The Golden State is a biodiversity hotspot known among botanists as the California Floristic Province; it is a mosaic of distinct ecosystems and habitats and home to around 3,500 species of vascular plants, 61% of which are found nowhere else in the world. At least 1449 of these species are shrubs.
Landscaping with some of California’s native– and visually stunning– bushy or hedge-like plants is a fantastic way to add habitat value, protect pollinators, and restore nature in your home garden. Growing California native plants also saves water, reduces pollution from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and connects us more deeply to the natural world. Here are some of the most beautiful and unique shrubs to help you conserve and celebrate the real California.
1) Whiteleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita)
Whiteleaf or common manzanita is an erect evergreen shrub that is endemic to California; it is primarily found along the North Coast Ranges and in the Sierra Foothills (and rarely in the southern part of the state). This species prefers dry, rocky slopes, blue oak woodlands, coniferous forests, and chaparral. It occurs frequently in drought-stressed areas, sometimes forming dense, impassible thickets. The limbs of whiteleaf manzanita grow in meandering arcs and turns that give it a handsome twisted tree shape.
Whiteleaf manzanita’s smooth, hard wood is an attractive burnished red color. It makes excellent firewood, although it burns quite hot and quickly, so don’t plant it right next to your house if you live in a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Whiteleaf manzanita is fire-adapted; Indigenous stewardship practices for this plant call for frequent prescribed burns after fall rains to control the intensity of the blaze– seeds are activated by fire, but may be killed if the soil temperature climbs too high.
The leaves of A. manzanita are resinous, wedge-shaped, and pointed; their color ranges from bright green to bluish or silver, depending on the subspecies (with six currently recognized). Flowers are white or pale pink and urn-shaped, hanging down in close, pendant clusters. Whiteleaf manzanita is an early bloomer, sometimes beginning in late December, and provides critical early-season nectar for hummingbirds and insect pollinators. Flowers give way in spring to glossy white, berry-like drupes that ripen to cherry red in the summer sun.
Manzanita (Spanish for ‘little apple’) fruits are edible to humans and highly prized by a variety of wildlife, including deer, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and bears. Foliage is browsed by deer and affords good insect forage for a number of bird species (at least 68 species of Lepidoptera use it as a larval host in the Mediterranean California ecoregion). Berries have long been used by Indigenous peoples to make pinole, porridges, jellies, and a tasty cider– they tend to have a mealy texture when eaten raw.
There are more than 40 Arctostaphylos species native to California (not including their myriad subspecies, cultivars, and hybrids), but whiteleaf manzanita is one of the easiest to grow in a home landscape. It does well in a variety of soils (including clay and sandy loams) and needs very little moisture. It prefers full sun to partial shade. This plant grows to about 15 ft tall on average and makes a pleasing focal point for a bird or pollinator garden; it can also be used in a hedge row. Consider also bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca).
2) Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Toyon, Christmas berry, or California holly is a long-lived evergreen shrub endemic to western California and the Sierra Foothills. Look for it in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, mixed evergreen forest, and central oak woodland habitats. The name toyon comes from the Ohlone word for the plant, totcon, and the Latin name for the genus is derived from the Greek heter ‘different’ and malus ‘apple’ in reference to the small pomes. Its other epithets– ‘Christmas berry’ and ‘California holly’– also refer to its fruit. Hollywood, Los Angeles was likely named for this species; the original town was built on chaparral land where toyon was probably abundant.
This plant is an excellent choice for home landscapes. It is easy to grow with a short, stout trunk and a graceful, rounded crown that reaches about 8 ft tall (though some long-established specimens have reportedly exceeded 30 ft). Its dark green leaves are leathery with serrated edges. Clusters of small white flowers appear in early summer, similar in morphology to wild rose (toyon is a member of the Rosaceae family) with a gentle hawthorn-like fragrance. Its blooms are attractive to a variety of insect pollinators.
The stars of the show of course are toyon’s brilliant red berry-like pomes, prized by people and wildlife alike. Frugivorous birds like cedar waxwings, hermit thrushes, and northern mockingbirds are especially fond of them, but they are also enjoyed by mammals like coyotes and bears– the extinct California grizzly bear (Ursus arctos californicus) apparently savored them above other winter berries. People have traditionally eaten them raw (though they are bitter and contain traces of cyanogenic glycosides), dried and ground them to make flour, simmered them into ciders, and cooked them for jellies, preserves, and custards– modern foragers make them into sweet and chewy fruit leather. The showy, long-lasting displays are also popular for Christmas decorations– wild wreaths became so fashionable at one time that California state law now prohibits the collection of wild toyon branches. Luckily, toyon boughs are just as festive still on the plant!
