Common name: Marina Strawberry Tree
Botanical name: Arbutus 'Marina'

The 'Marina' has gorgeous bark, with leaves that are smaller and not as glossy as Pacific Madrone. Its flowers are pink, borne in pendant clusters in the summer. The fruit is large, red and quite ornamental. The plant should be grown in sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. The 'Marina' prefers good drainage. Other Common Names: Marina Madrone

Common name: California Fescue
Botanical name: Festuca californica

The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue-green blades that reach 2' high. The violet colored flower stalks are 5' tall, appearing in spring and summer, creating fountain-like clumps. This grass is drought tolerant for sun and shade although it looks better with additional summer water. The California fescue is a beneficial insect plant. Plant on dry sunny slopes or on the edge of a dry creek bed.

Common name: California Poppy
Botanical name: Eschscholzia californica

The California State Flower. This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It is an aggressive grower and can get away from you in a residential garden space. Plant it in spaces where it is alright for it to roam.

Common name: Blue-Eyed Grass
Botanical name: Sisyrinchium bellum

Following winter rains, this grassy perennial brings a soft texture back into the garden. It produces an abundance of small blue-purple flowers which have a long bloom cycle. The foliage is similar to Irises. This California native prefers full sun and is drought tolerant once it's established. It's great in small spaces and among rocks. This plant reaches about 1' tall.

Common name: California Buckwheat
Botanical name: Eriogonum fasciculatum

This is the most common buckwheat that grows in California. It is incredibly drought tolerant and hardy. It's long flowering season (almost year-round) makes it an important nectar source for butterflies and pollinators so be sure to include it when planning a habitat garden.Birds also enjoy the seed heads in fall. Flowers are a pale pink when in tight bud, becoming white as the flowers open, and them becoming rusty brown as the flowers dry out. This gives some added interest and fall color to gardens in the autumn that is unique to California. Birds also enjoy the seed heads in fall.

Common name: California Coffeeberry
Botanical name: Frangula californica

The California Coffeeberry is an evergreen shrub that reaches 6'-8' high and 10' wide. It has a rounded form that can be pruned to your liking. Foliage is large, deep green with reddish tints. Flowers are considered inconspicuous. It has red berries that turn black in late summer, which attracts birds. The berries have seeds which resemble coffee beans! This shrub tolerates sun or partial shade in all soil types. This CA native is drought tolerant once it's established. This shrub also attract butterflies and bees.

Common name: Monterey Carpet Manzanita
Botanical name: Arctostaphylos hookeri 'Monterey Carpet'

This is a compact, low growing variety of manzanita that performs best near the coast and requires protection from the direct sun in inland areas. Very slow growing but will eventually spread to about 6-8' W. Stays under 1' H. Flowers are in clusters of white to pinkish white urns in the winter to early spring months. Virtually no care once established.