Native and adapted Tahoe Friendly plants require less water, fertilizer and pesticides and can include a diversity of options for your home landscape. They will however require irrigation while getting established. It is a good idea to group plants by their sunlight and moisture requirements. All plants on this list are considered Tahoe Friendly. Some plants may require a few more resources than others but if combined with more natives they can bring beauty to your landscape.
Sunlight Requirements
- Sun: Six hours or more in direct sun during the growing season. Less light will typically result in less growth and bloom production.
- Partial Shade: An area where plants get filtered sun instead of direct sun. If plants do get direct sun it is usually early or late in the day.
- Shade: Plants that germinate and survive under low light conditions. Most of the shade plants listed here can tolerate partial sun.
Moisture Requirements
- Drought Tolerant: once established, can survive no irrigation (but often looks/performs better with periodic irrigation)
- Low soil moisture: soil can dry out between waterings
- Medium soil moisture: root zone of plant should maintain at least some moisture throughout the growing season
- High soil moisture: root zone up to soil surface (below mulch) should remain moist throughout the growing season
Recommended Perennials
Sun Perennials
- Arnica Arnica chamissonis—native, tolerates partial shade, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Aster Aster—native and adapted, tolerates partial shade, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Baby’s Breath Gypsophilia spp.—adapted, the classic bouquet filler, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Bee Balm Monarda hybrids—adapted, will tolerate partial shade, fragrant flowers, attracts hummingbirds, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Blanketflower Gaillardia aristata—adapted, tolerates partial shade, and needs dry to medium soils.
- Blue Fescue Festuca glauca (F. cinerea)—adapted, ground cover grass, tolerates partial shade, good rock garden plant, and needs moderate to medium soil moisture.
- Blue Oat Grass Helicotrichon sempervirens—native, tolerates partial shade and needs regular water.
- Candytuft Iberis sempervirens—adapted, tolerates partial shade, good rock garden groundcover, good companion with phlox, and needs moderate to medium soil moisture.
- Catmint Nepeta spp.—adapted, tolerates partial shade, drought tolerant, fragrant, varieties from 6” to 4 ft., and water regularly in extreme heat; tolerates brief drought when established.
- Cinquefoil Potentilla hybrids—native and adapted, groundcovers to shrubs, and needs medium to wet soils.
- Coneflower, Purple Echinacea purpurea—adapted, attracts pollinators, drought tolerant, easy to grow, reaches 2 ft. in height, and needs medium to wet soils.
- Coreopsis Coreopsis hybrids—adapted, relatively easy-to-grow member of the sunflower family, and needs medium to wet soils.
- Daisy, Coulter’s Erigeron hybrids—native and adapted, shrubby flowers, tolerates partial shade and needs medium to wet soils.
- Daylily Hemerocallis hybrids—native and adapted, tolerates partial shade, great plant in many varieties, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Delphinium Delphinium hybrids—native and adapted, and needs medium to wet soils.
- Dusty Miller Artemisia hybrids—adapted, tolerates partial shade, good as a groundcover, fragrant, self-sows freely, and needs light to moderate soil moisture.
- Flax Linum lewisii—native, tolerates partial shade, self-sows freely, blue flowers and needs dry to medium soils.
- Foxglove Digitalis hybrids—adapted, tolerates partial shade, attracts pollinators, reaches 2-3ft, and needs moderate water.
- Fuchsia, California Zauschneria canum—adapted and needs dry to medium soil moisture.
- Gayfeather Liatris spicata—adapted, self-sows freely, and needs medium to wet soil.
- Geum Geum chilense—adapted, drought tolerant, needs good drainage, reaches 1-2 ft. in height and needs moderate to medium soil moisture.
- Gilia, Star or Scarlet Ipomopsis aggregate—native, tolerates partial shade, often difficult to grow, biennial, and needs low to moderate soil moisture.
- Globeflower Trollius—adapted, tolerates part shade, and needs moderate to mediumwater.
- Hops Humulus—adapted, sun, fast growing perennial vine, can grow up to 15 ft., and needs medium soil moisture.
