Gardening With Natives Forum
![Elegant Clarkia and birdbath in a Sunnyvale garden](/images/stories/clarkia1.jpg)
The Gardening With Natives email discussion group provides a forum for those interested in growing California native plants -- in their home gardens, parking strips, school gardens, parks, and elsewhere.
This group is a forum for communication, for asking questions, and for offering helpful answers. Members come from all backgrounds, from beginners to experts. This forum is particularly welcoming of those new to native plant gardening; they are encouraged to join and post their questions.
Announcements of native plant gardening events in the Bay Area and around the state are also sent to the group.
This moderated group is open to all. It has over 1400 members, and traffic ranges from 3 to 7 messages a day.
Gardening with Natives Resources and Handouts
![lesser goldfinches California fuchsia](/images/flyers/DSC06381-lesser-goldfinches-cropped-270px.jpg)
Here are links to some of our popular handouts. Free to download.
Hummingbird Plants
California Native Hummingbird Plants
Originally by Ellie Gioumousis (revised 8/18/2019)
Hummingbirds seem to favor red flowers, possibly because bees tend to avoid red flowers resulting in more nectar in them. They also prefer flowers with tubular shapes, which are a perfect fit for their long beaks and tongues. Hummingbirds do not rely on nectar alone though; a significant percent of their diet comes from insects and arthropods, so leave the bugs for the birds.
- Aquilegia formsa (Western columbine)
- Will take sun or shade but takes more water in sun. It blooms in spring with delightful red and yellow hanging flowers.
- Arctostaphylos (Manzanita)
- Many species; blooms from January to March and is drought tolerant. Part sun to light shade. Berries provide food for other birds.
- Chilopsis linearis (Desert-willow)
- This small tree grows by washes and oases in the desert so does need some water. It has beautiful rose- lavender flowers and needs heat to bloom.
- Cirsium occidentale (California thistle)
- This is the cobweb thistle, a native. It has white foliage and a brilliant red flower and is not invasive. It grows in open woodlands in this area. It is an extremely good source of nectar.
- Cynoglossum grande (Hound's tongue)
- This is a native forget-me-not that is found in open woods and blooms in March. It is fairly drought tolerant when established, going completely dormant in summer.
- Delphinium cardinale (Cardinal or Scarlet larkspur)
- Beautiful brilliant red flowers on 2' to 5' stalks blooming from May to June. Needs good drainage, partial shade and regular water while growing. Goes dormant in summer.
- Diplacus aurantiacus (Sticky monkeyflower)
- This 4 foot shrub is covered with orange/yellow flowers in the spring and early summer. Both hummingbirds and butterflies love it.
- Epilobium sp. (formerly Zauschneria) (California fuchsia)
- Several varieties, but all have bright orange flowers which bloom in late summer and fall and are excellent nectar sources. They are hardy and extremely drought tolerant.
- Gambelia (Galvezia) speciosa (Showy island snapdragon)
- Bright red snapdragon-like flowers. It is tender to frost but grows back quickly if wellmulched. Produces flowers almost all year. Can be cut back in late February.
- Keckiella cordifolia (Heartleaf keckiella, Climbing penstemon)
- Native to southern California, this plant is works well next to fences or at the base of a tree or next to a large shrub. Bunches of red tubular flowers from May through July.
- Lonicera hispidula (California honeysuckle)
- This is a vine that is happy both as a ground cover or climbing up a tree or fence.
- Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry)
- Known as Twinberry because of the flowers and fruit that grow in pairs, it is easy and quick to grow but prefers some shade and needs regular moisture.
- Malva (Lavatera) assurgentiflora (Island mallow)
- This Channel Island native will grow 10 feet in one year. It blooms nearly all year with pretty rose- pink flowers that are valuable as a nectar source for hummers.
- Monardella macrantha (Hummingbird monardella)
- This small perennial has long red tubular flowers from June through October. It grows well in pots and rock gardens.
- Penstenmon
- Like the sages, there are many different species and all like full sun and are drought tolerant. They usually require good drainage.
- Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum (Red-flowering currant)
- Many selections with beautiful pink pendulous blossoms in early spring. Light shade to part sun and some water. Berries are attractive to other birds.
- Ribes speciosum (Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry)
- Bright red fuchsia-like flowers in early spring. Light shade and some water.
- Salvia (Sage)
- There are many native species that are good sources of nectar. They are drought tolerant and take full sun.
- Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird Sage)
- This sage deserves a special mention as it’s one of the few that likes shade and spreads by rhizomes. It has spectacular tall magenta spikes. An excellent groundcover under oaks.
- Silene laciniata (Fringed Indian pink or Catch fly)
- This is a pretty little plant that is unfortunately very attractive to snails as well as to hummers. It can be grown in hanging baskets to protect it from the snail's depredations.
