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 prefers excellent drainage, but is somewhat adaptable. It is very useful for stabilizing banks and hillsides.
Heteromeles arbutifolia, or toyon, is an evergreen native shrub with thick, leathery leaves. The flat heads of white flowers in spring attract bees and the bright red berries that follow are favored by birds. Toyon usually grows as a dense shrub to six to ten feet tall and wide, but can also be trained as…
![Catalina Cherry Flowers [Prunus ilicifolia]](https://baylaurelgardencenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Catalina-Cherry-Flowers-Prunus-ilicifolia-425x290.jpg)
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.
Carpenteria californica (bush anemone) does best with afternoon shade. Clusters of white, anemone shaped flowers cover this evergreen shrub in early summer.
Trichostema lanatum (woolly blue curls) grows to three to five feet high and four to eight feet wide. The dark green leaves are pungent when bruised. The purple flowers are fuzzy and appear in spring. The plant will continue to bloom during summer and autumn if it is deadheaded. Trichostema takes full sun and needs…
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.
Ceanothus, ‘California wild lilac’, is known for its wonderful spring floral display. Flower colors are either white or shades of purple-blue, while height can range from a foot or two to twenty feet. ‘Ray Hartman’ and ‘Cliff Schmidt’ are among the tallest of the Ceanothus, attaining heights of twelve to twenty feet. ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Concha’ are among the varieties…