- Iris, Hartweg’s Iris hybrids—native and adapted, tolerates partial shade, and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Japanese Blood Grass Imperata cynlindrical ‘Rubra’—adapted, drought tolerant, clumping grass, good fall color, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Joe-Pye Weed Eupatorium purpureum—adapted, attracts pollinators, may be hard to find, tolerates part shade, and needs moderate to medium soil moisture.
- Lamb’s Ear Stachys byzntina—adapted, tolerates partial shade, very competitive, drought tolerant and needs dry to medium soil moisture.
- Larkspur, Mountain Delphinium glaucum—native and adapted, sun to part shade, can grow 3-4 ft. tall, blue flower, and needs wet soil.
- Lupine Lupinus spp.—native and adapted, tolerates partial shade, and needs dry to medium soil. L.brewers is a good native ground cover option.
- Mallow Malva alcea—adapted, easy to grow, needs good drainage, drought tolerant, and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris—native and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Pennyroyal Monardella odor—native, foliage herb, may be difficult to grow, and needs dry soils.
- Penstemon, Azure Penstemon hybrids—native and adapted, good rock garden plant, and needs dry to medium soil moisture. P. heterodoxus is a goodgroundcover.
- Peony Paeonia hybrids—adapted, doesn’t transplant well, tolerates partial shade, fragrant flowers, requires well drained soil and needs wet soils.
- Phlox, summer Phlox hybrids—native and adapted, sun to partial shade, and needs dry to moderate soil moisture.
- Pincushion flower Scabiosa caucasica—adapted, low growing plant, blooms most of summer, well drained soils and needs moderate to medium soil moisture.
- Pink, Chinese Dianthus chinensis—adapted, tolerates partial shade, thrives in light well-draining soil, good groundcover, and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Poppy, California Eschscholzia californica—adapted, tolerates partial shade, drought tolerant, reseeds easily, annual, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Poppy, Oriental Papaver orientale—adapted, tolerates partial shade, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Primrose Primula spp.—adapted, plant in organically enriched, well-drained soil, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Red-Hot Poker Kniphofia uvaria—adapted, attracts birds, drought tolerant, and needs dry to medium soil moisture.
- Saxigfrage Saxifraga bryophara--native, tolerates partial shade, good rock garden plant, and needs wet to medium soil.
- Sea Holly Eryngium amethystinum--adapted, drought tolerant, prefers dry well-drained soil, can handle poor to moderate soil moisture.
- Sibbaldia Sibbaldia spp.--adapted, tolerates partial shade, good rock garden plant, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Snow in Summer Cerastium tomentosum--adapted, good plant for rock gardens, groundcover or as edging, drought tolerant and needs well drained soil.
- Speedwell, Pink Wooly Veronica incana--adapted, good groundcover, drought tolerant, and needs dry to medium soil moisture.
- Stonecrop Sedum spp.--native and adapted, tolerates partial shade, attracts pollinators, succulent perennial, groundcover varieties available, easy to grow and can sustain drysoils.
- Strawberry, Mountain Fragaria virginiana--native, tolerates partial shade, good groundcover and needs medium to wet soil.
- Sulfur Buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum--native, drought tolerant, good rock garden plant, and needs little to moderate water.
- Sweet William Dianthus barabatus--adapted, good rock garden plant, attracts butterflies, many cultivars available, and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Wallflower, Siberian Erysimom hieraciifolium--adapted, tolerates partial shade, good groundcover and needs medium soil moisture.
- Yarrow Achillea hybrids--adapted, ‘Moonshine’ is not aggressive and requires less maintenance than other varieties, tolerates partial shade, attracts butterflies, drought tolerant and needs dry to medium soil moisture.
Partial Shade Perennials
- Alumroot or Coral Bells Heuchera spp. –native and adapted, attractive foliage and flowering groundcover, and needs wet to medium soil moisture.
- Black Snakeroot Cimicifuga (Actaea) racemosa –adapted, moist, well drained soils.
- Bleeding Heart Dicentra hybrids –adapted, tolerates shade, self-sows freely and needs medium soil moisture.
- Campanula, Bellflower Campanula hybrids—adapted, full sun in cooler climates, will spread once they start growing, and needs moderate to regular water.
