California is home to a rich diversity of native wildflowers and plants that thrive in its varied climates and habitats. From the coastal bluffs to the desert valleys, from the mountain peaks to the urban gardens, there is a native plant for every place and every purpose. Here are 30 examples of native California wildflowers and plants that you can enjoy in your own backyard or in the wild.
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): The state flower of California, this bright orange beauty blooms from February to September in open fields, grasslands, and roadsides. It is drought-tolerant and attracts bees and butterflies.
- Lupine (Lupinus spp.): There are over 200 species of lupine in California, ranging from annuals to perennials, from low-growing to tall, and from blue to purple to pink to yellow. They grow in various habitats, such as coastal scrub, chaparral, woodlands, and meadows. They are nitrogen-fixers and provide food for caterpillars and hummingbirds.
- Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri): Also known as the fried eggplant, this striking perennial has large white petals and yellow centers that resemble fried eggs. It grows up to 8 feet tall and prefers sunny, dry locations with well-drained soil. It is deer-resistant and fire-resistant.
- Monkeyflower (Mimulus spp.): These cheerful flowers come in a variety of colors, such as yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple. They are named for their resemblance to monkey faces. They grow in moist or wet areas, such as streambanks, seeps, and springs. They are hummingbird-pollinated and some species are sensitive to serpentine soils.
- California fuchsia (Epilobium canum): This late-summer bloomer has tubular red flowers that contrast with its gray-green foliage. It is a low-growing perennial that forms dense mats or clumps. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant and attracts hummingbirds and bees.
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): This aromatic perennial has clusters of white or pink flowers that bloom from spring to fall. It is a versatile plant that can grow in sun or shade, dry or moist soil, and low or high elevation. It is medicinal and edible and attracts beneficial insects.
- California lilac (Ceanothus spp.): These evergreen shrubs or small trees have clusters of blue, purple or white flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring. They are adapted to dry, sunny locations with poor soil and are important for erosion control and wildlife habitat. They are also nitrogen-fixers and attract bees and butterflies.
- Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.): These evergreen shrubs or small trees have smooth, reddish-brown bark and small, bell-shaped flowers that range from white to pink. They bloom in winter or early spring and produce red berries that are edible for humans and animals. They grow in various habitats, such as chaparral, woodlands, and montane forests. They are drought-tolerant and fire-adapted.
- California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum): This low-growing perennial has clusters of white or pink flowers that turn rusty brown in fall. It blooms from spring to summer and grows in dry, sunny locations with sandy or rocky soil. It is a host plant for several butterflies and a nectar source for bees and other insects.
- Seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus): This coastal perennial has lavender-pink flowers with yellow centers that bloom from spring to fall. It grows in sandy or rocky soil near the ocean and tolerates salt spray and wind. It is a good ground cover for erosion control and attracts bees and butterflies.
- Indian paintbrush (Castilleja spp.): These colorful perennials have bracts that range from red to orange to yellow to pink. They bloom from spring to summer and grow in various habitats, such as meadows, woodlands, and alpine slopes. They are hemiparasitic, meaning they attach their roots to other plants and extract nutrients from them. They attract hummingbirds and bees.
- Baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii): These delicate annuals have sky-blue flowers with white centers that bloom from March to May. They grow in moist, shady locations with rich soil, such as woodlands, grasslands, and gardens. They are self-seeding and attract bees and butterflies.
- Sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus): This evergreen shrub has orange-yellow flowers that bloom from spring to summer. It grows in dry, sunny locations with rocky or sandy soil, such as chaparral, coastal scrub, and slopes. It is deer-resistant and attracts hummingbirds and bees.
- California aster (Symphyotrichum chilense): This perennial has lavender-blue flowers with yellow centers that bloom from summer to fall. It grows in moist, sunny locations with clay or loam soil, such as meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas. It is a good cut flower and attracts bees and butterflies.
- Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana): This evergreen perennial has purple, blue, white, or yellow flowers that bloom from March to June. It grows in coastal habitats, such as bluffs, dunes, and scrub. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies.
- California sunflower (Encelia californica): This evergreen shrub has bright yellow flowers that bloom from February to June. It grows in dry, sunny locations with sandy or gravelly soil, such as coastal sage scrub and desert washes. It is drought-tolerant and fire-adapted and attracts bees and butterflies.
- Hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea): This aromatic perennial has magenta-red flowers that bloom from winter to spring. It grows in shady, moist locations with rich soil, such as woodlands, canyons, and slopes. It is deer-resistant and attracts hummingbirds and bees.
- California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus): This annual or perennial has bright yellow flowers that bloom from February to May. It grows in moist, sunny locations with clay or loam soil, such as grasslands, meadows, and vernal pools. It is a good-cut flower and attracts bees and butterflies.
- California phacelia (Phacelia californica): This annual or perennial has purple or blue flowers that bloom from March to June. It grows in dry, sunny locations with sandy or rocky soil, such as chaparral, coastal scrub, and slopes. It is drought-tolerant and attracts bees and butterflies.
- California goldenrod (Solidago velutina ssp. californica): This perennial has clusters of yellow flowers that bloom from July to October. It grows in moist, sunny locations with clay or loam soil, such as meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas. It is a good-cut flower and attracts bees and butterflies.
- California peony (Paeonia californica): This perennial has dark red flowers that bloom from January to March. It grows in dry, shady locations with rocky or sandy soil, such as chaparral, woodlands, and slopes. It is deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies.
- California wild rose (Rosa californica): This deciduous shrub has pink flowers that bloom from May to July. It grows in moist, sunny locations with clay or loam soil, such as meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas. It produces red hips that are edible for humans and animals. It is a good hedge plant for erosion control and wildlife habitat.
- California wild grape (Vitis californica): This deciduous vine has greenish-white flowers that bloom from April to June. It grows in moist, sunny locations with rich soil, such as woodlands, canyons, and riparian areas. It produces purple grapes that are edible for humans and animals. It is a good cover plant for fences, walls, and arbors.
- California wild lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus): This evergreen shrub or small tree has clusters of blue flowers that bloom from March to May. It grows in dry, sunny locations with poor soil, such as chaparral, coastal scrub, and slopes. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies.
- California wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca): This perennial has white flowers that bloom from March to August. It grows in moist, sunny, or shady locations with rich soil, such as woodlands, grasslands, and gardens. It produces red berries that are edible for humans and animals. It is a good ground cover for erosion control and wildlife habitat.
- California wild ginger (Asarum caudatum): This evergreen perennial has brownish-red flowers that bloom from March to June. It grows in moist, shady locations with rich soil, such as woodlands, canyons, and slopes. It is deer-resistant and attracts ants.
- California pipevine (Aristolochia californica): This deciduous vine has brownish-purple flowers that bloom from January to April. It grows in moist, shady locations with rich soil, such as woodlands, canyons, and riparian areas. It is the host plant for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly and attracts flies for pollination.
- California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica): This carnivorous perennial has greenish-yellow flowers that bloom from May to July. It grows in wet, acidic locations with peaty soil, such as bogs, seeps, and springs. It traps insects in its pitcher-shaped leaves that have downward-point
- California sagebrush (Artemisia californica): California sagebrush is not a true sage but a member of the sunflower family. It is a gray-green shrub with aromatic leaves that release a pleasant scent when crushed or brushed against. It grows in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats and provides food and cover for birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals. It is also used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans.
- Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia): Toyon is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy green leaves and clusters of white flowers in summer, followed by bright red berries in winter. The berries are edible for humans and animals and have been used to make jelly, cider, and wine. Toyon is also known as California holly or Christmas berry because of its festive appearance.
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