Local Habitat Restoration Projects (Non-Chapter)

Berries for Birds

By Jeff Caldwell

One of the best ways to watch birds is to find native plants laden with ripe fruits of the sorts they love to eat. They often come out in the open to feed, and when there is plenty of good food they seem more at ease with human presence, or at least much less likely to fly far away. About two weeks ago I was gathering ripe coffeeberry fruits and was astonished at what a good look I was able to get of the western bluebirds which continued to feed on them, or retreated but a very short distance, eyeing me as I eyed them! Yellow-rumped warblers were with them.

A very satisfying way to enjoy birds is to plant native plants which provide food for them. Many berrying plants attract birds. Some people plant non-native species such as pyracantha or cotoneaster for the birds, but native berries attract a greater diversity of songbirds and often greater numbers as well. The flowers, foliage, leaf litter, etc., of native species also supports a greater diversity and abundance of invertebrates upon which the birds will feed year round.

Some of the more useful berrying species are:

Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)
Female house finch on blue elderberry (Steve Rosenthal)	This is a common riparian species, sometimes found at the base of hills or in ravines. The fruits in early summer attract an extremely wide range of birds, such as quail, thrashers, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, orioles, house finches, and orange-crowned warblers. It is very easy to cultivate. It does tend to get large and can be rangy, but responds well to pruning. It can be cut to the ground every year (or whenever it gets too big) in its winter dormant season, and it will still grow up to flower and set fruit.
Hollyleaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia)
Holly-leaved cherry (Prunus ilicifolia) (Arvind Kumar)	This popular landscaping subject provides good bird food. The seeds may be planted where the plants are wanted. They are often planted as screens along property lines. They can be severely hedged, but it is best to allow them to grow at least 6 feet tall, or better yet, give them plenty of room to develop as specimens. For maximum value to birds allow them to be branched to the ground and allow leaf litter to accumulate.
California coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica)
California coffeeberry (Rhamnus Californica) (Arvind Kumar)	This shrub is particularly useful because it provides succulent berries in early fall. Many birds visit it year round for insects. It is an attractive foliage plant, easy to cultivate and grows quickly.
Brown dogwood (Cornus glabrata)
Brown dogwood (Cornus glabrata) (Jed & Bonnie McClellan)	This riparian species grows very fast with some water. It features lush foliage, bright blue berries in late summer loved by many songbirds, and some fall color as well. Small birds like to nest in it. To observe it with its associated birds in the wild check out the stands found along Old Page Mill Road in Palo Alto.
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) (Arvind Kumar)	The bright red berries are the favorite food of robins and waxwings in winter, with more than 20 species of birds utilizing them for food. The seeds contain a small percentage of cyanide compounds, but nevertheless purple finches (seed predators) rip open the fruits to eat great numbers of them. In its season no berry is more attractive. The birds do not get "drunk" on toyon as they do with the non-native pyracantha which often results in tragedy if a busy street is adjacent. Toyon is very easy to grow. Give it enough room so that little or no pruning will be required. Very interesting insects, many bees in some cases, visit its early summer white flower panicles.
Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) and Shinyleaf barberry (Berberis pinnata)
Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) (Arvind Kumar)	These are easy to grow and quite decorative. I will never forget how close I was able to approach Phainopeplas feeding on Berberis pinnata fruits at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont. They were most reluctant to leave such a delicious feast.
Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)
Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) (Arvind Kumar)	In the cashew family, the fruits are attractive to birds that normally eat mast or insects, such as jays, woodpeckers, titmice, and wrentits. Poison oak is an important food for many birds, especially wrentits and hermit thrushes. Poison oak is not as hard to live with as some people think. Obviously it may be wise to clear it away from trails or heavily used areas; nuisance seedlings can be dealt with conveniently and safely with a mini weed wrench (a product of the New Tribe company).

There are many other fine berries for birds, such as thimbleberry, hairy honeysuckle, wild grape, blue witch -- any berry species is worth trying. Flocks of yellow warblers will come for Pacific wax myrtle.

 

Books for the Native Plant Gardener

Many of the books listed here are available for purchase during Chapter plant sales and programs. Members receive a discount. A list of books stocked by the chapter is available here.