- Trichostema lanatum (Woolly blue curls)
- Striking shrubby blue-flowered perennial native to the southern coastal ranges. It requires good drainage and no summer water. Has a long blooming period.
More information available on calscape.org
Local Perennial Native Grasses
by Sally Casey, April 1999
Full Sun Grasses |
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Blooms |
Comments |
|
Danthonia californica |
California Wild Oat Grass |
Apr - June |
To 40", generally 2½' to 3' |
Danthonia californica americana |
Hairy California Wild Oat Grass |
Apr - May |
Shorter than species; hairy sheath |
Festuca idahoensis |
Blue Bunch Grass |
Apr - June |
To 40"; generally lower; open panicle |
Festuca rubra |
Red Fescue |
May - June |
To 40"; open panicle |
Hordeum brachyantherum |
Meadow Barley |
Apr - June |
To 28"; inflorescence a spike |
Koeleria macrantha |
June Grass |
Apr - June |
To 24"; inflorescence an interrupted spike |
Melica californica |
Western Melica |
Mar - June |
To 52"; generally 3'; dies down in summer |
Nessella cernua |
Nodding Needle Grass |
Apr - May |
To 3'; inflorescence more delicate than N. pulchra |
Nesella pulchra |
Purple Needle Grass |
Mar - June |
To 40"; generally 2½' to 3' |
Poa secunda secunda |
Pine Bluegrass |
Feb - May |
To 40"; generally 24" |
|
Partial Sun - Shade Grasses |
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Blooms |
Comments |
|
Bromus carinatus |
California Brome Annual - Biennial |
Mar - July |
40" - 48"; open panicle |
Elymus californicus |
California Bottle Brush Grass |
May - July |
To 80"; generally 6' |
Melica imperfecta |
Small Flowered Melica |
Mar - June |
To 44"; generally 24" - 30"; inflorescence open |
Melica torreyana |
Torrey's Melica |
Mar - July |
To 40"; generally lower, spreading; inflorescence strict |
Muhlenbergia rigens |
Deergrass |
June - Sept |
Leaves to 2½' to 3'; spiked inflorescence to 5'; dramatic |
|
Shade Grasses |
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Blooms |
Comments |
|
Bromus laevipes |
Woodland Brome Grass |
May - July |
To 3'; generally lower; inflorescence folded hand |
Deschampsia elongata |
Slender Hair Grass |
May - July |
Low tuft, inflorescence to 40", generally lower |
Festuca californica |
California Fescue |
Mar - May |
3' +; open panicle |
Festuca occidentalis |
Western Fescue |
Apr - July |
To 40"; generally lower; open panicle |
Hierochloe occidentalis |
California Vanilla Grass |
Jan - May |
To 36"; generally lower |
Melica geyeri |
Geyer's Onion Grass |
Mar - July |
To 80"; generally 4'; bulbous base |
Melica subulata |
Alaska Onion Grass |
Mar - July |
To 48"; bulbous base |
Trisetum canescens |
Tall Trisetum |
May - Aug |
To 32" |
|
With one exception (Muhlenbergia rigens), all of the above grasses are found between Route 280 and Skyline. Muhlenbergia rigens grows from Monterey County south, in the central valley, the foothills of and in the Sierra Nevada mountains east to Texas and into Mexico.
CULTURE: Plant 4" or gallon can size in late fall just before the rains. Use compost (but no fertilizer) as a mulch. March is the second-best planting time.
SOURCES: Most of the common names and blooming periods are taken from Thomas' Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California; heights are from Munz' A California Flora; modified heights are my local observations.
|
Locally Native Trees for Landscaping
By Jeff Caldwell
With the possible exception of the coast redwood and white alder, most of our locally native trees deserve to be cultivated more often in the San Francisco Bay area. Many are beautiful and easy to grow--they are well adapted to our climate and soils. Native trees offer special values for wildlife as well.
Big-leaf maple is a very attractive species, and also fast growing--it deserves a place in more landscapes.
The gray pine is a quite ornamental tree in cultivation and more drought tolerant and more resistant to air pollution than most pines.
Contrary to general opinion, the valley oak and coast live oak, two beautiful heritage species, grow fairly quickly and are easy to cultivate. While ancient trees which grew to maturity under summer dry conditions may resent irrigation, young oaks adapt to garden watering. Indeed, under garden conditions seedling oaks may reach 25 feet in ten years--they actually grow faster than many commonly planted trees! Our native oaks deserve to be planted far more often than they are; happily, they are becoming more popular.
The California nutmeg is an unusual conifer and not difficult to grow, though a bit slow. Its needles are extremely sharp, so it should not be planted near a path.
Our California laurel becomes a stately tree. It is slow growing, but well-situated specimens are a fine gift to future generations.