Grow toyon in full sun to partial shade– H. arbutifolia tolerates a variety of soils (including clay) but does like a bit more moisture than most chaparral plants. Plant it near seasonal creeks, irrigated areas, or on slopes. It’s lovely in hedge rows, bird or pollinator gardens, and as a specimen plant– it may be grown close to houses as well since it is fire-resistant with adequate moisture. Mature plants can be pruned to encourage a more tree-like growth habit.
3) Coyote willow (Salix exigua)
Coyote, sandbar, or narrowleaf willow is a winter deciduous shrub found throughout the western United States, north into Canada, and south into Baja– it may be found growing wild in every county in California. One would be hard-pressed to find a plant with more value for wildlife and with corresponding ethnobotanical import. This species has lived alongside (and been cultivated by) people and animals in North America for thousands of years; it is not uncommon to find long-established coyote willow stands near significant archaeological sites.
Virtually all of California’s Indigenous peoples have used willow for basketry. It has been weaved into tight jugs for carrying water, infant cradles, cooking vessels, and used in the construction of looms, roofs, fences, sweat lodges, and more– willow’s value as a raw material cannot be overstated. Willow bark likewise has a multitude of medicinal and spiritual applications. Teas made from the bark treat pain, fever, sore throats, headaches, and inflammation. Infusions of the leaves are said to cure laryngitis. Throughout human history and across continents, Salix has been used as a panacea. Aspirin (the most widely used drug in the world) was discovered and developed from the study of salicin, the active agent in willow bark.
Salix is also the top keystone plant in California, supporting more species of Lepidoptera (up to 328) in the state than any other genus, including those of larger trees like Quercus and Prunus. Coyote willow is an important food source for larger animals as well; deer, elk, moose, and rabbits browse the narrow, lanceolate leaves, and beavers eat the slender branches. Birds forage for insects on the foliage and eat the buds and young shoots. Greenish or lemon-colored catkins appear in spring, providing nectar and pollen for specialist and generalist bees.
S. exigua is one of the smaller willow species (reaching 13 – 23 ft), making it an excellent choice for pond or bioswale edges and compact gardens. Coyote willow is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit. Like most willows, it loves moisture and will spread by basal shoots to fill any wet spaces it can reach. Its root systems are great for stabilizing stream banks, filtering sediments or pollutants, and afford optimal habitat for fish.
Coyote willow grows readily from cuttings– it’s a perfect choice for living willow structures, adding whimsy and delight to any garden. S. exigua grows well in most soils (including heavy clay) as long as it has access to adequate moisture and sun. Use it in ponds, rain gardens, and pollinator patches. Consider also Scouler’s willow (Salix scouleriana) for drier or more difficult sites.
4) Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
Evergreen or California huckleberry is a tidy, upright shrub native to moist forest edges and sage scrub along the Pacific Northwest coast. It is long-lived and slow-growing, forming an attractive hedge over time. It reaches an average of 8 ft in cool sun or partial shade and prefers moderate moisture in well-drained, acidic soil. New spring growth is coppery red, while mature leaves are glossy dark green, lanceolate, and ovate. Pale pink or cream bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, attracting hummingbirds and insect pollinators.
Vaccinium is the larval host for at least 116 species of Lepidoptera in California, making it a keystone plant. Blooms give way to a bounty of blue-black berries that are relished by many critters, including birds, chipmunks, foxes, and bears. People have also long delighted in the fruit, which is sweet and juicy (if a little mealy or musky-flavored), and rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. They can be eaten fresh or cooked into preserves, muffins, pies, and other sweet treats.
California huckleberry is a versatile, adaptive shrub well-suited for the garden– it requires little pruning but may be trimmed into a more desirable shape. It is also a fine choice for containers. It is tolerant of sand, clay, and drought, and is resistant to deer and fire. Use caution if planting near oaks or oak woodlands, as V. ovatum may harbor the invasive pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death. Consider also thinleaf huckleberry (V. membranaceum) and dwarf bilberry (V. caespitosum).
