- Native California Flowers \/ Succulents<\/a>
- Beardtongue (Penstemon)<\/a><\/li>
- Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)<\/a><\/li>
- California Cholla (Cylindropuntia californica)<\/a><\/li>
- California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)<\/a><\/li>
- California Milkweed (Asclepias californica)<\/a><\/li>
- California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)<\/a><\/li>
- Coastal Prickly Pear (Opuntia littoralis)<\/a><\/li>
- Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)<\/a><\/li>
- Coulter\u2019s Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)<\/a><\/li>
- Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana)<\/a><\/li>
- Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima)<\/a><\/li>
- Live-Forever (Dudleya)<\/a><\/li>
- Mountain Violet (Viola purpurea)<\/a><\/li>
- Sage (Salvia)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native California Shrubs \/ Trees<\/a>
- Buckwheat (Eriogonum)<\/a><\/li>
- Bush Anemone (Carpenteria californica)<\/a><\/li>
- Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus)<\/a><\/li>
- Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica)<\/a><\/li>
- California Gooseberry (Ribes californicum)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- California Lilac (Ceanothus)<\/a><\/li>
- California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)<\/a><\/li>
- Catalina Currant (Ribes viburnifolium)<\/a><\/li>
- Chaparral Mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus)<\/a><\/li>
- Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)<\/a><\/li>
- Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens)<\/a><\/li>
- Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron californicum)<\/a><\/li>
- Giant Wildrye (Leymus condensatus)<\/a><\/li>
- Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia)<\/a><\/li>
- Manzanita (Arctostaphylos)<\/a><\/li>
- Silver Lupine (Lupinus albifrons)<\/a><\/li>
- Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)<\/a><\/li>
- Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Native California Flowers \/ Succulents<\/h2>
Beardtongue (Penstemon<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Penstemon-spectabilis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: peganum<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> California has many native species of beardtongue flowers, which bloom in early spring with spectacular flowers that vary in color depending on the species. One of the most popular among native gardeners is the accurately named showy penstemon (Penstemon<\/em> spectabilis) <\/em>(pictured). <\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3a-9b depending on species
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun
<\/strong>Soil: <\/strong>Well-draining sandy or rocky soils
<\/strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
<\/strong>Height: <\/strong>6 inches to 4 feet depending on species
<\/strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Water 1 inch per week in summer, cut back stems after flowering season<\/p>Note:<\/strong> These native California flowers are full-sun plants. California homeowners can use them in garden beds without the shade of trees.<\/p>
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"small](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/rsz_5108399421_93a8bd452c_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Carlson <\/a>\/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Blue-eyed grass gets its common name from its grassy leaves and small blue or purple flowers that bloom from late winter through spring. This fire-resistant, easy-to-grow flower is a perfect colorful addition to California flower gardens. <\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>4a-9b
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade
Soil: <\/strong>Moist loam soils
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
Height: <\/strong>1 to 2 feet
Maintenance: <\/strong>Water occasionally during summer droughts<\/p>California Cholla (Cylindropuntia californica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/California-cholla-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Rusk<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> California cholla, aka snake cholla, aka cane cholla, grows in long snakelike cylinders that can both get very tall and sprawl to cover a lot of ground. The California cholla is a cactus, of course, so it has spines that aren\u2019t friendly for high-traffic areas, but it also has pretty yellow or green flowers with purplish red accents that could look great in your landscaping.<\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>8a-10b
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun
<\/strong>Soil: <\/strong>Any dry, fast-draining soil
<\/strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
Height: <\/strong>Up to 10 feet
<\/strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Make sure roots don\u2019t get too damp, otherwise they\u2019ll rot. <\/p>California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/California-fuchsia.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Curtis Clark<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The California fuchsia is a species of willowherb with bright red, thin flowers that somewhat resemble the flowers of a true fuchsia plant (thus the common name). It\u2019s sometimes called the hummingbird flower because its flowers, which bloom in summer and fall, are extremely attractive to hummingbirds.<\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>8a-10b
<\/strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun
<\/strong>Soil: <\/strong>Any well-draining soil
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
<\/strong>Height: <\/strong>3 to 18 inches
<\/strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Cut back to the ground after flowering season to promote healthy new growth, water once a month during summer in dry inland areas.<\/p>California Milkweed (Asclepias californica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"California](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/California-milkweed-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joe Decruyenaere<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The California milkweed is just one of the state\u2019s native milkweed species, most of which host monarchs and other butterflies. California milkweeds have thick, white, hairy stems that can add an interesting element to any flower garden, and they bloom in spring and summer with round clusters of tiny flowers that range in color from white to bright pink or lavender. <\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>7a-10b
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun
