Native Plants for California — What to Plant, and When

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Alpine Gentian

Gentiana newberryi

Zones 5a–8b · native to 3 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Antelope Horns

Asclepias asperula

Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Apache Plume

Fallugia paradoxa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Feb – Sep in zone 9b

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza sagittata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Ashyleaf Buckwheat

Eriogonum cinereum

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms May – Oct in zone 9b

Basket Rush

Juncus textilis

Zones 7a–10b

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Beach Strawberry

Fragaria chiloensis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Big Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata

Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states

Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 9b

Bigberry Manzanita

Arctostaphylos glauca

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Nov – Mar in zone 9b

Bitterroot

Lewisia rediviva

Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Black Sage

Salvia mellifera

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Blackfruit Dogwood

Cornus sessilis

Zones 7a–9b

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Bladderpod

Isomeris arborea

Zones 8a–11a · native to 3 states

Blooms Feb – Aug in zone 9b

Blue Elderberry

Sambucus mexicana

Zones 6a–10b · native to 8 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Blue Flax

Linum lewisii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states

Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 9b

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3a–10b · native to 22 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Blue Oak

Quercus douglasii

Zones 7a–10a

Blue Palo Verde

Parkinsonia florida

Zones 8b–11b · native to 2 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 49 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa

Zones 8a–11b · native to 6 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 9b

Broadleaf Lupine

Lupinus latifolius

Zones 5a–9a · native to 9 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Brook Wakerobin

Trillium rivale

Zones 6a–8b · native to 2 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Broom Baccharis

Baccharis sarothroides

Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states

Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 9b

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Bush Anemone

Carpenteria californica

Zones 7a–9b

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

California Bay

Umbellularia californica

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

California Black Oak

Quercus kelloggii

Zones 7a–9b · native to 2 states

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

Zones 7a–11b · native to 4 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

California Bush Sunflower

Encelia californica

Zones 9a–11a

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

California Fan Palm

Washingtonia filifera

Zones 8b–11b · native to 2 states

California Fescue

Festuca californica

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

California Fuchsia

Epilobium canum

Zones 8a–11b · native to 8 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

California Grape

Vitis californica

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

California Gray Rush

Juncus patens

Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

California Lilac

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

California Meadow Sedge

Carex pansa

Zones 8a–10b · native to 3 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

California Mountainmint

Pycnanthemum californicum

Zones 5a–9b

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica

Zones 6a–10b · native to 7 states

Blooms Feb – Jun in zone 9b

California Sagebrush

Artemisia californica

Zones 8a–10b

California Wild Rose

Rosa californica

Zones 5a–10b · native to 4 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Canyon Live Oak

Quercus chrysolepis

Zones 7a–9b · native to 6 states

Carmel Creeper

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Jan – Jun in zone 9b

Catalina Cherry

Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Catalina Ironwood

Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius

Zones 9a–10b

Chaparral Clematis

Clematis lasiantha

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Chaparral Currant

Ribes malvaceum

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Nov – Mar in zone 9b

Chaparral Yucca

Hesperoyucca whipplei

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 44 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Chuparosa

Justicia californica

Zones 8a–11b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 9b

Cleveland Sage

Salvia clevelandii

Zones 8a–11b

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Cliff Buckwheat

Eriogonum parvifolium

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms May – Oct in zone 9b

Clustered Field Sedge

Carex praegracilis

Zones 4a–9b · native to 19 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Coast Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia

Zones 9a–10b

Coffeeberry

Rhamnus californica

Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states

Common Camas

Camassia quamash

Zones 4a–9b · native to 8 states

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Common Lippia

Phyla nodiflora

Zones 8a–11b · native to 12 states

Blooms May – Nov in zone 9b

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 38 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Coyote Brush

Baccharis pilularis

Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states

Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 9b

Coyote Mint

Monardella villosa

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Creeping Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium var. repens

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states

Blooms Jan – Apr in zone 9b

Deergrass

Muhlenbergia rigens

Zones 7a–10b · native to 6 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Desert Globemallow

Sphaeralcea ambigua

Zones 7a–10b · native to 5 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Desert Lavender

Hyptis emoryi

Zones 8a–11b · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Desert Marigold

Baileya multiradiata

Zones 7a–11b · native to 6 states

Blooms May – Dec in zone 9b

Desert Milkweed

Asclepias subulata

Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 9b

Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

Zones 7b–11a · native to 5 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 9b

Douglas Aster

Symphyotrichum subspicatum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Douglas Iris

Iris douglasiana

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Engelmann Oak

Quercus engelmannii

Zones 8a–10b

Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Opuntia engelmannii

Zones 7a–11b · native to 4 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Evergreen Currant

Ribes viburnifolium

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Explorer's Gentian

Gentiana calycosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Firecracker Penstemon

Penstemon eatonii

Zones 4a–9b · native to 6 states

Blooms Jan – May in zone 9b

Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium

Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Foothill Sedge

Carex tumulicola

Zones 7a–9b · native to 3 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Fragrant Pitcher Sage

Lepechinia fragrans

Zones 9a–10b

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry

Ribes speciosum

Zones 7a–10b

Blooms Jan – Jun in zone 9b

Ghost Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Jan – Mar in zone 9b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 50 states

Blooms May – Dec in zone 9b

Grape Soda Lupine

Lupinus excubitus

Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Great Camas

Camassia leichtlinii

Zones 4a–9b · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Great Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium carneum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Harlequin Lupine

Lupinus stiversii

Zones 7a–10a

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Hayes Iva

Iva hayesiana

Zones 8a–10b

Hollyleaf Cherry

Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 50 states

Blooms Feb – Feb in zone 9b

Hummingbird Sage

Salvia spathacea

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Idaho Fescue

Festuca idahoensis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 11 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Incense Cedar

