logo Calflora  Illustrated Plant List 

This is a list of local native species for the Santa Cruz Mountain area. I am developing this list in response to homeowners looking for guidance for what is safe to plant in a shady, irrigated garden near structures. Ideally all plant material should not be planted within the first 5 ft of structures according to latest recommendations from CalFire (2020). All of these plants form a low flammability ground cover ranging in height from 2 to 6 inches (not including early spring flower stalks which may rise above foliage). For questions, please email me at: Nikki@cal-sisters.com For more info on defensible space see: https://www.firesafemarin.org/defensible-space
15 PLANTS
Aquilegia formosa    Crimson columbine,  Sitka columbine,  Western columbine
native
Perennial herb

RANUNCULACEAE

Aquilegia formosa
© 2022 Charles Russell
Aquilegia formosa
© 2019 Diane Etchison
Aquilegia formosa
© 2022 David Strauch

Asarum caudatum    Creeping wild ginger,  Longtail wild ginger
native
Perennial herb

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE

Asarum caudatum
© 2023 Dana York
Asarum caudatum
© 2022 Jamie Spielmann
Asarum caudatum
© 2016 Richard Chasey

Clinopodium douglasii    Yerba buena
native
Perennial herb

LAMIACEAE

Clinopodium douglasii
© 2019 Gary McDonald
Clinopodium douglasii
© 2012 Gary McDonald
Clinopodium douglasii
© 2012 Gary McDonald

Dicentra formosa    Pacific bleeding heart,  Pacific bleedinghearts
native
Perennial herb

PAPAVERACEAE

Dicentra formosa
© 2005 Steve Matson
Dicentra formosa
© 2005 Steve Matson
Dicentra formosa
© 2005 Steve Matson

Potentilla glandulosa    Sticky cinquefoil
native
Perennial herb

ROSACEAE

Potentilla glandulosa
© 2020 Mary Conway
Potentilla glandulosa
© 2019 Diane Etchison
Potentilla glandulosa
© 2020 Diane Etchison

Fragaria vesca    California strawberry,  Wild strawberry,  Wood strawberry
native
Perennial herb

ROSACEAE

Fragaria vesca
© 2020 Cara Wilcox
Fragaria vesca
© 2017 James Gonsman
Fragaria vesca
© 2022 Dee Shea Himes

Fritillaria affinis    Checker lily,  Mission bells
native
Perennial herb (bulb)

LILIACEAE

Fritillaria affinis
© 2008 Steve Matson
Fritillaria affinis
© 2008 Steve Matson
Fritillaria affinis
© 2008 Steve Matson

Horkelia californica    California horkelia
native
Perennial herb

ROSACEAE

Horkelia californica
© 2023 R.A. Chasey
Horkelia californica
© 2020 Mary Conway
Horkelia californica
© 2023 R.A. Chasey

Maianthemum dilatatum    False lily of the valley,  False lily of the vally,  Pacific may lily
native
Perennial herb

RUSCACEAE

Maianthemum dilatatum
© 2021 Steve Matson
Maianthemum dilatatum
© 2021 Steve Matson
Maianthemum dilatatum
© 2021 Steve Matson

Maianthemum stellatum    Starry false lily of the valley
native
Perennial herb

RUSCACEAE

Maianthemum stellatum
© 2003 Steve Matson
Maianthemum stellatum
© 2003 Steve Matson
Maianthemum stellatum
© 2003 Steve Matson

Oxalis oregana    Redwood sorrel
native
Perennial herb

OXALIDACEAE

Oxalis oregana
© 2021 Caitlyn Allchin
Oxalis oregana
© 2021 Steve Matson
Oxalis oregana
© 2021 Steve Matson

Polypodium californicum    California polypody
native
Fern

POLYPODIACEAE

Polypodium californicum
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
Polypodium californicum
© 2021 Ron Vanderhoff
Polypodium californicum
© 2023 Keir Morse

Viola adunca    Blue violet,  Dog violet,  Hookedspur violet
native
Perennial herb

VIOLACEAE

Viola adunca
© 2015 Steve Matson
Viola adunca
© 2004 Steve Matson
Viola adunca
© 2015 Steve Matson

Viola ocellata    Pinto violet,  Twoeyed violet,  Western heart's ease
native
Perennial herb

VIOLACEAE

Viola ocellata
© 2020 Amy Rapport
Viola ocellata
© 2008 Steve Matson
Viola ocellata
© 2018 Stacie Wolny

Viola sempervirens    Evergreen violet,  Redwood violet
native
Perennial herb

VIOLACEAE

Viola sempervirens
© 2021 Steve Matson
Viola sempervirens
© 2021 Steve Matson
Viola sempervirens
© 2021 Steve Matson