Our Plants (List)

The “fairy lanterns” are grouped together under the subsection Pulchelli in the Calochortus genus. They are characterized by, among other things, pendent globe shaped flowers. As the name implies, the Mt. Diablo fairy lantern is endemic to Mt. Diablo in Contra Costa County, CA. There it can be found on…

This wide ranging mariposa occurs in widely varying sites from Glen County into Baja California. Its lavender flowers are a welcome sight among the drying foliage of late spring. Splendid mariposa accepts a range of conditions, but a well-draining site with a little shade protection is ideal. It does quite…

The superb mariposa lily is native to the lower foothills of much of the Central Valley. Although often called the yellow mariposa lily, the flowers range from white to cream to yellow to nearly purple. The flower color can vary even within the same population. My plants have so far…

Tolmie’s star tulip is a member of the Eleganti subsection of the genus, known as cat ears because of the covering of hair on the inner petal surface. The intricately patterned flowers vary widely from population to population but the base color is a consistent shade of lavender. It grows…

The Oakland star tulip is endemic to the SF Bay Area, where it is often found growing under the partial shade of other shrubs in sloped areas. The plant is quite small – only a few inches in flower. One to several light lavender flowers appear in late spring. I…

Spice bush is one of California’s moisture loving natives. It occurs in wet places throughout the northern coastal ranges, Cascades and the Sierra Nevada. Spice bush grows as a dense round shrub with rich green leaves. In mid-spring the large red flowers appear in waves for about a month or…

Calystegia macrostegia ‘Anacapa pink’ Island Morning Glory is native to coastal regions from Monterey County south into Baja California. This selection is from Anacapa Island off the coast of Ventura County. This mounding vine will eventually reach 15′ in height and about half that in width if given something to…