Native wildflowers are available in 3” pots for $5 each. Think of each of these plants as a living seed packet that will grow out and self-propagate in the coming years.

Chia, California - Out of Stock - Salvia columbariae. A local native annual sage with dark blue flowers and somewhat spiky seed heads. Nutritious, edible seeds for you and also birds. Related to the chia seed that is commercially available which is the Mexican Chia, Salvia hispanica

Clarkia, Winecup - Out of Stock - Clarkia purpurea. Deep wine colored flowers to 2’ tall. This native wildflower can co-exsit with non-native grasses and will naturalize in sun to part shade.

Clarkia, pink (Punchbowl Godetia) - Out of Stock - Clarkia bottae. Pale pink flowers with white centers in masses on a small plant to 18” tall. Long blooming and very showy. I’m not 100% sure on the species here but have previously listed is as cylindrica and am now leaning towards bottae, but it is common in our local foothills. Purple pollen!

Clarkia, Elegant - Out of Stock - Clarkia unguiculata. “Fairwell to Spring” A late blooming wildflower with intricate blossoms. One of the latest of our native annual flowers, this marks the transition from spring into summer. Important nectar for native bees.

Clover, Tomcat - Out of Stock - Trifolium sp. A native clover with purple and white flowers and beautiful variegated leaves. Great for bumblebees and a nitrogen fixer for the soil.

Gilia - Out of Stock - Gillia capitata. Pale blue flowers in clusters on a graceful plant with lacy foliage. Long blooming and hardy in full sun.

Miner’s Lettuce - Out of Stock - Claytonia perfoliata. Succulent greens for oak understory or shade garden. The round leaves are glossy green and deliciously edible. Small white flowers follow and the seeds are also edible. This plant will easily naturalize on a north slope or other shady spot, coming back every winter with the rains.

Mustang Mint - Out of Stock - Monardella lanceolata. New for the nursery this year, I did a grow-out last spring and am really excited to offer this one. I did a trial planting in an area that has full sun plus occasional traffic from gophers, cottontail rabbits and ground squirrels, and while they did get browsed a bit in some areas, the net result was success on all fronts. Purple puffball flowers were as busy as anything with pollinators of myriad types, the bloomtime extended late into spring with no supplemental water and I was able to harvest a good amount of leaves and flowering tops for tea (which is delicious). Multi-branching plants 20-30” tall.

Poppy, California - Out of Stock - Eschscholzia californica. I hope this offering is somewhat close to a true representation of our local native wild type California Poppy. This is a short-lived perennial for full sun and good drainage. An avid re-seeder and joyous harbinger of spring.

Poppy, foothill (Tufted Poppy) - Out of Stock - Eschscholzia caespitosa Deep orange or yellow flowers on this native poppy from our local foothills and grown for seed here on our farm. True wild type annual poppy, different from the CA poppy in species and habit. Very sweet and rare in cultivation. You can differentiate the foothill poppy from the CA poppy in two stages - in the seedling phase, the foothill poppy has a single cotyledon (seed leaf) while the CA poppy has a forked cotyledon (like a snake tongue. In flower, the foothill poppy does not have the collar at the base of the flower that is typical of the CA poppy.

Purple Houses - Out of Stock - Collinsia heterophylla. This is such a lovely local native wildflower with whorls of purple and white flowers on 8-10’ stalks. Best for part shade as in north slope or oak understory. Bumblebees are very enthusiastic about these.

Tarweed - Out of Stock- Madia elegans. A fairly large plant to about 2 feet tall with aromatic foliage and myriads of yellow flowers that bloom in the morning and close during the heat of the day. Great for pollinators.

Trefoil, American (Spanish Lotus) -Out of Stock - Acmispon arericanus. A comon local wildflower, this is a low-growing soft plant with pale pink flowers in the pea family. Nitrogen fixing for the earth and a reliable selfe-seeder. Perfect for perennial understory or open meadow.

Red Maids - Out of Stock - Calandrinia ciliata. Low growing plant in the purslane family with small purple flowers. Edible leaves, flowers and seeds with significant native cultural uses. This plant does well in disturbed soils and has persisted on our land here in the Santa Ynez valley, so the plants that we offer are from this land.

Native Grasses – 3” pots, $5 each. Native perennial bunch grasses are an important part of any plant community. They are long lived and have deep roots that hold soil and build organic matter. They also provide forage for animals and insects, creating balance in the native plant community. Additionally, they are elegant and beautiful in a garden setting - I hope that you will fall in love with them!

Purple Needlegrass - Out of Stock – Stipa pulchra. Long-lived Perennial bunch grass with purple awns in early summer. Full sun for coastal growers and sun to part shade inland. California state grass.

Foothill Needlegrass - Out of Stock –Stipa lepida. A graceful and wispy bunchgrass which grows naturally from the coastal edges up into the foothills. 1-2 feet tall and about 8-10” wide. Elegant and beautiful.

