Mixed California Native and Mediterranean Garden
This garden is a mix of California Native plants and Mediterranean (non-CA Native) plants, with an emphasis on plants native to California. This garden illustrates the similarities and differences of plants from various Mediterranean areas, and how they can be effectively combined in a low water garden.
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Description |
| Abutilon hybrid | Flowering Maple | |
| Acer circinatum | Vine Maple | Deciduous, multi-stemmed, large shrub/small tree. Native to western North America |
| Anigozanthos ‘Kanga Cherry’ | Kangaroo Paw - ‘Kanga Cherry’ | Evergreen perennial native to southwest Australia |
| Foerster Feather Reed grass | Ornamental grass, Herbaceous | |
| Ceanothus ‘Concha’ | California Mountain Lilac ‘Concha’ | Evergreen shrub, California native hybrid |
| Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis ‘Diamond Heights’ | Diamond Heights Ceanothus, California lilac | Bright low-growing shrub with chartreuse leaves splashed with dark green |
| Cistus x purpureus | Orchid Rockrose | Hardy Evergreen Perennial |
| Delospernum nubagenum | Hardy Yellow Iceplant | Herbaceous perennial groundcover; Native to South Africa; Evergreen in mild winter climate. |
| Epilobium canum | California Fuschia | Sprawling perennial with narrow, silvery green foliage with loose clusters of brilliant orange to scarlet, tubular flowers |
| Epilobium canum var. latifollum ‘Everett’s Choice’ | ‘Everett’s Choice’ California Fuchsia | Everett’s Choice is a low-growing, ground-hugging variety of California Fuchsia that remains under 6” tall with fuzzy, gray-green leaves and many scarlet flowers. Spreads easily. Winter deciduous, ground-hugging sub-shrub; Native to California |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon | Evergreen shrub with leathery, dark green leaves, clusters of creamy white flowers summer and red berry like fruit winter. |
| Laurus nobilus 'Little Ragu' | Sweet Bay | Large evergreen shrub, dark green leaves and inconspicuous, greenish yellow flowers in spring. Native to low-elevation and coastal habitats in the Mediterranean region, well-drained soils |
| Limonum perezii | Sea Lavender / Perez’s Sea Lavender; Seafoam Statice | Tough evergreen perennial; Native to Canary Islands; Can naturalize in coastal California habitats |
| Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem' | Such a vigorous grower, you could almost categorize this comely Penstemon as a groundcover , the shiny, linear foliage forms a dense spreading mound. Outward facing flaring bells are bright lilac blushed blue with purple veining, creating a bicolor effect and appearing on numerous stems June-September. Rich, well-drained soil. Nice in containers (10+gal). Excellent partner for ro | |
| Salvia leucophyllia x clevelandii ‘Pozo Blue’ | Grey Musk Sage / ‘Pozo Blue’ Sage | Fragrant evergreen shrub; California Native |
Acer circinatum
Vine Maple
Deciduous, multi-stemmed, large shrub/small tree. Native to western North America
Advantages: Fall color if planted in sun, Flowers support birds, butterflies
Bloom Period: Spring
Height: 15-30’
Width: 3-6’
Light Requirements: Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Anigozanthos ‘Kanga Cherry’
Kangaroo Paw - ‘Kanga Cherry’
Evergreen perennial native to southwest Australia
Advantages: Easy care; Long bloom period; Flowers for cutting; Attracts hummingbirds
Bloom Period: Spring - Fall
Size: Foliage:10 - 14” tall x 24” wide Blooms: 20 - 24” tall
Light Requirements: Full sun, partial sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Calamogrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Foerster Feather Reed grass
Ornamental grass, Herbaceous
Advantages: Easy care, Erosion control, Dramatic flowering stalks (but does not self sow)
Bloom Period: Late Spring - Summer, lasting through Fall
Size: Foliage: Up to 2’ tall & wide; Bloom stalks: Up to 6’ tall
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Moderate - Low
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Ceanothus ‘Concha’
California Mountain Lilac ‘Concha’
Evergreen shrub, California native hybrid
Advantages: Winter blooming; Host to many butterfly species; Bee-friendly; Drought tolerant
Bloom Period: Winter - Spring
Height: 3-6’
Width: 3-6’
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water Requirements: Very low, once established
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Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis ‘Diamond Heights’
Diamond Heights Ceanothus, California lilac
Bright low-growing shrub with chartreuse leaves splashed with dark green
Advantages: Vivid variegated foliage; Attracts butterflies & bees; Useful for bank stabilization; Makes a dramatic and colorful ground cover
Bloom Period: Spring
Height: 1’
Width: 4-5’
Light Requirements: Sun (coastal), part shade (inland)
Water Requirements: Low
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Cistus x purpureus
Orchid Rockrose
Hardy Evergreen Perennial
Advantages: Drought tolerant; Tolerates seaside conditions; Showy flowers
Bloom Period: Spring into Summer
Height: 4’
Width: 4-6’
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Delospernum nubagenum
Hardy Yellow Iceplant
Herbaceous perennial groundcover; Native to South Africa; Evergreen in mild winter climate.
