Grindelia hirsutula
“ San Francisco Gumweed”

Highly recommended by our propagator Anni Jensen, whose home garden receives absolutely NO SUMMER WATER, native to much of California, it's surprising that this attractive Summer blooming native is so rare in gardens. To 2' tall and 3' across, it forms a dense multi-branching mound of bright green foliage topped by a profusion of 2” golden yellow daisies that emerge from fascinating buds. EASY, fast and reliable, it attracts butterflies, too. An excellent choice for native gardens or anywhere your hose won't reach! Seed locally collected.

Sun Avg./Low water Perennial
DROUGHT TOLERANT
USDA zones 8-11

Isoplexis sceptrum
“Bush Foxglove”

Rare & spectacular! And aren't we lucky, cause this native of Madeira thrives best in a mild coastal climate like ours! Forming a bushy, evergreen shrub, 4' tall & 3' across, it displays luxurious, large, lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges, borne on clusters at branch ends. For a long period in Summer, the striking upright flower spikes appear, each 15” long & bearing flared tubular rusty apricot “foxglove” blooms. Nice in a large container as well as a sunny to part-shady garden. Rich, moist soil is best. Can be grown in a large container.

Pt. Shade/Brt. Shade Avg. water Shrub
USDA zones 9-10

Oenothera missouriensis
"Sundrops"

Maybe this tough drought tolerant beautiful long blooming and reliable perennial is common in its native Midwest, but we are thrilled to grow it out here in California! Its huge, 4” silky lemon yellow flowers are held upright above the dense linear foliage from May through August here, especially when deadheaded. Highly adaptable, drought tolerant and heat tolerant, it thrives in hotter deserty areas, as well as our foggy coastal zone. Some folks say it spreads a lot, but that's certainly not true here in USDA zone 10. Besides, I cut it back severely after it's done blooming, so it probably doesn't get the chance. To 1' tall and 2' across, it's a perfect showy addition to a well-drained rock garden, parking strip or even a container sidedress with compost for a fabulous show.

Sun Avg./Low water Perennial
DROUGHT TOLERANT
USDA zones 4-10

Phytolacca acinosa
"Himalayan Pokeberry"

We are so lucky to be the only nursery in the U.S. to offer this extremely rare non-invasive Pokeweed. Known as Shang-lu in Chinese herbology, “Himalayan Pokeberry” forms a handsome 4' x 4' perennial with densely held, bold, rich green foliage. Spikes of ornamental waxy white flowers are borne in early Summer followed by super showy upright clusters of glossy purple berries that last till August. The berries are used to make dye. Grow in full sun to part sun in rich well-drained soil for best show. Deciduous. WARNING: Poisonous. Do not eat.

Sun/Pt. Sun Avg. water Perennial
USDA zones 8-10

Sideritis canariensis

You know how there are some plants that you just can't resist? Well, this is one of those plants for me. Extremely rare and easy to grow (Woo-hoo!), this native of the Canary Islands just loves it here in coastal California. To about 3' tall with an elegant form, I adore its large dramatic heart shaped outward arching leaves. Of a lovely sage green color, they're very soft to the touch and outlined with a fuzzy, silvery white edge as well as being fuzzy silver white on the undersides. The stems are also covered with the fuzz and so are the bloom spikes, which begin in June and continue all Summer. Rising 1' above the foliage, the narrow dense white spikes are fascinating, light up the garden and are great for tactile therapy! I grow mine in well-drained soil and side-dress with compost in the Spring. For extra garden thrills, combine with gentian blue Anchusa capensis, Cotula lineariloba and Sideritis cypria. Cut back to 10” in Winter.

Sun Avg./Low water Perennial
DROUGHT TOLERANT
DEER RESISTANT
USDA zones 9-11