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Festuca californica  california fescue
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Festuca californica

california fescue

Evergreen bunch grass forming fountain like clumps 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide. Blue green foliage with showy flower stalks rising above another 2 to 3 feet. California fescue makes a good ground cover for slopes in sun or part shade, good under native oaks and as erosion control. Quite drought tolerant and deer resistant. Bay Area native.
Festuca eskia  dwarf fescue
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Festuca eskia

dwarf fescue

A dwarf bunch grass, this fescue grows less than 6 inches high, slowly spreading.  Delicate inflorescence 6 to 12 inches above the plant.  Full sun or light shade, moderate to low water.  Good in containers, rock gardens.  This is an introduction by the American Rock Garden Society.
Festuca idahoensis  Idaho fescue
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Festuca idahoensis

Idaho fescue

Densely tufted, a bunch grass which grows 1 foot tall, 1 to 2 foot spread. Tolerates wind, drought and deer and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. May brown out in the summer in hot climates. Bay Area native.
Festuca idahoensis Tomales Bay Idaho fescue
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Festuca idahoensis 'Tomales Bay'

Idaho fescue

This is a low growing blue gray selection of Idaho Fescue.  Densely tufted, a bunch grass which grows 1 foot tall, 1 to 2 foot spread.  Tolerates wind, drought and deer and can be grown in full sun or partial shade.  Holds up better in the summer than other Idaho Fescues.  Cut back early spring.  Bay Area native.
Festuca rubra Patrick's Point Patrick's Point red fescue
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Festuca rubra 'Patrick's Point'

Patrick's Point red fescue

This native bunchgrass is both a clumper and runner - if not mowed it develops a soft spiky appearance 6 to 12 inches round. This blue gray selection comes from the Humboldt County coast. A good grass for sun or part shade, drought tolerant, it holds up well in gardens.
Festuca rubra molate  red fescue
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Festuca rubra molate

red fescue

This native bunchgrass is both a clumper and runner - if not mowed it develops a hummock like appearance. A good lawn or meadow grass for sun or part shade, drought tolerant once established. Bay Area native.
Fragaria chiloensis  beach strawberry
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Fragaria chiloensis

beach strawberry

This native strawberry forms a dense green mat 4 inches high spreading by runners and rooting as it goes. White flowers in spring followed by small but edible berries. Quite drought tolerant near the coast where it grows in sand dunes. It does well inland with occasional watering. Bay Area native.
Fragaria vesca  woodland strawberry
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Fragaria vesca

woodland strawberry

This is the woodland version of the native strawberry. As the beach strawberry gets shaded out this one takes over, a vigorous evergreen ground cover rooting as it goes.  Simple white rose shaped flowers followed by edible berries. Grows under eucalyptus. Bay Area native.
Fuchsia procumbens  creeping fuchsia
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Fuchsia procumbens

creeping fuchsia

Very low growing fuchsia that will trail over walls and works well in containers. Lush, light green, mat forming foliage with unusual looking small pale orange flowers followed by showy bright red berries. Part shade with average to low water. Native to New Zealand, quite deer resistant.
Fuchsia x thymifolia  fuchsia
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Fuchsia x thymifolia

fuchsia

This hybrid between F. thymifolia and F. microphylla is evergreen to 25°F, 3 to 4 feet round. Tiny red flowers almost year round, it grows best in filtered shade and can even be grown indoors in a cool spot. One of the most resistant to the fuchsia gall mite and the most attractive to hummingbirds, good in containers. Hardy to 20°F.
Galium odoratum  sweet woodruff
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Galium odoratum

sweet woodruff

Low growing perennial 6 to 12 inches high and spreading. Sweet smelling tiny white flowers in May give it one of its common names, May Wine. Average water, deer and dog resistant. Good edging for shade, flowers can be used to flavor punch or wine. Self sows freely.
Gaura lindheimeri Whirling Butterfly white gaura
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Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterfly'

white gaura

Upright perennial 3 to 4 feet tall, 3 foot spread. Pink buds open to white flowers a few at a time over a long period. Cut back to 8 inch mid season to re-invigorate. Full sun, quite drought tolerant, heat resistant. Good cut flower. Native to Arizona.
Geranium  Bill Wallis geranium
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Geranium 'Bill Wallis'

geranium

Mounding perennial 1 foot high spreading 1 to 2 feet with deeply lobed leaves that turn red in the fall. Deep violet purple flowers, very showy, free blooming. Full sun or light shade along coast, light shade inland. Average water. Great in containers, in the perennial garden. Re-seeds readily.

