The red and yellow flowers of the native Columbines rise up on graceful stems from basal clusters of beautiful lacey foliage. Columbines are at home streamside, and in the light shade of a forest garden. The plant can adjust to full sun, or partial shade, and appreciates some additional water in summer. The red and yellow flowers that appear in summer provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. The abundant seeds that form within urn-shaped seed capsules in fall are relished by songbirds.

Sticky Columbine (Aquilegia eximia) is sometimes found growing in serpentine soils in the wild. Plants may reach 4′ high and about 2 ‘ wide, with stems are stouter than Western Columbine (A. formosa), and covered with sticky hairs. This Columbine blooms later, in summer rather than spring, and is happiest with more sun, but still appreciates some regular water. Try combining Sticky Columbine with penstemons, Gumplants, Verbenas and sun-loving bunchgrasses.

Tufted Hairgrass is native to the cool, coastal bluffs, and as such performs best in gardens with a little extra water. In inland gardens, it will also appreciate some shade. The foliage is a vibrant dark green, and typically forms clumps about a foot tall and wide. The graceful flowering stems appear in late spring or early summer, sparkling in the gentle spring sunlight. All the bunchgrasses, with their extensive fibrous root systems, are great for erosion control on hillsides.

Deschampsia cespitosa could be used in a meadow planting, combined with other coastal species such as Iris douglasiana, Sisyrinchium bellum, and Sidalcea malviflora. Hairgrass could also be planted with water-loving natives from riparian plant communities like Columbine, Wild Ginger, and Chain Fern. Bunchgrasses provide cover for all sorts of insects, and caterpillars of some species of Grass Skippers will use the plant.

Grasses also provide both seeds and nesting materials for birds. Deer do not browse any of the native bunchgrasses!

This lovely Monkeyflower is found growing naturally in wet places. It is adaptable to full sun or part shade locations, but is at its showiest around a pond or seep. This plant also adapts readily to boggy conditions, and will spread by runners to colonize a suitable area.

The flowers are large, bright yellow, and profuse; blooming from early spring through the summer as long as it receives some water. Hummingbirds love the flowers, and the blossoms are also visited by a host of bees and other insects. 

The plant is occasionally used as a host for the larvae of the Buckeye butterfly.