Spice bush (Calycanthus occidentalis). This deciduous shrub has bright green leaves and
unusual red blossoms resembling magnolia flowers and yielding a strong, wine-like
fragrance. It can reach 12 feet tall and wide and can be pruned to become a multi-trunked small tree. (Courtesy Tom Karwin)
White flowering California lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Snow Flurry’). An evergreen shrub that in the spring produces abundant clusters of fragrant white
flowers that attract birds and bees. This plant grows fast, forming a rounded habit with
glossy, dark green leaves. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide and can be pruned to
maintain a smaller size. (Courtesy Tom Karwin)
Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii). This deciduous shrub grows long stems with a form 6 wide and 12 feet tall. From spring to summer, it produces clusters of white
blossoms with a heavy, sweet scent similar to citrus blossoms. They are among the most
fragrant flowers of any California native plant. (Courtesy Tom Karwin)
Fuchsia-flowering gooseberry (Ribes speciosum). This deciduous shrub grows 8 feet tall and wide, with small, dark green, glossy leaves and thorns. Beautiful, tube-shaped
fuchsia-red flowers hang from the branches throughout the bush and attract hummingbirds, butterflies and moths. Birds and other small mammals enjoy eating the berries. (Courtesy Tom Karwin)
Coulter’s matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri). This shrub produces the largest and showiest California poppies. The blossoms’ white petals can be 7 inches wide, with a crinkled texture and yellow stamens. This plant can be challenging to establish. Once
established, it readily spreads by rhizomes and can soon outgrow its intended area. Pulling shoots usually suffices to control it. (Courtesy Tom Karwin)
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Spice bush (Calycanthus occidentalis). This deciduous shrub has bright green leaves and
unusual red blossoms resembling magnolia flowers and yielding a strong, wine-like
fragrance. It can reach 12 feet tall and wide and can be pruned to become a multi-trunked small tree. (Courtesy Tom Karwin)
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We have entered the ideal season for adding California native plants to coastal gardens. Beginning in October, fogs linger, soil warmth continues and air temperatures moderate.
The cooler air temperatures of this period reduce transplant shock that young plants can suffer from when being installed in the spring or summer.
The planting season continues during the rainy period, from November through March, as natural irrigation supports the root growth of newly installed plants. This prepares California native plants to grow in the spring and flourish through the coming dry summer with minimal irrigation.
With perfect timing, the Santa Cruz Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will hold its annual fall sale of California native plants Oct. 11. See details in “this week in the garden,” below.
Today’s image gallery
Today’s images feature a selection of California native plants from my garden.
For information on the plants in this column’s image gallery and other California native plants, visit the California Native Plant Society’s Calscape website (calscape.org).
Advance your gardening knowledge
California’s coastal gardeners have a strong rationale for including California’s native plants in their gardens, either as a separate, dedicated area, or the entire garden. Here are factors to consider:
Select the right plant for the right place. California is a large and varied state, and each residential garden has its own microclimate, rainfall schedules and quantities, salt spray exposure, soil conditions and sun and wind exposures. California native plants are adaptable to various conditions and will thrive in their natural habitat. A strong method is to group plantings with other plants that occur in the same local area. This plant community approach to garden design mirrors how nature arranges plant associations and supports plant-to-plant compatibility. Use Calscape to select plant communities for your garden’s specific environment.
Ensure good drainage and soil quality. Some California native plants come from wetter habitats and benefit from more moisture or shade, but most thrive in well-draining soil, even in rocky, sandy or gravelly conditions. Before planting, review your soil conditions. If drainage is limited, amend the soil with coarse grit, decomposed granite or other organic materials. Another approach to poor-drainage soil is to develop raised berms (called Mediterranean mounds) to elevate the plant’s roots.
Irrigate to establish and maintain plants. California native plants are well-adapted to the state’s Mediterranean climate, commonly referred to as a summer-dry climate. Newly established plants still need supplemental water for the first year or two as their roots deepen and prepare for dry periods. Once established, these plants could still benefit from occasional irrigation — especially during very dry periods — and from mulching, to moderate soil temperature, reduced evaporation and discouraged weed growth.
Support wildlife and ecosystem functions. Native plants interact with California ecosystems. Insects pollinate the plants; birds consume and control insects; birds and mammals consume and fertilize the plants; and plants provide habitats for wildlife and generate nutrients for the soil. The multi-faceted ecosystem operates well, and gardeners can participate in this natural system by selecting plants that are native to the local conditions and maintaining them regularly.
Mark your calendar
The California Native Plant Society’s Monterey Bay Chapter will hold the 2025 Fall Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The event will take place at MEarth Habitat, located at Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel.
The society’s announcement states: “Over twelve hundred California Native Plants: as many as 250 different native species and selections, curated from many local growers, or grown on site, sourced, selected, labeled, signed with descriptive information & photos, organized and presented in this one-day, pop-up, specialty nursery just in time for planting season. Free friendly advice as well.”
For a list of available plants, visit the website at chapters.cnps.org/montereybay/plant-sale.
This week in the garden
The California Native Plant Society’s Santa Cruz Chapter will hold its Fall 2025 Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11, at Cabrillo College’s Horticulture Center. The center is located above the college campus at 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. A shuttle service brings buyers to the sale from the lower parking lot.
On Saturday, the society will post a list of plants that will be available at the plant sale. Visit the society’s website (chapters.cnps.org/santacruz/news) to select plants to add to your garden.
The sale hours are limited, typically reflecting the rapid purchases of the most popular plants by visiting gardeners. Gardeners ready to develop a bed of California native plants will do well to arrive early for this sale.
Cabrillo College’s Horticulture Department provides the space for this sale and hosts the California Native Plant Society’s propagation group year-round.
The Santa Cruz chapter sale’s schedule is adjacent to and concurrent with the Cabrillo College Horticulture Department’s plant sale. That event will include California native plants, other water-wise perennials and shrubs, succulents and cacti, organic veggie starts and houseplants.
Enjoy your garden!
Tom Karwin is a past president of Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and the Monterey Bay Iris Society, a past president and lifetime member of the Monterey Bay Area Cactus and Succulent Society, a Lifetime UC Master Gardener (certified 1999-2009), past board member of the Santa Cruz Hostel Society and active with the Pacific Horticultural Society and other garden-related societies. To view photos from his garden, visit facebook.com/ongardeningcom-566511763375123. To review the archive of recent On Gardening columns, visit santacruzsentinel.com and search “Karwin.” Go to ongardening.com to review columns from 2012-2020 (and soon) from 2025. Send comments or questions by email to gardening@karwin.com.
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