Our Plants (List)

Coyote bush is common in a variety of plant communities from Oregon to Baja, especially in “pacific-influenced” portions of the coastal mountains, central valley and Sierra Nevada foothills. The species is characterized by dense, green leaves and exceptional toughness. Of the two subspecies, the pilularis subspecies is the more coastal,…

Mule fat grows near water throughout most of California. It grows as an expanding thicket of upright stems covered with large lance-shaped leaves. When not in flower one could easily think it was a low-growing willow. It is also called water wally. The white flowers appear throughout the year in…

It is always a little surprising when a plant can thrive away from its native range. The surprise only increases as the growing site becomes more and more distinct from the plant’s native habitat. I have found plants from alpine settings will often fail to adapt to lower elevations. The…

The desert marigold is native to the desert portions of California into the southwest. It thrives in sunny spots with well-draining soils. With the first rains of winter, desert marigold comes to life, quickly producing a profusion of effervescent yellow flowers. These are the sort of desert flowers people drive…

This widespread shrub is so common that it is easy to overlook its many qualities. Native to much of North America, Oregon grape appreciates areas of higher rainfall and cooler winter temperatures. In Santa Clara County it is found occasionally in higher, shady sites in both the Santa Cruz Mountains…

Shining netvien barberry is a variety of the widespread Oregon grape, which is well-loved among gardeners for its adaptability and beauty. The form is generally upright and dense. The compound leaves consist of up to nine dark green leaflets. Holly-like. The bright yellow flowers contrast nicely against this background. These…

This low growing variety of the Oregon grape grows in a dense mound of spiny leaves to about three feet. The leaves take on hues of red and orange in the fall, though Oregon grape is not deciduous. This shrub will slowly spread via underground rhizomes. In late spring long…