- Author: Leora Worthington
- Editor: Kamille Hammerstrom
Each of these is native to California and attracts California thrashers, western bluebirds, American robins, northern flickers, Nuttall's woodpeckers, mockingbirds, cedar waxwings. scrub jays, northern flickers, yellow-rumped warblers and game birds such as wild turkey, pheasant, California quail and grouse. The blue elderberry on this list can be enjoyed by both people and birds! I have seen all of these bird species except grouse and pheasant in my yard; they are part of our area.
Evergreen:
Holly-leaved cherry - Tall, dense shrub
Manzanitas - Multiple species of shrubs or trees
Toyon (Christmas berry, California holly) - Mounding form to 8 feet
Wax myrtle - Mounding form to 30 feet
California coffeeberry (buckthorn) - Dense shrub that is easily pruned
Deciduous:
Blue elderberry -
California wild rose - Mounding form
California grapes - Climber or woody ground cover
Fuchsiaflower gooseberry - Mounding growth, has scarlet flowers and thorns
Poison oak too! - Let the birds plant their own or control it if you prefer
Additional references:
Birds and the plants they like: http://theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Birds
Our own blog: Wildlife Friendly Gardens Part I and II
Don't forget to subscribe to our blog so that you receive an email notification when a new post goes up. If you have questions, contact us online, by phone or in person to get answers to your gardening quandaries!
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- Author: Kamille Hammerstrom
- Contributor: Native Plant Subject Group
Native buckwheats come in both annual and perennial forms. They are some of the most popular nectar sources for butterflies and beneficial insects. The flowers last a long time, turning a rusty orange or chocolate brown (depending on the species) when the seed heads develop in the fall, so they add interest to the garden in all seasons. Buckwheats are very drought tolerant and some species can even handle salt spray.
In addition to native plant sales, you can find buckwheats at some of the local native plant nurseries. Check out the California Native Plant Society's search engine for where to buy. For more information on buckwheat, here are some good sources: pests, more information on different species of buckwheat, and their use in hedgerows. To see what buckwheat species are found in your area, visit the Calscape website. You can enter map coordinates or a street address to find a list of California plants that are native to your location. May the buckwheat be plentiful in your future garden!