The coast redwood is met with often enough in cultivation locally, some say too often. It would be refreshing to see it mixed more often in man-made landscapes with its proven companions in the natural landscape, especially Douglas fir, tanbark oak and California laurel. Other possible redwood companions include big-leaf maple, white alder, coast live oak, interior live oak, California nutmeg, black cottonwood, and madrone.
Many people long to grow the madrone, one of the world's most beautiful broadleaf evergreen trees. It has not proven easy to cultivate, but if you like a gardening challenge, try this treasure!
Two of our native trees regarded as "ugly ducklings" deserve to be mentioned here especially for those who garden with wildlife in mind.
The California buckeye has lovely structure, interesting fruits, spectacular flowers, exquisite spring foliage--but a decided off-season as the deciduous leaves turn brown in the summer; it is the first to drop its leaves. Its flowers are despised by some because their pollen is somewhat toxic to the non-native honeybee, but no flowers have more value to butterflies. In bloom this tree may be festooned with butterflies; we have seen seven species nectaring on one tree simultaneously! The tiger swallowtail, mourning cloak, California sister, California tortoiseshell, spring azure and many others visit this tree. It is easy to grow.
The blue elderberry is considered too coarse and "common" by many gardeners, but the summer fruits attract a wider range of birds than any other tree. Songbirds favor it highly for food and nesting. It is easy to grow and very fast. A stump-sprouter, it is amenable to pruning, which may help keep it presentable.
Native Trees of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties
Aceraceae (Maple Family) |
Acer macrophyllum |
big-leaf maple |
Acer negundo var. californicum |
box elder |
Betulaceae (Birch Family) |
Alnus rhombifolia |
white alder |
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family) |
Sambucus mexicana |
blue elderberry |
Ericaceae (Heath Family) |
Arbutus menziesii |
Pacific madrone |
Fagaceae (Oak Family) |
Lithocarpus densiflorus |
tanbark oak |
Quercus agrifolia |
coast live oak |
Quercus chrysolepis |
canyon live oak |
Quercus douglasii |
blue oak |
Quercus garryana |
Oregon white oak |
Quercus kelloggii |
California black oak |
Quercus lobata |
valley oak |
Quercus wislizeni |
interior live oak |
Hippocastanaceae (Buckeye Family) |
Aesculus californica |
California buckeye |
Lauraceae (Laurel Family) |
Umbellularia californica |
California laurel |
Oleaceae (Olive Family) |
Fraxinus dipetala |
flowering ash |
Fraxinus latifolia |
Oregon ash |
Pinaceae (Pine Family) |
Pinus attenuata |
knobcone pine |
Pinus ponderosa |
Pacific ponderosa pine |
Pinus sabiniana |
gray pine |
Pseudotsuga menziesii |
Douglas fir |
Platanaceae (Sycamore Family) |
Platanus racemosa |
Western sycamore |
Salicaceae (Willow Family) |
Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii |
Fremont cottonwood |
Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa |
black cottonwood |
Salix laevigata |
red willow |
Salix lasiolepis |
arroyo willow |
Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra |
shining willow |
Taxaceae (Yew Family) |
Torreya californica |
California nutmeg |
Taxodiaceae (Bald Cypress Family) |
Sequoia sempervirens |
redwood |
References:
Ferris, Roxana S. 1968. Native Shrubs of the San Francisco Bay Region. University of California Press.
Hickman, James C. (ed.). 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. University of California Press.
Metcalf, Woodbridge. 1959. Native Trees of the San Francisco Bay Region. University of California Press.
Sharsmith, Helen K. 1982. Flora of the Mount Hamilton Range of California. California Native Plant Society.
Thomas, John Hunter. 1961. Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Stanford University Press.
Prepared by Jeff Caldwell (revised 2/98)
Native Plant Professionals
This is a list of local professionals in the Santa Clara Valley and San Francisco Peninsula areas who are dedicated to working with California native plants and providing landscape services in an environmentally responsible manner. The list includes landscape professionals who specialize in native plant landscape design, installation, and maintenance.
If your landscaping project requires the services of a professional, we hope this list is helpful. It is continually updated, so do check back regularly. Please note that this is an informational listing only and does not constitute a referral. CNPS cannot take responsibility for the performance of any of the professionals listed below. We recommend verifying licensure and qualifications before hiring contractors.
