List of CA native plants suitable for rain gardens and vegetated swales in S. California.

1. 1
CA Native Plants for Rain Gardens and Vegetated (Infiltration) Swales - Western L.A. County
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
Plants for the Bottom and Lower Edges of the Rain Garden/Swale (can take occasional flooding)
Perennials and Ground-cover Plants
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Common
Waterplantain
2-4 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
White/Su FS Any 2-3 to 3
Water plant
sources
Shallow water
or mud; weedy
Alisma triviale
Narrow-leaf
Waterplantain
2-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
White/Su FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3
2; water plant
sources
Shallow water
or mud
X Anemopsis californica Yerba Mansa
1 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp-Su PS/FSH
Any incl
clay
2 to 3 3, 10, 14, 16 Shallow water
X Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort
2-4+ ft tall
& wide
Cream/Su PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X
Epilobium ciliatum ssp.
ciliatum
Fringed Willow
Herb
2-5 ft tall Pink/Su-F PS any 2-3 to 3 2, 10
Can become
weedy
X Frankenia salina Alkali heath
1-3 ft tall
spreading
Purple/Su FS Any 2 to 3
2, 8, 10, 20,
21, 24
Tolerates salt,
alkali cond.
X *Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
Red/Sp-Su FS/PS/ FSH any 2-3 to 3 3, 8, 13, 19
Toxic; shallow
water
X *Lobelia dunii Dunn’s Lobellia
1 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Lavender/
Su-F
PS Any 3
6, 8, 13 UCR
Bot. Garden
Toxic: shallow
water or
pondside
X Mimulus cardinalis
Scarlet
Monkeyflower
To 3 ft Red/Sp-Fa FS/PS any 2-3 to 3
3, 8, 10, 12,
13, 14, 16, 19
Easy; shallow
water
X Phyla nodiflora Lippia
< 6 inches
spreading
White-pink/
Sp-Su-F
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 2, 8, 46
Good ground
cover
Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals) – no water after flowering
X
Lasthenia glabrata ssp.
coulteri
Coulter's Goldfields < 1 ft tall Yellow/Sp FS any 1 to 2-3 5, 10
Good for water
gardens; salt
tolerant
X Mimulus guttatus
Seep
Monkeyflower
1-5 ft tall
Yellow/W-
Spr
FS Any 2-3 to 3
1, 3, 5, 8, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
Lush with pretty
flowers

2. 2
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)
X * Carex barbarae
Santa Barbara
Sedge
1-2 ft tall
to 3 ft w
Evergreen
sod sedge
FS/PS Any 2 to 3 3, 8, 13, 16
May be invasive
(containerize)
* Carex nudata
California Black-
flowering Sedge
1-3 ft tall
Cool-season
sod sedge
PS/
FSH
Sandy 2 to 3 3, 4
Can grow in
water, stream
X
Eleocharis
macrostachya
Pale Spikerush
1-2 ft tall
spreading
Cool-season,
sod sedge
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3
2, 3, 7, 8, 10,
13, 14, 16, 20,
21, 24
Shallow water
Eleocharis
montevidensis var.
montevidensis
Sand Spikerush
1-2 ft tall
spreading
Cool-season,
sod sedge
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 9, 13, 20 Shallow water
X
Equisetum hyemale
subsp. affine
Common Horsetail
2-4 ft tall
1-6 ft w
Perennial
rush
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 2, 3, 4, 8, 13
Will grow in
standing water;
contain
X Equisetum laevigatum Smooth Horsetail
2-5 ft tall
spreading
Perennial FS/PS
Clays
best
2-3 to 3 8
Will grow in
standing water;
contain
X
Hordeum
brachyantherum ssp.
californicum
CA Meadow Barley
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season
bunch
FS any 1-2 to 2-3 5, 10, 13, 16 streamside
X
Isolepis (Scirpus)
cernuus
Fiber Optic Grass;
Miniature Tule
1 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Cool-season,
sod rush;
cut back in
winter
PS/
FSH
Sandy
best
2-3 to 3 3, 4, 13
good for pond
edges
X
Juncus acutus ssp.
leopoldii
Spiny Rush
2-5 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season,
sod rush
FS/PS
Any incl.
alk./salty
2-3
2, 3, 10, 14,
16
Sharp tips;
shallow water
X Juncus balticus Baltic Rush
1-3 ft tall
1-2 ft w.
