Great Native Plants for Gardens in Northern California

These fabulous species are both water-wise and beautiful

Many plants native to California — and the interbreed cultivars of those natives ( akanativars)—are attractive , easy - to - growpollinator magnets , plus they have develop strategies to survive California ’s long , rainless summers . Even during “ normal ” age , these works make wonderful , colorful additions to the containers and flower bottom of thewater - consciousgardener . During drouth eld , it ’s even more important to choose plants adapted to urine scarceness . In most parts ofNorthern California , the best sentence to imbed these rugged and ordinarily pest - proof stunner is in drop or early bound . Planting then will help your new addition establish healthy , rich ascendant systems before the rainless summer months get in , enabling them to thrive where thirstier plants might struggle or fail . The come after are some noteworthy natives for Northern California .

‘Changeling’ monkey flower (Mimulus‘Changeling’, Zones 6–9)

I love the blend of mottled hues splashing each flaring , ruffle - edged , horn - like bloom of this charming hybrid . Monkey prime have long been a beloved California nativewildflower . ‘ Changeling ’ has an informal , freely branching growth use and is pass over in efflorescence almost all year long in NorCal , with the main tip take place in spring and summertime . Each bloom of youth is a little different from the next ( adding to its interest ) , lean toward soft orange sweep with terra - cotta , cherry-red , and cream . light to worry for , pest - devoid , anddrought - tolerant , this appealing evergreen plant grows to a billowing 3 base tall and wide in full Sunday to partial wraith in well - drain , enriched soil . straighten out it up in early spring by cut it back by one-half to push wise maturation and abundant blooms .

‘Pristine Blue’ penstemon (Penstemonbarbatus‘Pristine Blue’, Zones 3–9)

Big , tubular , sapphire - blue bloomsclothe the sturdy stem of this aboriginal penstemon cultivar . Deep green , shining , evergreenfoliage makes the perfect background for the arresting blossoms . This vigorous works has a compact , multibranching , and unsloped increment habit . It extend to only 16 to 20 inches improbable in full bloom and is a corking container choice either on its own or alongside other sun - lover . Fabulous in the perennial border too , and much sleep with by pollinators and hummingbirds , ‘ Pristine Blue ’ performs best in full sunlight and in fertile , amend soil with regular to light watering . Prune it back in late winter to 6 inches tall .

Coulter’s matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri, Zones 6–10)

This telling California indigene grows 8 to 10 feet tall and spreads to 10 feet wide when it ’s happy . formal woody stem , covered in waxy blue - gray foliage , are transcend with tremendous , showy , delicately fragrant blooms from spring through summertime . With each salad days being a vision of papery , snow - white crinkled petals circumvent a favourable yellow center , it ’s no wonderment its nickname is “ Fried Egg Poppy . ” care for this shrubby perennial is easier if you neglect it rather than fret over it . Plant Coulter ’s matilija poppy in full sunshine , in well - run out , unamended soil . Water it in well at planting meter , then once a week throughout its first summer . No water is needed once it ’s established . This fabulous plant is sodding for in the back of a dry garden mete , and it ’s super unfearing anddeer - prooftoo .

‘Terracotta’ yarrow (Achilleamillefolium‘Terracotta’, Zones 3-9)

Delightful , silver - frosted and fragrant foliage bears tall blossom heads all summer long on this native cultivar . The blossom total in an array of subtle , quiet hue ranging from peachy cream all the way to burnt orange , with all of the colors appear on the plant life at the same prison term ! The subtle peach of this vigorous , easy - to - wish - for perennial corporate trust beautifully with deep - blue- , orange- , or yellow - bloom companions , making it a corking addition to a mixedperennial borderor container . The mat - forming , fragrant , ferny foliage make a adorable contrast to the summer - to - fall - flower bloom . Deadhead to advertise a fresh flush of blooms . Grow this 2- to 3 - foot - tall - and - wide dish in full sun and in well - drained territory nicely amended with compost .

‘Cape Sebastian’ seaside daisy (Erigeronglaucus‘Cape Sebastian’, Zones 6–10)

Pollinators adore this drought - tolerant , carefree native for its around-the-clock profusion of charming , golden - centered , lilac - colored daisy . The blossom adorn the tight , dense agglomerate of blue - unripened , slightlysucculentfoliage in hatful . With its efflorescence stop spanning from March to November , it ’s a good choice for any cheery bed , molding , or container , fill up it with nonstop color all time of year long . Tolerant of coastal conditions and evenclay soil , ‘ Cape Sebastian ’ seaside daisy performs well if the soil has been ameliorate withcompost , and although it ’s quite drouth tolerant , it is happier with periodic summerirrigation . The plant only grows 3 to 4 inch tall but forms a tight mound that ’s 2 feet wide . Trim off the old blossom when the plant life appears “ stretched , ” and cut it back to 2 inch in wintertime to freshen and reincarnate for the undermentioned outflow .

— Fionuala Campion is the owner and coach of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

pic : Fionuala Campion

For more onNorthern California aboriginal plants , go here .

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northern california native plants

When it comes to Northern California native plants, beauty is not hard to come by. From massive blooms like the ones seen on Coulter’s matilija poppy (pictured) to the evergreen foliage on some herbaceous perennials, there’s a native plant to make everyone (and every garden) happy.

monkey flower