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California Native Plant Society

Santa Clara Valley Chapter

Gardening With Natives

Where to Buy Native Plants

Here are sources for California native plants in the Bay Area and beyond:
Call before visiting nurseries. All cities are located in California. Also see the California Native Plant Link Exchange for additional sources for native plants.

NURSERIES AND SEED SOURCES

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Annie's Annuals & Perennials 740 Market Ave.
Richmond, CA 94801
(510) 215-3301
Retail and mail order nursery with a large section dedicated to native plants.
Bay Natives 10 Cargo Way
San Francisco 94124
(415) 287-6755
Wholesale and retail nursery with a selection of rare and endemic Bay Area native plants as well as species from across the state.
Berkeley Horticultural Nursery 1310 McGee Avenue
Berkeley 94703
(510) 526-4704
Retail with one section devoted to natives.
California Flora Nursery PO Box 3, Somers and D Street
Fulton 95439
(707) 528 8813
Cal Flora is  devoted to natives and habitat gardening with an exceptional diversity of offerings. Knowledgeable and experienced with attention to local Bay Area needs and conditions.
California Native Landscapes 254 Shoreline Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 888-8471
Organic, chemical-free, California native plants. Specializes in natural habitat restoration, pollinator friendly plants
Capital Wholesale Nursery 2938 Everdale Drive
San Jose, CA 95148
(408) 239-0589
Uncommon perennials, Mediterranean and California natives. Both wholesale and retail
Central Coast Wilds 336 A Golf Club Drive
Santa Cruz 95060
(831) 459-0656
California native seeds, plants, revegetation, consulting, and habitat restoration for professionals and home gardeners.
CNPS SCV Nursery CNPS SCV Nursery at Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter's nursery. Public sale in October. Periodic pop-up sales.
East Bay Wilds Native Plant Nursery 28th Ave at Foothill Blvd
Fruitvale District of Oakland
510-409-5858
Call for hours. Native plants plus demonstration garden.
Grassroots Ecology Native Plant Nursery Foothills Park
Palo Alto
650-949-3158
Most plants grown from local native stock. Order online and pick up plants at the nursery.
Larner Seeds PO Box 407
235 Grove Road
Bolinas 94971
(415) 868-9407
Mail order seeds and California native wildflowers, perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees. Demonstration garden. Retail plants at the nursery from October through July.
Las Pilitas Nursery 3232 Las Pilitas Rd
Santa Margarita, CA 93453
(805) 438-5992 
Mail order and on-site nursery. Extensive native plants list. Excellent descriptions of plants along with planting guidelines.
Linda Vista Native Plants San Jose.
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Order online with plant pickup in Saratoga. Occasional public sales announced to their email list.
Mission Blue Nursery 1 Mountain Flora Parkway
Brisbane, CA 940056
(415) 467-6631
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Quarterly and by-appointment sales. Mission Blue Nursery grows plants entirely from seeds and cuttings collected on San Bruno Mountain.
Mostly Natives Nursery 54 B Street, Unit D
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 663-8835
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Wholesale and retail coastal natives and drought-tolerant plants. Call for open hours.
Native Here Nursery 101 Golf Course Drive in Tilden Regional Park
Berkeley 94708
(510) 549-0211
Alameda and Contra Costa County natives. Nursery is operated by East Bay CNPS for East Bay Regional Parks District. Tuesday noon-3pm, Friday 9am-noon, Saturday 10am-1pm.
Native Revival Nursery (831) 684-1811 Online-only. Wholesale and retail seeds and plants, contract collection and growing, revegetation and restoration. 
Oaktown Native Plant Nursery 702 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA
(510) 387-9744
Retail and wholesale. Offers contract growing for restoration and large landscaping projects.
Our City Forest 1000 Spring St.
San Jose, CA 95110
(408)785-2302
Retail
Pacific Coast Seed 533 Hawthorne Place
Livermore 94550
(925) 373-4417 or (800) 733-3462
Wholesale or through local nurseries. Wildflower and grass seeds.
Payless Nursery 2927 S. King Road
San Jose 95122
(4080 274-7815
This independent nursery devotes a section to a varied selection of native trees, shrubs and perennials. Address your native plant questions to Wanda Olson.
Rana Nursery 7480 Williams Ranch Road
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 659-3820
Native grass seed production and four-acre native plant nursery. Wholesale only. Revegetation, seed, container, and bare root plants.
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Southpark Drive and Wildcat Canyon Road in Tilden Regional Park
Berkeley 94708
(510) 841-8732
Check website for sale hours.
San Diego Chapter, California Native Plant Society seed store