Sod rush FS
Any incl.
alk./salty
2-3 3, 16 Shallow water
X * Juncus bolanderi Bolander’s Rush 1-2 ft tall
Perennial
rhizome
rush
FS
Any incl.
salty
2-3 to 3 1, 13
Showy
seedheads
X
Juncus bufonius var
bufonius & congesta
Toad Rush
< 1 ft tall
& wide
Annual rush FS
Any incl.
salty
1-2 to 3 10, 16
X * Juncus effusus Bog/Common Rush
1-3 ft tall
& wide
Perennial
rhizome
rush
FS/PS
Any;
sandy
best
1-2 to 3
1, 3, 4, 7, 8,
13, 14
Good around
pools; ‘Quartz
Creek’

3. 3
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Juncus mexicanus Mexican Rush
< 1 ft tall
& wide
Perennial
rhizome
rush
FS
Any incl.
salty
1-2 to 2-3 3, 10, 14, 16 Shallow water
X Juncus oxymeris Pointed rush
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Perennial
rhizome
rush
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 2, 3, 8, 39
Nice flowers;
pondside
X Juncus patens Common Rush
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Spreading/
bunching
perennial
rush
FS Any 2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 9, 12,
13, 19
‘Carmen’s Gray’
is blue-gray;
shallow water
X Juncus textilis Basket Rush
3-5 ft tall
3-8 ft wide
Spreading/
bunching
perennial
rush
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 1, 14
Showy; Good
for wet planter,
pondside
X Juncus torreyi Torrey’s Rush
1-3 ft tall
spreading
Spreading
perennial
rush
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 1, 14
Showy; Good
for wet planter,
pondside
X Typha angustifolia Narrowleaf Cattail
3-5 ft tall
spreading
Bunching
perennial
FS Any 2-3 to 3 2, 20
Shallow water,
pond side
X Typha domingensis Southern Cattail
3-8 ft tall
spreading
Bunching
perennial
FS Any 2-3 to 3 2, 10, 14
Shallow water,
pond side
X Typha latifolia Common Cattail
Bunching
perennial
FS Any 2-3 to 3
2, 3, 10, 13,
16
Shallow water,
pond side

4. 4
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
Plants for the Upper Edges and Berms (these plant like slightly drier conditions, but fine with seasonal moisture)
Trees and Large Shrubs often used as trees
X *Alnus rhombifolia White Alder
50-75 ft t
20-40 ft w.
Green/Sp FS/PS
Any incl.
clay
2-3 to 3 3, 6, 8, 13, 14 Tol. flooding
* Betula occidentales Water birch
25-35 ft t.
15-25 ft w
Green/Sp FS/PS Most 2-3 to 3 8, 11, 14
Tolerates seas.
flooding
X
* Celtis reticulata/ C.
laevigata var. reticulata
Netleaf hackberry
10-30 ft t.
20-30 ft w.
Green/Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3
5, 8, 10, 16,
19, 30, 31, 45
Edible fruits
X * Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud
6-20 ft tall
10-15 ft w
Magenta/
Sp
FS/PS
Any incl
clay
2 to 2-3
1, 3, 5, 6, 8,
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
Tol. seasonal
flooding
X
* Chilopsis linearis ssp.
arcuata
Desert Willow
5-25 ft tall
and wide
Pink/ Sp-F FS/PS
Any well-
drained
1 to 2
1, 7, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
Showy flowers;
streamside
X
Sambucus nigra ssp.
cerulea
Blue (Mexican)
Elderberry
8-25+ ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2
1, 2, 3, 7, 10,
12-14, 16, 19
Edible berries;
upper bank
Large Shrubs (> 6 ft tall; including those for screens and hedges)
X * Amorpha fruticosa False Indigo
6-12 ft
4-10 ft w.
