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
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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
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