Contact Form
San Diego, CA

Sells California native seeds primarily from Southern California in small quantities for home and demonstration gardens
Seedhunt PO Box 96
Freedom 95019
Mail order annual and perennial seed with hard to find selections and about one-third native
Sierra Azul Nursery & Gardens 2660 East Lake Avenue (Highway 152)
Watsonville 95076
(831) 763 0939
Mediterranean, native, and water-conserving plants for California displayed in demonstration gardens as well as the nursery.
S&S Seeds P.O. Box 1275
Carpinteria, CA 93014
(805) 684-0436
Wholesale seeds, with $150 minimum order. 
SummerWinds Nursery 725 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 493-5136
Retail. There are several locations, but the Palo Alto store has the best selection of natives. Ask for Judith for assistance.
Suncrest Nurseries, Inc 400 Casserly Road
Watsonville 95076
(831) 728-2595
Wholesale only. See website for retail outlets. Develops new and unusual coastal plants with some natives.
Tree of Life Nursery PO Box 635
33201 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano 92693
(949) 728-0685
Wholesale and retail. Contract collects and grows. Round House Plant Store has plants and books for home gardener.
Watershed Nursery 601 A Canal Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 234-22225
Retail native plants. Contract collects and grows.
Yerba Buena Nursery 12511 San Mateo Rd. (Hwy 92)
Half Moon Bay
(650) 851-1668
Retail native plants with some seed. 

NATIVE PLANT SALES

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Strybing Arboretum Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave at Lincoln Way, San Francisco (415) 661-1316 Saturday sales with one for natives in the autumn.
University of California Berkeley Botanical Garden 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley (510) 642-3343 Autumn sale with some natives that are hard to find.
University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum Empire Grade at Western Drive, Santa Cruz (831) 427-2998 Joint sale with CNPS Santa Cruz Chapter in April.

ONLINE SOURCES & RESOURCES

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California Gardens   Extensive list of California native plants. Pictures and plant descriptions. Ojai, California e-business.
California Native Grass Association   Information packets, seed sources, workshops, website resources. Primary focus is grassland restoration, but resource list is broader.
El Nativo Growers Inc (626) 969-8449 Good source of information on natives in the landscape. Wholesale only.
San Marcos Growers (805) 683-1561 This page has links to the database entries for all of the California native plants that they grow and also features articles about native plants and links to other sites that have information about California native plants. The information is written by staff horticulturist Randy Baldwin with contributuions by Carol Bornstein. Wholesale only.
The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants Inc. 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley 91352 (818) 768-1802 Promotes and restores landscapes and habitats, propagates and sells native plants and educates about native plants. Sells native seeds in quantity.

Local Perennial Native Grasses

by Sally Casey, April 1999

Full Sun Grasses
 
Scientific Name Common Name Blooms Comments
 
Danthonia californica California Wild Oat Grass Apr - June To 40", generally 2½' to 3'
Danthonia californica americana Hairy California Wild Oat Grass Apr - May Shorter than species; hairy sheath
Festuca idahoensis Blue Bunch Grass Apr - June To 40"; generally lower; open panicle
Festuca rubra Red Fescue May - June To 40"; open panicle
Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow Barley Apr - June To 28"; inflorescence a spike
Koeleria macrantha June Grass Apr - June To 24"; inflorescence an interrupted spike
Melica californica Western Melica Mar - June To 52"; generally 3'; dies down in summer
Nessella cernua Nodding Needle Grass Apr - May To 3'; inflorescence more delicate than N. pulchra
Nesella pulchra Purple Needle Grass Mar - June To 40"; generally 2½' to 3'
Poa secunda secunda Pine Bluegrass Feb - May To 40"; generally 24"
 
Partial Sun - Shade Grasses
 
Scientific Name Common Name Blooms Comments
 
Bromus carinatus California Brome Annual - Biennial Mar - July 40" - 48"; open panicle
Elymus californicus California Bottle Brush Grass May - July To 80"; generally 6'
Melica imperfecta Small Flowered Melica Mar - June To 44"; generally 24" - 30"; inflorescence open
Melica torreyana Torrey's Melica Mar - July To 40"; generally lower, spreading; inflorescence strict
Muhlenbergia rigens Deergrass June - Sept Leaves to 2½' to 3'; spiked inflorescence to 5'; dramatic
 
