Our Plants (List)

One encounters this hardy fern in areas with regular moisture. It thrives in salt spray or fog drip along the immediate coast from Santa Barbara County north into Oregon. It seems to grow on stone and wood most commonly, rather than soil. It does grow well in soil, however. The…

The sword fern is widespread in northwestern North America from Baja to Alaska. In California it thrives in coastally affected regions until the Cascades, where its range extends inland. The dark green fronds generally rise to about three feet. These are composed of alternating leaflets (“pinnae”) which resemble little swords,…

Shooting stars are one of California’s most ornate wildflowers. From late winter through spring they brighten trail sides with tightly bunched lavender flowers rising above prostrate leaves. Shooting stars are so named for their swept back flower petals trailing behind each flower like little comet tails. In the garden shooting…