitive;

coarse-looking; re-seeds well

Elymus multisetus Big Squirreltail 1-3 ft tall, wide

Cool-season bunchgrass

FS/PS Well-drained

1-2 to 2 10, 16 Showy

X * Festuca californica CA Fescue <1-2 ft tall 1-3 ft wide

Cool-season bunchgrass

FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19

‘Phil’s Silver’, 'Horse Mountain Green', 'Serpentine Blue'

X * Festuca idahoensis Blue Bunchgrass < 1 ft tall & wide

Cool-season bunchgrass

FS/PS any 2 to 3 1, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 20

‘Warren Peak’, ‘Siskiyou Blue’

X * Festuca rubra Red Fescue 1-2 ft tall spreading

Cool-season bunch/sod

grass; mow FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3

3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 16

Easy; ‘Molate’ ‘Patrick’s Point’,

‘Jughandle’

X Juncus patens Common Rush 1-3 ft tall & wide

Spreading/ bunching perennial rush

FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 19

‘Carmen’s Gray’ is blue-gray

X Leymus condensatus Giant Rye Grass 4-6 ft tall & wide

Warm season perennial

FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 3, 9, 10, 12, 16

‘Canyon Prince’ is low-growing

15

I Scientific Name Common Name Size

Flower/ season

Light** Soil Water Zone+ Availability Notes

X Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye < 3 ft tall spreading

Cool-season perennial sod-grass;

light mow

FS/PS Any 1-2 1, 3, 5, 10, 14, 16

Great vernal swale; cultivars ‘Yolo’, ‘Rio’,

‘Gray Dawn’

X * Melica californica California Melic

Grass 1-2 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Cool season bunchgrass

PS Well-drained

1 to 1-2 3, 7, 10, 16 Good under oaks

X Melica imperfecta Coastal Melic

Grass 1-2 ft tall 1 ft wide

Cool season bunchgrass

PS Any 1-2 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 19

Muhlenbergia

microsperma Little-seed Muhly To 2 ft

Annualcool

season FS/PS Any 1-2 10, 16

X * Muhlenbergia rigens Deergrass 2-4 ft tall & wide

Perennial bunchgrass

FS/PS Any 1-2 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16

Tolerates seasonal flooding

X Nassella cernua Nodding

Needlegrass 2-3 ft tall & wide

Perennial bunchgrass

FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 5, 10, 13, 14, 16

X Nassella lepida Foothill

Needlegrass 2-3 ft tall & wide

Perennial bunchgrass

FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 3, 5, 10, 13, 14, 16

X * Nassella pulchra Purple Needlegrass 2-3 ft tall & wide

Perennial bunchgrass

FS/PS any 1 to 1-2 3, 5, 10, 13, 14, 16,

X Poa secunda (scabrella) One-sided

Bluegrass 1-2 ft tall

1 ft wide

Cool-season bunchgrass;

light mow FS/PS

well-drained

best

1 to 1-2 2, 10, 16 fine textured;

reseeds

1/18/2011

I : X = Gardening Information Sheet :(http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants.html) or at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center

* may not be immediately local, but is a CA native plant ** horticultural cultivar ++

light: FS=full sun; PS=part shade; FSH=full shade + Water Zones: 1 = no summer water; 1-2 = very occasional summer water (several times per summer); 2 = let soil dry out between waterings;

2-3 some regular summer water (about once a week); 3 = regular watering/moist soil (like a conventional lawn) Availability: numbers correspond to the Plant and Seed Sources List at: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/where-to-purchase-native-plants.html

Gardening Under Oaks - Most oak roots are in the upper 3 ft of the soil. The roots which take up water and nutrients are in the upper 12". The

critical root disease zone for an oak is within 6-10 ft of the trunk. Do not irrigate plants or disturb the soil in this area. Outside this zone but within the drip line one deep watering per month is allowable for your plantings. The leaf mulch that accumulates under a large coast live oak increases

soil moisture and available nutrients, improves soil structure and moderates soil temperature. It’s a valuable resource that can be used in other parts of the garden. Never remove the entire insulating layer of leaves from under a trees canopy and don’t allow leaf mulch to cover the trunk.

http://www.californiaoaks.org/ExtAssets/CompatiblePlantsUnder&AroundOaks.pdf