FUNDAMENTAL BOOKS
	DESIGNING CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS GARDENS: THE PLANT COMMUNITY APPROACH TO ARTFUL, ECOLOGICAL GARDENS. Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook. University of California Press (June 4, 2007). 352 pp, paperback. This book was created with the aim of conveying the awesome diversity and beauty of California's native plants and demonstrating how they can be brought into ecologically sound, attractive, workable, and artful gardens. Structured around major California plant communities--bluffs, redwoods, the Channel Islands, coastal scrub, grasslands, deserts, oak woodlands, mixed evergreen woodlands, riparian, chaparral, mountain meadows, and wetlands--the book's twelve chapters each include sample plans for a native garden design accompanied by original drawings, color photographs, a plant list, tips on successful gardening with individual species, and more.
	CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDENING, A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE. Helen Popper. University of California Press (2012). 217 pp, paperback. Helen Popper is a long-time member of the Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society and one of the first Gardening with Natives subgroup members. She was the note taker at the group's early monthly meetings, and this book is a compilation of the knowledge of the native plant society members from those meetings. Popper goes over some of the concepts in the book at a CNPS meeting.
	CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS FOR THE GARDEN. Carol Bornstein, David Fross, Bart O'Brien. Cachuma Press (December 1, 2005). 280 pp, paperback & hardback. This comprehensive resource features more than 500 of the best California native plants for gardening. Written by three of the state's leading native-plant horticulturists and illustrated with 450 color photos, this reference book also includes chapters on landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Detailed lists of recommended native plants for a variety of situations and appendices with information on places to see native plants and where to buy them are also provided.
	GARDENING WITH A WILD HEART. Judith Larner Lowry. University of California Press (1999), Berkeley, CA. 252 pp, softback. A compelling investigation into the whys and hows of gardening with native plants. Its engaging style mixes personal history, botany, anthropology, and ecology, and brings it all to bear on what you could be doing in your yard. This book has inspired many to practice restoration gardening.
FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
		GARDENERS' GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS. Kevin Connelly. Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352. A personal take on wildflower gardening, with a focus on Southern California wildflowers.
		CALIFORNIA NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS. Lee Lenz, John Dourley. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Out of print.
		SEED PROPAGATION OF NATIVE CALIFORNIA PLANTS. Dara Emery. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, CA. 115 pp, softback. An extensive table lists germination and propagation requirements of hundreds of native species.
	COMPATIBLE PLANTS UNDER AND AROUND OAKS. Bruce Hagen et al. California Oak Foundation, 1212 Broadway, Suite 810, Oakland, CA 94612. 69 pp, softback.
	FLOWERING SHRUBS OF CALIFORNIA AND THEIR VALUE TO THE GARDENER. Lester Rowntree. Stanford University Press. 1939. One of the earliest and best written books on native plants. Worth looking for in used book stores.
	THE LANDSCAPING IDEAS OF JAYS: A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BACKYARD RESTORATION GARDEN. Judith Larner Lowry. University of California Press, 2007. 292 pp, softback. Elegantly organized by season, this lyrical yet practical guide to backyard restoration gardening celebrates the beauty, the challenges, and the rewards of growing native plants at home. Judith Larner Lowry, winner of the prestigious John Burroughs award, here builds on themes from her best-selling Gardening with a Wild Heart, which introduced restoration gardening as a new way of thinking about land and people. Drawing on her experiences in her own garden, Lowry offers guidance on how to plan a garden with birds, plants, and insects in mind; how to shape it with trees and shrubs, paths and trails, ponds, and other features; and how to cultivate, maintain, and harvest seeds and food from a diverse array of native annuals and perennials. Working in passionate collaboration with the scrub jays, quail, ants, and deer who visit her garden, and inspired by other gardeners, including some of the women pioneers of native plant horticulture, Lowry shares the delights of creating site-specific, ever-changing gardens that can help us better understand our place in the natural world.
	THE CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE GARDEN: ECOLOGY, CULTURE, AND DESIGN. Mark Francis, Andreas Reimann. University of California Press. 1999. 254 pp, hardcover. The beauty, resources, and natural processes of the California landscape are brought to the home garden in Mark Francis and Andreas Reimann's fine testament to ecological gardening. The authors connect history, culture, region, and design to help us understand how California and its human population have evolved historically and how individuals today can make a difference in the state's future in their own backyards. The authors' goal is to bring the history of the California garden up to date with the ecological and cultural concerns of our time. Francis and Reimann use California's natural beauty and habitat as a starting point for inspiring Californians to see their gardens as extensions of the surrounding landscape. They provide essential information on native plants and wildlife, ecology and bioregionalism, landscape history and design concepts, as well as numerous examples showing how to integrate environmental principles in one's garden. Landscape meaning and regional thinking are an important part of an ecosystem approach to home gardening, say the authors. This is a book for anyone seeking a garden philosophy that is environmentally sensitive, and even experienced home gardeners, landscape professionals, and horticulturists will find new and useful material here.
CLASSIC REFERENCES
