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.
Diplacus aurantiacus
Blooms March to September
This perennial shrub 3-4’h x 3’w prefers clay soil with a moderately acidic ph; full sun and no summer water. This is the coastal form of Mimulus aurantiacus, a perennial with 1" orange flowers that likes partial shade if planted in the interior, sun if it is along the coast. Monkeyflower attracts hummingbirds and is deer proof. Monkeyflower will grow in almost any soil as long as it has drainage and is not overwatered.
Mimulus aurantiacus is not the same in horticulture. Most if not all Mimulus spp. need water; most Diplacus species are drought tolerant.
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Eriogonum latifolium
Blooms summer into fall
Up to 1’h x 2’w mounds of pink and white 1” flowers, grows well on
coastal dunes and bluffs, in beach sand or fast draining clay. Give sun and sandy/rocky soil, little or no water after established (in range of species). Can be grown in warmer areas but give a little extra winter/spring water. This perennial is used by many native butterflies for nectar and larval food. Deer resistant but attractive to rabbits.
Sisyrinchium bellum
Blooms January to June
A 1-2 foot tall perennial with small, green-gray, iris-like leaves and 1 inch blue flowers. Widely distributed in California; it grows in sand to clay, coastal bluffs to interior grasslands. It likes full sun with garden water but once established can become very drought tolerant and tolerate full sun everywhere. Tolerates seaside conditions, seasonal flooding, high traffic (people walking on it) and deer. In a native garden Blue Eyed Grass mixes well among rocks or with other small perennials like Armeria maritima.
Ribes sanguineum glutinosum
Blooms January to March
A five-foot deciduous shrub with long showy pink flower clusters that cover the plant in January to March, followed by edible fruit. Native to canyons and north slopes in the coast ranges, this currant likes shade to part shade and moderate water in the interior but is very drought tolerant in coastal gardens. Tolerates sand, clay and seasonal flooding.
Encelia californica
Blooms spring to fall
Perennial woody shrub that grows up to 4 ft tall with 2” floral heads, yellow rays and dark disk. Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Deadhead to prolong the bloom. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts a wide variety of natives.
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.