Rhamnus californica

Another very showy native is Dendromecon harfordii (California bush poppy).  In late spring, it is covered in bright yellow flowers and flowers intermittently throughout the summer.  

Fremontodendron is also known as flannel bush because the back of the leaves are fuzzy and soft.  Showy yellow flowers appear in spring.  This shrub takes full sun and is drought tolerant once established, requiring no irrigation at all.  Its primary drawback is that it tends to be short lived, but it is fabulous while…

The Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) is one of the most spectacular California native plants. Getting it started can be difficult, but once established, it requires no irrigation and may, in fact, need to be watched so as not to take over your garden.

This native plant is of variable appearance, but generally has narrow bluish green foliage and blue to purple flowers.  The variety ‘Margarita Bop’ was discovered at Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita.  It sends up wands of fuchsia and violet blue flowers in spring and early summer and requires little to moderate water, as do other heterophyllus.    

Zauschneria, or California fuschia, is a low spreading plant with green, grey or silvery foliage and orange to scarlet flowers.  Bloom occurs in late summer or autumn and the flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.  The plant is fast growing and drought tolerant, but as with most plants, it looks better with occasional water.  It…

Prunus lyonii (Catalina Cherry) and Prunus ilicifolia (Holly leaf Cherry) are two evergreen shrubs that are extremely useful as screens or background plants. They both have red berries in late summer which the birds find very desirable.