Native Design Basics

Principles Into Practice

Northern California walnut (Juglans hindsii), Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens), and Pink coral bells (Heuchera rosada); Image: Deborah Halfpenny

The best California native landscapes are designed with nature in mind. Choose locally native species, design with a knowledge of where rain and irrigation flow, and place the right plant in the right spot to achieve long-term sustainability and beauty in your garden.

Design Solutions

Calscape screenshot
Calscape screenshot.

Calscape Garden Planner

Get customized recommendations for plants and design.

Humboldt lily. Credit Amina Sharma.
Humboldt lily (Lilium humboldtii) in container; Image: Amina Sharma

Urban Gardening

Create a native California garden with containers or a small space!

Annas Hummingbirds. Credit Bob Gunderson.
Annas Hummingbirds. Credit Bob Gunderson.

Maximizing Habitat

Learn practices and plants to support biodiversity in your growing space.

Achillea millefolium native cultivars (yarrow), perennials, variable, from upright to mat-forming, with dark green to gray-green or silvery gray, aromatic leaves and clusters of small, white to pinkish white flowers on 1- to 3-foot leafy stems in spring and summer. Spread, sometimes aggressively. Species is native to a wide range of soils, temperatures, elevations, and moisture regimes in temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and much of North America. 'Island Pink', a vigorous spreader from the Channel Islands in southern California, has dark green leaves and bright pink flowers. ‘Calistoga’, from the North Coast Ranges in northern California, has silvery gray leaves and creamy white flowers. ‘Sonoma Coast’, from coastal central California, has green leaves and white flowers. ‘King Range’, from coastal Humboldt County in northern California, has large clusters of creamy white flowers. Sun to part shade, most soils. Sunset: 1-24,A1-3
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium); Image: WUCOLS

HOA-Friendly Designs

Create a composition that pleases you and your Homeowners Association.

Raised garden bed; Image; Philip van Soelen

CA Native Curb Appeal

Design a native garden your neighbors will love.

Dog. Credit Kris Etherington.
Image: Kris Etherington

Dogscaping 101

Find out which plants work well with our furry friends.

Gardening is more fun with friends

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