If you are a solicitor, please be respectful of this listing and do not cold call any of the names below selling services. To be added to this list, contact Stephanie Morris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
AFLA Landscape Architecture Ashini Fernando (408) 242 3054 LALic#5272 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://www.houzz.com/pro/aflandscapearchitecture
Agi Kehoe Landscaping Agi Kehoe (408) 242.8358 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.agikehoe.com
Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (408) 642-1860 1231 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112 Lic# 977639 http://www.BayMaples.com
Kevin M. Bryant (408) 353-8824 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
California Wild Natives http://www.californiawildnatives.com Julie (415) 672-7634
California Nativescapes Rebecca Schoenenberger (408) 243-5663 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.calnativescapes.com
Cheryl Lisin Landscape Design Cheryl Lisin (408) 445.8080 1910 Ellen Ave. San Jose, CA. 95125
Confidence Landscaping Jeff Sheehan (408)559-1800 971 Hamilton Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 http://www.confidencelandscaping.com
Crane Landscape Design Glenn Kranich (408) 888-1652 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. #109-113, Los Gatos, CA 95032 http://www.cranelandscapedesign.com
Crosby Landscaping Nate Crosby (408) 417.5137 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Curtis Horticulture Stephanie Curtis (408) 280.7339 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.curtishort.com
Earth & Spirit Jessica Wright (408) 840-3584 South San Jose and Bay Area This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.EarthandSpiritLandscapes.com
Earthcare Landscaping Shireen Zia (408) 871-2792 21730 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 210B Cupertino, CA 95014 http://www.earthcareland.com
East Bay Wilds Pete Veilleux 2777 Foothill Blvd, Oakland CA 94601 (510) 409.5858 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.eastbaywilds.com
EcoFolia Design Cindy L.M. Angers 1452 N. Vasco Road No. 134 Livermore, CA 94551 (925) 323.5696 http://www.ecofolia.net This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EcoGardens Landscape Design Shireen Zia (408) 705-8915 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://www.ecogardens.design/
Ecological Concerns, Inc. Oona Johnsen, Landscape Architect (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/
Four Dimensions Landscape Company Michael Thilgen 2928 Poplar Street Oakland, CA 94608 (510) 893.1999 http://www.fourdimensionslandscape.com
Garden Enlightenment Dave Phelps, Landscape Architect (415) 215-5785 https://gardenenlightenment.com/
Goldin California Natives Angela Goldin (408) 384-9071 https://goldincalifornianatives.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gomery Design Jane Gomery (650)740.4648 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Green Thumb Works Sandra Nevala-Lee (510) 502-0992 https://greenthumbworks.net
HKJohnson & Associates Heidi K Johnson (408) 863.0236 http://www.houzz.com/pro/heidikjohnson/__public This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hortus Design Vijaya Gajjala 650-265-7596 http://www.hdsustainablelandscapes.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jeni Webber Landscape Architecture and Design 7126 Marlborough Terrace Berkeley CA 94705 (510) 841 3311
Jolee Horne (650) 485.2515 office, (650) 669.9798 cell http://www.jhland.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Julie Orr Design Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 853.1618 http://www.julieorrdesign.com
Little Habitat Rebecca Atwell Palo Alto, CA https://www.littlehabitat.earth/
Madrono Landscape Design Geoff Coffey 375 Alabama St. #440 San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 462.0489 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.madrono.org
Middlebrook Gardens Alrie Middlebrook (408) 292.9993 92 Race Street San Jose, CA 95126 http://www.middlebrook-gardens.com
Native Revival Nursery Erin O'Doherty (831) 684-1811 2600 Mar Vista Drive Aptos, California 95003-3615 http://www.nativerevival.com
Natural Landscape Design Patricia Evans (650) 559.6212 189 Arbuelo Way Los Altos, CA 94022 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paradise Garden and Landscape, Inc. Jackie Marsey 408-691-9358 http://www.paradiselg.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Promised Greenland Jing Yan (408) 409-9316 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sagebrush Garden Design Joana Smolen (650) 395-8495 http://www.sagebrushgardendesign.com
Smart Yards Co-op Elizabeth Sarmiento 544 Snyder Avenue, Suite 101 San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 883-5936 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://smartyardscoop.com
Stephanie Morris Landscape Architect Campbell, CA (408) 206.5055 LALic # 4580 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.nativeplantdesign.com
Shubha Landscape Design Shubhangi Fulambarkar (408) 244.8213 http://www.shubhalandscapedesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Water Efficient Gardens Shelkie Tao (669)232-3798 https://waterefficientgardens.com/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wildscapes Garden Design Annaloy Nickum (650) 851.8375 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Yerba Buena Nursery 12511 San Mateo Rd. Half Moon Bay (650) 851-1668 http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com
LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION
Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (408) 642-1860 1231 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112 Lic# 977639 http://www.BayMaples.com
California Nativescapes Rebecca Schoenenberger (408) 243.5663 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.calnativescapes.com
Confidence Landscaping Jeff Sheehan (408)559-1800 971 Hamilton Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 http://www.confidencelandscaping.com