- Cinquefoil, Spring Potentilla neumanniana—adapted, part shade to sun, flowering ground cover, good rock garden plant and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Columbine Aquilegia hybrids –adapted, attracts hummingbirds, and needs well drained soils with medium soil moisture.
- Common Thrift Armeria maritima—adapted, good rock garden plant, and needs wet to medium soil moisture.
- Cranesbill Geranium himalayense –adapted, good rock garden plant, self- sows freely, and needs moist to well drained soils.
- Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens—adapted, sun to shade, easy growing groundcover, and needs regular soil moisture.
- Herman’s Pride Lamiastrum galeobdolon—adapted, partial shade to shade, good rock garden plant and groundcover, drought tolerant, and needs regular moisture.
- Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium occidentale—native, attracts butterflies, and needs regular soil moisture.
- Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla mollis—adapted, sun to partial shade, good groundcover, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Ligularia, Ragwort Ligularia dentate—adapted, and needs moist soils.
- Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis –adapted, sun or partial shade, and needs regular to moderate moisture.
- Meadow Rue Thalictrum—adapted, likes winter chill, protect it from wind, attracts butterflies, and needs regular soil moisture
- Meadowsweet Filipendula rubra—adapted, partial shade to sun and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Monkshood Aconitum hybrids—native and adapted, partial shade to shade, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Plantain Lily Hosta hybrids--Adapted, partial shade to shade, easy to grow, and needs moist to dry soil.
- Rhubarb, Ornamental Rheum—adapted, grows extremely well in Tahoe, tolerates sun and needs regular water.
- Strawberry, Wood Fragaria vesca—adapted, good rock garden plant, and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus –native, tall ground cover, sun to partial shade, flowers and berries, wet to medium moist soil, drought tolerant, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Thyme Thymus hybrids—adapted, drought tolerant, attracts pollinators, fragrant and needs little to moderate soil moisture.
Shade Perennials
- Astilbe, False Spiraea Astilbe spp. –adapted, needs medium soil moisture.
- Bleeding Heart Dicentra—native and adapted, needs regular soil moisture.
- Bracken Fern Pteridium aquilinum—native, summer and fall deciduous, partial to full shade and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis-- adapted and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Lungwort Pulmonaria—adapted, partial to full shade, ground cover, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Monkeyflower Mimulus spp.—adapted and native, tolerates partial sun, groundcover, and needs wet soil.
- Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum—adapted, partial to full shade, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana—adapted, sun or shade self-sows freely, attracts butterflies, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Sweet Woodruff, Bedstraw Asperula odorata—native, flowering groundcover, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Virginia Chain Fern Woodwardia virginica—adapted and needs medium soil moisture.
- Wood Fern Dryopteris—adapted, partial to full shade and needs medium to wet soils.
Evergreen Trees & Shrubs
- Bearberry or Kinnikinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – native, low trailing, good ground cover, attracts pollinators, drought tolerant and needs low to moderate soil moisture.
- Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp. – adapted, sun to part shade, low growing, red berries and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Creeping Oregon Grape Mahonia repens – adapted to Tahoe and western native, sun to shade, low growing, yellow flowers and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Lavender Lavandula hybrids– adapted, attracts bees and butterflies, sun, and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Mahala Mat Ceanothus prostratus – native, sun to light shade, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, drought tolerant and needs little to no soil moisture.
- Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium – native, attracts birds, needs lots of pruning, sharp spines, drought tolerant and needs low to moderate soil moisture.
- Rhododendron (includes Azalea) Rhododendron spp. – adapted, filtered sunlight, requires protected site, and needs well drained wet soils.
Deciduous Trees & Shrubs
- Aspen Populus tremuloids - native, full sun, gorgeous fall colors, spreads by root suckers, forms groves, and needs regular soil moisture.
- Birch Betula spp. – adapted, check zones for individual species and needs regular soil moisture.
- Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata – native, sun, attracts birds, pollinators, beneficial insects, drought tolerant, and needs low soil moisture.
- Bittercherry Prunus emarginata – native and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Blue Elderberry Sambucus cerulea – native, full sun to shade, regular water, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Burning Bush Euonymus alatus – adapted, attracts birds, good fall color, drought tolerant and needs moderate to regular water.
