Native plants play a vital role in California ecosystems. They are often more water-efficient than invasive alternatives, which is an important consideration for landscaping in California's arid, water-scarce climate. This website provides a table with information about native plants and their benefits, as well as informational pages that demonstrate how gardeners and landscapers can take advange of this knowledge.
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(2) Additional Context
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (see Resource page for more), California is a global biodiversity hotspot due to its varied geography. However, the state’s biodiversity is threatened due to climate change and invasive species. Planting native species are one step that individuals can take to help preserve biodiversity. The benefits of native plants are numerous. They can save homeowners money as they can survive on rainfall alone—no watering or sprinklers required. Furthermore, native plants provide habitat and food for native wildlife such as pollinators.
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(3) The Data
Fig 3. Table of Native Plant Info
Column explanaitions: The growth form relates to a plant’s morphology, life cycle, and seasonal changes. For example, Arroyo Lupine is an herbaceous perennial, meaning that it is a non-woody plant with foliage, and that it dies down annually in the winter but will regrow from its roots the next season. Water needs refer to the amount of water a plant requires to support healthy growth. The Ecological Role column refers to the plants contribution to the local ecosystem.
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(4) Selecting Plants
Once you understand the data, you can use this information to decide which plants are right for your garden. If you are looking to add shade cover, you should look at the “Growth Form” category, and might consider Coast Live Oak, an evergreen tree, or Coulter Pine, an evergreen conifer. If you are looking to attract pollinators, you can look at the “Ecological Role” category and choose from flowers and shrubs such as California Poppy, Douglas Iris, and White Sage. Arroyo Lupine would be a choice for attracting butterflies as it supports butterfly larvae. Furthermore, It is important to consider the water needs of your garden as water is a scarce resource in California. If your garden is well-irrigated and uses green water sources such as rain barrels, you may be equipped to plant varieties with moderate water needs, such as Matilija Poppy. However, if you plan to water your plants from a garden hose, you should consider planting species with mostly low water needs. In summary, landscaping your garden is a highly individualized process that depends on your equipment and goals.
