Rewild Santa Ana

Recommended Plants

Here are a few of our favorites that thrive in our region and can usually be found nearby at nearby nurseries.
A picture of Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow).

Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow)

An all-star plant. Wildlife love the blooms, but Common Yarrow can also be used for a lawn.
Size: 2' W x 2' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer
A picture of Aesculus californica (California Buckeye).

Aesculus californica (California Buckeye)

Typically grown as a multi-trunk tree, the buckeye produces flushes of large candle-like clusters of white flowers during the spring and summer. The flowers are a favorite for our native bees, but are toxic to the european honey bee. Drops its leaves in summer but can hold on to them slightly longer with supplemental water.
Size: 40' W x 13 - 40' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer
A picture of Agrostis pallens (Thingrass).

Agrostis pallens (Thingrass)

A true turf replacement. Unfortunately, the turf rebate program considers this too similar to turf to count for the rebate.
Size: 1' W x 2' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring
A picture of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) — Ground cover.

Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) — Ground cover

Recommendedations:

  • A. 'John Dourley'
  • A. 'Pacific Mist'
Manzanita are known for their dark red bark and slow growth. They need little maintenance and generally pruning should be avoided. Manzanita berries are edible and can be processed into a cider-like drink.
Size: 6 - 8' W x 2' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) — Mid-sized Shrub.

Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) — Mid-sized Shrub

Recommendedations:

  • A. glauca (Bigberry Manzanita)
Manzanita are known for their dark red bark and slow growth. They need little maintenance and generally pruning should be avoided. Manzanita berries are edible and can be processed into a cider-like drink.
Size: 12' W x 15' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) — Small shrub.

Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) — Small shrub

Recommendedations:

  • A. glandulosa ssp. glandulosa (Eastwood Manzanita)
  • A, 'Howard McMinn'
Manzanita are known for their dark red bark and slow growth. They need little maintenance and generally pruning should be avoided. Manzanita berries are edible and can be processed into a cider-like drink.
Size: 8' W x 3 - 12' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Artemisia californica (California Sagebrush).

Artemisia californica (California Sagebrush)

Recommendedations:

  • A. californica 'Canyon Gray'
Aromatic silvery-green foliage. The 'Canyon Gray' cultivar is lower growing and more tolerant of clay soil.
Size: 4 - 8' W x 2 - 4' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, summer
A picture of Asclepias fascicularis (Narrow Leaf Milkweed).

Asclepias fascicularis (Narrow Leaf Milkweed)

A wonderful habitat plant and critical for our monarch population. However, not the most attractive. Recommended to tuck one into a sunny border where it can blend in with other greenery. And always plant our native milkweed because others are reported to promote the spread of disease among monarchs.
Size: 2' W x 3' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, summer
A picture of Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea (Coyote Brush).

Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea (Coyote Brush)

Recommendedations:

  • B. pilularis 'Pozo Surf'
  • B. pilularis 'Pigeon-Point'
  • B. pilularis 'Twin Peaks No. 2'
An adaptable low growing shrub with a lovely bright green hue. Coyote Brush is an important habitat plant and its evergreen leaves provides a nice foundation in a garden.
Size: 7 - 8' W x 2 - 6' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, summer, winter
A picture of Carex praegracilis (Field Sedge).

Carex praegracilis (Field Sedge)

A true turf replacement. Can be mowed but looks wonderful long in a field. Prefers seasonally wet locations and does well around swales.
Size: 3' W x 1.5' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: summer
A picture of Ceanothus (California Lilac) — Ground cover.

Ceanothus (California Lilac) — Ground cover

Recommendedations:

  • C. 'Valley Violet'
  • C. 'Centennial'
A wonderful fast growing shrub. Flowers can be white or blue depending on selection.
Size: 4' W x 2' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: spring
A picture of Ceanothus (California Lilac) — Mid-sized Shrub.

Ceanothus (California Lilac) — Mid-sized Shrub

Recommendedations:

  • C. arboreus (Island Ceanothus)
  • C. 'Ray Hartman'
  • C. megacarpus (Big Pod Ceanothus)
  • C. oliganthus var. oliganthus (Hairy Ceanothus)
Ceanothus is a diverse group of evergreen shrubs. The mid-sized species can be pruned as a small tree.
Size: 10 - 30' W x 10 - 30' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Cercocarpus betuloides (Mountain Mahogany).

Cercocarpus betuloides (Mountain Mahogany)

A very distinct and attractive shrub with unique feather like seeds. Takes pruning well and has a habit to grow tall and upright, which makes it great for hedges or narrow spaces.
Size: 10 - 12' W x 8 - 20' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow).

Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow)

Recommendedations:

  • C. linearis 'Bubba'
A small tree with fragrant trumpet-shaped blooms that are a favorite nectar source for bees, hummingbirds, and butterfly. The 'Bubba' cultivar produces more blooms and is an absolute show stopper. This is a wonderful tree for small gardens.
Size: 20' W x 20' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, spring, summer
A picture of Claytonia perfoliata (Rooreh).

Claytonia perfoliata (Rooreh)

An attractive annual herb that can be used as a salad green. Can be grown into early summer, when lettuce would normally bolt. Seeds are available from Theodore Payne nursery.
Size: 1' W x 1' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Clinopodium douglasii (Yerba Buena).

Clinopodium douglasii (Yerba Buena)

Wonderful aromatic ground cover, makes a great tea. Delicate white flowers. Perfect for a shady border or in a hanging basket. Stems will root in the ground as it grows.
Size: 5' W x 1' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer
A picture of Eriogonum (Buckwheat).

Eriogonum (Buckwheat)

Recommendedations:

  • E. fasciculatum (California Buckwheat)
  • E. fasciculatum var. fasciculatum (California Buckwheat var. fasciculatum)
  • E. parvifolium (Sea Cliff Buckwheat)
  • E. arborescens (Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat)
  • E. crocatum (Conejo Buckwheat)
One of the most important and diverse plants groups to California. Buckwheats are abuntant nectar sources, the seeds feed birds or can be processed into flour, and the leaves support numerous caterpillar. Flowers can range from white, pink, red, or yellow. E. crocatum is particularly striking with woolly silvery leaves and bright sulfur yellow flowers.
Size: 3 - 6' W x 3 - 5' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, spring, summer
A picture of Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy).

Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)

A favorite among gardeners near and far. The poppy is a short lived perennial that grows and spreads without any extra care. Beautiful cup shaped flowers during the spring.
Size: 2' W x 2' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, spring, summer
A picture of Frangula californica (California coffeeberry).

Frangula californica (California coffeeberry)

Recommendedations:

  • F. californica 'Eve Case'
  • F. californica 'Leatherleaf'
  • F. californica 'Mound San Bruno'
Makes berries that change from green to dark red from late summer through fall. The common cultivars offered are smaller than the species.
Size: 6 - 15' W x 6 - 15' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: summer
A picture of Heteromeles (Toyon).

Heteromeles (Toyon)

Recommendedations:

  • H. arbutifolia (Toyon)
  • H. arbutifolia 'Davis Gold'
Can be pruned to almost any shape and size. Makes red berries in winter that birds love. The 'Davis Gold' cultivar has yellow berries instead.
Size: 15' W x 20' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: summer
A picture of Isocoma menziesii (Menzies' Goldenbush).

Isocoma menziesii (Menzies' Goldenbush)

Semi-summer deciduous with small bright yellow blooms. Provides an important nectar source during summer. Numerous small native bees are attracted to it.
Size: 4' W x 4 - 5' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, spring, summer
A picture of Juglans californica (Southern California Black Walnut).

Juglans californica (Southern California Black Walnut)

A beautiful tree for large spaces. The walnuts are edible but difficult to process. Drops its leaves in winter
Size: 50 - 75' W x 50 - 75' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: spring
A picture of Lepechinia fragrans (Fragrant Pitcher Sage).

Lepechinia fragrans (Fragrant Pitcher Sage)

An amazing smelling low shrub with pale fuzzy leaves and small but attractive blooms.
Size: 5' W x -2' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, spring, summer
A picture of Lyonothamnus floribundus (Catalina Ironwood/Island Ironwood).

Lyonothamnus floribundus (Catalina Ironwood/Island Ironwood)

Large flower clusters, attractive bark and fern-like foliage makes this an especially attractive tree in the landscape. Prefers good drainage but can tolerate heavy soil. Beautiful in groves.
Size: 20' W x 40' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer
A picture of Malva assurgentiflora (Malva Rosa).

Malva assurgentiflora (Malva Rosa)

A great native alternative to hibiscus, and very attractive to butterflies.
Size: 8' W x 8' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer, winter
A picture of Mirabilis laevis (Desert Wishbone-bush).

Mirabilis laevis (Desert Wishbone-bush)

An excellent ground cover with bright pink blooms in spring. Prefers drainage, but tolerates clay—especially when planted on a small mound. Goes dormant in summer but still looks nice in dormancy.
Size: 8' W x 1' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Monardella villosa (Coyote Mint).

Monardella villosa (Coyote Mint)

Grows near Santa Barbara and north further north. But the leaves have a lovely scent and butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds enjoy it as a nectar source.
Size: 3' W x 2' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: summer
A picture of Muhlenbergia rigens (Deergrass).