Purple-
brown/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3 1, 6, 13, 14
Can be weedy;
cultivar: ‘Dark
Lance’
X Baccharis salicifolia Mule Fat To 10 ft
Pink-white/
all year
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 2
Upper stream
banks
X
** Baccharis pilularis
‘Pigeon Point’
Pigeon Point
Coyote Bush
6-12 ft T
to 10 ft W
Buff-White/
Su-F
FS/PS any
1 to 1-2
Winter
flooding
1, 2, 7, 8, 10,
13, 14, 16, 20
Upper bank
X
* Carpenteria
californica
Bush Anemone
6-8 ft tall
6-12 ft W
White-
Yellow/ Spr
PS/FSH
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 7, 13, 14,
19
Showy, fragrant
flowers
X
* Cephalanthus
occidentalis
Buttonbush
5-12 ft tall
4-8 ft wide
Cream/Sp FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 11, 13
Good for
pondside
X Cornus glabrata Brown Dogwood
< 18 ft tall
to 10 ft w
White/Sp FS/PS/ FSH Clay best 2-3 1, 13 Streamside
X Cornus sericea Redosier dogwood
10-25 ft
tall & wide
White/Sp PS Any 2 to 3 8, 11, 13, 20
Birds like
berries
X * Holodiscus discolor
Creambush; Ocean
Spray
10-20 ft
tall
White/Su-Fa FS/PS
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to 2-3 1, 5, 13, 14
Upper stream
banks; fragrant

5. 5
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X
Isocoma menziesii var.
menziesii
Coast Goldenbush
1-3 ft tall
and wide
Yellow/
Su-F
FS Any 1-2 1, 14
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
X * Philadelphus lewisii CA Mock Orange
4-10 ft tall
& wide
White/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Any, incl
clays
2-3
1, 7, 13, 14,
19
Very fragrant;
riparian
woodland
X * Rhamnus californica
California
Coffeeberry
6-12 ft t &
wide; short
cultivars
Buff/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 5, 7, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
Upper bank
X Rhus trilobata
Basket Bush; Sour
Berry; Skunkbrush
2-6 ft
Yellow-
green/Sp
PS any 1-2 to 2
10, 13, 14, 16,
19
Mid-bank to
upper bank
X
Ribes aureum var.
gracillimum
Golden Currant To 10 ft
Yellow/
W-Sp
FS/PS/ FSH Any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 12, 14
Any well-
drained; Birds
eat berries
Smaller Shrubs ( < 6 ft. tall) ; includes woody sub-shrubs
X
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium
Oregon Grape < 6 ft Yellow/Sp PS any 2-3 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14 Upper bank
X * Ericameria nauseosa Rabbitbush
2-5 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/Su-F FS any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 10, 13, 16
Good for
butterflies
X
Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria
californica)
CA Fuschia 1-3 ft Orange/F FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Tolerates winter
flooding; mid-
to upper bank
X
**Gambelia (Galvezia)
speciosa ‘Firecracker
Firecracker Catalina
Snapdragon
2-4 ft tall Red/Sp + FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2
1, 3, 7, 8, 9,
13, 14
Streamside
X * Hibiscus lasiocarpus Rose mallow
3-6 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
White-red/
Sp-Su
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 11, 13, 46 Showy flowers
X * Lonicera involucrata Twinberry
4-6 ft tall
to 10 ft w
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS
Well-
drained
2-3 to 3 7, 18 Mulch soil
X
Ribes californicum var.
hesperium
Hillside Gooseberry To 3 ft
Red-white/
W-Sp
PS/FSH
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3
10, 12, 13
(var.