Curtis Horticulture Stephanie Curtis (408) 280.7339 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.curtishort.com
Earthcare Landscaping Lisa Gates (408) 871.2792 21730 Stevens Creek Blvd. Ste 210B Cupertino, CA 95014 http://www.earthcareland.com
East Bay Wilds Pete Veilleux 2777 Foothill Blvd, Oakland CA 94601 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.eastbaywilds.com
Ecological Concerns, Inc. Jon Laslett, Director of Operations (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/
Hortus Design Sustainable Landscaping Vijaya Gajjala 650-265-7596 http://www.hdsustainablelandscapes.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Middlebrook Gardens Alrie Middlebrook (408) 292.9993 92 Race Street San Jose, CA 95126 http://www.middlebrook-gardens.com
Paradise Garden and Landscape, Inc. Jackie Marsey 408-691-9358 http://www.paradiselg.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pazmany Bros. Landscaping Peter Pazmany (650) 941-8596 Sunnyvale, CA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.pazmanybros.com
Promised Greenland Jing Yan (408) 409-9316 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sarah Nunley (408) 916.6546 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shubha Landscape Design Shubhangi Fulambarkar (408) 244.8213 http://www.shubhalandscapedesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (408) 642-1860 1231 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112 Lic# 977639 http://www.BayMaples.com
California Nativescapes Rebecca Schoenenberger (408)243-5663 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.calnativescapes.com
Curtis Horticulture Stephanie Curtis (408) 280.7339 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.curtishort.com
Creative Garden Works Joan Lee (408) 206.7911 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://creativegardenworks.com
Earthcare Landscaping Ulan Garduno (408) 871.2792 21730 Stevens Creek Blvd. Ste 210B Cupertino, CA 95014 http://www.earthcareland.com
East Bay Wilds Pete Veilleux 2777 Foothill Blvd, Oakland CA 94601 510.409.5858 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.eastbaywilds.com
Ecological Concerns, Inc. Garrick Hansen, Project Manager (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/
Hortus Design Sustainable Landscaping Vijaya Gajjala 650-265-7596 http://www.hdsustainabledesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Julia Powers Landscape & Garden Design 650-269-4975 http://www.juliapowers.com
Pazmany Bros. Landscaping Peter Pazmany (650) 941-8596 Sunnyvale, CA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.pazmanybros.com
Poetree Landscapes & Arboriculture Jocelyn Cohen 415.285.2342 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rhythmic Gardening Lior Dahan (408) 826-2720 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://www.rhythmicgardening.com
Sarah Nunley (408) 916.6546 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shubha Landscape Design Shubhangi Fulambarkar (408) 244.8213 http://www.shubhalandscapedesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Smart Yards Co-op Elizabeth Sarmiento 544 Snyder Avenue, Suite 101 San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 883-5936 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://smartyardscoop.com
ARBORISTS
Bo Firestone Trees & Gardens Busara Firestone, Certified Arborist (408) 497-7158 http://bofirestone.com
Ecological Concerns, Inc. John Morley, Certified Arborist (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/
Poetree Arboriculture Jocelyn Cohen, Certified Arborist (415)285-2342 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://jocelync.com/
Public Gardens of Native Plants
These gardens provide opportunities to see a wide variety of native plants throughout the year.
Parks, Arboreta and Public Gardens
Jeffrey Fontana Park, intersection of Meridian Ave and Oakglen Way, San Jose. Across the street from 1278 Oakglen Way, San Jose. A beautiful selection of mature and new native plant gardens. Many of the plants are labelled.
Capitancillos Drive Native Plant Demonstration Garden, intersection of Capitancillos Drive and Oak Canyon Place. Extensive collection of chaparral shrubs and plants. Plants are labelled.
Ulistac Natural Area, Lick Mill Boulevard, Santa Clara. This 40-acre site was saved from development in 2001 and is the only dedicated natural open space in the City of Santa Clara.
Berger Native Demonstration Garden, 1553 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA 95112. The always-open Berger Native Demonstration Garden showcases a range of drought-tolerant California native plants. It's a great example of what a lawn-replacement project might look like. The garden was created in Fall 2013.
Master Gardeners Parcel at Martial Cottle Park, , 5283 Snell Ave, San Jose, CA 95136. This 4 acre parcel includes a a thriving Native Garden.
Master Gardeners Palo Alto Demo Garden, 851 Center Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Eleanor Pardee Park). The Water Wise Garden (always open to the public) includes many California native plants.
Bol Park Native Garden, This public garden is in a Palo Alto park, Cornelis Bol Park. The overall design of the garden is to maintain a wildlands look and to provide wildlife habitat. It includes a large area of hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), California Buckeye, Western Redbud Fremont's Cottonwood and many others.
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto CA 94301. This garden includes a .3 acre parcel that features water-wise California Native Plants, including many Pacific Coast Iris hybrids that bloom in late winter.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Native Demonstration Garden, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto. This very appealing garden is in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church; part of the garden was done in 2014 and contains mature plants, the other part was done in 2018 and contains much younger plants. The garden was designed with wildlife habitat in mind, and attracts various birds.
