Native Plantings; Colorful Perennials
Colorful California Native Perennials
This list of colorful perennials will liven up your yard, attract pollinators, lighten up dark spots and have people asking ‘what is that flower?’ Mix these in amongst some of our great California native shrubs and ground-covers and you will have a garden that looks full and alive year round. For more detailed information about individual species see our Tree of Life Catalog
| Genus species | Plant Name | Description |
| Achillea millefolium | Yarrow | 1-2’tall/2-3’wide, white flowers, soft textured leaves |
| Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia | Beach evening primrose | 1’tall/3’wide, yellow flowers, forms dense mats |
| Chrysopsis villosa ‘San Bruno Mountain’ | Hairy golden aster | 1’tall/2-3’wide, golden flowers, profuse blooms |
| Epilobium species | California fuschia | 1-3’tall/3’wide, red flowers, hummingbird favorite |
| Erigeron glaucus selections | Seaside daisy | 1’tall/1-3’wide, lavender flowers, clumping and compact |
| Eriogonum species | Buckwheat | wide range of choices in height and flower color |
| Grindelia camporum | Gumplant | 2’tall/1’wide, yellow flowers, interesting flower bud |
| Heuchera hybrids | Coral bells | 1’tall/1-2’wide, white to pink flowers, color for shady spaces |
| Iris Pacific Coast Hybrids | California iris hybrid | 1’tall/2’wide, white to purple flowers, dramatic bright flowers |
| Linum lewisii | Blue flax | 2’tall/2’wide, blue flowers, fern-like foliage |
| Monardella species | Coyote mint | 1-2’tall/2-3’wide, purple flowers, minty fragrance |
| Penstemon species | California penstemon | 1-3’tall/3’wide, purple to red flowers, striking tubular flowers |
| Potentilla fruticosa | Bush cinquefoil | 3’tall/4’wide, yellow flowers, unique foliage, stems age to white |
| Salvia spathacea | Hummingbird sage | 2’tall/3’wide, magenta flowers, distinct pleasant fragrance |
| Sisyrinchium bellum | Blue eyed grass | 1’tall/1’wide, blue flowers, graceful meadow effect |
| Solidago californica | California goldenrod | 1-2’tall/3’wide, golden flowers, cottage garden effect |
| Symphyotrichum chilense | California aster | 1’tall/3’wide, purple flowers, profuse bloomer |