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Geranium endressii 'Wargrave's Pink'

cranesbill

Mounding evergreen plant growing 1 foot tall, 2 foot spread. Large, silky, pale pink flowers are free blooming. Sun or part shade, moderate water. A good plant to trail over stone walls, as a low border for shade, or in containers. Cut back in mid summer to reinvigorate.
Geranium incanum  cranesbill
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Geranium incanum

cranesbill

Bushy, tumbling mound 1 foot high, 2 foot spread or more. Trails over walls. Blooms late spring into fall with 1 inch pink magenta flowers. Grow in sun or part shade, drought and deer resistant. Good in containers, hanging baskets, as a filler. Self sows.
Grindelia hirsutula v maritima  San Francisco gumplant
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Grindelia hirsutula v maritima

San Francisco gumplant

This cheerful, rangy native perennial grows to 2 feet round or more and has showy bright yellow aster type flower heads in summer. Native only on coastal bluffs from San Francisco to the cliffs of Dillon Beach, it’s also good for dry hillsides and holding steep banks. Bay Area native.

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Hakonechloa macra

Hakone grass

Clumps of arching leaves 1 to 2 feet tall, slowly spreading but not invasive. Loose nodding panicles late summer, fall with leaves turning a showy pinkish red before going dormant. Can handle sun along the coast, shade anywhere. Likes moist, well drained soil. Good in containers, slopes, oriental gardens.

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Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'

Hakone grass

Clumps of arching leaves 1 foot tall, slowly spreading but not invasive. Loose nodding panicles late summer, fall with leaves turning an attractive pinkish red before going dormant. Best in part shade. Likes moist, well drained soil. Good in containers, slopes, oriental gardens.
Heteromeles arbutifolia  toyon
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Heteromeles arbutifolia

toyon

An evergreen shrub to 8 feet round with large clusters of white flowers followed by red berries in winter. It is one of the main sources of food in the winter for birds, attracts butterflies. Grow in full sun or partial shade, good under native oaks. Quite drought tolerant, fairly deer resistant, especially after a few years. Bay Area native.
Heuchera  Lillian's Pink alumroot
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Heuchera 'Lillian's Pink'

alumroot

This hybrid has many large (for a heuchera) pink flowers in late spring, early summer - quite showy.  Growing to a 2 foot round evergreen clump, full sun on the coast, part shade anywhere.  Quite drought tolerant.  Good under oaks and redwoods, in containers.    
Heuchera  Stormy Seas alumroot
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Heuchera 'Stormy Seas'

alumroot

Compact, evergreen clump with ruffled maroon purple foliage with bright purple undersides. It grows 1 foot tall, 3 foot spread. 2 foot stalks rise above bearing tiny cream colored flowers late spring, early summer. Nice form and quite hardy. Full sun or part shade, quite drought tolerant. Good under redwoods and native oaks.
Heuchera maxima  island alumroot
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Heuchera maxima

island alumroot

Found on canyon walls and cliffs of the southern California islands, this species has adapted well to other areas of the west coast. The largest of the heucheras growing 2 to 3 feet round with tiny, creamy white flowers on 3 foot stems. Full sun on the coast, part shade anywhere, quite drought tolerant.  Hardy to at least 15ºF.
Heuchera micrantha Martha Roberick alumroot
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Heuchera micrantha 'Martha Roberick'

alumroot

Evergreen perennial with scalloped leaves that can become mottled in the sun, it grows one foot round. Two foot stalks rise above bearing tiny bell shaped deep rose flowers late spring, early summer. Full sun near the coast, part shade anywhere, quite drought tolerant. Good under redwoods and native oaks. Bay Area native.
Hierochloe occidentalis  California sweet grass
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Hierochloe occidentalis

California sweet grass

This evergreen bunch grass grows 1 1/2 feet round with delicate white flowers one foot above. Found in the redwood forests as well as under conifers it will grow in shady conditions with average to low water. Vanilla fragrance when dried. Bay Area native.
Holodiscus discolor  ocean spray
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Holodiscus discolor

ocean spray

A deciduous shrub 8 to 12 feet round that attracts birds. Showy flowers, creamy white compound clusters that look like ocean spray, bloom late spring and summer. The new foliage is a soft bright green and creates a nice background for flowers. Low water near the coast, prefers some shade and moisture inland. Bay Area native.
Ipheion uniflorum  blue Argentine starflower
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Ipheion uniflorum

blue Argentine starflower

Spring blooming Argentine native with fragrant silvery blue flowers, summer dormant, then foliage reappears in fall. Prefers dry summer conditions, full sun to half shade. Good in borders or with small grasses in a woodland setting or rock garden.
Ipheion uniflorum alba white Argentine starflower
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Ipheion uniflorum 'alba'

white Argentine starflower

Spring blooming Argentine native with fragrant pure white flowers, summer dormant, then foliage reappears in fall. Prefers dry summer conditions and full sun. Good in borders or with small grasses in a woodland setting or rock garden. Spring blooming Argentine native with fragrant pure white flowers, summer dormant, then foliage reappears in fall. Prefers dry summer conditions and full sun. Good in borders or with small grasses in a woodland setting or rock garden.
Iris  Pacific coast hybrid  iris pacific coast hybrid
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Iris Pacific coast hybrid