Shade Grasses
 
Scientific Name Common Name Blooms Comments
 
Bromus laevipes Woodland Brome Grass May - July To 3'; generally lower; inflorescence folded hand
Deschampsia elongata Slender Hair Grass May - July Low tuft, inflorescence to 40", generally lower
Festuca californica California Fescue Mar - May 3' +; open panicle
Festuca occidentalis Western Fescue Apr - July To 40"; generally lower; open panicle
Hierochloe occidentalis California Vanilla Grass Jan - May To 36"; generally lower
Melica geyeri Geyer's Onion Grass Mar - July To 80"; generally 4'; bulbous base
Melica subulata Alaska Onion Grass Mar - July To 48"; bulbous base
Trisetum canescens Tall Trisetum May - Aug To 32"
 
With one exception (Muhlenbergia rigens), all of the above grasses are found between Route 280 and Skyline. Muhlenbergia rigens grows from Monterey County south, in the central valley, the foothills of and in the Sierra Nevada mountains east to Texas and into Mexico.

CULTURE: Plant 4" or gallon can size in late fall just before the rains. Use compost (but no fertilizer) as a mulch. March is the second-best planting time.

SOURCES: Most of the common names and blooming periods are taken from Thomas' Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California; heights are from Munz' A California Flora; modified heights are my local observations.

Gardening with Natives Resources and Handouts

lesser goldfinches California fuchsia

Here are links to some of our popular handouts.  Free to download.

Butterfly Gardening

calscape.org: CNPS database of native plants and associated butterflies and moths (both host and nectar plants). Searchable.

California Plants as Resources for Lepidoptera: a document that lists many moth and butterfly species and their host & nectar plants

BUTTERFLY GARDENING: SELECTED REFERENCES

Arbuckle, Nancy and Cedric Crocker (eds.). 1991. How to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies. Ortho Books.

Caldwell, Jeff. Notes on Larval Food Plants of Some Bay Area Butterflies. 3pp.-xeroxed

Garth, John S. and J.W. Tilden. 1986. California Butterflies. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Stewart, Bob. 1997. Common Butterflies of California. Point Reyes Station, CA: West Coast Lady Press.

Stokes, Donald, Lillian Stokes and Ernest Williams. 1991. The Butterfly Book: An Easy Guide to Butterfly Gardening, Identification, and Behavior. Little, Brown and Company.

Tekulsky, Mathew. 1985. The Butterfly Garden. Boston: The Harvard Common Press.

Xerces Society/Smithsonian Institution. 1990. Butterfly Gardening. Sierra Club Books.

Locally Native Trees for Landscaping

Locally Native Trees to Plant at Your School or Home

By Jeff Caldwell

With the possible exception of the coast redwood and white alder, most of our locally native trees deserve to be cultivated more often in the San Francisco Bay area. Many are beautiful and easy to grow--they are well adapted to our climate and soils. Native trees offer special values for wildlife as well.

Big-leaf maple is a very attractive species, and also fast growing--it deserves a place in more landscapes.

The gray pine is a quite ornamental tree in cultivation and more drought tolerant and more resistant to air pollution than most pines.

Contrary to general opinion, the valley oak and coast live oak, two beautiful heritage species, grow fairly quickly and are easy to cultivate. While ancient trees which grew to maturity under summer dry conditions may resent irrigation, young oaks adapt to garden watering. Indeed, under garden conditions seedling oaks may reach 25 feet in ten years--they actually grow faster than many commonly planted trees! Our native oaks deserve to be planted far more often than they are; happily, they are becoming more popular.

The California nutmeg is an unusual conifer and not difficult to grow, though a bit slow. Its needles are extremely sharp, so it should not be planted near a path.

Our California laurel becomes a stately tree. It is slow growing, but well-situated specimens are a fine gift to future generations.

The coast redwood is met with often enough in cultivation locally, some say too often. It would be refreshing to see it mixed more often in man-made landscapes with its proven companions in the natural landscape, especially Douglas fir, tanbark oak and California laurel. Other possible redwood companions include big-leaf maple, white alder, coast live oak, interior live oak, California nutmeg, black cottonwood, and madrone.

Many people long to grow the madrone, one of the world's most beautiful broadleaf evergreen trees. It has not proven easy to cultivate, but if you like a gardening challenge, try this treasure!

Two of our native trees regarded as "ugly ducklings" deserve to be mentioned here especially for those who garden with wildlife in mind.

The California buckeye has lovely structure, interesting fruits, spectacular flowers, exquisite spring foliage--but a decided off-season as the deciduous leaves turn brown in the summer; it is the first to drop its leaves. Its flowers are despised by some because their pollen is somewhat toxic to the non-native honeybee, but no flowers have more value to butterflies. In bloom this tree may be festooned with butterflies; we have seen seven species nectaring on one tree simultaneously! The tiger swallowtail, mourning cloak, California sister, California tortoiseshell, spring azure and many others visit this tree. It is easy to grow.