5) California scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia)
California or inland scrub oak is a small, shrubby version of the large oaks we all know and love; it is endemic to California and Baja California Norte, found primarily in chaparral and mixed woodland communities. It is a fundamental component of these ecosystems– the word ‘chaparral’ in fact comes from the Spanish chaparro, ‘small evergreen oak’ (in Mexican Spanish slang, ‘shorty’). The history and ecology of scrub oak are deeply entwined with the culture and heritage of the Indigenous peoples of the region, who both depended on it for food, fuel, and medicine, and played a major role in its conservancy (many continue to do so today). Indigenous Californians use the acorns to make shawii, a sacred pudding, the branches for ‘rabbit sticks,’ and the galls (oak tissue swellings produced by Cynipid wasps) to treat a variety of ailments including dysentery, hemorrhages, and eye maladies.
Biological communities with extended dry periods tend to favor shrubs, and scrub oak’s unique ability to rebound after fire coupled with its drought-tolerance make it extremely valuable (and abundant) in the chaparral– these adaptations make it a worthwhile addition to home landscapes as well. Q. berberidifolia is compact, evergreen, and has a handsome rounded crown. Combined with its merit as a keystone plant (Quercus may be our single most important native genera, supporting at least 275 species of Lepidoptera in California), these qualities make it a superlative choice for small home gardens.
Its leaves (though highly variable due to extensive hybridizations) are generally small, sharply toothed, and holly-like; many ungulates and small mammals browse the foliage and depend on this plant for nutrition. Its acorns are also an important food source for wildlife, particularly jays, woodpeckers, squirrels, and black bears. Up to 81 species of resident and migratory birds use scrub oak for nesting sites, and many smaller animals (especially agile kangaroo rats and San Joaquin fence lizards) seem to have a special liking for it.
Plant scrub oak in full sun or partial shade– it prefers eroded granite or sandstone soils but is extremely adaptable. Q. berberidifolia needs no summer water (which promotes the growth of soil pathogens) and prefers its own leaves and a few large rocks for mulch. Plant it in bird or butterfly gardens, or use it as a bank stabilizer or hedge.
6) White sage (Salvia apiana)
White sage, bee sage, or sacred sage is an evergreen perennial shrub endemic to coastal sage scrub in southern California and Baja California. It is a cornerstone species, critically important both to the health of the rare ecosystems where it is found and to the Indigenous peoples of California who have tended it for thousands of generations. Many Pacific Coast cultures safeguard and treasure this plant; white sage is a relative (“grandmother”) that gives much– food, medicine, ceremony– and must be treated with respect. Its seeds have long been a staple food item (particularly ground up in pinole), and its silvery-white, fragrant leaves may be smoked, brewed into teas, or burned in sweathouses.
Over-harvest, theft, and appropriation of white sage are an affront and an indignity. Sadly, nearly half of all S. apiana populations have been lost to urbanization (its narrow range includes large cities like Los Angeles, Malibu, San Diego, Santa Monica, and Tijuana), and the remaining populations are under serious threat from smudge stick poaching, climate change, drought, and wildfire. Where it endures, its foliage is browsed by a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, antelope, mountain sheep, and rabbits.
Dramatic wands of white flowers with tiny purple spots burst outward in spring, providing nectar for hummingbirds and other large pollinators (especially bumblebees and carpenter bees) who use their weight to access the nectar deep within. An ideal choice for hot, dry home landscapes, white sage is low-maintenance, deer- and drought-resistant, and adaptable to a variety of soil types. It grows 3 – 8 ft tall and wide in full sun. Diegueño people have been planting patches of this cherished plant near their dwellings for ages, beyond recorded memory. Other shrubby Salvia species to consider include Cleveland sage (S. clevelandii), black sage (S. mellifera), and purple sage (S. leucophylla).
7) Blue blossom ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)
Blue blossom ceanothus or blue mountain lilac is a big, beautiful evergreen shrub endemic to the Coast Ranges of California from Del Norte to Monterey, with some scattered populations inland and in the southern part of the state. It is primarily found in chaparral, redwood forests, mixed woodland slopes, and canyons. Of the 50 or so Ceanothus species native to North America, 41 occur in the biological hotspot that is the Golden State. C. thyrsiflorus is one of the most popular for home landscapes, both for its graceful charm and its ecological value. Two wild varieties are recognized by botanists– C. thyrsiflorus var. thyrsiflorus ‘Creeping Blueblossom,’ and C. thyrsiflorus var. griseus ‘Carmel Ceanothus.’
Blue blossom ceanothus is highly variable in size, color, and growth habit across its range, with heights fluctuating from 2 – 3 ft to 30 ft. Popular cultivars include ‘Arroyo de la Cruz’ (4 ft tall and sprawling), ‘Skylark’ (5 ft and compact), and ‘Snow Flurry’ (soaring to 30 ft). Ceanothus species are known to form symbiotic relationships with soil microbes and fungi, so adding fertilizer or amending the soil may harm these microorganisms and shorten the life of the plant. Excess summer water may also decrease its lifespan. Choosing a local ecotype will help to ensure health and longevity, as blue blossoms thrive when left alone.