iris pacific coast hybrid

PCH Iris, as they are sometimes called, are hybrids of the coastal natives douglas, tenax and innominata. The flowers range from the gold of innominata, to the blues and purples of douglas and tenax. 1 foot tall with a 2 foot spread they like low to average water and sun or light shade. Good under native oaks.
Iris douglasiana  douglas iris
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Iris douglasiana

douglas iris

Maybe the most hardy of the native Irises, Douglas Iris forms an evergreen mound 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall and slowly spreading. The flowers bloom in the light blue to purple range. Not particular about soil and quite drought tolerant near the coast, good under the sunny side of native oaks. Quite deer and cow resistant. Bay Area native.
Iris sibirica  Siberian iris
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Iris sibirica

Siberian iris

Narrow clumps of grass like leaves growing 2 feet tall with deep, dark blue flowers late spring, early summer. Grow in full sun (part shade in hot areas) and water until several weeks after blooming. Divide infrequently. Good border plant or mixed with perennials.
Iris tenax  Klamath iris
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Iris tenax

Klamath iris

A native of Oregon, Washington, and the tip of northern California, smaller than Douglas Iris, dormant by the end of summer. Lilac blue flowers with a tinge of rosy pink, full sun to partial shade. Quite drought and deer resistant and more cold hardy then the other native Iris.
Iris x Canyon Snow iris pacific coast hybrid
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Iris x 'Canyon Snow'

iris pacific coast hybrid

Attractive evergreen foliage 1 foot high, 2 foot spread noted for its large, pure white flowers late spring. This selection is from the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. Full sun, low water, quite drought and deer resistant. This is one of the hardiest of the PCH Iris.
Jasminum polyanthum  pink jasmine
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Jasminum polyanthum

pink jasmine

This fast climbing evergreen vine to 20 feet is known for its dense clusters of pink buds opening to fragrant white star shaped flowers spring and early summer. Grow in full sun or light shade. Drought tolerant once established, it can also be used as a groundcover or grown in a hanging basket.

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Juncus effusus

soft rush

Soft rounded stems that grow 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall, gently arching. It can be grown in shallow water, boggy soils, stream sides or in the garden with adequate water. Full sun to part shade. Bay Area native.

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Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'

corkscrew rush

This unusual rush has cylindrical coiling foliage forming a sprawling clump 18 to 24 inches round. Best in light shade with lots of water, can even grow in shallow ponds. Good in containers, popular with children and cats.
Juncus patens  California gray rush
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Juncus patens

California gray rush

Stiff, upright clump of steel blue gray foliage 2 feet tall, 1 foot spread. Sun or shade, this juncus prefers moist soil but will grow almost anywhere. Dormant in summer with no ground water, it comes back with the rains. Attractive in containers or as an accent. Very deer and cow resistant. Bay Area native.

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Juncus tenuis

path rush

This bright green Juncus grows 1 to 2 feet tall, 1/2 foot wide with arching flower heads in summer. Found in meadows and grassy slopes that are wet in the spring, dry in summer. Tolerates a fair amount of abuse. Native to the northwest and central west coast of California. Bay Area native.
Knipofia varieties  red torch lily
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Knipofia varieties

red torch lily

Native of South Africa, it forms a dense clump of grass like foliage 2 feet tall, 1&1/2 foot spread with a range of red, orange or yellow flowers on 3 foot stems, attractive to hummingbirds. Full sun or light shade, quite deer resistant, tolerates drought and salt winds. Can be cut to the ground in late fall.
Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote dwarf English lavender
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Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'

dwarf English lavender

A dwarf English lavender growing 1 foot tall, 1 to 1 & 1/2 foot spread.  Dark purple flowers late spring into summer - good for flower arrangements.  Full sun, it likes good drainage and is quite drought and deer resistant.  An excellent low border, good in containers.

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Lavandula x 'Grosso'

lavender

This lavender hybrid grows 2 to 3 feet round with 18 inch violet purple flower spikes spring through fall - the most popular in Europe for flowers and essential oils. Full sun, prefers good drainage. Drought tolerant, take care not to over water. Quite deer resistant. Shear after flowering to keep compact. Hardy to 10°F.
Lavandula X Provence Provence lavender
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Lavandula X 'Provence'

Provence lavender

This hybrid lavender grows 2 to 3 feet round with highly fragrant lavender blue flower spikes in summer - one of the most popular for drying with its long spikes.  Full sun, prefers good drainage. Drought tolerant.  Take care not to over water. Quite deer resistant.  Hardy to 10°F.