californicum)
Mid- to upper
bank
X Ribes speciosum
Fuschia-flowered
Gooseberry
3-6+ ft tall
and wide
dark pink/
W-Sp
FS/PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2-3;
3 in sun
1, 3, 10, 12-
14, 19
Mid- to upper
bank ; spiny
X
* Ribes sanguineum
var. glutinosum
Red-flowering
Currant
4-10 ft Pink/Sp PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2-3
3, 5, 13, 14,
19
Mid- to upper
bank
X
Symphoricarpos albus
var. laevigatus
Common
Snowberry
3-5 ft,
spreading
White/Sp PS
Clays,
loams
2-3 7, 9, 13, 19
Fruit may be
toxic to humans

6. 6
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Symphoricarpos mollis Snowberry
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Pink/W-Sp PS/FSH any 2-3 to 3 13, 14
Mulch; upper
bank; See
Common
Snowberry
X * Verbena lilacina
Cedros Island
Verbena
2-4 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Lilac/Sp-F FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 8, 9, 13,
14
Lovely year-
round; upper
bank
Perennial Vines
X * Lonicera ciliosa
Orange
Honeysuckle
15-20 ft
Orange/ Sp-
Su
PS/FSH Any 2-3 2, 8 Lower bank
X
Lonicera hispidula var.
vacillans
Western
Honeysuckle
5-18 ft Pink/Sp-Su PS/FSH clay 2-3
1, 5, 13, 14,
19
Upper bank;
fragrant flowers
X * Lonicera interrupta
Chaparral
Honeysuckle
8-20+ ft
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PSH Any 2 to 2-3 2
Excellent
habitat plant
X
** Vitis californica
‘Roger’s Red’
‘Roger’s Red’
California Grape
> 20 ft White/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 8, 13 Upper bank
X Vitis girdiana Desert Grape > 25 ft White/Su PS any 2-3
2, 3, 10, 13,
20
Upper bank
Perennials and Ground-cover Plants
X Achillea millefolia Yarrow 1-2 ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3 most streamside
X * Aquilegia formosa
Western
Columbine
1-2 ft
Red-
yellow/Su
PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2 to 3
1, 3, 5, 13, 14,
16, 19, 20
Streamside
X
* Arctostaphylos uva-
ursi
Bearberry;
Kinnickinnick
1 ft tall
spreading
Pink/Sp FS/PS
Well-
drained
2-3 1,
Mid- to upper
bank
X Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort
2-4+ ft tall
& wide
Crème/Su PS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3
3, 5, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X Asclepias fascicularis
Narrow-leaf
Milkweed
2-3 ft
Cream-
pink/Su
FS/PS Sandy
3 - winter
1-2
1, 3, 10, 14
Needs seasonal
flooding
X Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed
2-3 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Pink/Su FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 2, 8, 19
Tol. Flooding;
Monarch host
plant; silvery
** Aster chilensis ‘Point
St. George’
Point St. George
Coast Aster
1-3 ft tall
spreading
Lavender/Sp FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 1, 8, 11, 13
Good habitat
plant
X Baccharis douglasii Marsh Baccharis < 3 ft White/Su-F FS/PS
Any incl.
clays
2-3 1, 13 Upper bank

7. 7
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
** Baccharis ‘Centennial’
Centennial
Baccharis
2-3 ft tall
5-6 ft wide
White/F
Female -
seeds
FS Any 1-2 to 2-3 3, 8,
Baccharis
pilularis X B.
