Our Plants (List)

California’s barberries – around eight species – can be divided into two groups. One group is typified by Oregon grape, Berberis aquifolium, and is characterized by shiny, pliable, oval dark green leaves, blue berries and a preference for mild, moist growing sites. The other group is typified by Nevin’s barberry,…

This chance garden hybrid was discovered at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in the 70’s. It was thought to be a hybrid of three subspecies of the Oregon grape, Berberis aquifolium. ‘Golden Abundance’ retains the hardiness and adaptability of the Oregon grape, but is more upright and has a more…

The red fruited mahonia is most commonly found in the US Southwest and northern Mexico. In California it grows in a few locations at high elevations in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. It grows as an upright shrub to about ten feet in its natural setting. The leaflets are lance…

The Cascade Oregon grape grows in shady, forested settings from British Columbia to the coast of Central California. The long compound leaves are frond-like with long dark green leaves with spiny margins. The plant is reminiscent of a fern until the tall flower stocks appear in the spring with bright…

Nevin’s barberry is a plant which likely has a higher population in cultivation than in the wild. This arises in part from its limited and threatened native habitat, and in part from the popularity of this adaptable and attractive shrub.  The form is upright and rounded. The leaves are light…

This attractive shrub is endemic to the northern Channel Islands, where it thrives in a setting moderated by the Pacific Ocean. Island barberry grows as an upright, open shrub to about seven feet. The compound leaves consist of numerous oval leaflets with spiny margins (edges). The leaflets are dark green…

The golden spined cereus is found in the hills along the immediate coast in San Diego County, northern Baja California, Catalina Island and San Clemente Island where it benefits from the moderating effect of the Pacific. It grows as an expanding patch of ribbed, upright columns with a yellow green…

The bur marigold is one of several California natives that is widespread in the US. This sunflower thrives in sunny, moist areas in all but the high mountains. In California it is most common south of Sacramento. Bur marigold grows as a patch of bright, lance-shaped leaves on a central…

Deer fern grows in the moist, cool, moist forests of Europe and western North America. In North America it hugs the coast from Santa Cruz County to Alaska. There are a few disjunct inland populations, such as in El Dorado County. Following summer dormancy, deer fern sends up narrow fronds…