California Native Plants 

By Leonard Cicerello  UCCE Master Gardener

There are almost 5,000 California native plants to choose from.  California has climactic zones that range from very wet to extremely dry; from coastal to alpine. There are evergreen trees including conifers, deciduous trees, flowering trees, shrubs; evergreens and deciduous evergreens.  The flowering shrubs come in every color imaginable.  There are ferns, wildflowers, vines, ground covers, succulents, and the list goes on. There is something to suit almost any need.

Until this current extended drought, native plants have been often treated as novelties rather than first choices.  This drought has encouraged us to give up our long held love affair with water-thirsty lawns, to re-landscape wisely, and to use less water in our gardens. Besides the pride of planting native plants, another bonus is that they require less water than many of their non-native counterparts.  Additionally, they do not need fertilizer.  If you plant a native in an environment similar to its native environment, it should grow successfully, require fewer resources and less maintenance, saving you time and money.

If you love an abundance of birds, bees, and butterflies in your garden, native plants attract native wildlife.  You can create a natural habitat for wildlife with groupings of native plants.

 Other resources for native plant information are the California Native Plant Society. They are very active throughout the state, including a San Luis Obispo chapter, and they offer useful information on their website.  A local nursery, Las Pilitas Nursery, includes a search feature to help home gardeners find the right native plant for their yard. Many local nurseries now offer a selection of natives well adapted to this region due to increased interest in natives. However It is important to do your research before purchasing to make sure the native you select will grow in your micro climate of San Luis Obispo County.