The blue elderberry is considered too coarse and "common" by many gardeners, but the summer fruits attract a wider range of birds than any other tree. Songbirds favor it highly for food and nesting. It is easy to grow and very fast. A stump-sprouter, it is amenable to pruning, which may help keep it presentable.

 


Native Trees of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties

Aceraceae (Maple Family)
Acer macrophyllum big-leaf maple
Acer negundo var. californicum box elder
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Alnus rhombifolia white alder
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Sambucus mexicana blue elderberry
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Arbutus menziesii Pacific madrone
Fagaceae (Oak Family)
Lithocarpus densiflorus tanbark oak
Quercus agrifolia coast live oak
Quercus chrysolepis canyon live oak
Quercus douglasii blue oak
Quercus garryana Oregon white oak
Quercus kelloggii California black oak
Quercus lobata valley oak
Quercus wislizeni interior live oak
Hippocastanaceae (Buckeye Family)
Aesculus californica California buckeye
Lauraceae (Laurel Family)
Umbellularia californica California laurel
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Fraxinus dipetala flowering ash
Fraxinus latifolia Oregon ash
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Pinus attenuata knobcone pine
Pinus ponderosa Pacific ponderosa pine
Pinus sabiniana gray pine
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir
Platanaceae (Sycamore Family)
Platanus racemosa Western sycamore
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii Fremont cottonwood
Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa black cottonwood
Salix laevigata red willow
Salix lasiolepis arroyo willow
Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra shining willow
Taxaceae (Yew Family)
Torreya californica California nutmeg
Taxodiaceae (Bald Cypress Family)
Sequoia sempervirens redwood

 


References:

Ferris, Roxana S. 1968. Native Shrubs of the San Francisco Bay Region. University of California Press.
Hickman, James C. (ed.). 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. University of California Press.
Metcalf, Woodbridge. 1959. Native Trees of the San Francisco Bay Region. University of California Press.
Sharsmith, Helen K. 1982. Flora of the Mount Hamilton Range of California. California Native Plant Society.
Thomas, John Hunter. 1961. Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Stanford University Press.

Prepared by Jeff Caldwell (revised 2/98)

Hummingbird Plants

California Native Hummingbird Plants

Originally by Ellie Gioumousis (revised 8/18/2019)

Hummingbirds seem to favor red flowers, possibly because bees tend to avoid red flowers resulting in more nectar in them. They also prefer flowers with tubular shapes, which are a perfect fit for their long beaks and tongues. Hummingbirds do not rely on nectar alone though; a significant percent of their diet comes from insects and arthropods, so leave the bugs for the birds.

Aquilegia formsa (Western columbine)
Will take sun or shade but takes more water in sun. It blooms in spring with delightful red and yellow hanging flowers.
Arctostaphylos (Manzanita)
Many species; blooms from January to March and is drought tolerant. Part sun to light shade. Berries provide food for other birds.
Chilopsis linearis (Desert-willow)
This small tree grows by washes and oases in the desert so does need some water. It has beautiful rose- lavender flowers and needs heat to bloom.
Cirsium occidentale (California thistle)
This is the cobweb thistle, a native. It has white foliage and a brilliant red flower and is not invasive. It grows in open woodlands in this area. It is an extremely good source of nectar.
Cynoglossum grande (Hound's tongue)
This is a native forget-me-not that is found in open woods and blooms in March. It is fairly drought tolerant when established, going completely dormant in summer.
Delphinium cardinale (Cardinal or Scarlet larkspur)
Beautiful brilliant red flowers on 2' to 5' stalks blooming from May to June. Needs good drainage, partial shade and regular water while growing. Goes dormant in summer.
Diplacus aurantiacus (Sticky monkeyflower)
This 4 foot shrub is covered with orange/yellow flowers in the spring and early summer. Both hummingbirds and butterflies love it.
Epilobium sp. (formerly Zauschneria) (California fuchsia)
Several varieties, but all have bright orange flowers which bloom in late summer and fall and are excellent nectar sources. They are hardy and extremely drought tolerant.
Gambelia (Galvezia) speciosa (Showy island snapdragon)
Bright red snapdragon-like flowers. It is tender to frost but grows back quickly if wellmulched. Produces flowers almost all year. Can be cut back in late February.
Keckiella cordifolia (Heartleaf keckiella, Climbing penstemon)
Native to southern California, this plant is works well next to fences or at the base of a tree or next to a large shrub. Bunches of red tubular flowers from May through July.
Lonicera hispidula (California honeysuckle)
This is a vine that is happy both as a ground cover or climbing up a tree or fence.
Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry)
Known as Twinberry because of the flowers and fruit that grow in pairs, it is easy and quick to grow but prefers some shade and needs regular moisture.
Malva (Lavatera) assurgentiflora (Island mallow)
This Channel Island native will grow 10 feet in one year. It blooms nearly all year with pretty rose- pink flowers that are valuable as a nectar source for hummers.
Monardella macrantha (Hummingbird monardella)
This small perennial has long red tubular flowers from June through October. It grows well in pots and rock gardens.
Penstenmon
Like the sages, there are many different species and all like full sun and are drought tolerant. They usually require good drainage.
Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum (Red-flowering currant)
Many selections with beautiful pink pendulous blossoms in early spring. Light shade to part sun and some water. Berries are attractive to other birds.
Ribes speciosum (Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry)
Bright red fuchsia-like flowers in early spring. Light shade and some water.
Salvia (Sage)
There are many native species that are good sources of nectar. They are drought tolerant and take full sun.
Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird Sage)
This sage deserves a special mention as it’s one of the few that likes shade and spreads by rhizomes. It has spectacular tall magenta spikes. An excellent groundcover under oaks.
Silene laciniata (Fringed Indian pink or Catch fly)
This is a pretty little plant that is unfortunately very attractive to snails as well as to hummers. It can be grown in hanging baskets to protect it from the snail's depredations.
Trichostema lanatum (Woolly blue curls)
Striking shrubby blue-flowered perennial native to the southern coastal ranges. It requires good drainage and no summer water. Has a long blooming period.

