Common name:Western Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis occidentalis

This deciduous shrub or small tree ranges from 6'-10' tall and wide. It is desirable for its magenta spring flowers, yellow to red fall color, and dangling winter seed pods. It is tolerant of many soil types, drought and oak root fungus. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The Western Redbud can be found statewide in CA in the foothills below 4500' elevations in chaparral and woodland communities.

Maintenance Tips

Cercis occidentalis is a very popular California native deciduous tree. The natural form of this plant is that of a multi-branching shrub; however, it is often shaped to be a single trunk so it can be used in many garden spaces. The best way to keep the maintenance low with this tree is to plant it in a sunny location that has well-drained soil and give it the room it needs to reach its mature size. It is fairly pest and disease-resistant and performs very well as a specimen tree in native gardens. The pruning recommendations will depend on the shape of the specimen. If the tree has the multi-trunk, shrub form, the mature height can be 6-10' tall and wide and will naturally grow into a round, compact form. These forms benefit greatly from the thinning method, removing cross-branching or the longer branches to manage the plant's size. The cuts should be made towards the center of the plant, allowing sunlight into the interior. The single trunk form should be pruned the same way, but it will mature much larger and eventually should be pruned by a licensed arborist. Both forms will lose their leaves in the winter, so this is usually the easiest time to prune since the foliage is out of the way.

Common name:Island Alum Root
Botanical name:Heuchera maxima

This large leaf native Heuchera from which many hybrids have been derived will reach about 1' tall in bloom and has deep green leaves with white flowers with a touch of pink.

Maintenance Tips

Heuchera maxima is a small, clumping perennial that is native to the Channel Islands. It only grows to about 12” tall and has wide, marbled leaves that give it a unique look. The pink flowers emerge another 12” above the foliage in the spring. This native evolved in shady areas under trees and in canyons, so it is best to plant it in areas with dappled sun. If it is planted along the coast, it can usually thrive in full sun. There is very little maintenance involved with this plant. The older leaves tend to stay on the plant and collect under the younger foliage. These can be cleaned out occasionally to allow some sunlight to the inside of the plant and to improve air circulation. The flower stalks, once they are spent, can give the plant an unkempt look, so deadheading them will keep the plant looking and performing its best.

Common name:Coral Bells
Botanical name:Heuchera sanguinea

Tufts of round leaves 2"-3" wide with scalloped edges accent this plant. It also produces wiry stems to 24" tall with open clusters of reddish pink, bell-shaped flowers.

Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Common name:Foothill Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon heterophyllus

This perennial will grow 1.5'-2' tall and 2'-3' wide. It has glossy, blue green foliage with flowers that vary in color and bloom from spring through early summer.

Common name:California Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca californica

The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue green blades that reach 2'-5' high and 3' wide. Foliage arches gracefully upwards and outwards. Flower spikes reach 3' above the leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It makes a great companion plant to oak trees and is handsome as a backdrop behind lower growing grasses for a meadow look. The California fescue is native to California and is a beneficial insect plant.