Primrose Way Pollinator Garden Collection, Primrose Way at Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. On the area of about 20 by 200 feet, a couple dozen of carefully selected species of low-growing shrubs (e.g., Salvia "Bee's Bliss", CA buckwheat, ceanothus "Skylark", perennials (e.g., lilac verbena, milkweed, yarrow, goldenrod, bee plant, CA fuchsia, rosy ans saffron buckwheats), and various annuals (e.g. poppies, clarkias, baby blue eyes), coexist in harmonious arrangement.
Stevens Creek Trail, Mountain View. New landscaping is all natives. Plants include ceanothus, iris, fremontodendrons, elderberry, sages, native roses, buckeye, alder, and sycamore. Landscaping starts at La Avenida (off Shoreline, where there's a trailhead), then follows Stevens Creek for about a mile south to Central Expressway.
Portola Valley Town Center, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Native garden next to the Historic Schoolhouse.
Centennial Park, El Camino Real at Floribunda, Hillsborough. Mixed planting of drought tolerant species includes many California natives.
City of San Carlos Native Plant Garden, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos. This big, well-designed, and well-labeled native plant garden by the San Carlos City Hall is right between the library parking lot and the dog park. One area has a focus on hummingbird-attracting plants and includes hummingbird sage, manzanita, and monkeyflower. A second area is for pollinators and includes coyote mint, yarrow, and milkweed. A part-shade area shows off ferns and native iris.
Woodside Library Garden, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. The garden (in the back of the library) is composed entirely of California native plants. It is open to the public during library hours: Mon-Thu 11-7; Fri-Sat 11-5. It is maintained by the Woodside-Atherton Garden Club. There is a brochure with a map of the different plants.
Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Tilden Park, Berkeley. The largest collection of California native plants, with plenty to excite the native gardener.
Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Contains a section devoted to California natives, the Arthur Menzies Native Garden.
UC Berkeley Botanic Garden, Strawberry Canyon, Berkeley. 200 Centennial Drive, #5045, Berkeley, CA 94720. (510) 642-0849. 13 acres of California natives.
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Empire Grade, UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. Large sections devoted to plants from California, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and a "Natives Come First" Garden.
Overfelt Gardens, Educational Park Drive (at McKee), San Jose. A section of this city park called "California Wild" is devoted to California natives.
Colleges
West Valley College. 14000 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga. California native plants dominate the grounds at the West Valley College campus in Saratoga.
Native Hill at Foothill College. Foothill College, 12345 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. Begun in 1982 by former faculty member Robert Will as a teaching aid for students, this small patch of land grew to house 170 species within one acre of land. .
Cheeseman Environmental Study Area. De Anza College, corner of Stelling & McLellan (inside the campus), Cupertino. Over 300 species of native plants representing 12 natural communities.
Duncan Hall Botanical & Habitat Garden. San Jose State University, San Salvador St (near 4th St), San Jose. Planted in the mid-1980s, this 4,000 sq.ft. area is landscaped with natives such as lemonade berry, Brewer's saltbush, spice bush, coffeeberry, and toyon, and home to a variety of species of birds, bees, squirrels, and lizards. It was maintained by the Natural History Club. [No longer there - link has been retained since there is useful plant information there]
Mission College. 3000 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara. New plantings of natives.
A California Native Garden at Stanford. Stanford University, Palo Alto. Designed by Meg Webster and installed in 2002, this garden replaced a lawn that was surrounded by redwoods, giant sequoias and coast live oaks.
Schools
Gardens associated with schools may not be open to the public. Please contact the school for information about visiting.
Cherry Chase Elementary School. 1138 Heatherstone Way, Sunnyvale. (408) 522-8241. A small native plant garden is located on a piece of land right next to the street.
Osborne Nature Area at Peterson. A 2-acre site planted in 1970 with native plants from eight biotic communities. Peterson Middle School, 1380 Rosalia Way, Sunnyvale.
Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School. A 1-acre site planted in 1971, contains redwood forest, oak woodland, chaparral, grassland, streamside and pond habitats. Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School, 1290 Kimberly Drive, San Jose.
Others (outside Santa Clara Valley)
Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden, Dillon Point Rd, Benicia, CA 94510. The garden covers 3.5 acres in the Benicia State Recreation Area. The Garden is an ideal setting for learning about native plants and how they may be used in home gardens and other landscape projects.
Larner Seeds Demonstration Garden. A 1-acre site planted in 1980 with plants from several biotic communities. Definitely worth a visit. 235 Grove Road, Bolinas. Tue, Thu 10-2, Sat 12-4.
Pacific Grove Museum Of Natural History, 165 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. (408) 648-3116. Winter home of migrating monarch butterflies.
