MARIPOSA LANDSCAPING

California Native Plants for the Landscape

The best adapted plants for any landscape are those that were native to a particular area before building or development. Native plants evolved to flourish in specific temperature ranges, rainfall conditions, and seasonal changes.

In Central California native plants are well-adapted to local climate conditions, including low rainfall in the winter, coastal fog, and dry summers. An added benefit of selecting native plants for a landscape is that they attract native birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and beneficial insects. Because they provide food and refuge for wildlife, native plants increase biodiversity and create healthy ecosystems.

After native plants have been established in the landscape, they need very little care, tending, and irrigation. They provide interesting color, texture, fragrance, and form. Native plant categories include trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs, groundcovers, and grasses.

Resources

Native plants can be started from seed, 4-inch pots, and one-gallon or five-gallon containers. They are available in most nurseries in the Central Coast area. Nurseries specializing in California native plants include Native Revival in Santa Cruz County and Las Pilitas in San Luis Obispo County. Native Revival provides a catalog that describes specific habitats in Central California and plants that are suited to those habitats. The Las Pilitas website provides extensive information about gardening with native plants, a list of plant communities by zip code, and best fire-resistant choices.