sarathroides
hybrid
X
* Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium var. repens
Creeping Oregon
Grape
1 ft tall
< 6 ft wide
Yellow/Sp PS/FSH
Any;
acidic
1-2 to 3 1, 7, 9, 13, 14
Good habitat;
edible berries
** Berberis (Mahonia)
aquifolium ‘Compacta’
‘Compacta’ Oregon
Grape
2-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Sp PS/FSH
Any;
acidic
1-2 to 2-3 1, 13
Good habitat;
edible berries
X Boykinia rotundifolia
Round-leaved
Boykinia
1-4 ft tall &
wide
White/Su PS/FSH Any 2-3 to 3 12
Streamside;
pond edge
X
Clinopodium (Satureja)
douglasii
Yerba buena
< 6 in
spreading
White/Sp-Su PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2-3 to 3 1, 3, 7, 13, 14 Streamside
X
* Clinopodium
(Satureja) mimuloides
Monkeyflower
Savory
1 ft tall
2-4+ ft w
Red-Or/
Su-Fa
FS/PS
Well-
drained
2-3 to 3 3, 8
hummingbird
plant;
streamside
X
Epilobium canum
(Zauschneria
californica)
CA Fuschia
1-3 ft
3-5 ft wide
Orange/F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 3, 9, 12, 13,
14, 19
Tolerates winter
flooding;
streamside
X *Erigeron glaucus Seaside Daisy ½ ft
Lavernder/
Sp-Fa
FS/PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2-3
1, 3, 5, 6, 7,
9, 13, 14
Attractive
flowers, foliage
X
** Erigeron glaucus
‘Arthur Menzies’ &
'Wayne Roderick'
Seaside Daisy
Daisy
< 1 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Lavender-
blue/Sp-F
FS/
PS (hot)
Well-
drained
1-2;
2-3(sun)
1, 3, 6, 8
Silvery foliage;
streamside
X * Fragaria chiloensis
(Pacific) Coast
Strawberry
< 1 ft
spreading
White/Sp-Su PS
Sandy
best
1-2 to
2-3
1, 3, 8, 13
edible fruit;
streamside
X
* Fragaria vesca
(californica)
CA/Wood
Strawberry
< 2 ft
spreading
White/Su PS/FSH any 1-2 to 3 1, 13, 20
Edible fruit;
upper bank
X Grindelia camporum Large Gumplant
2-3 ft tall
3-5 ft wide
Yellow/
Sp-Fa
FS
Well-
drained
1-2 1, 2, 6, 12, 16 Spreading
X
Grindelia hirsutula var.
hirsutula
Hairy Gumplant
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 10 Butterfly plant
X
* Grindelia stricta var
platyphylla
Coastal Gumplant
1-3 ft tall
3-4 ft wide
Yellow/Su FS Any 2 to 3
1, 2, 3, 5, 10,
13
Lower to mid-
bank
X
Heliotropum
curassivacum
Seaside Heliotrope
< 2 ft
4-8 ft w.
White-
purple/Sp-F
FS/PS
Any;
alkali
best
2-3 2, 10, 16
Seasonal
flooding; toxic
foliage

8. 8
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X
* Heuchera maxima
(incl. many cultivars &
hybrids)
Island Alumroot
1- 3 ft
White/Spr PS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to
2-3
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
X * Heuchera micrantha Crevice Alumroot 1-3 ft Pink/Spr PS/PS/ FSH See note 2-3 to 3 1, 3, 8
Well-drained
soil
X * Iva hayesiana
San Diego Marsh
Elder
2-4 ft tall
4-6 ft wide
Yellow/Su FS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
1 to 2-3 1, 3, 8, 13 Banks
X Jaumea carnosa Salty Susan
< 1 ft tall
2 ft wide
Yellow/Sp-F FS
Sandy
best
2-3 to 3 1, 2, 13, 20
Seasonal
flooding
X Limonium californicum
California Sea-
Lavender
1-2 ft tall
and wide
Purple/Su-F FS
Any;
sand to
clay
2-3 to 3 10, 14, 16
Tolerates
seaside
conditions
X *Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower
1-2 ft tall
1 ft wide
Red/Sp-Su FS/PS/ FSH any 2-3 to 3 3, 8, 13, 19
Toxic; shallow
water
X *Lobelia dunii Dunn’s Lobellia
1 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Lavender/
Su-F
PS Any 3
6, 8, 13 UCR
Bot. Garden
Toxic: shallow
water or
pondside
X Lomatium utriculatum Common Lomatum 2-3 ft tall Yellow/Sp FS
Any, incl.