More information available on calscape.org

Public Gardens of Native Plants

These gardens provide opportunities to see a wide variety of native plants throughout the year. 

Parks, Arboreta and Public Gardens

Jeffrey Fontana Park, intersection of Meridian Ave and Oakglen Way, San Jose. Across the street from 1278 Oakglen Way, San Jose. A beautiful selection of mature and new native plant gardens. Many of the plants are labelled.

Capitancillos Drive Native Plant Demonstration Garden, intersection of Capitancillos Drive and Oak Canyon Place. Extensive collection of chaparral shrubs and plants. Plants are labelled.

Ulistac Natural Area, Lick Mill Boulevard, Santa Clara. This 40-acre site was saved from development in 2001 and is the only dedicated natural open space in the City of Santa Clara.

Berger Native Demonstration Garden, 1553 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA 95112. The always-open Berger Native Demonstration Garden showcases a range of drought-tolerant California native plants. It's a great example of what a lawn-replacement project might look like. The garden was created in Fall 2013. 

Master Gardeners Parcel at Martial Cottle Park, , 5283 Snell Ave, San Jose, CA 95136. This 4 acre parcel includes a a thriving Native Garden.

Master Gardeners Palo Alto Demo Garden, 851 Center Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Eleanor Pardee Park). The Water Wise Garden (always open to the public) includes many California native plants.

Bol Park Native GardenThis public garden is in a Palo Alto park, Cornelis Bol Park. The overall design of the garden is to maintain a wildlands look and to provide wildlife habitat. It includes a large area of hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), California Buckeye, Western Redbud Fremont's Cottonwood and many others.

Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto CA 94301. This garden includes a .3 acre parcel that features water-wise California Native Plants, including many Pacific Coast Iris hybrids that bloom in late winter.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Native Demonstration Garden, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto. This very appealing garden is in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church; part of the garden was done in 2014 and contains mature plants, the other part was done in 2018 and contains much younger plants. The garden was designed with wildlife habitat in mind, and attracts various birds.

Primrose Way Pollinator Garden Collection, Primrose Way at Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. On the area of about 20 by 200 feet, a couple dozen of carefully selected species of low-growing shrubs (e.g., Salvia "Bee's Bliss", CA buckwheat, ceanothus "Skylark", perennials (e.g., lilac verbena, milkweed, yarrow, goldenrod, bee plant, CA fuchsia, rosy ans saffron buckwheats), and various annuals (e.g. poppies, clarkias, baby blue eyes), coexist in harmonious arrangement.

Stevens Creek Trail, Mountain View. New landscaping is all natives. Plants include ceanothus, iris, fremontodendrons, elderberry, sages, native roses, buckeye, alder, and sycamore. Landscaping starts at La Avenida (off Shoreline, where there's a trailhead), then follows Stevens Creek for about a mile south to Central Expressway.

Portola Valley Town Center, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Native garden next to the Historic Schoolhouse.

Centennial Park, El Camino Real at Floribunda, Hillsborough. Mixed planting of drought tolerant species includes many California natives.

