Douglas Aster
Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Native to California and hardy in zones 4–8; it blooms Aug through Oct and reaches 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Oct
California · Zones 5–10
Native Plants for California
California is a land of Mediterranean chaparral, oak woodland, and coastal scrub. The plants below evolved with that climate (Mediterranean, summer-dry) and are hardy through zones 5–10, so once established they shrug off the local weather without fuss, fertilizer, or much water.
Californiathe Pacific Northwestthe desert Southwest
Ecoregion: Coast Ranges, Central Valley & Sierra Nevada
Collections for California
Find the right natives for your yard.
Each collection is filtered to what actually grows in California. Pick the goal that fits your conditions.
Pollinators
25 native species
For bees
23 native species
Butterflies
16 native species
Hummingbirds
12 native species
For birds
11 native species
Deer-resistant
22 native species
Full sun
27 native species
Drought-tolerant
23 native species
Clay soil
9 native species
Groundcovers
5 native species
Flowering shrubs
10 native species
Low-maintenance
9 native species
Evergreen
7 native species
Notable natives
Plants to know in California.
A cross-section of the 28 species native to your region — the workhorses worth starting with.
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
A California native at 15–25 ft tall that blooms May through Sep, comfortable in zones 7–9.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms May–Sep
Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Native to California and hardy in zones 3–7; it flowers in Apr and May and reaches 6–16 in.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 6–16 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Desert Marigold
Baileya multiradiata
Native to California and hardy in zones 7–11; it blooms Mar through Oct and reaches 12–18 in.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Mar–Oct
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
A California native at 1.5–3 ft tall that blooms Mar through May, comfortable in zones 4–9.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
A California native at 1.5–2.5 ft tall that blooms May through Jul, comfortable in zones 4–9.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Gregg's Mistflower
Conoclinium greggii
A California native at 1–2 ft tall that blooms May through Oct, comfortable in zones 7–10.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms May–Oct
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
2–4 ft tall and it blooms Jul through Sep — an easy fit for California, hardy in zones 3–9 here.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Red-Flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
Native to California and hardy in zones 5–8; it flowers in Mar and Apr and reaches 5–9 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 5–9 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
Native to California and hardy in zones 4–8; it blooms Apr through Jul and reaches 1.5–3 ft.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jul
Autumn Sage
Salvia greggii
2–3 ft tall and it blooms Apr through Oct — an easy fit for California, hardy in zones 7–10 here.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Oct
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Native to California and hardy in zones 6–10; it blooms Mar through Jun and reaches 8–18 in.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 8–18 in
- Blooms Mar–Jun
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
A California native at 2–4 ft tall that blooms Jun through Oct, comfortable in zones 7–10.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Oct
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
A California native at 5–10 ft tall that blooms Jun through Aug, comfortable in zones 5–9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
1.5–3 ft tall and it blooms May through Aug — an easy fit for California, hardy in zones 3–9 here.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms May–Aug
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Native to California and hardy in zones 3–10; it blooms Jun through Sep and reaches 1–2.5 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Sourcing
Where to buy California natives
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.