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California native plants have evolved to be well adapted to our dry summer/wet winter climate, plus they support native birds and insects. They are generally water-wise choices for landscaping.
Remember that California contains a wide variety of growing conditions, from sandy deserts to moist creek sides. Some plants are broadly adaptable, while others have specific soil, water, or sun requirements. For gardening success, try to select plants whose growing requirements best match your landscape's conditions. A good source for additional information is the California Native Plant Society's site, Calscape.org.
Please understand that some varieties may sell out quickly or not be available due to germination difficulties.
Native plant list
Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
Perennial, evergreen. White flowers from April through August. Edible leaves with a slight peppery taste. 1 to 3 feet tall, spreading. Low water. Full/part sun. Hardy to -10°F
Deer Plant, Acmispon glaber
Perennial, winter deciduous. Small yellow flowers from March through August. Attracts bees and butterflies. Adds nitrogen to soil. 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Very low water. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F
California Buckeye, Aesculus californica
Shrub/small tree, summer deciduous. Showy white flower spikes in spring, toxic fruits. 15 to 25 feet tall by 25 to 40 feet wide. Very low water. Full/part sun. Hardy to -5°F
Thrift Seapink, Armeria maritima
Perennial, evergreen. Grass-like mound with pink flowers in late spring to early summer. Good in containers. Deer resistant. 6 to 12 inches by 6 to 12 inches. Water twice per month once established. Prefers draining soil. Full/part sun. Hardy to 20 to 30°F
Coast Sagebrush Artemisia californica
Adapts to various soils. Fragrant grey foliage. 1 to 8 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide. Water once per month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 20°F
Narrowleaf Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis
Perennial, winter deciduous. White or lavender flowers from June through September. Hosts monarch butterflies, queen butterflies, and birds. 2 to 3 feet tall by 1 feet wide. Water twice per month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 5°F
Tree Anemone, Carpenteria californica
Shrub, evergreen. Large white flowers with bright yellow stamens from May through July. Glossy 4-inch leaves, peeling bark. Found in the Sierras. 6 to 10 feet tall by 10 feet wide, but can be kept smaller with regular pruning. Draining soil. Water a maximum of three times per month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 10°F
Hoary Ceanothus, Ceanothus crassifolius
Shrub, evergreen. White flowers from March through April. 5 to 14 feet tall by 5 to 10 feet wide. Water twice per month once established. Draining soil. Full/part sun. Hardy to 12°F
Hairy Ceanothus, Ceanothus oliganthus
Shrub, evergreen. Blue/purple flowers from March through May. Attracts birds, butterflies, and native bees. 10 feet tall by 12 feet wide. Water once per month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F
White Coast Ceanothus, Ceanothus verrucosus
Shrub, evergreen. White flowers w/black center from January through April. Tolerates minimal trimming. 4 to 10 feet tall by 8 feet wide. Water once per month once established. Draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to 30°F
Sacred Datura, Datura wrightii
Perennial, semi-deciduous. White flowers at night. Poisonous, especially the fruit and seeds. 3 feet tall by 5 feet wide. Low water once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 15°F.
