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California Native Plants

Salvia apiana

An Orange County native Salvia! Striking silvery white lance-shaped leaves are held on stiff branches that grow 2’ tall by 4’ wide. Flower spikes appear in spring with white blooms on rigid 3’ stems. Loved by bees and hummingbirds. Heat and drought tolerant, it really doesn’t want much summer water. Requires well-draining soil. ‘White Sage’ has many potential medicinal uses, including teas made from the leaves that are said to relieve cold symptoms and congestion. One of the primary components of smudge sticks used as incense.

Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’

Make room for this handsome California lilac, which forms a large shrub or small tree approximately 15 feet tall and wide. Abundant true-blue, fragrant flowers bloom in spring and attract bees, butterflies and birds. It’s evergreen, fast growing, long lived, heat and drought tolerant, and low maintenance.

Muhlenbergia rigens

Heat and drought tolerant, this hardy native grass displays stiff, narrow purple spikes above the 3’ tall and wide mounding foliage. Fall finds this grass at its peak, with flowing plumes that beautifully catch morning and evening light, while adding graceful movement to the garden. Wonderful in mass plantings when there’s room, or as a specimen in smaller spaces. Effective erosion control on dry slopes. An essential for the native and wild garden for habitat.

Romneya coulteri

One of the biggest, showiest flowers a California native has to offer. Also known as ‘fried egg plant’ for its huge white flowers in late summer that look just like that. This is a big plant, fast-growing to 6’ tall and forming large clumps of stalks with blue-green foliage and those fabulous flowers. It spreads from underground runners and will extend as far as you’ll let it, so make sure it has plenty of room. Plant in full sun and water weekly for the first season, then reduce to every other week or less.

Heuchera maxim

This is the largest and longest blooming of the Coral Bells. A vigorous, easy to grow plant, it can reach 2’ tall and wide. Stalks of white flowers tinged with pink rise 2 feet above the evergreen leaves throughout spring. It thrives in bright shade or dappled sun with occasional watering. One of the most tolerant native plants for clay soils and dark shade. Beautiful in a mass planting or along a boarder, especially under the dappled shade of trees, like our native Coast Live Oak. Native to the Channel Islands.


Salvia apiana

An Orange County native Salvia! Striking silvery white lance-shaped leaves are held on stiff branches that grow 2’ tall by 4’ wide. Flower spikes appear in spring with white blooms on rigid 3’ stems. Loved by bees and hummingbirds. Heat and drought tolerant, it really doesn’t want much summer water. Requires well-draining soil. ‘White Sage’ has many potential medicinal uses, including teas made from the leaves that are said to relieve cold symptoms and congestion. One of the primary components of smudge sticks used as incense.



Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’

One of the biggest, showiest flowers a California native has to offer. Also known as ‘fried egg plant’ for its huge white flowers in late summer that look just like that. This is a big plant, fast-growing to 6’ tall and forming large clumps of stalks with blue-green foliage and those fabulous flowers. It spreads from underground runners and will extend as far as you’ll let it, so make sure it has plenty of room. Plant in full sun and water weekly for the first season, then reduce to every other week or less.



Heuchera maxim

This is the largest and longest blooming of the Coral Bells. A vigorous, easy to grow plant, it can reach 2’ tall and wide. Stalks of white flowers tinged with pink rise 2 feet above the evergreen leaves throughout spring. It thrives in bright shade or dappled sun with occasional watering. One of the most tolerant native plants for clay soils and dark shade. Beautiful in a mass planting or along a boarder, especially under the dappled shade of trees, like our native Coast Live Oak. Native to the Channel Islands.



Muhlenbergia rigens

Heat and drought tolerant, this hardy native grass displays stiff, narrow purple spikes above the 3’ tall and wide mounding foliage. Fall finds this grass at its peak, with flowing plumes that beautifully catch morning and evening light, while adding graceful movement to the garden. Wonderful in mass plantings when there’s room, or as a specimen in smaller spaces. Effective erosion control on dry slopes. An essential for the native and wild garden for habitat.



Romneya coulteri

One of the biggest, showiest flowers a California native has to offer. Also known as ‘fried egg plant’ for its huge white flowers in late summer that look just like that. This is a big plant, fast-growing to 6’ tall and forming large clumps of stalks with blue-green foliage and those fabulous flowers. It spreads from underground runners and will extend as far as you’ll let it, so make sure it has plenty of room. Plant in full sun and water weekly for the first season, then reduce to every other week or less.