Native Plants of California: Best Species for Your Garden

The California state flower. Brilliant orange blooms carpet hillsides from February through May. Self-seeds prolifically and colonizes disturbed soil easily. Blooms best in poor, dry soil; rich soil produces more foliage and fewer flowers.

One of the most fragrant native plants in California. Intense blue-purple flower spikes in late spring. Extremely drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. The aromatic foliage deters most pests. A cornerstone of any California native garden.

Also called California holly or Christmas berry. The plant that gave Hollywood its name. Clusters of bright red berries in winter feed dozens of bird species. Evergreen shrub or small tree with white summer flowers.

Called the fried egg plant for its enormous white flowers with yellow centers, up to 9 inches across and the largest flower of any California native. Spreads aggressively by underground runners once established. Spectacular but requires space.

A small deciduous tree or large shrub that covers itself in bright magenta blooms before any leaves appear in early spring. Brilliant fall color. Seed pods persist through winter. One of the most ornamentally striking California natives.

Despite the name, a member of the iris family rather than a grass. Grass-like foliage with small violet-blue flowers. Ideal for rain gardens, lawn alternatives, and borders. Tolerates both dry and occasionally wet conditions.