	GROWING CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS. Marjorie Schmidt. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 366 pages, softback. First published in 1981, this book is still at the top of the heap when it comes to books on native plant gardening. Written for the gardener, the book covers a wide variety of native plants, their characteristics, culture information, and estimate of garden value. This is a must-have book for beginners and experts alike.
		NATIVE PERENNIALS OF CALIFORNIA. Glenn Keator. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA. 303 pp, softback. This out-of-print book is worth hunting for in used bookstores for its encyclopedic content.
	NATIVE SHRUBS OF CALIFORNIA. Glenn Keator. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA. 314 pp, softback. A handy reference on woody native plants. A particularly useful section is the appendix on commonly available cultivars.
IRRIGATION
	RELIABLE RAIN: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION. Howard Hendrix, Stuart Straw. Taunton. 140 pp, softback.
		DRIP IRRIGATION FOR EVERY LANDSCAPE AND ALL CLIMATES. Robert Kourik. Metamorphic Press. 118 pp, softback.
CALIFORNIA & LOCAL FLORA
		Checklist of the Vascular Plants of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.This publication documents over 2,000 species occurring in our two counties. The checklist includes the scientific and common names as in the 2nd edition of The Jepson Manual. Each species also includes the local preserves the plant occurs in, and other information about our local plants. Softcover coil bound (5 ½) x (8 ½), 161 pages.160 pp. The checklist can be purchased at the online CNPS SCV Nursery store.
		THE JEPSON MANUAL: HIGHER PLANTS OF CALIFORNIA. James Hickman, ed. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. The final word on California native plants.
	A CALIFORNIA FLORA. Philip Munz. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 1681 + 224 pp, hardback. Obsoleted by Jepson, this reference is still a favorite of many botanists.
		FLORA OF THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS OF CALIFORNIA. John Hunter Thomas. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. 434 pp, softback.
	FLORA OF THE MOUNT HAMILTON RANGE. Helen Sharsmith. CNPS, Berkeley. 94 pp, softback. Out of print but worth hunting for at used bookstores.
		FLORA OF THE SAN BRUNO MOUNTAINS. Elizbeth McClintock et al. CNPS, 909 12th Street, Suite 116, Sacramento, CA 95814. 223 pp, softback.
	CONIFERS OF CALIFORNIA. Ronald M. Lanner. Cachuma Press, P.O. Box 560, Los Olivos, CA 93441. 288 pp, softback. Award-winning book on all 52 majestic evergreen trees of the state. A superb mix of writing style, botanical knowledge, and appealing presentation. It may be the only book you need on the subject.
		OAKS OF CALIFORNIA. Bruce Pavlik et al. Cachuma Press, P.O. Box 560, Los Olivos, CA 93441. 184 pp, softback. An engagingly written and produced work on California's native oaks. Browse the beautiful pictures and captions, or read a chapter at leisure. A great first reference for identifying common oaks.
INSPIRATION FROM NATURE
		CALIFORNIA'S WILD GARDENS: A Living Legacy. Phyllis M. Faber, ed. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 235 pp, hardback. The breathtaking beauty of California's native plants is captured in over 500 photographs and engaging commentary in an all-color, coffee table book format.
	WILDFLOWERS OF CALIFORNIA. Larry Ulrich, Susan Lamb. Companion Press, Santa Barbara, CA. 136 pp, softback. While not about gardening, this book will leave you marveling at the beauty and diversity of California native wildflowers, and wishing you could grow them in your garden. Detailed captions accompany each photograph, with the plant name and location, allowing you to plan field trips, or visit your local native nursery for seeds.
NATURAL HISTORY & ETHNOBOTANY
		AN ISLAND CALLED CALIFORNIA. Elna Bakker. University of California Press. 400 pp, softback. A classic reference which connects the native flora, fauna, climate, and geography of each biotic community in the state.
	TENDING THE WILD: NATIVE AMERICAN KNOWLEDGE AND THE MANAGEMENT OF CALIFORNIA'S NATURAL RESOURCES. M. Kat Anderson. University of California Press, 2006. 555 pp, paperback. John Muir was an early proponent of a view we still hold today--that much of California was pristine, untouched wilderness before the arrival of Europeans. But as this groundbreaking book demonstrates, what Muir was really seeing when he admired the grand vistas of Yosemite and the gold and purple flowers carpeting the Central Valley were the fertile gardens of the Sierra Miwok and Valley Yokuts Indians, modified and made productive by centuries of harvesting, tilling, sowing, pruning, and burning. Marvelously detailed and beautifully written, Tending the Wild is an unparalleled examination of Native American knowledge and uses of California's natural resources that reshapes our understanding of native cultures and shows how we might begin to use their knowledge in our own conservation efforts. Tending the Wild persuasively argues that this traditional ecological knowledge is essential if we are to successfully meet the challenge of living sustainably.
OUT OF PRINT CLASSICS
	THE HABITAT GARDEN BOOK. Nancy Bauer. Coyote Ridge Press, P.O. Box 192, Sebastopol, CA 95473. 56 pp, softback. This little gem makes for a great beginning to gardening for birds, bees, and butterflies, with written and pictorial vignettes of habitat and food plants in bloom. Native plants are well-represented, although the book includes some non-natives as well. If you are just getting interested in bringing natives into your garden, this book puts it all into context.
	BUTTERFLY GARDENING. Xerces Society, Smithsonian Institution. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco. 1998. 208 pp, softback. Essays by experts on gardening for butterflies, with many exquisite color closeups, master plant list, life cycle, photography, and resource list.
	NATIVE PLANTS FOR CALIFORNIA GARDENS. Lee Lenz. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. 1956. 166 pp, hardback. Out of print, but may be available through used book sellers.
	OUT OF THE WILD AND INTO THE GARDEN. Bart O'Brien, Lorrae Fuentes, Lydia Newcombe, Eds. Symposium proceedings. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Occasional Publications. Part I, 1992, 212 pp. Part II, 1995, 262 pp. Part III, 1997, 134 pp.