Advantages: Showy yellow flowers with long bloom period; Attracts butterflies; Drought tolerant
Bloom Period: Late Spring - Fall
Height: 0.5”-1”
Width: 1.5’
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Epilobium canum
California Fuschia
Sprawling perennial with narrow, silvery green foliage with loose clusters of brilliant orange to scarlet, tubular flowers
Advantages: Thick, mat-forming perennial that is attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
Bloom Period: Late summer
Height: 1-2’
Width: 4’
Light Requirements: Full-sun to partial shade
Water Requirements: Low / drought tolerant
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Epilobium canum var. latifollum ‘Everett’s Choice’
California Fuschia 'Everett's Choice'
Everett’s Choice is a low-growing, ground-hugging variety of California Fuchsia that remains under 6” tall with fuzzy, gray-green leaves and many scarlet flowers. Spreads easily. Winter deciduous, ground-hugging sub-shrub; Native to California
Advantages: Low growing. A magnet for pollinators, particularly hummingbirds, deer-resistant and tolerates almost any soil type. Spreads easily.
Bloom Period: Summer/Fall
Height: 6”
Width: 4-5’
Light Requirements: Full Sun (coastal) - Afternoon Shade (inland)
Water Requirements: Low
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Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon
Photo courtesy of WUCOLS
Evergreen shrub with leathery, dark green leaves, clusters of creamy white flowers summer and red berry like fruit winter.
Advantages: Can be used for hedges, berries are important winter food source for birds.
Bloom Period: Summer
Height: 8'- 12'
Width: 6' - 10'
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Laurus nobilus 'Little Ragu'
Sweet Bay
Large evergreen shrub, dark green leaves and inconspicuous, greenish yellow flowers in spring. Native to low-elevation and coastal habitats in the Mediterranean region, well-drained soils
Advantages:
Bloom Period: Spring
Size: Dwarf
Light Requirements: Cool sun to light shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Limonum perezii
Sea Lavender / Perez’s Sea Lavender; Seafoam Statice
Tough evergreen perennial; Native to Canary Islands; Can naturalize in coastal California habitats
Advantages: Cut flowers retain color when dried; Attracts bees, butterflies, and/or birds; Drought tolerant
Bloom Period: Spring/Summer
Height: 2-3’
Width: 2-3’
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem'
Such a vigorous grower, you could almost categorize this comely Penstemon as a groundcover , the shiny, linear foliage forms a dense spreading mound. Outward facing flaring bells are bright lilac blushed blue with purple veining, creating a bicolor effect and appearing on numerous stems June-September. Rich, well-drained soil. Nice in containers (10+gal).
Advantages: Bright lilac blushed blue with purple veining flowers attracts bees and hummingbirds
Bloom Period: June thru Sept
Height: 2'
Width: 3'
Light Requirements: Sun
Water Requirements:
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Salvia leucophyllia x clevelandii ‘Pozo Blue’
Grey Musk Sage / ‘Pozo Blue’ Sage
Fragrant evergreen shrub; California Native
Advantages: Tolerates wide variety of soils, including heavy clay; Attracts pollinators; Deer resistant
Bloom Period: Early Summer / Fall
Height: 4’
Width: 4’
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low
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