Red Bush Monkey Flower, Diplacus puniceus
Shrub, summer semi-deciduous. Red or orange flowers from March through August. Good in containers. Deer resistant. Attracts hummingbirds and bees. 1 to 2 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide. Water a maximum of once per month once established. Prefers draining soil. Part/full sun. Hardy to 15°F
California Bush Sunflower, Encelia californica
Shrub, summer semi-deciduous. Yellow, brown, purple daisy-like flowers from February through June. Fast growing, reseeds easily. Very easy to grow. Hosts butterfly fatal metalmark and moth dwarf tawny wave. Found in Southern California. 2 to 5 feet tall by 3 to 7 feet wide. Water once per month once established. Part/full sun. Hardy to 30°F
Red Buckwheat, Eriogonum grande var. rubesens
Perennial, evergreen. Rare. Rose red flowers from April through October. Deer resistant. Good for containers and groundcover. Found on the Catalina Islands. 8 to 18 inches tall, spreading. Water once per month once established. Slow-draining soil. Full sun. Hardy to 20°F
Scarlet Monkeyflower, Erythranthe cardinalis
Perennial. Red flowers from March through May. Deadhead to extend the flowering season. Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Moderate to high water, keep moist. Part/full sun. Hardy to -34°F
Great Valley Gum Plant, Grindelia camporum v. camporum
Perennial. Yellow daisy-like flowers from April through October. Supports butterflies. Water once per month once established. 2 to 6 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F
Island Alum Root, Heuchera maxima
Perennial, evergreen. Pink or white flowers from February through May. Attracts hummingbirds. 1 to 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide. Water there times per month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 12°F
Crevice Alum Root, Heuchera micrantha
Perennial, evergreen. Pink or white flowers from May through July. 1 to 3 feet tall by 1 feet wide. Needs well-draining soil. Water to keep moist. Full/part shade. Hardy to 16°F
Climbing Penstemon, Keckielia cordifolia
Shrub, summer semi-deciduous. Red flowers from March through August. Attracts hummingbirds, birds, bees, & butterflies. Good in containers. Fast growing. Found in Santa Maria to San Diego. Very low water, a maximum of once per month when established. 3 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Full/part sun. Hardy to -5°F
Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Perennial. Red flowers from June through September. 2 to 6 feet tall by 2 to 5 feet wide. Moderate/high water. Loam soil. Part/full sun. Hardy to -30°F
Yellow Evening Primrose Oenothera elata
Perennial. Yellow/orange flowers from June through September. Attracts butterflies. 5 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Water 1 to 2 times per month once established. Adapts to soil. Full/part sun
Catalina Island Cherry, Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii
Tree, evergreen. White or cream flowers from May through June. Edible cherries with large pits. Attracts pollinators. 25 to 40 feet tall by 20 feet wide. Water twice per month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 10 to 20°F
Sugar Bush, Rhus ovata
Shrub, evergreen. White or pink flower clusters from April through May. 7 to 33 feet tall by 30 feet wide. Good for bank stabilization. Adapts to soil. Very low water, a maximum of once per month when established. Full/part sun, Hardy to -10°F
California Blackberry/Pacific Dewberry, Rubus ursinus
Shrub/vine, winter deciduous. Sweet black berries on thorny canes. 2 to 8 feet tall by 5 feet wide. Consistent moisture. Tolerates a variety of soils. Full/part sun, Hardy to 0°F
White Sage, Salvia apiana
Shrub. Aromatic bluish-white foliage. Tall white flower stalks from April through July. Deer resistant. 3 to 5 feet tall by 3 to 8 feet wide. Water once per month once established. Full sun. Hardy to 0°F
Black Sage, Salvia mellifera
Perennial, evergreen. Aromatic foliage. Pale blue to white flowers from March through July. 3 to 4 feet tall by 3 to 6 feet wide. No-to-low water. Full/part sun. Hardy to 15°F
Rose Sage, Salvia pachyphylla
Perennial, evergreen. Dense 4-inch spikes of blue-violet flowers from July through September. 1 to 3 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide. No/low water once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 30°F
Blue Elderberry, Sambucus mexicana. caerulea
Shrub/tree. Prune as a shrub or tree. Clusters of white flowers produce edible blue berries. Grows 10 to 25 feet tall. Low water. Full/part sun
California/Pacific Aster, Symphyotrichum chilense
Perennial, winter deciduous. Pale lilac daisy-like flowers in July-August, deadhead for more. Can copice in winter. Fast growing. Deer resistant. Attracts bees, birds & butterflies (nectar). Very easy care. Spreads by rhizomes. 1 to 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Water twice per month once established. Full/part sun. Hardy to 5°F