California is home to over 6,000 native plant species that thrive in local climates, require minimal water and support birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators. These native plants existed in the state before European colonization and are adapted to California’s diverse climates, soils and ecosystems.
There are many benefits of planting native species in the garden:
- Drought tolerance and lower irrigation needs, making them ideal for water-scarce areas.
- Well-adapted to local conditions, and often able to withstand extreme heat and poor soils.
- Minimal fertilizer and pesticide requirements, which reduces their environmental impact.
- A food and habitat resource for pollinators and other wildlife.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) provides extensive resources for gardening with California native plants. Scientists recommend matching plant selections to your soil type and microclimate. They suggest planting in the fall so established root systems can take advantage of winter rains. In addition, they’ve compiled a list of The Big 43 California Native Plants with favorable garden traits.
This fall, I’ll be adding the following native plants to my home garden:
- Common yarrow, a perennial herb with fern like leaves. It blooms June through August, is deer resistant and attracts pollinators.
- Christmas berry (Toyon), a long-lived evergreen shrub with clusters of white flowers in spring and orange-red berries that attract birds in the fall.
You can find examples of these two native plants (and more) at the Master Gardeners’ 3 Sisters Garden, on the north end of the Madera Community College campus, 30277 Ave 12. For those who have trouble finding the garden, simply park in Parking Lot C in the back of the college and the garden will be on your right. The garden is always open.
Fresno County Master Gardeners also have a native plant area at the Garden of the Sun, 1750 N. Winery Ave., in Fresno. The 500-square-foot area includes 23 different native plants, 10 of which are UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars. The All-Stars include Hummingbird sage, Tranquil coffeeberry, Blue-eyed grass and Cascade Creek California goldenrod.
Judith Sigala, a Fresno County Master Gardener and native plant enthusiast, helps maintain the native plant garden at GOS. She said she particularly likes the Coulter's matilija poppy, sometimes called the fried-egg plant. In the spring the tall, spreading shrub features large flowers with white crepe paper-like petals and a bright yellow center.
Sigala also favors native plants in her own Clovis backyard. “My California wildrose is doing really well. It’s a cute little plant. I also like Island Pink yarrow and Sticky Cinquefoil. I saw the Cinquefoil, which has pretty little yellow flowers, in the wild by Huntington Lake.”
All the native plants at the Garden of the Sun are labeled with their common and scientific names to help visitors with identification. The Garden of the Sun is open to the public from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Written by UC Master Gardener Nancy Weeks