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Lavandula x intermedia 'Hidcote Giant'

Hidcote giant lavander

Evergreen lavender that grows into a 2 to 3 foot mound with a long bloom of 2 foot dark purple flower spikes with dense, fat buds, excellent for cutting and drying. Similar to L. Grosso but 30% larger. Full sun, prefers good drainage. Drought tolerant.  Take care not to over water. Quite deer resistant. Hardy to at least 15°F.
Lavandula x Quasti  Quast's lavender
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Lavandula x Quasti

Quast's lavender

Excellent lavender hybrid, 2 foot tall, 3 foot spread, with purple flowers almost year round.  Full sun, prefers poor soil and not too much water.  Quite deer resistant.  Tolerates wind, heat and salt air.  This is a local hybrid from the Quasts of Point Reyes Station that blooms as much as the French, but is more cold hardy.
Lavatera x kew rose  bush mallow
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Lavatera x kew rose

bush mallow

Evergreen shrub 6 feet tall, 5 foot spread with purplish stems and large, 3 inch, deep pink flowers all summer. Very showy. Full sun, drought tolerant. Tolerates poor soils. It makes a good informal hedge or background for lower perennials. Hardy to around 0°F.

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Leptinella species

Western Hills brass buttons

Low growing mat like perennial 2 inches high, creeping to 1 foot or more. Soft fern like bronzy foliage. Small yellow brass buttons in summer. Grow in sun or part shade, drought tolerant but can handle more water. Excellent low ground cover for small areas.

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Leptospermum 'Dark Shadows'

Australian tea tree

This Tea Tree is a fast growing shrub 12 to 16 feet tall, 15 to 20 feet wide. Planted for its flexible sprays of 1 inch long soft dark olive green leaves flushed with dark burgundy maroon. Small white flowers in summer. Full sun, quite drought and deer resistant. Stunning against a wall or tall fence.
Lewisia cotyledon Rainbow Mix cliff maids
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Lewisia cotyledon 'Rainbow Mix'

cliff maids

Rosettes of evergreen leaves  9 inches across support 3 to 10 inch stems with clusters of 1 inch white, yellow, pink, or peach flowers spring and early summer, very showy. Grow in part shade, they need excellent drainage and not too much water. A good plant for rock gardens, containers.
Libertia peregrinans  New Zealand iris
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Libertia peregrinans

New Zealand iris

This Iris relative has sword like coppery bronze and green leaves and grows 1 to 2 feet tall, 1 foot wide forming colonies by rhizomes. Spreading panicles of large, pure white, lightly fragrant flowers. Attractive orange seeds in the fall. Sun near the coast, sun or light shade inland. Moderate water. Hardy to 15°F or below.
Lilium pardalinum  leopard lily
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Lilium pardalinum

leopard lily

A stately lily from the coastal ranges and mid Sierras, this perennial grows to 6 feet each year. In summer, large burnt orange flowers with brown spots supplies the name. It grows in full sun only along the coast, light to heavy shade everywhere. Average water. Bay Area native.

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Lilium parvum

Alpine lily

Soft orange flowers, 12 or more are held horizontally on each stalk growing 2 to 3 feet tall. Native to the subalpine region of the Sierras, they grow along streams and in boggy spots. Sun or shade with average water, a nice compliment to the larger Leopard Lily in a pond or a woodland setting.
Linum lewisii  western blue flax
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Linum lewisii

western blue flax

A perennial that grows 1 to 2 feet tall, 1 foot wide with delicate bluish green leaves on arching stems that end in 1 inch silky sapphire blue flowers, free blooming. Grow in full sun, it prefers poor rocky soils and not too much water. Self sows. Good in meadows, informal gardens. May be cut back hard midsummer to refresh. Bay Area native.
Lithodora diffusa Grace Ward Grace's lithodora
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Lithodora diffusa 'Grace Ward'

Grace's lithodora

This evergreen perennial grows 1 foot high, spreading 3 to 4 feet. The often scruffy looking foliage is compensated for by incredible true blue flowers summer, fall. It can be grown in full sun to part shade, is quite drought tolerant and deer resistant and can be used as a groundcover. Works under pine trees.
Lonicera nitida Baggesen's Gold Baggesen's honeysuckle
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Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold'

Baggesen's honeysuckle

This evergreen shrub grows 4 to 6 feet tall, 4 feet width, with erect, densely leafy branches golden in color turning bronzy in winter. Flowers are small, fragrant and creamy white followed by purple berries. Full sun in cooler climates, part shade anywhere. Tolerates salt spray, oak root fungus. Prune for neatness.
Lonicera nitida Maigrun box honeysuckle
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Lonicera nitida 'Maigrun'

box honeysuckle

A hardy, versatile plant that can be grown as a  spreading groundcover as well as clipped for a formal, low hedge. It grows fairly quickly 2 to 3 feet high, 3 to 4 foot spread. Sun or part shade, it is one of the top groundcovers used in France.

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