California Melic - Out of Stock –Melica californica. Shiny dark green perennial bunchgrass with delicate seed heads that make pretty accents in your garden or in dried flower arrangements. Suitable for open woodland, rocky hillsides or garden edges.

Junegrass - Out of Stock - Koeleria macrantha. Small, soft bunchgrass 8-10” for oak understory, open woodland or garden edges. This is a widely adapted grass and is quite easy to grow. Space these 1-2 feet apart with wildflowers in between.

Giant Wild Rye - Out of Stock - Leymus condensatus. True to its name, this is one of the largest of our native perennial grasses, growing to a height of 5-6’ and remaining mostly green through the summer. Cut back in fall for fresh new growth in winter-summer.

Alum Root, Island. Heuchera maxima. Perennial shade loving plant native to our local channel islands. Soft round leaves form a low rosette and cute pink flowers rise up to a height of 18-24” in spring. Perfect for shade - north side of the house, understory of trees.

Aster, California - Symphyotrichum chilense. Perennial small shrub 1-2’ tall and wide with silver foliage and purple flowers in summer through fall. This is an important nectar plant for native bees and butterflies as it blooms later in the season when there is not much else going on. It can be cut back close to the ground after the flowers are done and the birds have eaten all the seeds in late fall or early winter.

Bay, California - Umbellularia californica. Our native Bay Laurel is an evergreen tree that will grow slowly to 40-50’ tall. The leaves are aromatic and can be used sparingly as a flavoring (they are much stronger than the Greek Bay and too much can give you a headache). The nuts are edible and delicious with some processing. It can be planted in full sun along the coast, but benefits from partial shade inland and occasional water. 1-gallon size

Bee Plant, CA Figwort -Scrophularia californica. This is not really that special of a plant unless you are a bee or a butterfly, in which case it is SUPER special. You see, the tiny burgundy flowers are just filled to the brim with nectar that is so sweet and good. I find that it does best here (inland valley) when planted in the company of another plant like a big and scruffy Grandfather sage (Artemisia californica) where it can vine up and poke out the edges. Generally considered to be not edible for people.

Bladderpod, CA Cleome Peritoma arborea. This is a highly recommended plant for a hot sunny location where it will grow into a 2-3’ roundish shrub. It blooms almost all year with yellow flowers that the bees and hummingbirds visit often. The seed pods are strangely shaped with large brown seeds inside that rattle around when dry. It has a kind of a funny smell that some people find stinky, but others enjoy. Flowers, leaves and unripe seed pods are edible. Full sun.

Buckwheat, California Native Eriogonum fasciculatum. Low growing perennial prefers full sun and well drained soils. In spring, the pinkish-white flower balls attract many native pollinators. By fall the seed heads have turned a rusty color. Buckwheat looks attractive all year even with no supplemental water. The small seeds are edible, but it is not the same as the grain found in the store.

Buckwheat, Saffron - Eriogonum crocatum. Rare native species of Buckwheat endemic to Ventura and northern Santa Barbara county. This is a small perennial, about 1' tall with silver foliage and yellow flowers that can grow in clay soils, full sun on the coast and partial shade inland. Seeds were ethically collected and gifted to me.

Buckwheat, Seacliff. Eriogonum parvifolium. This is a perennial low growing bush that is common along the coast on sunny banks but can also be grown inland with a bit of shade. Flowers are pale pink in spring and turn a rusty red in late summer. Nectar source for butterflies and bees and very low maintenance, zero to low water needs and looks good pretty much all year. The undersides of the leaves are slightly fuzzy and make a pretty contrast with the shiny green tops.

Buttercup, California - Ranunculus californicus. A local native perennial with shiny yellow flowers in very early spring. Perfect for part shade, oak understory, or north slope. Tolerates clay and serpentine soils and will go completely dormant in summer so mark your planting spot well.

California Fuchsia - Available – Epilobium canum. A low-growing perennial bush 18”-2’ with tubular red flowers in late summer and fall. One of the best hummingbird plants around, and it blooms at a time when not much else is going on. This does well in sun to part shade and will spread slowly by runners. Very good for stabilizing slopes and it will tolerate some flooding in winter and dry soil in summer. $8

California Buckeye - Aesculus californica. Depending on how you look at it, this is either a very large shrub or a rather small tree, with the multibranched trunk creating a canopy that is often rounded and can be up to 30’ in diameter. They are deciduous in the late summer through midwinter when the new green leaves unfold. Flowers emerging in spring are showy and fragrant, giving way eventually to very large seeds. The plants offered here are in 2-gallon pots from mother plants on the farm that originally came from seed from the Santa Cruz area. I will have plants that are from more local seed later in the year.