Delightful fragrant puffs of densely clustered flowers appear in winter and spring, covering the plant. Some plants may have white, violet, or pink blooms, but most will have blue (they come in almost every shade). Wild lilac is an important nectar plant for insect pollinators and supports up to 120 species of Lepidoptera in the Mediterranean California ecoregion. Notably, it is the host plant for the ceanothus silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus) and the California tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica).
Foliage is bright to dark green, finely serrated, and ovate. Spent flowers give way to small, sticky black capsules relished by songbirds. Blue blossom is exquisite as a foundational shrub or espaliered against a wall; it is also lovely for bird or pollinator gardens, hedges, and bank stabilization. This plant has nitrogen-fixing abilities, making it an excellent companion plant. It should be planted in an area with full sun and well-drained soil. You can lightly prune it to maintain its shape; thinning from the inside during the dry season is best.
8) Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)
Rubber rabbitbrush, goldenbush, or chamisa is a robust deciduous shrub native to arid regions of western North America; it is widespread in California, with 9 recognized varieties in the state and significant variation across its range. It occurs in deserts, foothills, sagebrush scrub, woodlands, and inland valleys. Rubber rabbitbrush is a popular choice for water-wise or xeriscape gardens due to its extensive root system; incredibly, it is able to bloom profusely (providing the best fall wildflower display in some areas) nearly 6 months after minimal rainfall.
Though highly variable, E. nauseosa is typically 2 – 7 ft tall with flexible, slender upright branches that form a mounded shape. Stems and foliage are silvery green and coated with a downy, felt-like pubescence. Leaves are narrow or sometimes spatula-shaped. Flowers are disc florets only, a delicious golden-yellow, and borne in dense terminal clusters. This plant’s pungent aroma has been described as either pineapple-like or rubbery, depending on the nose (hence the species name nauseosa).
Blooms appear in July and may persist through November, but flowering periods are specific to each variant and their respective altitudes. Up to 89 specialist bees depend on Ericameria for pollen and nectar in California, and at least 28 species of Lepidoptera use it as a larval host. Indigenous Californians have used this plant to make yellow dye, medicinal tea, and chewing gum. Spent flowers give way to fluffy seed heads that add texture and charm to the garden in the winter months.
Rubber rabbitbrush is an excellent low-maintenance choice for ornamental and habitat gardens– a must-have for butterfly or pollinator plantings. It prefers sandy or decomposed granite soils, and no supplemental watering. Consider also long-flowered rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus depressus) and yellow rabbitbrush (C. viscidiflorus).
9) Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry (Ribes speciosum)
Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry is an erect summer-deciduous shrub endemic to southern and central California, from Baja up to Salinas. It occurs along the coast, in foothills, and in shaded sage scrub or chaparral canyons. A breathtaking and dramatic bloomer, R. speciosum is one of California’s showiest natives. Flowers are elongated ruby-red bells with protruding stamens that hang down like dancers in a line– they can appear as early as January (lasting through May) and are a critically important early nectar source for nesting and migrating hummingbirds. Fruits are jewel-bright, crimson, and covered in bristles– they are highly attractive to birds, particularly mockingbirds and grosbeaks.
Foliage is a deep, glossy green during the wet season. Autumn leaves darken to red and fall to the ground, revealing numerous formidable thorns. These sharp spines increase the habitat value for resident hummingbirds by providing an effective barrier against troublesome house cats (at the same time collecting bits of fur that can be used for nests)– the tiny songbirds can become quite territorial over their bushes. Fuschia-flowered gooseberry is best planted away from paths and foot traffic where the barbs won’t pose a problem to people. Place it near a window or on property lines to keep out pesky interlopers.
Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry pairs well with native oaks and taller evergreen shrubs like toyon that can hide the bare branches and thorns during the summer months. R. speciosum prefers full shade and moisture during the wet season. It’s best to let it go deciduous during the dry season, as direct summer watering can kill this plant. If under drought stress, one solution is to give it extra spring and fall water, plus mulch to retain moisture. Fuschia-flowered gooseberry is extremely hardy when left to its own devices. It grows in nearly any soil, including clay and pure sand. California has many handsome Ribes species– consider also golden currant (R. aureum), hillside gooseberry (R. californicum), Catalina currant (R. viburnifolium), or red flowering currant (R. sanguineum).
