Learn which colorful and hardy native plants thrive in the hot, dry conditions of SoCal.
These tough, beautiful plants can handle the heat and minimal water with ease.
They are among the best, easy-care plants for gardeners in this region.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Name:Romneya coulteri
Growing Conditions:Grow in full sun with well-draining soil.
Its fussy at transplant, so keep root disturbance at an absolute minimum.
This plant is excellent for screening and habitats and alsostabilizes slopes.
Credit:BHG / Zoe Hansen
Name:Rhus integrifolia
Growing Conditions:After it is established, this shrub is dry growing.
Plant it in full sun or part shade and well-draining soil.
Toyon is a stand-out habitat plant andscreening plant.
Credit: Laurie Black
Stabilize slopes with this sturdy shrub.
Plants tend to spread by runners so give it room to roam.
Name:Epilobium canum
Growing Conditions:Dry growing after it is established.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Plant in full sun when possible.
It grows in less light but blooms best in full sun.
Its an ideal choice totuck in among rocks.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Name:Dudleya pulverulenta
Growing Conditions:Dry growing after it is established.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soils.
This plant takes a little shade.
Credit: Getty Images
Flower stems can reach 12 feet with golden flowers.
Mother plants die after flowering butleave pups behind.
Try planting this native in containers.
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Name:Agave shawii
Growing Conditions:Dry growing after established; plant in full sun and well-draining soils.
Itblooms in early springand after an unusual summer rain.
Name:Sphaeralcea ambigua
Growing Conditions:Dry growing after established; plant in full sun and well-draining soils.
Credit: Getty Images
Cut back by 30 percent after bloom to keep plants from growing too leggy.
Most have architectural structures and bark that is mahogany to ebony in color.
They make excellent habitat plants.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Manzanita prefers well-draining soils.
Canyon Prince is a popular selection that it’s possible for you to try in your Southern California garden.
Name:Elymus condensatus
Growing Conditions:Grow in full sun to full shade.
Credit: Getty Images
This plant needs very little irrigation after being established.
This native selection is beloved by birds and butterflies.
Name:Eriogonum grandevar.rubescens
Growing Conditions:Grow in full sun or part shade.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
This plant needs occasional irrigation once established.
Size:2 feet tall by 3 feet wide
Image Credit:Eriogonum grandevar.rubescensby brewbooks is licensed under Creative Commons.
Stems and leaves can be sticky, perhaps to deter insects.The flowers attract hummingbirds.
Credit: Getty Images
These plants often go summer dormant.
Name:Diplacus aurantiacus
Growing Conditions:Dry growing once established; grow in full sun or part shade.
Cut back by 30 percent when dormant in summer.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Spring bloom, when it occurs, is a tall spike covered in creamy white flowers.
It is pollinated solely by the yucca moth.
Name:Yucca whipplei
Growing Conditions:Dry growing in full sun; this variety does tolerate some shade.
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It is attractive to hummingbirds and is a great understory plant.
Name:Salvia spathacea
Growing Conditions:Dry growing in shade.
This plant isperfect for under oaksand other dry-growing trees and shrubs.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Let flower heads go to seed to support local birds.
Name:Salvia clevelandii
Growing Conditions:Dry growing in full sun or part shade.
Prune, if desired, gingerly and avoid cutting into wood.
Credit: Getty Images
California Poppy
Californias state flowerCalifornia poppyis a perennial grown as an annual.
It features tufts of feathery green leaves topped in brilliant orange blooms starting in early spring.
Plant from seed in late fall or winter.
Avoid overhead irrigation to keep leaves dry and mildew at bay.
Name:Eschscholzia californica
Growing Conditions:Dry growing in full sun.
California poppy blooms a bit more and lasts longer with some irrigation but not overhead.
Once initial tufts fade (or mildew), cut to the ground and water once.
Theyll resprout and bloom again.
Size:18 inches tall and wide