Canyon Sunflower - Venegasia carpesioides. Local native perennial bush sunflower for shady areas including oak understory. 2” yellow flowers are bourne in profusion on a 3-4’ tall bush with bright green leaves. Really brightens up a shady area and blooms almost year round.

Cardinal Catchfly - Silene laciniata. Perennial sub-shrub to 2’ tall with striking red flowers over a long bloom season, generally spring through mid summer. An obvious hummingbird magnet, it does best with part shade (especially inland) and some rocks or other plants for company.

Columbine – Aquilegia formosa.   A long-lived perennial for full to part shade and moist soils, especially near a creek or pond. Exquisite flowers are red with yellow centers and hang from stalks about 18” tall. Good hummingbird plant.

Ceanothus, Island Ceanothus arboreus. A species of California lilac that is endemic to the Channel Islands. It is fast growing to 15’ tall and evergreen with shiny soft leaves. The flowers occur in spring - pale purple and fragrant clusters of sweet nectar for local bees. Good hedgerow plant for full sun. Drought tolerant to the extreme and it looks oh so cottage garden.

Ceanothus, bigpod Ceanothus megacarpus. This is a white flowering perennial evergreen shrub about 6' tall and wide that is common along the local coast. The bloom time is early spring and along with the sweet aroma of the flowers come myriad pollinators.

Ceanothus, Common Buckbrush - Ceanothus cuneatus. This species is similar to the bigpod ceanothus, but is more likely to be found inland from the coast. The flowers are whit with a lavender tinge. Super drought tolerant, positive shrub.

Ceanothus, Greenbark - Ceanothus spinosus. An evergreen perennial shrub to about 10’ tall with fragrant, pale lavender flowers in early spring. Tolerates clay soils and good for stabilizing banks. The leaves are shiny green and the bark is also green. Seed grown!

Ceanothus, Santa Barbara - Ceanothus impressus. This is a gorgeous ceanothus that is endemic to our area and typically grows in sandy soils. The leaves are small and somewhat curled on the edges and the flowers are dark purple and sweetly aromatic. It is a bit smaller than some of our other species of ceanothus, growing to a height of 5-7’ tall. Evergreen and drought tolerant.

Checker Bloom, Sidalcea malviflora. This is a local native member of the mallow family that grows in open woodlands and meadows. The flowers are a light pink color and occur along spikes that reach or arc to about 2 feet long. Not very picky about soil type, Checkerbloom can tolerate clay soils with seasonal flooding, and equally enjoys well drained loamy soils. Aslo, not picky about watering - if you do not irrigate once established, it will go summer dormant; if you give summer water, it will have a longer bloom cycle. Native bees like to sleep in the flowers and the plant is very gentle.

Cobweb Thistle -Circium occidentale. A stunningly beautiful local native thistle with pure scarlet red flowers. Edible/medicinal (very bitter) and great for hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies. Multiple flowers on a 5-6’ tall branching plant. Annual or biennial. Re-seeds, but sparsely. Everyone takes pictures of these when they see them in the wild, don’t be afraid to put one in your back yard!

Coffeeberry – Frangula californica. Also known as California buckthorn, this is a very handsome evergreen perennial shrub 6-8’ tall with red to purple berries in mid summer. An excellent hedgerow plant and good habitat for birds who love the berries. The flowers are not showy, but they really attract bees and other pollinators in the early summer. Not related to coffee!

Currant, Chaparral - (Ribes malvaceum). Local native currant for part shade, especially oak understory. This is a small shrub to about 6 feet tall that can be summer deciduous. The pink flowers occur in early winter and are one of the first things to bloom which makes them an especially important nectar source for hummingbirds and other native pollinators since there is not much else blooming at this time. Flowers are followed by yellow fruits which are edible and are a special treat for birds in the spring.

Deergrass - Muhlenbergia rigens. This is one of the iconic native grasses in California and it grows quickly to about 3’ in diameter with flowering spikes in summer to about 2’ tall. It can be planted in full sun to part shade in areas where it gets seasonal runoff from a dry creek, rain gutter or the edge of a driveway or in an occasionally irrigated landscape setting. This plant will send roots 10’ deep or more and creates a moist shady habitat in its understory for lizards and frogs, all the while creating organic matter and stabilizing the landscape from erosion. Especially beneficial for holding the edges of seasonal creeks or watersheds.

Deerweed - Acmispon glaber. Delicate foliage supports yellow/orange flowers in late spring and early summer. This is a particular host plant for little blue butterflies and is nitrogen fixing for the soil. Good for hillside stabilization, reclamation of disturbed or damaged soils. Perfect in combination with native sages. Minimal water, full sun to part shade.

Dudleya, Live-Forever – We grow four species of our local native succulents. These are plants that we have propagated from seed. I like to think of them as “garden jewelry.”  As the name suggests, they are very long-lived and all are frost-hardy.

Dudleya cymosa - Available -Rock Lettuce. Grey purple leaves and yellow or orange flowers. Does best in part sun, rock garden or sloping bank. $8

D. pulverulenta, Chalk Dudleya. - Available - A beautiful silver rosette like a giant mandala which can get to be up to 2’ in diameter. Tolerates full sun. It is best to plant this one at a slight angle or on a sloping bank so that water does not puddle in the crown (this can cause it to rot). Orange-red flowers in late spring. $10

D. palmerii., Palmer’s Dudleya. - Out of Stock- Juicy dark green leaves distinguish this from the others and it will grow about 18” in diameter in part shade, rock garden, or hillside. Gaviota Coast endemic. $8

Dudlyea edulis - Out of Stock - Sometimes called fingers dudleya, this native succulent has long thin and cylindrical leaves that emerge from a common center forming clusters. Over time it can get to be a large clump and the silver/white color makes a great accent to rock walls. $8

Elderberry - Sambucus mexicana. This is our local native elderberry – a perennial, mostly evergreen shrub or small tree 10-15’ tall. Large umbels of white flowers in spring are followed by clusters of dark purple berries in the early summer. The berries and flowers are edible and medicinal (Leaves are not edible). Excellent choice for a hedgerow, and a great habitat for birds.

Evening Primrose - Oenothera elata. Biennial or short lived perennial that forms a rosette of leaves in the first year followed by a 3-5’ tall stalk with multiple yellow flowers blooming during late spring and into summer. All parts of the plant - leaves, root, flowers and seed - are edible/medicinal. It is also a local native plant to our area and the seeds are very well loved by birds. Full sun to part shade, average moisture, but tolerates poor drainage. Self sows readily.

Evening Primrose, Shredding. Eremothera boothii. Biennial or overwintering annual with a rosette of green leaves patched with purple spots that gives rise to one or several flowering spikes which bloom over a long period of time with fragrant pink flowers. This is such a sweet and fun plant that is a new offering this year, so it’s still somewhat experimental. Seems to prefer very well drained sandy soils and full sun.

Flannelbush - Fremontodendron californicum. Local native evergreen bush, growing to 15’ and covered with yellow flowers in the spring. Super tough and drought resistant. Carpenter bees especially enjoy these flowers. The bark has medicinal properties similar to slippery elm. Some people are sensitive to the itchy/scratchy hairs on the undersides of the leaves. 1-gallon

Goldenrod, California - Solidago californica. Bunches of yellow flowers in late summer and fall make this plant a top notch pollinator party. A perennial for part shade and wet winter/dry summer soils. Oak understory or riparian but also does well in regular garden conditions. Will spread to form a large stand if given favorable conditions. Medicinal.

Gumplant – Grindelia camporum. Perennial bush to about 2’ tall with yellow flowers. Before opening, the flower buds cup a basin of sticky white gum, hence the name. This is a really hardy plant for full sun and moderately good drainage. It can bloom almost year round and is a good nectar source for bees and butterflies. Gumplant is a well respected medicinal plant throughout its range.

Hedgenettle, White - Stachys albens. Big soft silver leaves, kind of like lamb’s ears, and pale lavender flowers in spikes up to about 2 feet tall that keep blooming long into the summer and are much visited by bees and butterflies. The leaves are also fragrant, with a minty/earthy aroma. This plant, like its relative woodmint, spreads underground by rhizomes, but instead of dry shade, prefers slightly moist ground and tolerates heavy clay and a good amount of sun.

Larkspur, Purple (Umbrella Larkspur) - Delphinium umbraculorum. A native perennial larkspur with deep purple/blue flowers in mid spring as showy as any cottage garden flower that I know. Part shade, oak understory. Fully dormant in summer. (This plant is not edible) Note- I have previously mis-identified this as D. patens and am not 100% sure on the current ID. If anyone has insight into this, please let me know.

Larkspur, Scarlet - Delphinium cardinale. Native perennial for full sun and good drainage with spires of showy red flowers in late spring on stalks up to 5 feet tall. This might not bloom in the first year. Goes completely dormant in late summer so be sure to mark its location. Spectacular!

Lemonadeberry - Rhus integrifolia. A medium to large sized shrub for coastal gardens, this is an evergreen perennial with pink flowers in spring. The plant is dioecious meaning male and female plants are different and it is the female plant which produces the fruit which has a lemony tasting outer coating. Since these are seed grown, it is a 50-50 chance that you will get either a male or a female plant. The best approach is to plant 3 in a given area, spaced 10-15’ apart. $10 for 5" size. See also Sugarbush if you are inland from the coast.

Lobelia, Blue - Lobelia dunnii. This is such a sweet small plant for moist areas in part shade. The flowers are a pale blue or light purple and bloom continuously through the summer. You’ll see some dormancy through the winter and new growth will emerge in spring. Tolerates clay and poor drainage.