clays,
alkali
2-3 to 3 30 Pollinator plant
Mimulus moschatus
(var. moniliformis)
Musk
Monkeyflower
1 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
FS/PS any 2-3 to 3 8
leaves: boiled
as greens
X
* Monardella
macrantha
Red Monardella
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Red/Su-F PS best
Any; no
alkali
2-3
1, 6, 8, 13, 14,
19
Hummingbird
plant; scented;
‘Marion
Sampson’
X Oenanthe sarmentosa Water parsley
2-4 ft tall &
wide
White/Sp FS/PS Most 2-3 to 3 39
Butterfly/
pollinator plant
X * Oenothera californica
CA Evening
Primrose
< 1 ft tall
3-8 ft wide
White/Sp FS/PS (best)
Sandy/
rocky
2 to 2-3 10, 13, 16
Scented
flowers; mid to
upper bank
**Penstemon
heterophyllus ‘Margarita
Bop’
‘Margarita BOP’
Penstemon
1-2 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Purple/Su FS
Well-
drained
2-3 1, 3, 6, 13
Streamside or
bank
X
Pluchea odorata ssp.
odorata
Sweetscent;
Saltmarsh
Fleabane
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Lavender/
Su-F
FS
Sandy
incl. Alk
2-3 6, 10, 16
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X Potentilla glandulosa Sticky Cinquefoil
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Yellow/
Sp-Su
PS
Well-
drained
2 to 3 1, 6, 12, 13
Seasonal
flooding

9. 9
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X
Pseudognaphalium
californicum
California
Everlasting
2-4 ft White/Sp FS/PS
Any, incl.
clay
1-2
1, 2, 10, 13,
16
Sweet-scented
X
Pseudognaphalium
canescens ssp.
beneolens
Wooly Everlasting 1-2 ½ ft White/Sp-Su FS/PS
Any, incl.
clay
1-2 1, 2, 16
Spreads; gray
foliage
X
Rumex salicifolius var.
salicifolius
Willow Dock
2-3 ft tall &
wide
Pink bract /
Su
FS
Well-
drained
2 to 3 10, 13 (? var.) Seaside fine
X
Scrophularia californica
ssp. floribunda
CA Bee Plant 2-3 ft Red/Spr PS 2-3 to 3
1, 5, 8, 10, 12,
13, 16
Afternoon shade
X
Sidalcea malviflora ssp.
malviflora
Dwarf Checker
Mallow
To 1 ½ ft
Pink-
lavender/
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 1, 8, 13, 19
* Silene californica Indian Pink
1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Red/Su PS/FS
Well-
drained
2-3 19 difficult
X Silene laciniata Indian Pink 1-3 ft Red/Sp-Su FS/PS
Sandy or
rocky
1-2 to
2-3
12 Moist banks
X Solanum xanti
Purple (Chaparral)
Nightshade
2-4 ft tall
Purple/Sp-
Su
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 1, 7, 13
Berries very
poisonous
X Solidago californica
California
Goldenrod
2-4 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F FS/PS Any 1-2 to 2-3 7, 10, 14
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X
Solidago spectabilis
var. confinis
Southern
Goldenrod
3-6 ft tall
spreading
Yellow/Su-F FS/PS Any 2-3 10
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X Stachys bullata
California
Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-4 ft Pink/Spr-Su PS
Well-
drained
2-3 1, 3, 7, 12, 14
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X
Stachys rigida var.
rigida (Stachys
ajugoides)
Rigid Woodmint
(Hedgenettle)
1-2 ft Pink/Spr-Su FS/PS Clay 2-3 to 3 1, 13
Tolerates
seasonal
flooding
X
* Thalictrum fendleri
var. polycarpum
Mountain
Meadowrue
3-5 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
White/Su PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 10,
12-14, 19
Well-drained
soils
X
* Venegasia
carpesioides
Canyon Sunflower
4-6 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Yellow/Sp-F PS Any 2 to 2-3
6, 8, 10, 13,
14, 24
Long-blooming;
seeds for birds

10. 10
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
Herbaceous Annuals & Biennials (also short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals) – no water after flowering
X Calandrinia ciliata Red Maids
< 1 ft tall
1-2 ft w.
