Matilija Poppy
Name: Romneya coulteri
Matilija poppy is a beautiful perennial native poppy known for its enormous white, crepe-like flowers with golden yellow centers. It spreads through aggressive underground runners, so plant it in an area where it has plenty of room to spread.
Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil. Plant in fall and minimize root disturbance during transplanting.
Size: 4–5 feet tall, 8 feet wide
Zones: 6–10
Lemonade Berry Sumac
Name: Rhus integrifolia
Lemonade berry sumac is a large evergreen shrub native to coastal sage scrub and chaparral. It has deep green, leathery leaves and rose-pink spring flowers. It works well for screening, habitat planting, and slope stabilization.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade; well-draining soil. Dry-growing once established.
Size: 5–10 feet tall, 10–15 feet wide
Zones: 9–10
Toyon
Name: Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon is a large evergreen shrub with deep green, leathery leaves and red berries in winter. It is useful as a habitat and screening plant and can help stabilize slopes.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade; well-draining soil. Dry-growing once established.
Size: 8–15 feet tall, 15 feet wide
Zones: 7–10
California Fuchsia
Name: Epilobium canum
California fuchsia is a mat-forming perennial with narrow, slightly fuzzy pale green leaves and brilliant vermilion flowers in summer. It spreads through runners, so provide enough space for it to grow.
Growing Conditions: Full sun for best flowering; dry-growing once established.
Size: 1 foot tall, 4 feet wide
Zones: 9–10
Chalk Liveforever
Name: Dudleya pulverulenta
Chalk liveforever is a succulent with blue-white rosettes that produce tall flower spikes with silver and red flowers in late spring and summer. It is well suited to rock gardens and other dry landscapes.
Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil. Dry-growing once established and tolerant of some shade.
Size: 1–2 feet tall and wide
Zones: 8–10
Shaw's Agave
Name: Agave shawii
Shaw's agave forms colonies of succulent rosettes with dusky green leaves edged with sharp teeth. Flower stalks can reach 12 feet tall and produce golden flowers. After flowering, the mother plant dies but produces offsets.
Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil. Dry-growing once established.
Size: Rosettes 2–3 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide; flower stalks up to 12 feet tall
Zones: 9–10
Desert Mallow
Name: Sphaeralcea ambigua
Desert mallow is an evergreen shrublet with fuzzy, silvery leaves and cupped flowers ranging from bright orange to watermelon red. It blooms in early spring and may flower again after unusual summer rain.
Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil. Dry-growing once established. Cut back by about 30 percent after flowering to maintain a compact form.
Size: 2–3 feet tall, 2 feet wide
Zones: 4–10
Manzanita
Name: Arctostaphylos
Manzanita is a diverse group of evergreen shrubs ranging from low groundcovers to small trees. Many species have architectural forms and attractive mahogany to ebony-colored bark. They are excellent habitat plants.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade, depending on species; well-draining soil. Dry-growing once established.
Size: 1–25 feet tall, up to 18 feet wide
Zones: 6–10, depending on species
Giant Wild Rye
Name: Elymus condensatus
Giant wild rye is a tall ornamental grass with broad, bluish blades that form a large, attractive clump. 'Canyon Prince' is a popular selection.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to full shade. Requires very little irrigation once established.
Size: 3–6 feet tall and wide
Zones: 6–10
San Miguel Island Buckwheat
Name: Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
San Miguel Island buckwheat is a mounding perennial with rounded leaves and flower spikes topped with rose-pink clusters from summer to fall. It provides habitat and food for birds and butterflies.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade. Requires occasional irrigation once established.
Size: 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide
Zones: 8–10
Bush Monkey Flower
Name: Diplacus aurantiacus
Bush monkey flower is a medium-sized perennial with tubular, soft golden flowers in spring. Its stems and leaves can be sticky, and the flowers attract hummingbirds. The plant often becomes dormant during summer.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade; dry-growing once established. Cut back by about 30 percent during summer dormancy.
Size: 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide
Zones: 7–10
Our Lord's Candle
Name: Yucca whipplei
Our Lord's Candle is a succulent native to foothill areas, grown for its sharp-tipped, silvery-green leaves that provide strong texture and structure. When it blooms in spring, it produces a tall spike covered with creamy white flowers.
Growing Conditions: Full sun; dry-growing. Tolerates some shade.
Size: 3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 6–10
Hummingbird Sage
Name: Salvia spathacea
Hummingbird sage is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial with fragrant, fruity leaves and intense pink flower stalks in spring. It is attractive to hummingbirds and works well as an understory plant.
Growing Conditions: Shade; dry-growing. Suitable for planting beneath oaks and other dry-growing trees and shrubs.
Size: 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide
Zones: 7–10
Cleveland Sage
Name: Salvia clevelandii
Cleveland sage is an evergreen chaparral native with highly aromatic, resinous leaves and flower spikes bearing purple to lavender blooms in spring and summer. Allow flower heads to develop seeds to provide food for local birds.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade; dry-growing. Prune lightly if needed and avoid cutting into older wood.
Size: 3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 7–10
California Poppy
Name: Eschscholzia californica
California poppy is a perennial commonly grown as an annual. It forms tufts of feathery green foliage topped with brilliant orange flowers beginning in early spring. It can reseed naturally and may rebloom after being cut back.
Growing Conditions: Full sun; dry-growing. Some irrigation can extend flowering, but avoid overhead watering. Cut back faded or diseased foliage to encourage new growth.
Size: 18 inches tall and wide
Zones: 8–10