Madrone - Available - Arbutis menziesii. Two year old trees, seed grown from berries collected in the Santa Ynez Mountains, pretty much the farthest south natural stand of this beautiful tree. They are fairly fast growing once established and do appreciate a little summer water especially if you are gardening in an inland valley. Madrone can eventually grow over 40 feet tall and as a relative of the manzanita, has the characteristic exfoliating bark during the summer months which exposes the pale yellow skin of the tree. These are so beautiful. 1- gallon pots

Mallow, Island Bush - Lavatera assurgentiflora. This plant is a perennial evergreen shrub to about 10’ tall and wide with pink flowers over a long bloom season. It looks super lush and cottage garden-y especially considering how drought tolerant it is and makes an excellent addition to a wildlife friendly hedgerow. Because it is a member of the mallow family, bun rabbits, gophers and all other manner of creatures find it to be quite delicious, so you may want to protect the plants while they are small. Once it has established, it's super easy to maintain, especially along the coast.

Milkweed, Narrowleaf - Asclepias fascicularis. One of our local native milkweeds, and a food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. This plant is super easy to grow and can be placed anywhere in the landscape, including the edges where it gets minimal water and the soil is not so good. It is also a favorite of nectar source for many pollinators including native bees and other butterflies. Don’t be alarmed if you see yellow aphids and red milkweed bugs – they only like the milkweed and will not harm other plants in your garden. The milkweed is one of our best pollinator plants for mid-summer, and develops a sturdy root system. It also takes on a winter dormancy to rest from all the excitement of summer.

Milkweed, Indian (Kotoku Milkweed) – Asclepias eriocarpa. Another local native milkweed for the Monarch Butterflies. This one takes a little bit longer to get established, but is really worth the time. It has giant fuzzy, silver leaves and the flowers form in a cluster up to 8” in diameter like a giant fireworks display of lavender and cream. Winter dormant, long-lived perennial for full sun to part shade and minimal to no summer water. 5” pots

Mint, Chaparral - Monardella hypoleuca. A local perennial in the mint family, the leaves are small and fragrant when touched (can be used for tea), and the flowers are the cutest little pink pom-poms growing on a small plant that does not make runners. A great pollinator plant and much loved by butterflies. Full sun to part shade, minimal water once established. Also called thickleaf monardella or whiteleaf monardella. Seeds were originally gifted to me from a collection on private land in the SB foothills.

Willowy Monardella - Monardella linoides. Perennial member of the mint family with purple flowers and fragrant slightly silver foliage. Plant in part to full sun with adequate drainage. Excellent tea and great for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees of all types. This species is found growing in the inland portions of Ventura county and the Cuyama valley.

Monkeyflower, Island bush - Diplacus parviflorus. A perennial red flowered bush monkey endemic to the channel Islands. The flowers are a bit smaller than the bush monkeyflowers on the mainland, and the plant has a more compact habit making it more adaptable to container planting or smaller spaces.

Monkeyflower, Red – Diplacus puniceus (Alternately, Diplacus aurantiacus var. puniceus) Native to just slightly south of our area, this is a beautiful and long-blooming perennial shrub to about 2’ tall and wide, although I have seen it get quite a bit bigger under ideal circumstances. Red flowers are magnets for hummingbirds. It grows well in a partly shaded location with minimal summer water.

Monkeyflower, Scarlet - Erythranthe cardinalis. This is in the category of monkeyflowers that prefer a moist environment (along with the seepsrping monkeyflower) - either garden conditions with regular water or riparian habitat. Brilliant red flowers are prolific on a 1-2’ tall plant. Tolerates clay and saline soil, full to part sun. Does well also in pots with adequate water. Hummingbirds!

Monkeyflower, Seepspring – Erythranthe guttata. Yellow flowers with red speckles and marking in the throat. The seep monkeyflower grows near creeks and streams and will thrive in a moist place in the garden with some sun. Great nectar plant for native bumblebees. Self seeds in favorable locations. Perfect for a moist area and tolerates poor drainage, standing water, clay soil, edge of pond.

Monkeyflower, Sticky - Diplacus aurantiaca. This is sometimes called the bush or sticky monkeyflower and has apricot colored flowers. A low-growing perennial that blooms in the spring and early summer then takes on a bit of dormancy for fall through early winter. It will look like it wants water, but can be killed by too much summer moisture, although an occasional sip will keep the foliage more green through the semi-dormant phase. Good hummingbird plant and a joyful profusion of flowers.

Mugwort, California - Artemisia douglasiana. Silver-green perennial 4-5’ tall with aromatic foliage. The flowers occur in late summer and are not particularly showy. Our native mugwort has great medicinal value and is super easy to grow. It will naturalize along streambanks, partly shaded woodland areas, and disturbed areas. If it is grown in the part shade, it really doesn’t need any extra water. Cut back in the winter for new growth in the spring.