Asilomar Conference Grounds,
800 Asilomar Boulevard, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. (831) 372-8016. Worth a visit for the dune restoration project. The plant nursery includes a 960 square-foot greenhouse, which grows more than 400,000 plants, representing 25 native species for transplantation on the grounds.
Send your comments and suggestions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This page originally compiled by Arvind Kumar with input from Bracey Tiede, Tanya Kucak, and Wendy Winkler.
Where to Buy Native Plants
Here are sources for California native plants in the Bay Area and beyond:
Call before visiting nurseries. All cities are located in California. Also see the California Native Plant Link Exchange for additional sources for native plants. |
NURSERIES AND SEED SOURCES
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Annie's Annuals & Perennials |
740 Market Ave. Richmond, CA 94801 (510) 215-3301 |
Retail and mail order nursery with a large section dedicated to native plants. |
Bay Natives |
10 Cargo Way San Francisco 94124 (415) 287-6755 |
Wholesale and retail nursery with a selection of rare and endemic Bay Area native plants as well as species from across the state. |
Berkeley Horticultural Nursery |
1310 McGee Avenue Berkeley 94703 (510) 526-4704 |
Retail with one section devoted to natives. |
California Flora Nursery |
PO Box 3, Somers and D Street Fulton 95439 (707) 528 8813 |
Cal Flora is devoted to natives and habitat gardening with an exceptional diversity of offerings. Knowledgeable and experienced with attention to local Bay Area needs and conditions. |
California Native Landscapes |
254 Shoreline Highway Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 888-8471 |
Organic, chemical-free, California native plants. Specializes in natural habitat restoration, pollinator friendly plants |
Capital Wholesale Nursery |
2938 Everdale Drive San Jose, CA 95148 (408) 239-0589 |
Uncommon perennials, Mediterranean and California natives. Both wholesale and retail |
Central Coast Wilds |
336 A Golf Club Drive Santa Cruz 95060 (831) 459-0656 |
California native seeds, plants, revegetation, consulting, and habitat restoration for professionals and home gardeners. |
CNPS SCV Nursery |
CNPS SCV Nursery at Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills |
CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter's nursery. Public sale in October. Periodic pop-up sales. |
East Bay Wilds Native Plant Nursery |
28th Ave at Foothill Blvd Fruitvale District of Oakland 510-409-5858 |
Call for hours. Native plants plus demonstration garden. |
Grassroots Ecology Native Plant Nursery |
Foothills Park Palo Alto 650-949-3158 |
Most plants grown from local native stock. Order online and pick up plants at the nursery. |
Larner Seeds |
PO Box 407 235 Grove Road Bolinas 94971 (415) 868-9407 |
Mail order seeds and California native wildflowers, perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees. Demonstration garden. Retail plants at the nursery from October through July. |
Las Pilitas Nursery |
3232 Las Pilitas Rd Santa Margarita, CA 93453 (805) 438-5992 |
Mail order and on-site nursery. Extensive native plants list. Excellent descriptions of plants along with planting guidelines. |
Linda Vista Native Plants |
San Jose. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Order online with plant pickup in Saratoga. Occasional public sales announced to their email list. |
Mission Blue Nursery |
1 Mountain Flora Parkway Brisbane, CA 940056 (415) 467-6631 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Quarterly and by-appointment sales. Mission Blue Nursery grows plants entirely from seeds and cuttings collected on San Bruno Mountain. |
Mostly Natives Nursery |
54 B Street, Unit D Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415) 663-8835 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Wholesale and retail coastal natives and drought-tolerant plants. Call for open hours. |
Native Here Nursery |
101 Golf Course Drive in Tilden Regional Park Berkeley 94708 (510) 549-0211 |
Alameda and Contra Costa County natives. Nursery is operated by East Bay CNPS for East Bay Regional Parks District. Tuesday noon-3pm, Friday 9am-noon, Saturday 10am-1pm. |
Native Revival Nursery |
(831) 684-1811 |
Online-only. Wholesale and retail seeds and plants, contract collection and growing, revegetation and restoration. |
Oaktown Native Plant Nursery |
702 Channing Way Berkeley, CA (510) 387-9744 |
Retail and wholesale. Offers contract growing for restoration and large landscaping projects. |
Our City Forest |
1000 Spring St. San Jose, CA 95110 (408)785-2302 |
Retail |
Pacific Coast Seed |
533 Hawthorne Place Livermore 94550 (925) 373-4417 or (800) 733-3462 |
Wholesale or through local nurseries. Wildflower and grass seeds. |
Payless Nursery |
2927 S. King Road San Jose 95122 (4080 274-7815 |
This independent nursery devotes a section to a varied selection of native trees, shrubs and perennials. Address your native plant questions to Wanda Olson. |
Rana Nursery |
7480 Williams Ranch Road Carmel, CA 93923 (831) 659-3820 |
Native grass seed production and four-acre native plant nursery. Wholesale only. Revegetation, seed, container, and bare root plants. |
Regional Parks Botanic Garden |
Southpark Drive and Wildcat Canyon Road in Tilden Regional Park Berkeley 94708 (510) 841-8732 |
Check website for sale hours. |
San Diego Chapter, California Native Plant Society seed store |
Contact Form San Diego, CA