<\/strong>Soil: <\/strong>Sandy or clay soils
<\/strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
<\/strong>Height: <\/strong>Up to 3 feet
Maintenance: <\/strong>Avoid using pesticides on or near milkweeds because they\u2019re important wildlife plants. <\/p>California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-168.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Rojer Wisner \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure> The vibrant orange California poppy, California\u2019s state flower, is drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and often reseeds itself. Poppies bloom in spring, and in cooler parts of the state, the flowers can last all the way through the summer.<\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>5a-10b
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun
<\/strong>Soil: <\/strong>Well-draining sandy soils
<\/strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial in mild-winter regions, annual in areas with cold winters Height: 4 to 12 inches<\/p>Maintenance: <\/strong>Water occasionally during exceptionally dry growing seasons and cut them back to keep them contained as they spread readily. The California poppy is one of the most popular flowers grown in California because it\u2019s tough and can withstand dry conditions. <\/p>
Coastal Prickly Pear (Opuntia littoralis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"prickly](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Coastal-prickly-pear-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The coastal prickly pear is a species of cactus that varies in appearance but generally grows in tall, spreading clumps of flat oval-shaped branches, with bright red or yellow flowers and purplish fruits. Because the coastal prickly pear is a succulent, it doesn\u2019t need a lot of water and is perfect for water-wise gardens \u2014 just be careful of the sharp spines. <\/p>
Hardiness zones: <\/strong>9b-11b
<\/strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun
<\/strong>Soil: <\/strong>Sandy soils
<\/strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
<\/strong>Height: <\/strong>1 to 2 feet
<\/strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Make sure roots don\u2019t get too damp, otherwise they\u2019ll rot. <\/p>Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"cluster](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-170.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Yarrow has many common names, including nosebleed plant, old man\u2019s pepper, devil\u2019s nettle, and thousand-leaf. These California native flowers are often included in butterfly gardens due to their fragrant clusters of tiny white flowers that bloom during spring and summer.<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 3a-9b
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade, full shade
Soil:<\/strong> Tolerates most soil types
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Height:<\/strong> 1 to 3 feet
Maintenance: <\/strong>Cut off dead flowers to encourage more blooms, treat common problems like aphids, mildew, and stem rot as needed.<\/p>Coulter\u2019s Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Coulters-Matilija-Poppy.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David P. Hilss<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Coulter\u2019s Matilija poppy is native to dry chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities in Southern California, and it can sometimes grow in recently burned areas. The large, showy white flowers with bright yellow centers bloom in spring and summer, and the plant can spread aggressively if left unchecked. <\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 7a-11b
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun
Soil:<\/strong> Fast-draining sandy or gravelly soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Height:<\/strong> 6 to 10 feet
Maintenance:<\/strong> Cut down in late summer or fall to encourage new growth, pull shoots to prevent unwanted spreading. <\/p>Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Douglas-Iris.jpg\")
Photo Credit: mauropedro1969<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This wildflower has many cultivars in coastal Northern and Central California, with spring blooms in blue, purple, pink, white, or yellow. Some varieties grow in clumps and work well as a colorful groundcover in landscapes. <\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 7a-9b
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade, full shade
Soil:<\/strong> Rich, moist soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Height:<\/strong> Up to 2.6 feet
Maintenance:<\/strong> Water every two to four weeks during summer in dry areas.<\/p>Island Alum Root (Heuchera<\/em> maxima<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Island-alum-root-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Curtis Clark<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Island alum root, aka Jill-of-the-rocks, is native only to the Channel Islands off California\u2019s coast, but it thrives in many gardens on the mainland, where it does best in coastal areas but can grow inland as well. Its tiny, round, bright pink flowers bloom in upright clusters that hummingbirds love to snack on.<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 8b-11b
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade, full shade
Soil:<\/strong> Well-draining sandy or rocky soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Height:<\/strong> 1 to 2 feet
Maintenance:<\/strong> May need to water regularly depending on location.<\/p>Live-Forever (Dudleya<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"yellow-green](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Live-forever.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stan Shebs<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> California is home to 40+ native species of Dudleya <\/em>succulents, many of which are referred to as \u201clive-forevers\u201d because they last for up to 100 years in the wild. There are branching and non-branching varieties, most of which have green or silvery-white leaves and sprout flowers in late winter or early spring.<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 6a-11b
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun on the coast, afternoon shade in inland areas
Soil:<\/strong> Fast-draining soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Height:<\/strong> 1 to 2 feet
Maintenance:<\/strong> Treat for pests attracted to this plant, including aphids, mealybugs<\/a>, gnats, slugs, and snails. <\/p>Mountain Violet (
- Bush Anemone (Carpenteria californica)<\/a><\/li>
- Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)<\/a><\/li>
- Beardtongue (Penstemon)<\/a><\/li>