Nightshade, Purple (AKA Hoffman’s nightshade) - Solanum xanti var hoffmannii. Reclassified to Solanum parishii Local endemic to the Gaviota coast, this nightshade has purple flowers and fruits that turn yellow when ripe. Great accent for coastal sun or part shade inland with its ongoing display of frilly purple flowers. Companion plants include Hummingbird sage, sticky monkeyflower, ceanothus and native bunchgrasses. Also, it can handle clay soils and minimal water, but do expect some dormancy during the peak of summer. Unknown edibility, but probably don’t eat it just to be on the safe side.

Onion, Red Skin - Available - Allium haematochiton. One of our native species of onion with cheerful white flowers in early spring. The leaves have a wonderful mild flavor and the bulbs are delicious. Over time, this little onion will multiply and can the clump can be divided in the fall to propagate. Mark your planting spot well, as they go completely dormant in the summer. You can plant these in poorly drained clay soil and serpentine, but they will do fine in regular garden conditions as long as they don’t get too much summer water. These are in 3” pots.

Penstemon, Foothill – Penstemon heterophyllus. A very showy low growing perennial shrub with loads of purple flowers from early spring all through summer. This is such a beautiful plant and it grows in full sun to part shade with very little maintenance. Summer water will extend the bloom time. Hummingbirds and native pollinators. The common cultivar of this plant is called 'Margarita Bop' and was developed by Las Pilitas nursery. While the cultivar may be more consistent, the plants offered here are seed grown and have natural genetic diversity.

Penstemon, Heartleaf - Keckellia cordifolia. Also known as climbing penstemon, this is a native perennial resident of the chaparral with red flowers that occur in late spring and early summer. Great hummingbird plant and does well in part shade, north slope, or tucked in with a larger shrub where it can clamber through and peek out the edges. Late fall and winter deciduous.

Penstmon, Grinnell's - Penstemon grinnellii. Also known as Grinnell's Beardtongue. This is a perennial desert penstemon that forms a small mound covered in large, light pink, tubular flowers in the summer. The foliage is pale green with occasional purple speckles. Full sun, well drained soils. Perfect for rock garden or south facing hillside.

Penstemon, Scarlet Bugler - Penstemon centranthifolius. Native perennial penstemon with bright red tubular flowers that occur along a spike 2-3 feet tall in late spring – summer. A favorite hummingbird plant with silver foliage. Best grown in full sun with minimal summer water. Pairs well with white sage, CA buckwheat, manzanitas and native grasses.

Pitcher Sage - Lepechinia calycina. This wonderful perennial grows as a medium sized bush to about 4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. The flowers are bell shaped, light lavender in color and invite hummingbirds and bumblebees all through the spring. The entire plant has a lovely fragrance and it is widely adaptable to sun or part shade with minimal water needs. If you are near the coast, plant it in more sun, inland gardens can give them a bit more shade.

Rush Rose - Crocanthemum scoparium. A sweet little perennial sub-shrub growing only to about one foot tall with bright yellow flowers through the summer. Very drought tolerant and perfect for a rock garden with sandy or well-drained soils and full sun exposure.

Sage, Black -Salvia mellifera. Often passed by unnoticed, most people recognize black sage as the smell of our local mountains. Glossy green leaves and white flowers in whorls that attract bees of all types. The first of our native sages to bloom, this is an important pollinator plant. The species name ‘mellifera’ comes from the Latin ‘mel’ meaning honey. Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Supplementary summer water keeps the foliage green in summer - if you do not give summer water, they will be somewhat summer deciduous. Excellent for tea. 

Sage, Hummingbird – Salvia spathacea. One of my favorite plants, and perfect for shady areas, Hummingbird Sage blooms in the early spring with thick fragrant corollas adorned with magenta flowers. True to its name, the hummingbirds will be busy around it. The flowering stocks can reach 4 feet tall, and the plant will gradually colonize an area. Evergreen perennial, part shade and occasional summer water. The leaves make a nice tea and the flowers are edible.

Sage, Island Black - Salvia brandegii. A local native sage that is endemic to the Channel Islands. Slightly more low growing than the black sage and blooms at about the same time. Super drought tolerant, fragrant foliage and an excellent pollinator plant.

Sage, Purple – Salvia leucophylla. A hardy shrub with silver fuzzy leaves and purple flowers in whorls. This is a very drought tolerant sage, though it does look better with occasional summer water and will eventually become quite large (up to 4’ tall and wide). Full sun, good drainage. Can be formally pruned into a tidy hedge or shrub if that is what you desire. Otherwise, let it ramble and if you feel like breaking off the old seed heads you can do that in the fall once the birds have had their fill. Pairs well with grandfather sage (Artemisia) and Deerweed.

