Planting a native garden is a great way to support your local ecosystem. In this case, you might want California plants because that is where you live – or perhaps, you live in another state or country but you want a California garden because you’re nostalgic about the years you spend in the Golden State. Either way, we have all the top suggestions for a lush and authentic California garden!
Table of Contents
1. Beardtongue (Penstemon)
This lovely flower is a hot favorite. Why? It comes in many species with different colors, so you can pick and choose which shade suits your landscaping plans. Even though Beardtongues are fully native plants, their flowers are guaranteed to add an exotic touch to your garden. All the species are easy to care for and relatively resistant to dry weather.
Hardiness zones: Depending on the species, 3a to 9b.
Sun: Plant in full sun.
Soil: Well-draining soil (sandy or rocky soils are perfect).
Lifespan: Perennial.
2. California Cholla (Cylindropuntia californica)
Fancy a cute cactus? This species is also known as the snake cactus (okay, not that cute…) and is mostly native to Mexico and southern California. Mostly found in coastal areas, this succulent has long stems, short spines, and yellow-green flowers that kind of resemble passion fruit blooms! Some consider California cholla as a rare and threatened species, so adding it to your garden and even propagating this spiny wonder can help to preserve one of the state’s most attractive succulents.
Hardiness zones: 8a to 10b.
Sun: Plant in full sun.
Soil: This cactus thrives in dry, fast-draining soil.
Lifespan: Perennial.
3. California Milkweed (Asclepias californica)
After you first lay your eyes on this plant, you’re not likely to forget it. This California Milkweed has a strong vertical stem and large oval leaves; both carpeted with a soft silver-gray or white fuzz that gives the plant a truly special appearance. The flowers add to this unusually gorgeous look. They appear in clusters that look like tiny purple orbs and open into star-shaped blooms that will certainly uplift any garden.
Hardiness zones: 7a to 10b.
Sun: Plant in full sun.
Soil: Both sandy and clay soils are suitable.
Lifespan: Perennial.
4. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
If you’re aiming for a native California garden, you must at least consider adding this poppy. After all, it’s the Golden State’s official flower! It’s not hard to see why. This gorgeous plant produces the classic wide-petal flower but instead of the red that most poppies are known for, this variety glows with a deep sunny yellow. It will add a touch of warmth, summer, and wildflowers to your California garden!
Hardiness zones: 5a to 10b
Sun: Full sun is preferable.
Soil: Make sure to plant in well-draining sandy soils.
Lifespan: Perennial in regions with mild winters but annual in areas with severe winters.
5. The Coastal Prickly Pear (Opuntia littoralis)
This plant is perfect if you’re a fan of succulents, flowers, and plants that produce edible fruit. Appearance-wise, this plant is tall and produces large and flat “leaves” and purple or mauve flowers and fruit. It’s totally resistant to drought so if you’re trying to save water, grab this cactus without delay! The Coastal Prickly Pear is known for its long spikes, so consider this species very carefully if you have small children or pets. The spikes can hurt the unwary and this is why this cactus is not suitable for every home.
Hardiness zones: 9b to 11b.
Sun: They need full sun.
Soil: Sandy soils are best.
Lifespan: Perennial.
6. Coulter’s Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)
This flower is a great choice if you loved the California Poppy that appeared earlier on our list. This variety has white petals and a yellow center, glossy leaves, and robust health. Indeed, Coulter’s Poppy is known for spreading quite aggressively when it’s left to its own devices! However, this drive to expand can be a positive thing if you have a large flower bed that needs to populate itself with showy, long-lasting flowers. Indeed, visitors will love looking at this plant because it can grow as tall as ten feet and it also produces a huge number of flowers.
Hardiness zones: 7a to 11b.
Sun: Grows best in full sun.
Soil: Requires soil that’s fast-draining (any sandy or gravelly soils).
Lifespan: Perennial.
7. Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima)
This stunning flowering plant is native to the Channel Islands off California’s coast. They adapt very well to garden life on the mainland and they make a good choice if you are trying to lure more hummingbirds to your home. A bed of these plants makes a breathtaking sight, mainly due to their long stalks that are adorned with tiny flowers that some have described as bells or lanterns. They are available in pink and white varieties. So, if you’re looking for a beautiful plant that adds a wildflower aura to your garden, the Island Alum Root might be the perfect choice for you!
Hardiness zones: 8b to 11b.
Sun: Will grow in full sun, partial shade, and full shade.
Soil: Well-draining soil like sandy or rocky sediments.
Lifespan: Perennial.
8. Sage (Salvia)
Here’s another good choice to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Not only does this plant attract these beautiful birds but you are also spoiled for choice. California is home to 18 sage species, giving you plenty of varieties and colors to choose from. Sage plants are easy to care for and they can also be propagated without much effort. A large cluster of these plants looks stunning, mainly because of their flower-studded stalks that come in shades like dark purple, bright red, and lavender.
Hardiness zones: 3a to 11b.
Sun: They flourish in full sun and partial shade.
Soil: Well-draining soil.
Lifespan: Some species are annuals and others are perennials.
9. Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)
The name alone is enough to make anyone want to add this shrub to their native garden! Growing between 6 and 15 feet tall, the berries offer a great food source to birds. As a bonus, this plant is fire-resistant and for this reason, people who live in areas prone to wildfires often plant coffeeberry plants in their garden. Another reason this species is so popular is the flowers. They are dainty and available in cream, white, or green.
Hardiness zones: 7a to 9b.
Sun: Full sun or partial shade.
Soil: Adapts to most soil types.
Lifespan: Multi-year, evergreen.
10. Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens)
Deergrass is an iconic must for the native California garden. This grass grows up to 5 feet high and forms a dense, round bush. They look stunning when planted in a row and are allowed to grow to their full height. You don’t have to wait years and years, either. This quick-growing grass often reaches its mature size in just 12 months. Deergrass can be purple, green, or silver and they are low-maintenance plants that require almost no attention. So, if you want a highly ornamental plant that doesn’t require constant care, deergrass is a great option.
Hardiness zones: 7a to 10b.
Sun: Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Soil: Any well-draining or sandy soils.
Lifespan: Perennial, evergreen.
FAQ
Q: How many native plants exist in California?
There are roughly 6,500 plants that are native to California. Not only does this give you an amazing variety of choices to add to your garden but here’s an amazing fact – many of these plants are exclusive to California and exist nowhere else in the world!
Q: There are California poppies near my house. Is it illegal to pick them?
There is no law that specifically prohibits you from picking California poppies. However, if they are on someone else’s land, you need written permission from the landowner before you can enter the property, pick the flowers, or remove the plants.
Q: Is the sunflower a species that is native to California?
The California sunflower is native to this state. It can grow between 3 and 11 feet tall but the flowers look more like daisies than the traditional sunflowers that most people are familiar with.
Q: Is lavender a native species in California?
Lavender is available in many species but none are native to California. These fragrant plants originated in the Mediterranean. However, if you have your heart set on a lavender bush, go ahead and plant some in your garden. Lavender adapts very well to the dry and warm conditions of California!