City of San Carlos Native Plant Garden, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos. This big, well-designed, and well-labeled native plant garden by the San Carlos City Hall is right between the library parking lot and the dog park. One area has a focus on hummingbird-attracting plants and includes hummingbird sage, manzanita, and monkeyflower. A second area is for pollinators and includes coyote mint, yarrow, and milkweed. A part-shade area shows off ferns and native iris.

Woodside Library Garden, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. The garden (in the back of the library) is composed entirely of California native plants. It is open to the public during library hours: Mon-Thu 11-7; Fri-Sat 11-5. It is maintained by the Woodside-Atherton Garden Club. There is a brochure with a map of the different plants.

Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Tilden Park, Berkeley. The largest collection of California native plants, with plenty to excite the native gardener.

Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Contains a section devoted to California natives, the Arthur Menzies Native Garden.

UC Berkeley Botanic Garden, Strawberry Canyon, Berkeley. 200 Centennial Drive, #5045, Berkeley, CA 94720. (510) 642-0849. 13 acres of California natives.

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Empire Grade, UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz. Large sections devoted to plants from California, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and a "Natives Come First" Garden.

Overfelt Gardens, Educational Park Drive (at McKee), San Jose. A section of this city park called "California Wild" is devoted to California natives.

Colleges

West Valley College. 14000 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga. California native plants dominate the grounds at the West Valley College campus in Saratoga.

Native Hill at Foothill College. Foothill College, 12345 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. Begun in 1982 by former faculty member Robert Will as a teaching aid for students, this small patch of land grew to house 170 species within one acre of land. .

Cheeseman Environmental Study Area. De Anza College, corner of Stelling & McLellan (inside the campus), Cupertino. Over 300 species of native plants representing 12 natural communities.

Duncan Hall Botanical & Habitat Garden. San Jose State University, San Salvador St (near 4th St), San Jose. Planted in the mid-1980s, this 4,000 sq.ft. area is landscaped with natives such as lemonade berry, Brewer's saltbush, spice bush, coffeeberry, and toyon, and home to a variety of species of birds, bees, squirrels, and lizards. It was maintained by the Natural History Club. [No longer there - link has been retained since there is useful plant information there]

Mission College. 3000 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara. New plantings of natives.

A California Native Garden at Stanford. Stanford University, Palo Alto. Designed by Meg Webster and installed in 2002, this garden replaced a lawn that was surrounded by redwoods, giant sequoias and coast live oaks.

Schools

Gardens associated with schools may not be open to the public. Please contact the school for information about visiting.

Cherry Chase Elementary School. 1138 Heatherstone Way, Sunnyvale. (408) 522-8241. A small native plant garden is located on a piece of land right next to the street.

Osborne Nature Area at Peterson. A 2-acre site planted in 1970 with native plants from eight biotic communities. Peterson Middle School, 1380 Rosalia Way, Sunnyvale. 

Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School. A 1-acre site planted in 1971, contains redwood forest, oak woodland, chaparral, grassland, streamside and pond habitats. Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School, 1290 Kimberly Drive, San Jose.

Others (outside Santa Clara Valley)

Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden, Dillon Point Rd, Benicia, CA 94510. The garden covers 3.5 acres in the Benicia State Recreation Area. The Garden is an ideal setting for learning about native plants and how they may be used in home gardens and other landscape projects. 

Larner Seeds Demonstration Garden. A 1-acre site planted in 1980 with plants from several biotic communities. Definitely worth a visit. 235 Grove Road, Bolinas. Tue, Thu 10-2, Sat 12-4.

Pacific Grove Museum Of Natural History, 165 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. (408) 648-3116. Winter home of migrating monarch butterflies.

Asilomar Conference Grounds,
800 Asilomar Boulevard, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. (831) 372-8016. Worth a visit for the dune restoration project. The plant nursery includes a 960 square-foot greenhouse, which grows more than 400,000 plants, representing 25 native species for transplantation on the grounds.

Send your comments and suggestions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This page originally compiled by Arvind Kumar with input from Bracey Tiede, Tanya Kucak, and Wendy Winkler.

Native Plant Professionals

This is a list of local professionals in the Santa Clara Valley and San Francisco Peninsula areas who are dedicated to working with California native plants and providing landscape services in an environmentally responsible manner. The list includes landscape professionals who specialize in native plant landscape design, installation, and maintenance.

If your landscaping project requires the services of a professional, we hope this list is helpful. It is continually updated, so do check back regularly. Please note that this is an informational listing only and does not constitute a referral. CNPS cannot take responsibility for the performance of any of the professionals listed below. We recommend verifying licensure and qualifications before hiring contractors.  

