Colorful California-Native Perennials

Because many California natives go summer-dormant without supplemental water, there's a little joke that still makes the rounds in California horticultural circles: if you want to plant natives, you better learn to like the color brown. But anyone who enjoyed this year's Bringing Back the Natives Tour in Contra Costa and Alameda counties was treated to a bevy of blooms in colors ranging from richly-hued blues to brilliant oranges and baby-soft pinks. Here are a few of the perennials and annuals that really caught my eye. And for those not ready to take the plunge into an all-native garden, many of these blend beautifully with a traditional garden, as long as they have some drainage and aren't overwatered in the summer.

Foothills Penstemon - Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita BOP'

 

Apricot Mallow - Sphaeralcea ambigua

 

Yellowray Goldfields - Lasthenia glabrata 

 

California Poppy - Escholzia californica 'Apricot Chiffon'

 

Baby Blue Eyes - Nemophila menziesii

 

Sticky Monkey Flower - Mimulus

 

Pink Califonia Poppies, Blue Penstemon and Yellow Monkey Flower

 

Wind Poppy - Stylomecon heterophylla

 

Linanthus grandiflorus

 

Interested in learning more? The next tour is a year away, but California Native Plants for the Garden and Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens are still the gold standards for beginners and experienced native gardeners alike.

Comments

[rama]

I have client with the Purple Penstemon and they are blooming their heads off. Love it!

[Diane Ciardello]

I planted the Apricot Chiffon poppy last year, one of my favorites. My last Margarita Bop is not doing so well, will have to replace with something else, any suggestions?

[James]

Very nice, Susan--I was hoping you'd post about your tour experiences! Your selections really do look like they'd be at home in just about any garden. I love the delicacy of the pink poppies--such a great almost lookalike alternative to the thug that is Mexican evening primrose (which I'm still pulling out 20 years after planting a few seeds...)