Collection: California Native Shrubs & Trees

California native shrubs and trees give a garden structure, scale, shelter, and a strong connection to place. Evergreen foliage, seasonal flowers, berries, seed, bark, and branching forms can provide year-round interest while offering food, cover, or nesting opportunities for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Choose woody plants by mature height and width, growth rate, root space, and distance from buildings, paths, utilities, and property lines. California spans coastal fog belts, deserts, valleys, mountains, and many habitats in between, so native does not mean one-size-fits-all. Sun, soil, drainage, cold tolerance, and summer-water needs vary considerably by species and regional origin.

Use larger selections as specimen trees, screens, or background structure, and place compact shrubs in mixed borders, habitat gardens, slopes, and containers. Provide appropriate establishment water, then adjust irrigation to the plant and local climate. Thoughtful placement at planting time prevents a charming youngster from becoming an inconvenient giant later.

Explore more: Browse California native plants, explore native perennials, or shop plants by type. This collection may include garden-ready plants and seed packets as inventory changes.

Garden planning: native shrubs for bees, butterflies, and birds.