10) California wild rose (Rosa californica)
California wild rose is an upright deciduous shrub endemic to the coast, foothills, and mountains of the Golden State. It occurs primarily in riparian corridors, central oak woodlands, and chaparral– it is drought-tolerant, but where it grows in arid regions it is found most often in moist soils near water sources. California wild rose is thicket-forming, with curved, prickly stems; it grows 3 – 6 ft high on average but can reach heights of up to 10 ft. Leaves are deeply veined and usually hairy on the underside.
R. californica is an important wildlife plant; up to 119 species of Lepidoptera host on the foliage, and its dense brambles afford strong protection for birds and small mammals. Flowers are open-faced and saucer-shaped, with colors ranging from white or delicate pink to deep magenta. The fragrant blooms are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other insect pollinators. California wild rose hips are smooth, red, and aromatic, making them suitable for tea. R. californica is cheerful and carefree, growing in a wide range of soil types– it may be planted in full sun (especially on the coast) or full shade (in the interior).
California wild rose is a long and profuse bloomer. Use it near foundations, on banks or slopes for stabilization, or for flowering hedges and screens. Established thickets are virtually impenetrable; the late Bert Wilson of Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita affirmed, “low life neighbors hate it, they can no longer siphon gas to get to town, without going in the front way.” Consider also baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa), Woods’ rose (R. woodsii), and Nootka rose (R. nutkana).
11) Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)
Coffeeberry or California buckthorn is a handsome, low-maintenance evergreen shrub common throughout California and southwestern Oregon. It may be found in a variety of habitats, including chaparral, coastal strand, sage scrub, evergreen forests, and mixed oak woodlands. Coffeeberry has a dense growth habit, reaching 6 – 15 ft tall with a tidy, trim appearance. Twigs and branches are an attractive dark red color, and foliage is smooth, leathery, and deep green with a burgundy tint. Understated clusters of small, greenish-white flowers appear in May and persist through June, attracting a wide array of insect pollinators.
As its common name suggests, the berries are the headliner for this species; they are actually two-seeded drupes with a fleshy outer part that surrounds a hard inner shell– a stone fruit. Coffeeberries ripen from green to yellow, then red to black in July. They look a lot like little prune plums, and are sweet and figgy tasting– birds devour them (especially thrashers, thrushes, and tanagers).
The leaves and bark of this plant have long been used as an emetic or laxative by Indigenous Californians– useful in countering the constipating effects of acorn meal (a staple in traditional diets). A popular commercially available supplement for chronic constipation made from this plant is available under the name Cascara Sagrada. Processed and roasted seeds may be used to make a decent coffee substitute that has a chocolatey mocha flavor (but no caffeine). Coffeeberry is also useful as a fire break and can be planted close to houses. It is easily grown in a variety of soil types. Give it full sun and regular water the first year (no deep summer watering after the second year). This plant is tolerant of drought and pruning.
12) Silver lupine (Lupinus albifrons)
Silver lupine is a fast-growing evergreen shrub native to California, southern Oregon, and northern Baja. It occurs in an assortment of habitats and plant communities, including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, foothill woodlands, and yellow pine forest. It grows quickly to 3 ft, then more slowly to 5 ft. Leaves are silky silver-gray and palmate. At least 74 species of Lepidoptera use Lupinus as a larval host, making it a keystone plant in the Mediterranean California ecoregion.
Silver lupine is the preferred host plant for the federally endangered Mission blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides missionensis). L. albifrons is also useful as a nectar plant; its knockout papilionaceous (pea-shaped) flowers are violet to lavender, appearing on tall spike-like racemes in late spring– at least 15 specialist bees (along with their generalist cousins) rely on its blooms for pollen and nectar. Its flowers are pleasantly fragrant; some people think they smell like grape soda.
In the right conditions, silver lupine will be long-lived and put on spectacular wildflower displays year after year. Plant it in full sun in sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage. This species prefers dry sites and infertile loams. Like all California lupines, it is nitrogen-fixing, making it an excellent companion plant. Lupinus species form symbiotic relationships with microorganisms that live in soil; amending or using a fertilizer can create an excess of nitrogen that may kill the plant. Use it in wildflower meadows, butterfly or pollinator gardens, or for xeriscape plantings– this plant is suitable for containers. Consider also yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus), beach sand-loving Chamisso bush lupine (L. chamissonis), and sweet-smelling grape soda lupine (L. excubitus).