Sage, White –Salvia apiana.  A truly beautiful long lived perennial, the leaves are silvery–white and the flower spikes in early summer can reach 6ft tall.  The species name 'apiana' comes from the latin word for bee, and true to this naming, you will see lots of pollinators visiting the white flowers. Full sun and well drained soil are the preferred conditions, though a bit of shade is fine and some clay soil will be tolerated as long as there is a bit of a slope. White sage can naturalize in it's first year and generally looks good without additional water, but if you feel the need to irrigate, one good option is to gradually move the source of water away from the base of the plant - this avoids the risk of root rot.

NOTE: Due to its increasing popularity as an incense or ‘Smudge’, wild stands of White Sage are being harvested to fuel the demand. If you use this plant, then the best way that you can protect it is to grow your own. Avoid purchasing “wild crafted” white sage – instead, seek out and support local farmers who are tending plants in cultivation.

Sage, Grandfather – Artemisia californica. Not a true sage (Salvia), but an Artemisia. A member of the California coastal sage wildlands, this is a common and unforgettable fragrance of our open spaces. A long-lived, aromatic, super tough native plant for full sun and minimal water once established. Grows to 3-4 feet tall and wide with flowers in fall that are not showy. Fragrant and medicinal. Evergreen or somewhat stress-decidious. This is a major wildlife rehabilitation plant as it often grows as first succession to disturbance of the land and will act as a 'nursery' plant in the sense that it provides shade and protection for the next layer of growth. Beeplant and heartleaf penstemon can be planted near the base and will climb up through the branches creating interesting drama in the garden. Pairs well with purple sage and deerweed.

The Grandfather Sage goes by many names – we we'y, sagebrush, old man sage, brush sage....

Sage, Thistle - Salvia carduacea. This is an annual species of sage that grows in conditions of full sun and vey good drainage. The flowers are purple and outrageously beautiful, and the seeds are edible, similar to, but bigger than its cousin, CA Chia.

Saltmarsh Fleabane - Pluchea odorata. Herbaceous perennial with tight clusters of purple flowers in mid summer to a height of about 30 inches. The foliage is interestingly fragrant and may have some medicinal uses. Aside from that, it is the perfect plant for areas of heavy clay, alkaline, salty or otherwise difficult locations that receive flooding during winter rains. Alternately, it can be grown in regular cultivation with summer water. You can cut back the flower stalks once they have gone to seed. Bees and butterflies!

Seaside Daisy- Erigeron glaucus. This is such a small and cute perennial with pale purple flowers throughout the summer. Growing no more than 8" tall and spreading 1-2 feet around they are perfect for garden edges or small spaces. Tolerant of coastal fog and salty soils, they can also grow inland if given a bit of shade and occasional water.

Shooting Star - Available - Primula clevelandii (formerly Dodecatheon). This is a long lived perennial native wildflower with blooms that face downwards and have purple petals rimmed with yellow at the base. It goes completely dormant in summer and is one of the first to emerge with the winter rains. 3” pots (these plants are in their second year - keep the planting spot well marked and do not give summer water).

Silver Bird’s-foot Trefoil - Acmispon argophyllus. Soft silver foliage on a low growing plant with yellow flowers in summer. This is a member of the pea family and will help to build nitrogen in depleted soils. It looks great along the edges of a wall, in rock gardens or open ground where it will spread to about 3’ in diameter. It’s not super common in Santa Barbara county - we got the seeds from Neel’s Nursery because we think it is so pretty. Full sun to part shade…

Skullcap, Danny’s – Scutellaria tuberosa.. This local native medicinal plant is a low-growing, perennial, summer dormant groundcover with bright purple flowers in early Spring. Super cute! It spreads by way of underground runners and small tubers. It can grow in full sun to part shade. Mark your planting spot well, so that you don’t accidentally dig it up in the summer when it is dormant.

Snapdragon, Island - Gambelia speciosa. A perennial shrub about 3’ in diameter and native to our local channel Islands. The bright red snappy flowers are so generous and it’s an obvious hummingbird magnet, blooming all through the summer. They seem to tolerate full sun, though I have seen a little bit of frost damage this winter here at the farm. Really fun to be able to offer this, the seeds were gifted to me by a dear friend.

Snapdragon, Sticky- Antirrhinum multiflorum. This is our local native snapdragon with 2’ spikes of pink and yellow flowers. It does well in full sun with minimal water and is a good hummingbird and native bee plant. The foliage is slightly sticky and the flowers are fragrant. If you prune it back after the flowers have faded, new growth will emerge in the fall.

Soaproot - Chlorogalum pomeridianum. This is a native member of the lily family with multiple ethnobotanical uses. It emerges from an underground bulb in spring with a rosette of wavy-margined leaves that give way eventually to a tall flower spike graced by small white flowers that open in the evening and are fragrant pollinator magnets. Later in the summer, the plant dies back to the ground and remains dormant until the winter rains.