If you are a solicitor, please be respectful of this listing and do not cold call any of the names below selling services. To be added to this list, contact Stephanie Morris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

AFLA Landscape Architecture Ashini Fernando (408) 242 3054 LALic#5272 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  https://www.houzz.com/pro/aflandscapearchitecture 

Agi Kehoe Landscaping Agi Kehoe (408) 242.8358 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.agikehoe.com

Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (408) 642-1860 1231 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112  Lic# 977639   http://www.BayMaples.com

Kevin M. Bryant (408) 353-8824 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

California Wild Natives http://www.californiawildnatives.com Julie (415) 672-7634

California Nativescapes Rebecca Schoenenberger (408) 243-5663 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.calnativescapes.com

Cheryl Lisin Landscape Design Cheryl Lisin (408) 445.8080 1910 Ellen Ave. San Jose, CA. 95125

Confidence Landscaping Jeff Sheehan (408)559-1800 971 Hamilton Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 http://www.confidencelandscaping.com

Crane Landscape Design Glenn Kranich (408) 888-1652 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. #109-113, Los Gatos, CA 95032 http://www.cranelandscapedesign.com

Crosby Landscaping Nate Crosby (408) 417.5137 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Curtis Horticulture Stephanie Curtis (408) 280.7339 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.curtishort.com

Drake Design Leah Drake PO Box 2329 Los Gatos, CA 95031 (408)688.7651 cell https://drakedesignassoc.vistaprintdigital.com/

Earth & Spirit Jessica Wright (408) 840-3584 South San Jose and Bay Area This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.EarthandSpiritLandscapes.com

Earthcare Landscaping Shireen Zia (408) 871-2792 21730 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 210B Cupertino, CA 95014  http://www.earthcareland.com

East Bay Wilds Pete Veilleux 2777 Foothill Blvd, Oakland CA 94601 (510) 409.5858 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.eastbaywilds.com

EcoFolia Design Cindy L.M. Angers 1452 N. Vasco Road No. 134 Livermore, CA 94551 (925) 323.5696 http://www.ecofolia.net This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EcoGardens Landscape Design Shireen Zia (408) 705-8915 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://www.ecogardens.design/

Ecological Concerns, Inc. Oona Johnsen, Landscape Architect (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/ 

Four Dimensions Landscape Company Michael Thilgen 2928 Poplar Street Oakland, CA 94608 (510) 893.1999 http://www.fourdimensionslandscape.com

Garden Enlightenment Dave Phelps, Landscape Architect (415) 215-5785 https://gardenenlightenment.com/

Gomery Design Jane Gomery (650)740.4648 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Green Thumb Works Sandra Nevala-Lee (510) 502-0992 https://greenthumbworks.net 

HKJohnson & Associates Heidi K Johnson (408) 863.0236 http://www.houzz.com/pro/heidikjohnson/__public This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hortus Design Vijaya Gajjala 650-265-7596 http://www.hdsustainablelandscapes.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Indig Design Peigi Duvall (650) 704.3926 PO Box 222598 Carmel, CA 93922 http://www.indigdesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jeni Webber Landscape Architecture and Design 7126 Marlborough Terrace Berkeley CA 94705 (510) 841 3311

Jolee Horne (650) 485.2515 office, (650) 669.9798 cell http://www.jhland.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Julie Orr Design Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 853.1618 http://www.julieorrdesign.com

Little Habitat Rebecca Atwell Palo Alto, CA https://www.littlehabitat.earth/

Madrono Landscape Design Geoff Coffey 375 Alabama St. #440 San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 462.0489 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.madrono.org

Middlebrook Gardens Alrie Middlebrook (408) 292.9993 92 Race Street San Jose, CA 95126 http://www.middlebrook-gardens.com

Native Revival Nursery Erin O'Doherty (831) 684-1811 2600 Mar Vista Drive Aptos, California 95003-3615 http://www.nativerevival.com

Natural Landscape Design Patricia Evans (650) 559.6212 189 Arbuelo Way Los Altos, CA 94022 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Promised Greenland Jing Yan (408) 409-9316 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sagebrush Garden Design Joana Smolen (650) 395-8495 http://www.sagebrushgardendesign.com

Smart Yards Co-op Elizabeth Sarmiento 544 Snyder Avenue, Suite 101 San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 883-5936 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://smartyardscoop.com

Stephanie Morris Landscape Architect Campbell, CA (408) 206.5055 LALic # 4580 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.nativeplantdesign.com

Shubha Landscape Design Shubhangi Fulambarkar (408) 244.8213 http://www.shubhalandscapedesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Water Efficient Gardens Shelkie Tao (669)232-3798 https://waterefficientgardens.com/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wildscapes Garden Design Annaloy Nickum (650) 851.8375 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Windsmith Design Mark Bourne (650) 592.3590 http://www.windsmithdesign.com

