Our Plants (List)

California’s yarrow is distinctly adaptable, occurring in a wide range of habitats from high montane to chaparral to coastal scrub. Typically dormant it springs to life with feathery foliage (millefolium = a thousand leaves) and a dense umbel of tiny flowers frequented by butterflies. While the flower is usually white,…

Yarrow takes on many forms in its expansive range around the Northern Hemisphere. Forms vary in flower size and color, leaf size, and overall height. All share the same basic characteristics that make yarrow such a popular garden subject. The ‘Sonoma Coast’ selection is somewhat compact. The flowers rise only…

Yarrow is one of those bread-and-butter native perennials that is easy to take for granted. It is found throughout North America in a variety of habitats, which testifies to its remarkable flexibility. Yarrow responds well to regular water but also can be naturalized (i.e. no supplemental irrigation). Without regular water…

Blow wives are found throughout California’s valleys and lower foothills, blooming in the spring in sunny open areas. It grows as a short, rather unspectacular plant through flowering. As blow wives set seed they display silky white scales which aid in seed dispersal. These appear to be white papery flowers…

This relative of the widespread deer weed (Acmispon glaber) is endemic to several of the Channel Islands. It grows in an open mound of silvery white leaves, accented in the spring and early summer with bright yellow blooms. The silver lotus thrives in a sunny, well-draining location and should only…

California’s acmispon genus ranges throughout the state with many forms, from low groundcover to upright, open shrubs. All species share compound leaves with round to lance-shaped leaflets and dramatic, usually yellow, flowers. They also ahare a preference for dry, sunny sites. The island broom is endemic to the three most…

Deerweed is found in coastal and mountainous areas throughout the state. It is a pioneer species, meaning that it quickly fills disturbed areas with dense stands that condition the soil for other plant species. Deerweed accomplishes this by fixing nitrogen, as do other members of the pea family, Fabaceae. Deerweed…

The large leaved lotus is a rather rare member of a range of plant communities throughout California. It is found at low elevations in hilly, dry settings, although it receives a good deal of atmospheric moisture in coastal settings such as the Channel Islands. It forms a mound compound leaves…

This mat forming lotus grows in mountains in much of the southern half of California. Somewhat surprising, its range moves more inland as one moves south. Woolly lotus grows as a very flat groundcover, more like a vine than a perennial. The compound leaves are composed of several round, apple-green,…