Woodland Strawberry - Fragaria vesca. Such a lovely little groundcover for oak or conifer woodland, shady courtyards, or north slope. Spreads quickly by runners and produces small tasty berries in spring and summer. These plants are from seed originally sourced in our local coast range.

Sugarbush - Rhus ovata. Here is an amazing and indestructible evergreen shrub for inland areas that can be hot and dry in summer with cold, rain and frost during the winter. Similar to our coastal lemonadeberry, this plant is dioeciuous meaning male and female plants are independent. These are seed grown so the chance of having a male or female plant is 50/50. If both are present then the female plants will have seeds that are coated with a sticky and lemon-flavored substance that is similar to the 'sumac' used in making a Za'atar spice blend. Gorgeous. See also Lemonadeberry if you are near the coast.

Coastal Bush Sunflower - Available - Encelia californica. Perennial bush sunflower for sunny spots on the coast and part shade inland. Bright yellow flowers in masses during the early spring to mid summer. Pollinators! With a little summer water, this will stay more or less green through the summer, but will go semi-dormant otherwise.

A limited offering of two species of local native tobacco plants, Nicotiana attenuata and N. quadrivalvus

5” pots, $8 each

They are both annual with white flowers and the differences between the two species are somewhat subtle with the quadrivalvus having leaves that clasp the stem at their base while the attenuata has long petioles separating the leaves from the main stem. Flowers are fragrant and open during the mornings and evenings. Under favorable circumstances, these will reseed reliably, seedlings emerging late in the season after most other annuals have already finished blooming.They will be flowering in late May through June and sometimes into July.

Turkey Tangle Frogfruit - Phyla nodiflora. Yes, that really is its name and so you should get one. This is a low growing and spreading groundcover for moist soil or lightly irrigated areas. The flowers are in small clusters of pink with yellow centers and they are like tiny pollinator magnets, especially for butterflies and little bees. An excellent lawn-replacement strategy for areas with light foot traffic.

Wallflower, Western - Erysimum capitatum. A very showy plant with long-lasting, fragrant orange flowers on multiple stalks up to 30” tall. This is a short lived perennial that will easily reseed and is a good early season nectar plant for butterflies. It also makes a good cut flower. Full sun to part shade and minimal water will keep it blooming through the summer. A lot of people don’t know this plant, and I highly recommend it!

Willow, Arroyo - Salix lasiolepis. Tall, multibranching deciduous tree for riparian areas or garden settings with supplemental water. The shade from a willow is so cool and refreshing. These are from seeds that drifted in through the greenhouse window from the big tree nearby.

Woolly Bluecurls - Trichostema lanatum. I am always excited to be able to offer this lovely native plant, grown from seed! This is a mid-size shrub to about 3 feet tall with spikes of purple flowers through spring and early summer. Aromatic foliage can be used as a tea. Hummingbirds and bees enjoy the nectar. It can be grown in sun to part shade and if you give it a little bit of summer water (carefully) it will remain green through the summer.

Yarrow – Achilea millefolium. Common yarrow (white flower) is native to most regions of the world, from the edges of the deserts to the arctic circle, and has found its way into the medicinal practices of all cultures who live where it grows. Because of it's wide distribution, Yarrow is not picky about sun exposure, soil type, or watering schedules. The only thing I would say is that if you live inland and want to grow it in full sun, then its probably best to water occasionally in summer. The yarrow plants offered here are a local native ecotype which has fuzzier leaves and a more upright habit than some of the common cultivars.

Yarrow, Golden AKA Cassie Sunshine - Eriophyllum confertiflorum. This is not a true yarrow, but the silver leaves and small clusters of yellow flowers share a resemblance. It is a smallish bush (1-2 feet) in the Aster family that blooms very cheerfully in the early spring and into summer after which it becomes dormant for the remainder of the warm season. Plant in full sun to part shade in relatively well drained soils. Good butterfly nectar plant.

Yerba Buena – Satureja douglasii. Perennial woodland or stream-side creeper, the Yerba Buena is our wonderful native mint and makes a great tea herb. Given part shade and moist soil, it will gradually spread for form an evergreen aromatic groundcover.

Yerba Santa, California - Eriodictyon californica. Local native perennial with shiny green aromatic leaves and pale pink flowers in late spring through early summer. Great for pollinators of all sorts (especially loved by swallowtail butterflies), and a highly regarded medicinal plant. Can spread by runners, so be aware of your planting location. Pairs well with black sage and monkeyflowers.

Yucca, Chaparral - Hesperoyucca whipplei. A fiercely spiked native plant for full sun and well drained soils. These are in their second year from seed and will flower in another 8 years or so in giant spires of fragrant white blossoms. The plant will die when it is done flowering, although it may produce pups or offsets from the main plant. Special relationship with the yucca moth, look it up - it’s very cool.