Bright
pink/Sp
FS Any
2-3 to 3
2, 5, 10
Good for water
gardens
X Clarkia unguiculata Elegant Clarkia 2-5 ft tall
Pink-purple/
Sp-Su
FS/PS any 1 to 2-3
2, 5, 10, 13,
16
Needs drought
for seeds
X
Claytonia perfoliata
ssp. perfoliata
Miner’s Lettuce 1 ft tall White/Sp-Su PS/FSH any 1-2 2, 5, 10 Edible leaves
X
Collinsia heterophylla
var. heterphylla
Chinese Houses 1-2 ft tall
Purple-white
Sp-Su
PS/FSH any 1-2
1, 5, 10, 13,
16
Well-drained
soil
X Helenium puberulum
Rosilla;
Sneezeweed
1-5 ft tall
1 ft wide
Yellow-
brown/ Su
FS any 2-3 to 3 6, 13, 21
Edible;
pollinator plant;
X Helianthus annuus
Common (Annual)
Sunflower
5-8 ft tall Yellow/Su-F FS any 1-2
2, 10 (local
var.)
easy
Lasthenia coronaria Royal Goldenfields < 1 ft tall Yellow/W-Sp FS any 1 to 2-3 10,
Moderately salt
tolerant
X Lupinus bicolor Miniature Lupine < 1 ft tall Blue/white FS/PS any 1- 2-3 2, 5, 10, 13
Pretty purple
flowers
X Mimulus brevipes
Widethroat Yellow
Monkeyflower
2-3 ft tall
Yellow/W-
Spr
FS/PS
Sandy or
rocky
1-2 to
2-3
10, 13 Many blooms
X
Oenothera elata ssp.
hirsutissima & hookeri
Hooker’s Evening
Primrose
5+ ft tall Yellow/Su FS
Well-
drained
1-2 to 2-3 2, 10, 16
Abundant
reseeders; pond
edge
X
Pseudognaphalium
(Gnaphalium)
bioletta/bicolor
Two-tone
Everlasting
1-3 ft tall White/W-Sp FS/PS Any 1 to 1-2 1, 10, 12, 16 Butterfly plant
X Plantago erecta
California
(Dotseed) Plantain
< 1 ft tall White/green FS/PS any 2-3 2, 14, 16, 24 Pond edge
Bulbs and Corms
X Iris douglasiana Douglas iris 1-2 ft Purple/Sp PS See note 1 to 2
1, 3, 5, 7, 10,
13, 14, 16
Drought
tolerant if
mulched
X Ranunculus californicus
California
Buttercup
< 2 ft
Yellow/
Sp-Su
PS sandy 1-2 to 3 1, 13
Very well-
drained soils
X Sisyrinchium bellum
Western Blue-eyed
Grass
1-2 ft
Purple-
yellow/Sp
FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 2, 3, 9, 10,
13, 14, 16, 18
Pretty little
flowers
X
* Sisyrinchium
californicum
Yellow-eyed Grass 1-2 ft tall Yellow/Sp FS/PS Any 2 to 3
3, 5, 8, 13, 14,
20
Pond-edge plant

11. 11
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
Grasses and Grass-like Plants (rushes, sedges)
Agrostis exarata Spike Bentgrass 1-4 ft tall
Cool-seas.
perennial
bunchgrass
FS/PS Not alkali 1-2 to 3 10, 16 Pond-edge
X
* Calamagrostis
nutkaensis
Pacific Reed Grass
3-4 ft tall &
wide
cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS
Well-
drained
2-3 to 3 1, 4, 5, 8, 13
Can plant
densely
X
* Carex pansa (C.