Muhlenbergia rigens (Deergrass)

A large mounding grass that provides wonderful structure to the garden year around.
Size: 4' W x 4 - 5' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring
A picture of Penstemon — Perennial.

Penstemon — Perennial

Recommendedations:

  • P. centranthifolius (Scarlet Bugler)
  • P. heterophyllus (Foothill Penstemon)
  • P. spectabilis (Showy Penstemon)
  • P. heterophyllus 'Margarita BOP'
Showy perennials that hummingbirds and bees adore. Flowers bloom along a long stem and can range from white, blue, or red depending on species.
Size: 2 - 8' W x 3 - 6' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer, winter
A picture of Platanus racemosa (California Sycamore).

Platanus racemosa (California Sycamore)

Recommendedations:

  • P. racemosa 'Roberts'
A fast growing plant that likes a regular water. Sycamore are one of Santa Ana's approved street trees. 'Roberts' is a disease resistant cultivar.
Size: 40' W x 50' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Prunus (Cherry).

Prunus (Cherry)

Recommendedations:

  • P. ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry)
  • P. ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry)
A hardy evergreen that forms edible fruits in summer. A favorite for birds. Can handle dry, rocky slopes but tend to grow larger where there is more moisture.
Size: 5 - 20' W x 5 - 40' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Quercus (Oaks).

Quercus (Oaks)

Recommendedations:

  • Q. agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
  • Q. engelmannii (Engelmann Oak)
Large graceful trees that are known around the world for how much life they support. Native oaks require full sun and dry summers.
Size: 30 - 90' W x 30 - 80' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Quercus berberidifolia (Scrub Oak).

Quercus berberidifolia (Scrub Oak)

Scrub Oaks are tough, compact shrubs with rigid, somewhat prickly leaves. Known around the world for how much life they support. Native oaks require full sun and dry summers.
Size: 15' W x 15 - 20' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Rhus (Sumac).

Rhus (Sumac)

Recommendedations:

  • R. integrifolia (Lemonade Berry)
  • R. ovata (Sugar Bush)
  • R. aromatica (Fragrant Sumac)
Sumacs are tough, drought-tolerant, and provide food and shelter for wildlife. They handle pruning very well and can even be cut all the way to the ground periodically to encourage new shoots. Recommended varieties have edible red berries.
Size: 8 - 30' W x 8 - 30' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Ribes (Currant).

Ribes (Currant)

Recommendedations:

  • R. indecorum (White Flowering Currant)
  • R. speciosum (Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry)
  • R. viburnifolium (Catalina Currant)
  • R. aureum (Golden Currant)
Forms edible fruit which is an important food source for many bird species. Beautiful when in bloom, but winter deciduous.
Size: 3 - 8' W x 3 - 8' H
Growth Rate: SLOW
Light:
Flowering Season: spring
A picture of Rosa californica (California Wildrose).

Rosa californica (California Wildrose)

Less showy than traditional roses, but the flowers are attractive and the rose hips are a beautiful deep red.
Size: 10' W x 10' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer
A picture of Salvia (Sage).

Salvia (Sage)

Recommendedations:

  • S. apiana (White Sage)
  • S. mellifera (Black Sage)
  • S. clevelandii (Cleveland Sage)
  • S. spathacea (Hummingbird Sage)
An adaptable genus that hummingbirds love. White Sage and Hummingbird Sage are especially nice fragrances but there's all kinds.
Size: 3 - 10' W x 3 - 6' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, summer, winter
A picture of Scrophularia californica (Bee Plant).

Scrophularia californica (Bee Plant)

A wonderful plant for wildlife and for back of perennial borders.
Size: 3' W x 4' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Sisyrinchium bellum (Blue-eyed Grass).

Sisyrinchium bellum (Blue-eyed Grass)

A tough perennial that does great in our clay soil once established. Dies back after flowering in summer.
Size: 2' W x 1' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: spring, winter
A picture of Solidago californica (California Goldenrod).

Solidago californica (California Goldenrod)

Can be an aggressive spreader but pirds and pollinating insects love this plant. A wonderful addition to a habitat garden.
Size: 3' W x 2 - 5' H
Growth Rate: FAST
Light:
Flowering Season: fall, summer
A picture of Stipa pulchra (Purple Needle Grass).

Stipa pulchra (Purple Needle Grass)

Our state grass. Produces a large amount of seeds, which attract birds and other wildlife. But avoid planting where pets will go—the needles on seeds can get stuck in fur.
Size: 2' W x 3' H
Growth Rate: AVERAGE
Light:
Flowering Season: spring
A tiny bee enjoying a late blooming fuchsia.