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Sells California native seeds primarily from Southern California in small quantities for home and demonstration gardens |
Seedhunt |
PO Box 96 Freedom 95019 |
Mail order annual and perennial seed with hard to find selections and about one-third native |
Sierra Azul Nursery & Gardens |
2660 East Lake Avenue (Highway 152) Watsonville 95076 (831) 763 0939 |
Mediterranean, native, and water-conserving plants for California displayed in demonstration gardens as well as the nursery. |
S&S Seeds |
P.O. Box 1275 Carpinteria, CA 93014 (805) 684-0436 |
Wholesale seeds, with $150 minimum order. |
SummerWinds Nursery |
725 San Antonio Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 (650) 493-5136 |
Retail. There are several locations, but the Palo Alto store has the best selection of natives. Ask for Judith for assistance. |
Suncrest Nurseries, Inc |
400 Casserly Road Watsonville 95076 (831) 728-2595 |
Wholesale only. See website for retail outlets. Develops new and unusual coastal plants with some natives. |
Tree of Life Nursery |
PO Box 635 33201 Ortega Highway San Juan Capistrano 92693 (949) 728-0685 |
Wholesale and retail. Contract collects and grows. Round House Plant Store has plants and books for home gardener. |
Watershed Nursery |
601 A Canal Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 234-22225 |
Retail native plants. Contract collects and grows. |
Yerba Buena Nursery |
12511 San Mateo Rd. (Hwy 92) Half Moon Bay (650) 851-1668 |
Retail native plants with some seed. |
NATIVE PLANT SALES
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Strybing Arboretum Arboretum and Botanical Gardens |
Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave at Lincoln Way, San Francisco (415) 661-1316 |
Saturday sales with one for natives in the autumn. |
University of California Berkeley Botanical Garden |
200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley (510) 642-3343 |
Autumn sale with some natives that are hard to find. |
University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum |
Empire Grade at Western Drive, Santa Cruz (831) 427-2998 |
Joint sale with CNPS Santa Cruz Chapter in April. |
ONLINE SOURCES & RESOURCES
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California Gardens |
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Extensive list of California native plants. Pictures and plant descriptions. Ojai, California e-business. |
California Native Grass Association |
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Information packets, seed sources, workshops, website resources. Primary focus is grassland restoration, but resource list is broader. |
El Nativo Growers Inc |
(626) 969-8449 |
Good source of information on natives in the landscape. Wholesale only. |
San Marcos Growers |
(805) 683-1561 |
This page has links to the database entries for all of the California native plants that they grow and also features articles about native plants and links to other sites that have information about California native plants. The information is written by staff horticulturist Randy Baldwin with contributuions by Carol Bornstein. Wholesale only. |
The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants Inc. |
10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley 91352 (818) 768-1802 |
Promotes and restores landscapes and habitats, propagates and sells native plants and educates about native plants. Sells native seeds in quantity. |
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CNPS SCV Nursery
![Nursery Gate Nursery Gate](/images/stories/nursery/DSC_0895-nursery-gate.jpg)
CNPS SCV Nursery
-- founded by Jean and David Struthers
Where ecology and horticulture connect.
The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of CNPS maintains the CNPS SCV Nursery on the grounds of Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills. Volunteers propagate native plants throughout the year for the chapter's Native Plant Sales. Proceeds from plant sales are the major source of funding for chapter activities. To see what's available, please go to our online store:
https://california-native-plant-society-santa-clara-valley-chapter.square.site/
For more information, contact the Nursery Manager, Vivian Neou at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You can learn more about the history of our nursery here.
An illustrated list from Calflora of all the species (this does not include cultivars) grown at the nursery is available here.
Directions: Hidden Villa is located on 26870 Moody Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. It is west of Foothill College. From Hwy 280 in Los Altos Hills, take the Moody Road exit and head west. Two miles west of Foothill College, look for the Hidden Villa sign and driveway on the left. Proceed over the bridge, and park in the Dana Center parking lot to your right. Parking is free for volunteers and plant sale customers. The nursery is just beyond the Dana Center. Google Map Link
Open work sessions at our nursery have been canceled indefinitely.
CNPS SCV Nursery History
The CNPS SCV Nursery was started in 1995 when Jean Struthers got a $10,000 grant from the Packard Foundation to build a nursery for the chapter. With that grant and the donation of some fencing left over from a Christmas tree lot, the nursery was started at Hidden Villa. The following excerpts starting from the July-August 1995 isssue of the Blazing Star trace the development of the Nursery.
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