This page compiled by Arvind Kumar, Jeffrey Caldwell, Tanya Kucak, Vivian Neou and Agi Kehoe. Send your comments and suggestions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Butterfly Gardening

calscape.org: CNPS database of native plants and associated butterflies and moths (both host and nectar plants). Searchable.

California Plants as Resources for Lepidoptera: a document that lists many moth and butterfly species and their host & nectar plants

BUTTERFLY GARDENING: SELECTED REFERENCES

Arbuckle, Nancy and Cedric Crocker (eds.). 1991. How to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies. Ortho Books.

Caldwell, Jeff. Notes on Larval Food Plants of Some Bay Area Butterflies. 3pp.-xeroxed

Garth, John S. and J.W. Tilden. 1986. California Butterflies. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Stewart, Bob. 1997. Common Butterflies of California. Point Reyes Station, CA: West Coast Lady Press.

Stokes, Donald, Lillian Stokes and Ernest Williams. 1991. The Butterfly Book: An Easy Guide to Butterfly Gardening, Identification, and Behavior. Little, Brown and Company.

Tekulsky, Mathew. 1985. The Butterfly Garden. Boston: The Harvard Common Press.

Xerces Society/Smithsonian Institution. 1990. Butterfly Gardening. Sierra Club Books.

Gardening With Natives Forum

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

• Calscape.org - CNPS's searchable guide to California native plants and butterflies. The best resource for native plant garden planning.
• Where to Buy Native Plants
• Where to Buy Native Plant Seeds
• Native Plant Professionals
• Public Gardens of Native Plants
• Butterfly Gardening
• Native Trees for Landscaping
• Local Perennial Native Grasses
• Hummingbird Plants
• Gardening With Natives Email List
• Books for the Native Plant Gardener
• Berries for Birds
• Leaf Burn Times (link to Las Pilitas plant list with fire resistance information)
• Wildflower Promotion

Here are links to some of our popular handouts.  Free to download.

• Krzysztof Kozminski's Planting Method for California Native Plants (AKA: Mud Planting Method)
  • Krzysztof Kozminski's video demonstration of the Mud Planting Method
• Berries for the Birds
• Brush Piles
• California Native Hummingbird Plants
• Local Perennial Native California Grasses
• Seasonal Color With California Bulbs
• The Wildflower Top lO

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

Locally Native Trees for Landscaping

Locally Native Trees to Plant at Your School or Home

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

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.

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This page originally compiled by Arvind Kumar with input from Bracey Tiede, Tanya Kucak, and Wendy Winkler.