- Butterfly Bush Buddleja – adapted, sun or light shade, moderate to regular water.
- Cherry, Flowering Prunus spp. – adapted, sun to partial shade, spring flowers, moderate water, fragrant flowers.
- Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa – adapted, partial sun to sun, fall color and berries, medium to wet soil, drought tolerant, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Chokecherry Prunus virginiana – native, berries, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa – native and adapted, sun to partial shade, flowering, medium to wet soil, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Creambush (Oceanspray) Holodiscus discolor – native, sun to partial shade, flowering, dry to medium soil moisture, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Creeping Snowberry Symphoricarpos mollis – full sun to shade, occasional deep watering, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Dogwood Cornus – adapted and native, partial shade, large variety of shrubs and trees, regular water, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Golden Current Ribes aureum - sun to partial shade, flowers and berries, medium to dry soil moisture, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Golden Chain Tree Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’ – adapted, sun to partial shade, yellow chains of flowers, all parts poisonous, medium soil moisture.
- Hawthorn, Washington – Crataegus phaenophyum – adapted, sun to part shade, good specimen tree for spring flowers and fall color, moderate soil moisture, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Honeysuckle Lonicera – adapted, attracts birds, sun to partial shade, moderate to regular water, fragrant flowers, and drought tolerant.
- Maple Acer spp. -- adapted, shade to full sun, moderate to regular water, check zones for individual species.
- Maple, Vine Acer circinatum – shade, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects and needs medium to wet soil moisture.
- Mock Orange, California Philadelphus lewisii -- native, light shade, moderate water, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Mock Orange, Sweet Philadelphus coronarius – adapted, partial shade, must have good drainage, and needs moderate to regular soil moisture.
- Mountain Alder Alnus icana ‘tenuifolia’ – native, sun to partial shade, small tree, and needs wet soil.
- Mountain Ash Sorbus spp. – native and adapted, partial shade to shade, small tree or shrub, medium to wet soil, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Mountain Whitethorn Ceanothus cordulatus – full sun to light shade, little or no water, drought tolerant, fire hazard, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Nine Bark Physocarpus capitatus – native, sun to partial shade, moderate to regular soil moisture, fragrant white flowers, drought tolerant, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Oak Quercus spp. – native and adapted, fall color, sun to part shade, and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Plum, Purple leaf or Flowering Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’ – adapted, sun to partial shade, good specimen tree for foliage color, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Rose, Rugosa Rosa rugosa – adapted, disease resistant, naturalizes, single or double fragrant flowers, and needs moderate soil moisture.
- Rose, Woods Rosa woodsii – native, establishes quickly on disturbed sites, moderate soil moisture, attracts birds
- Serviceberry Amelanchier hybrids – native and adapted, sun to shade, moderate to regular soil moisture, attracts birds
- Sierra Current Ribes nevadense - native, sun to partial shade, flowers and berries, needs dry to medium soil moisture, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Sierra Gooseberry Ribes roezlii– native, sun to partial shade, moderate soil moisture, good fall color.
- Snowberry Symphoricarpos spp. – native and adapted, sun to shade, medium soil moisture, white berries, attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
- Spiraea Spiraea hybrids –adapted, partial shade, flowers, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Spiraea, Mountain Spiraea densiflora – native, full sun to light shade, flowers, attracts birds, pollinators, beneficial insects, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Spiraea, Western Spiraea douglasii -- native, full sun to light shade, flowers, attracts birds, pollinators and beneficial insects, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Twinberry Lonicera involucrata – native, partial shade to shade, medium to wet soil moisture, attractive berries, drought tolerant, good ground cover attracts birds, bees and butterflies.
- Viburnum Viburnum hybrids – adapted, sun to part shade, flowers and berries, attracts birds, and needs medium soil moisture.
- Western Sand Cherry Prunus besseyi – adapted, can handle a lot or a little of everything, ideal plant, and needs moderate soil moisture but can handle a drought too.
- Willow Salix – native and adapted, part to full shade, and needs wet to medium soil moisture.