Yerba Buena Nursery 12511 San Mateo Rd. Half Moon Bay (650) 851-1668 http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com

 

LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION

Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (408) 642-1860 1231 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112  Lic# 977639   http://www.BayMaples.com

California Nativescapes Rebecca Schoenenberger (408) 243.5663 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.calnativescapes.com

Confidence Landscaping Jeff Sheehan (408)559-1800 971 Hamilton Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 http://www.confidencelandscaping.com

Curtis Horticulture Stephanie Curtis (408) 280.7339 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.curtishort.com

Earthcare Landscaping Lisa Gates (408) 871.2792 21730 Stevens Creek Blvd. Ste 210B Cupertino, CA 95014 http://www.earthcareland.com

East Bay Wilds Pete Veilleux 2777 Foothill Blvd, Oakland CA 94601 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.eastbaywilds.com

Ecological Concerns, Inc. Jon Laslett, Director of Operations (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/ 

Hortus Design Sustainable Landscaping Vijaya Gajjala 650-265-7596 http://www.hdsustainablelandscapes.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Middlebrook Gardens Alrie Middlebrook (408) 292.9993 92 Race Street San Jose, CA 95126 http://www.middlebrook-gardens.com

Pazmany Bros. Landscaping Peter Pazmany (650) 941-8596 Sunnyvale, CA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.pazmanybros.com

Promised Greenland Jing Yan (408) 409-9316 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sarah Nunley (408) 916.6546 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Shubha Landscape Design Shubhangi Fulambarkar (408) 244.8213 http://www.shubhalandscapedesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (408) 642-1860 1231 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112  Lic# 977639   http://www.BayMaples.com

California Nativescapes Rebecca Schoenenberger (408)243-5663 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.calnativescapes.com

Curtis Horticulture Stephanie Curtis (408) 280.7339 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.curtishort.com

Creative Garden Works Joan Lee (408) 206.7911 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://creativegardenworks.com

Earthcare Landscaping Ulan Garduno (408) 871.2792 21730 Stevens Creek Blvd. Ste 210B Cupertino, CA 95014 http://www.earthcareland.com

East Bay Wilds Pete Veilleux 2777 Foothill Blvd, Oakland CA 94601 510.409.5858 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.eastbaywilds.com

Ecological Concerns, Inc. Garrick Hansen, Project Manager (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/ 

Hortus Design Sustainable Landscaping Vijaya Gajjala 650-265-7596 http://www.hdsustainabledesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Julia Powers Landscape & Garden Design 650-269-4975 http://www.juliapowers.com

Pazmany Bros. Landscaping Peter Pazmany (650) 941-8596 Sunnyvale, CA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.pazmanybros.com

Poetree Landscapes & Arboriculture Jocelyn Cohen 415.285.2342 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rhythmic Gardening Lior Dahan (408) 826-2720 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://www.rhythmicgardening.com

Sarah Nunley (408) 916.6546 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Shubha Landscape Design Shubhangi Fulambarkar (408) 244.8213 http://www.shubhalandscapedesign.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Smart Yards Co-op Elizabeth Sarmiento 544 Snyder Avenue, Suite 101 San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 883-5936 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://smartyardscoop.com 

 

ARBORISTS

Bo Firestone Trees & Gardens Busara Firestone, Certified Arborist (408) 497-7158 http://bofirestone.com  

Ecological Concerns, Inc. John Morley, Certified Arborist (831) 459-0656 125 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. https://ecologicalconcerns.com/ 

Poetree Arboriculture Jocelyn Cohen, Certified Arborist (415)285-2342 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   http://jocelync.com/

 

 

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Upcoming Events

Thu May 02 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM
Bringing Beauty and Biodiversity to an Urban Preserve, a talk by Stephanie Saffouri (with Laura Powers and Petra Boester)
Fri May 03 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Friday Edgewood Restoration
Sat May 04 @ 8:00AM -
Lake Cunningham Native Garden
Sun May 05 @10:00AM - 02:00PM
Calero Park Native Plant Hike (South San Jose)
Mon May 06 @ 8:00AM -
Lake Cunningham Native Garden
Fri May 10 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Friday Edgewood Restoration
Sat May 11 @ 8:00AM -
Lake Cunningham Native Garden
Sun May 12 @10:30AM - 01:30PM
Plant ID Walk at Alum Rock Park (East San Jose)
Mon May 13 @ 8:00AM -
Lake Cunningham Native Garden
Tue May 14 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM
Conservation Committee