Ceanothus spp.
Blooms spring to summer
Perennial groundcover that can grow to 18 ft shrub with voluminous blue flowers. Prefers well-drained soil, though some varieties tolerate clay. Provides pollen. Attracts Bombus, honey, minim, and sweat bees.
Aster chilensis
Blooms summer into early fall
A fast-growing perennial that grows 1.3-3.3 ft tall and 3 ft wide with yellow disks, purple or blue ray florets. Grows in poor to moderate rich soil, accepts medium water but tolerates dry conditions. Attracts honey, sweat mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Penstemon heterophyllus
Blooms spring to summer
A perennial that grows 20” high with woody stem and pink, blue, or lavender flowers. Okay in poor to rich soil. Needs water in summer. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts Bombus and mason bees.
Monardella villosa
Blooms late spring to summer
A sprawling, mint-scented perennial that grows up to 28” high with clusters that can be purple, pink, and white. Drought tolerant and likes well-drained poor to rich soil. Dead-head and prune back. Provides nectar and attracts Bombus bees.
Agastache
Blooms in summer
A perennial that grows erect 3-4 ft and is bushy with tubular flowers borne on whorls. Color varies. Prefers sun and well-drained soil. Water when flowering and prune back after. Provides nectar and attracts natives, especially bombus and honey bees.
Arctostaphylos
Blooms late winter to early spring
A perrenial that can be a groundcover or grow into 20 ft trees with white or pink flowers. Likes full sun, average soil and water. Provides nectar and attracts bombos, honeybees, mason bees, and Saturnia Mendocino.
Collinsia heterophylla
Blooms spring to early summer
Annual flower that blooms with two-lipped flowers from pink to lavender on 20” stems. Likes partial shade, well drained sandy soil, and water to extend blooms. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts Bombus and mason bees.
Eriogonum grande rubescens
Blooms in summer
Perennial low-mounding subshrub that can grow to 24” high. Likes well drained poor to moderately rich soil. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts honey, sweat, mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Grindelia hirsutula
Blooms early spring to early fall
A perennial that grows up to 30” high with yellow, sticky flowers and hairy leaves. Likes clay to loam soil and full sun. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts Bombus and sweat bees.
Grindelia stricta
Blooms late spring to fall
A perennial that grows up to 30” high with yellow, sticky flowers and broad leaves. Likes clay to loam soil and full sun. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts Bombus and sweat bees.
Helianthus annuus
Blooms summer to fall
A tall annual with branched leaves, dark floral disk, heart shaped petals, and varying colors and heights. Tolerates poor soil and needs a little water in summer. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts honey, sweat, mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Nemophila menziesii
Blooms spring and ongoing
A low-spreading annual that grows 6-12” high and 1 ft wide. Flowers with six blue petals. North coast atomaria is almost white. Likes full sun or part shade. Okay with low moisture and sandy to loam soil. Provides nectar.
Salvia melliifera
Blooms spring to early summer
A perennial evergreen shrub up to 6 ft high to 6 ft wide. Lavender flowers, native to San Francisco. Grows in many garden conditions, drought tolerant but water for flowers. Provides mostly nectar. Attracts honey, Bonbus, mason, and other native bees.