Tarweed is in full bloom from late summer through fall, providing pollen and nectar when little else is available for bees and beneficial insects. A great choice with asters, goldenrod and grasses; heavy bloomer, reseeds readily. Usually 4 to 6 ft. tall, full sun, very low water needs.

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.  

Gilias are easy to grow, and will happily reseed when conditions are right! Annual wildflowers often mingle with other wildflowers in the Grasslands and sun spots in the Oak Woodlands. Plant them amongst bunchgrasses in the garden; and use wildflowers to fill in around newly planted shrubs.

The ferny foliage is beautiful, and the spring flowers attract many beneficial insects. Seed can be sown in the garden at the start of the rainy season, or in containers later in spring. Songbirds eat the seeds, so be sure to offer protection until seedlings are at least a few inches tall.

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.

Pink-flowering Currant grows best in partial shade; perfect in the summer-dry conditions of an oak woodland. Drooping racemes of pink to red flowers emerge just as the scented leaves unfurl in late winter or early spring. The plant has a tall vase-shaped form which lends itself to espaliering; it can also be pruned to a rounded shape. It is adaptable to many situations and not fussy about soils; with additional water it will tolerate full sun in all but the hottest areas.

Combine Ribes sanguineum with a shade loving Ceanothus such as ‘Ray Hartman’, which blooms at the same time, to create a lovely pastel picture. All the Ribes species are ideal shrubs in an oak woodland garden. Pink-flowering Currant can also be planted stream-side or in a mixed evergreen forest.

The flowers attract hummingbirds, and berries produced in the fall are favored by songbirds. The berries are edible, though not tasty; native peoples harvested and dried the fruits to make a type of “pemmican“.

This perennial shrub is found all over the Bay Area, growing in full sun in Chaparral, or part shade at the edges of Oak Woodland.  In the garden it requires good drainage and is drought tolerant.  A little extra water in the dry season will keep it looking its best, and encourage it to bloom all summer long.

Sticky Monkeyflower is an important nectar source for hummers; and most especially for the Allen’s and Rufous hummingbirds on their migration up the California coast.  The flowers are also visited by lots of bees and other insects, and provide for the larvae of the Variable Checkerspot butterfly, and occasionally the Buckeye butterfly.

There are many beautiful hybids available with flowers in oranges, reds, pinks, white, and burgundy.  The hybrids look their best in part shade and also do well in containers.