praegracilis sometimes
mislabled as this)
Sand Dune Sedge
1 ft tall
shear 1-2
time/ yr
Cool-season
clump sedge
FS/PS
Very
sandy
2 to 2-3 3, 4, 6, 8
Tol. seasonal
flooding;
streamside
X Carex praegracilis
Clustered Field
Sedge/CA Meadow
Sedge
1-2 ft tall
Cool-season,
sod sedge
FS/PS
Clays
best
2-3 1, 2, 4, 7, 13 Shallow water
X * Carex spissa San Diego Sedge
2-4 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Cool-season,
sod sedge
FS/PS/FSH
Clays
best
1 to 3
1, 7, 8, 9, 10,
13
Streamside
X Carex tumulicola Berkeley Sedge
2 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season,
sod sedge
FS/PS/FSH any 1-2 to 3
1, 6, 7, 8, 9,
13
Streamside
X * Danthonia Californica California Oatgrass 2-3 ft tall
Cool-season
perennial
bunchgrass
FS/PS any 2 to 3 6, 8, 10
Evergreen; tol.
walking; good
for small areas
X
* Deschampsia
cespitosa
Tufted hairgrass
1-2 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS any 1-2 to 2-3
1, 4-8, 10, 13,
14, 16, 18
streamside
X Deschampsia elongata Slender Hairgrass 2-4 ft tall
Cool-season
perennial
bunchgrass
PS/ FSH any
2-3 to 3
1 – dies
back
5, 10, 13, 16
Fine-texture;
seasonal
flooding
X
* Deschampsia
holciformis (D. cespitosa
ssp. hociformis)
Pacific Hairgrass 1-3 ft tall
Cool-season
perennial
bunchgrass
FS any 2-3 to 3
5, 8, 10, 13,
16
Salt-tolerant
X *Festuca idahoensis Blue Bunchgrass
< 1 ft tall
& wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS any 2 to 3
1, 5, 7, 10, 13,
16, 19, 20
Streamside
X * Festuca rubra Red Fescue
1-2 ft tall
spreading
Cool-season
bunch/sod
grass; can
mow
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3
3, 5, 8, 10, 13,
16
Easy; Blue-
green; ‘Molate’
‘Patrick’s Point’,
‘Jughandle’
X Juncus patens Common Rush
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Spreading/
bunching
perennial
rush
FS Any 2-3 to 3
1, 3, 8, 9, 12,
13, 19
‘Carmen’s Gray’
is blue-gray;
shallow water

12. 12
I Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light++
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X Juncus textilis Basket Rush
3-5 ft tall
3-8 ft wide
Spreading/
bunching
perennial
rush
FS/PS Any 2-3 to 3 1, 14
Showy; Good
for wet planter,
pondside
X Juncus xiphioides Iris-leaf rush
1 ½ ft tall
spreading
Spreading
rush
FS/PS Any 1-2 to 3 2, 3, 8, 13, 16
Best in
contained;
shallow water
X Koeleria macrantha Prairie Junegrass
1-3 ft tall &
wide
Cool-season
bunchgrass
FS/PS
Any;
sandy
best
1-2 to
2-3
1, 5, 8, 10, 13,
16, 19
Showy
X Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye
< 3 ft tall
spreading
Cool-season
perennial
sod-grass;
light mow
FS/PS Any 1-2
1, 3, 5, 10, 14,
16
Great vernal
swale or
streambank;
spreading
X * Muhlenbergia rigens Deergrass
2-4 ft tall &
wide
Perennial
bunchgrass
FS Any 1-2
3, 4, 5, 9, 10,
12, 13, 14, 16
seasonal
flooding;
streamside
X Sporobolus airoides Alkali sacaton
2-3 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Warm-
season
bunchgrass
FS/PS
well-
drained
best
2 to 3 2, 3, 8, 13, 16
Salt-tolerant;
alkali fine
1/1/15
I : X = Gardening Information Sheet : http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html
* may not be immediately local, but is a CA native plant ** horticultural cultivar
++
light: FS=full sun; PS=part shade; FSH=full shade
+
Water Zones: 1 = no summer water; 1-2 = very occasional summer water (several times per summer); 2 = let soil dry out between waterings;
2-3 some regular summer water (about once a week); 3 = regular watering/moist soil (like a conventional lawn)
Availability: numbers correspond to the Plant and Seed Sources List at: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/where-to-purchase-native-plants.html