Calocedrus decurrens

Zones 5a–8b · native to 3 states

Indian Mallow

Abutilon palmeri

Zones 8a–11b · native to 2 states

Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 9b

Indian Ricegrass

Achnatherum hymenoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Inside Out Flower

Vancouveria hexandra

Zones 6a–9a · native to 3 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Interior Live Oak

Quercus wislizeni

Zones 7b–10a

Island Alum Root

Heuchera maxima

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Feb – May in zone 9b

Island Bush Poppy

Dendromecon harfordii

Zones 9a–10b

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Island Oak

Quercus tomentella

Zones 9a–10b

Island Snapdragon

Galvezia speciosa

Zones 9a–11a

Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 9b

Jojoba

Simmondsia chinensis

Zones 8a–11b · native to 2 states

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Lemonade Berry

Rhus integrifolia

Zones 9a–11a

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Leopard Lily

Lilium pardalinum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 2 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 9b

Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta

Zones 4a–7b · native to 9 states

Lupin

Lupinus polyphyllus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 5 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Direct-sow ~4 wks before your last spring frost

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms Feb – Dec in zone 9b

Mat Rock Spiraea

Petrophytum caespitosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 9b

Matilija Poppy

Romneya coulteri

Zones 7a–10b

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Miner's Lettuce

Claytonia perfoliata

Zones 6a–10b · native to 12 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

Zones 4a–9b · native to 7 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Mountain Coyote Mint

Monardella odoratissima

Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Mountain Mahogany

Cercocarpus betuloides

Zones 6a–9b · native to 5 states

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Narrow-leaf Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

Zones 6a–10b · native to 10 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Nevin's Barberry

Berberis nevinii

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Nootka Rose

Rosa nutkana

Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Orange Honeysuckle

Lonicera ciliosa

Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Oregon Ash

Fraxinus latifolia

Zones 6a–9a · native to 3 states

Oregon Grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Oregon Iris

Iris tenax

Zones 7a–9b · native to 3 states

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Oregon Sunshine

Eriophyllum lanatum

Zones 5a–10b · native to 10 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Oregon White Oak

Quercus garryana

Zones 6a–9b · native to 3 states

Pacific Bleeding Heart

Dicentra formosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 5 states

Blooms Feb – May in zone 9b

Pacific Dogwood

Cornus nuttallii

Zones 7a–9b · native to 4 states

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Pacific Ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Palmer's Penstemon

Penstemon palmeri

Zones 4a–8b · native to 5 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 9b

Pleated Gentian

Gentiana affinis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Zones 3b–7b · native to 16 states

Purple Needlegrass

Nassella pulchra

Zones 7a–10b

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Purple Three-awn

Aristida purpurea

Zones 5a–10b · native to 19 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Red Buckwheat

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms May – Oct in zone 9b

Red-flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum

Zones 6a–9b · native to 3 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 39 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Redberry

Rhamnus crocea

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 33 states

Blooms Feb – Dec in zone 9b

Rubber Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 9b

Saffron Buckwheat

Eriogonum crocatum

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

Zones 9a–11b · native to 2 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Salal

Gaultheria shallon

Zones 6a–9b · native to 5 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Sandhill Sage

Artemisia pycnocephala

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states

Santa Barbara Ceanothus

Ceanothus impressus

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

Eriogonum arborescens

Zones 9a–10b

Blooms May – Nov in zone 9b

Santa Rosa Island Sage

Salvia brandegeei

Zones 9a–10b

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Saskatoon Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Scarlet Bugler

Penstemon centranthifolius

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima

Zones 3a–9b · native to 4 states

Blooms Jan – May in zone 9b

Seaside Daisy

Erigeron glaucus

Zones 5a–9b · native to 2 states

Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 9b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 49 states

Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Showy Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium pulcherrimum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 12 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 20 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 9b

Showy Penstemon

Penstemon spectabilis

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Silver Bush Lupine

Lupinus albifrons

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Silvery Lupine

Lupinus argenteus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 9b

Sky Lupine

Lupinus nanus

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Sky Pilot

Polemonium viscosum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 49 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

St. Catherine's Lace

Eriogonum giganteum

Zones 9a–10b

Blooms May – Sep in zone 9b

Sticky Monkeyflower

Diplacus aurantiacus

Zones 7a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Feb – May in zone 9b

Sugar Bush

Rhus ovata

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Sugar Pine

Pinus lambertiana

Zones 6a–8b · native to 3 states

Sulphur Buckwheat

Eriogonum umbellatum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 9b

Summer Lupine

Lupinus formosus

Zones 7a–10a · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Sweet Acacia

Acacia farnesiana

Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Tecate Cypress

Cupressus forbesii

Zones 8a–10b

Torrey Pine

Pinus torreyana

Zones 8a–10b

Toyon

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Zones 7a–11b · native to 2 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 29 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Twinberry Honeysuckle

Lonicera involucrata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 15 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Utah Serviceberry

Amelanchier utahensis

Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Valley Oak

Quercus lobata

Zones 7a–10b

Vine Maple

Acer circinatum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 3 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 9b

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Western Redbud

Cercis occidentalis

Zones 6a–9b · native to 4 states

Blooms Jan – Mar in zone 9b

Western Spice Bush

Calycanthus occidentalis

Zones 6a–9b

Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 9b

Western Sycamore

Platanus racemosa

Zones 7a–10b

Western Trillium

Trillium ovatum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

White Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'

Zones 2a–7b · native to 17 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 9b

White Sage

Salvia apiana

Zones 8a–11b

Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 40 states

Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 9b

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Woolly Blue Curls

Trichostema lanatum

Zones 8a–10b

Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 9b

Woolly Bluestar

Amsonia tomentosa

Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost