A beautiful Western perennial, perfect for the border or in a meadow blended with bunchgrasses, poppies, clarkia and flowering bulbs. Summer blooming, flowers open over a long time; full sun, low water, 12-18” tall, needs good drainage, deer ignore it.

Growing Blue Flax from Seed

Blue Flax is ordinarily seen growing wild in meadows and grassy fields, and in these conditions it is a small plant, usually no more than a few linear stalks with a cluster of flower buds that open daily. In a controlled garden situation the plant becomes much more substantial, with multiple stalks emerging from an enlarging clump.

The seeds are a medium size, so they can be tamped down into a starter mix and very lightly covered with a sprinkling of vermiculite or perlite.  I sow the seeds in a 4” pot, outside in a protected situation, either in late summer or in early spring. The seeds germinate within two weeks, and then need another two or three months to develop into a sturdy seedling ready to transplant to a garden bed, or a container. 

Hummingbird Sages set their large flowers on spires that are easily accessible to the hummingbirds. This Salvia is endemic to California with a  natural range that begins at San Bruno Mountain and extends south to Orange County. In its natural habitat, it colonizes somewhat shady areas (unusual for California Salvias) and soils rich with humus.  

The delicate beauty of the Alum Roots, particularly in full bloom, belies the hardiness of this plant.  The leaves are somewhat maple shaped, pale green, soft, and slightly hairy. The plant forms a mounded rosette, about two feet wide. In late spring, Heuchera maxima sends up numerous flowering stalks, creating an airy cloud of tiny greenish to white flowers. The flowers attract hummingbirds.

Heucheras are most effective in the garden when planted in drifts. They are at home in the shade of trees; perfect under the canopy of native oaks since they need only occasional water during the summer months. A deciduous tree creates the ideal situation to promote profuse flowering; plenty of sunlight during the cooler months, and partial shade during the summer.   

In their natural habitat, Alum Roots grow in rocky outcroppings, often on very steep slopes that are inaccessible to deer. In a garden they need protection from the deer.  

Milkweeds are wonderful habitat plants that provide resources for a host of creatures. Various Asclepias species grow throughout the northern hemisphere; some are restricted in range, and others are widespread and adaptable. Diverse cultures during the course of human history have discovered many uses, including medicinal, for all parts of these plants. The genus name is derived from Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine.

In the wild Asclepias speciosa is often found growing in seasonally wet low spots. It is a plant that spreads by underground stems to colonize an area; so be sure to allow it room in the garden. It is drought tolerant, but will respond to water. It can sometimes take a frustratingly long time to establish a blooming stand, but it is well worth the wait!

Flowers in large, showy clusters are produced from late spring to summer. They are beautiful and fragrant, and attract an array of interesting large insects and pollinators, including of, course, the Monarch butterfly. An often, unwanted guest of Milkweeds is the imported orange Oleander aphid.  Although this aphid is host specific, it is best to control populations right away; this can be done by simply washing the bugs off the plant with a strong spray of water. Large aphid populations weaken the plant and lessen the resources available to the Monarch butterfly larvae.

The seed pods produced in fall are also large and showy; especially when they split open to reveal rows of flat seeds, each with a delicate silken parachute. Many invertebrates eat the seeds, and I like to collect the silk, to make it available as nesting material for the songbirds in spring.  Milkweeds are poisonous plants; the deer do not eat them.

In the wild Narrow-leaf Milkweed can be seen growing in meadows, sometimes in large, spread out stands. In the garden it is equally effective in drifts or scattered stands, blending and mingling with other drought-tolerant perennials. The flowers are not large, but there are many flowering stalks, and the plant is somewhat wispy; so it looks good combined with larger leaved sturdier plants and native bunchgrasses. It needs full sun, and little to no water. The plant is not long-lived, but reseeds itself readily; in my Novato garden it often dies out where I’ve planted it, but persists vigorously where it seeded itself! It is drought tolerant and deer proof.

Milkweeds are wonderful habitat plants that provide resources for a host of creatures. Summer blooms attract an array of pollinators, and the plant can host both Milkweed bugs and beetles; as well as the larvae of the Monarch butterfly.  All these living creatures on a Milkweed plant also attract a number of interesting predatory insects, including the large and spectacularly colored Tarantula Hawks.

An often, unwanted guest on Milkweeds is the imported orange Oleander aphid. This aphid is host specific, and will not show up on other garden plants; but try to reduce populations on the Milkweeds right away. This can be done by simply washing them off the plant with a strong spray of water. Large aphid populations weaken the plant and lessen the resources available to the Monarch butterfly larvae.

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.

This herbaceous perennial spreads by underground stems to colonize an area. The leaves are dark green, and triangular with a toothed edge. Flowering stalks appear in summer and can reach 6 feet tall. The tiny reddish flowers are profuse, and attract many beneficial insects and hummingbirds. The flowers are loved by native bees, and the seeds that ripen in small hard capsules in fall are eaten by ground-feeding birds.

California Bee Plant is at its best in a wildish garden, where it can be allowed to spread. It thrives in the dry shade under oaks, but also establishes nicely in moister situations close to riparian zones. Scrophularia can be the common element that ties together a mixed hedgerow planting of Ceanothus, Rosa californica, and Sambucus mexicana.

Occasionally, in summer, this plant will support the larvae of the Variable Checkerspot and Buckeye butterflies.

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.

The bright pink flowers of Salvia spathacea form on stems that rise about 12 to 18 inches above the large fragrant leaves in late spring to early summer. This Salvia prefers a little shade in inland gardens; it creates a wonderful groundcover in the dappled light of an oak woodland; or use it to weave together a mixed hedgerow planting.

Hummingbird Sage needs no water in the summer, but will look a bit shabby in the intense dry heat of late summer. It is not fussy about soil and appreciates mulch, which helps facilitate the spread of its underground stems. The highly scented, sticky leaves are so reviled by deer that this groundcover can be planted as a barrier around more desirable deer browse.

The flowers of Hummingbird Sage are a magnet for hummingbirds. ‘Avis Keedy’ has lemon yellow flowers

This sweet little aster is native to coastal southern California; and given the right conditions will spread happily in most gardens. The pale lilac, daisy-like flowers make a cheerful display in summer. Plant it in full sun to part shade; it is accepting of many soil types. The plant can spread vigorously if given extra water; withholding water will keep it in check.

Aster chilensis can be interplanted with bunchgrasses and native bulbs in a meadow or used to underplant a mixed hedgerow. The flowers are a source of nectar for butterflies and moths, and pollen for a host of beneficial insects. The plant sometimes supports the larvae of the Painted Lady and Field Crescent butterflies. The seeds are minute and provide a food source for insects and ground-feeding birds. In some situations the deer nibble on this plant, so a little protection will help it to establish.

Named Varieties include ‘Pt. St. George,’ which forms a groundcover with flowering stalks no more than 4 to 6” tall, and ‘Purple Haze,’ which is a taller form with deeper violet flowers on stalks to 2 ft.