Our Plants (List)

Nevin’s wooly sunflower is endemic to the southern Channel Islands, but has much to offer native gardens in the milder portions of the state.  White, finally dissected foliage grows densely in an upright form.  Bright yellow umbels emerge in late spring, contrasting dramatically with the silver/white backdrop.  Moderate to well-draining…

Sand aster is common along much of the coast and – somewhat surprising – the lower foot hills of the southern Sierra Nevada. The ‘silver carpet’ selection was introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden from material originating in Monterey County. It is popular for its perennial beauty and adaptability….

Brown dogwood is commonly found in moist, shady places throughout the mountainous portions of the California Floristic Province. It is a robust shrub/small tree with deep green, lance-shaped leaves and smooth burgundy bark with a touch of gray. It expands with node rooting and rhizomatous suckers to form quite a…

The mountain dogwood is quite a sight when blooming in the understory of large trees. The white flowers float brightly in the spackled sunlight. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one place to enjoy this show. This might be considered a typical growing site for this little tree: high seasonal…

Creek dogwood is as common in California as it is in the rest of North America. It is found in wet areas where it grows as an expanding patch of upright stems with an attractive red hue. The winter deciduous leaves are medium green and cover the plant quite thickly….

Creek dogwood is as common in California as it is in the rest of North America. It is found in wet areas where it grows as an expanding patch of upright stems with an attractive red hue. The winter deciduous leaves are medium green and cover the plant quite thickly….

California hazelnut grows in shaded woods of the lower portions of the western Sierra Nevada, the coastal ranges from Monterey County north, and in much of the US and Canada. It develops into a small tree or large, multi-trunked shrub. California hazelnut is round and open in form with large…

Black hawthorn grows in moist places in the northern counties of California. It forms a multi-trunk tree with thorny branches that range from mahogany to gray, depending on age. White flowers appear in spring, followed by edible blue berries in late summer. As the year progresses into winter, the leaves…