California Native Annual Seeds

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Calandrinia ciliata
Red Maids

An early-blooming annual under 8" tall with petals of intense magenta. Likes full sun, lean soil. Edible seeds and leaves. Prostrate habit. Important indigenous seed food; seed frequently found in archaeological sites. Petals used for rouge. A welcome and endearing first sign of spring. Packets only.

Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta
Purple Owl's Clover

Carpets of pink and purple in serpentine and other areas are created by the free-flowering habits of this low-growing annual. Larval food plant for Bay Checkerspot butterfly. Very fine seed, so we offer it by the small packet. A little goes a long way.

Clarkia amoena
Farewell-to-Spring

Showy lavender to pink flower that brightens the golden hills of California when the spring flowers have gone to seed. Thrives in sun or part shade. A stunning color range from mauve to pink to white, often with blotches of a contrasting color. With irrigation can bloom for as long as 3-4 months. Highly satisfactory garden flower and long-lasting cut flower. Marin to Humboldt Co. Blooms June-Aug, sometimes into Oct. on coast.

Clarkia bottae
Showy Farewell-to-Spring (Monterey Farewell-to-Spring)

This clarkia is a dancing, delicate thing growing 1' tall. It has pale lavender-pink flowers with a white center,and is utterly lovely in the flower border, in the meadow, and in containers. Both sun and part-shade.

Clarkia concinna ssp racheii
Raiche's Red Ribbons

Deep pink deeply- lobed annual wildflower growing one foot tall, blooming mid-summer. Elegant container plant. We sowed the seed in flats, then transplanted to 4-inch pots, then into the garden, sun or part-shade. Though known from only one north coast locality, this exciting wildflower turned out to be a fairly good seed-producer, and we are thrilled to be able to offer seed, though quantities are limited. Status: Rare.

Clarkia rubicunda
Herald-of-Summer

Long-blooming showy pink-lavender flowers with dark red blotch at base of petals. Flower stalks 12 to 18 inches tall. Still blooming in September on the coast. Found in many parts of California, Marin County is its northern limit. Packets only. List substitute in Shopping Cart.

Clarkia unguiculata
Mountain Garland

A clarkia growing to 4', this annual is a showy addition to the back of the border. It makes an incredibly long-lasting cut flower, with its pink, red or purple flowers arching gracefully in a bouquet for almost a month. One of the wildflowers that can out-compete weedy grasses. the selected form of this annual....makes a showy addition, etc

Claytonia perfoliata
Indian Lettuce (Miner's Lettuce)

This is an incredibly succulent, melt-in-your-mouth raw salad green. Recently it has gained popularity in the gourmet greens world, attracting both world class organic growers and chefs. Spring is its natural season, but this can be extended simply by planting it later and insuring it is kept moist throughout it's growth cycle. It is also an attractive short term ( 3 months) ground cover which can be helpful in controlling spring growth of invasive non-native grasses. It thrives in both sun and shade. 1/2 oz covers approximately 10' by 10'.

Collinsia heterophylla
Chinese Houses

Lush white, rose, or purple blooms tiered on 2' stalks enhance sunny woodland gardens. Good re-seeding bulb cover with long bloom period. Can be sown in fall and again in early spring for fall bloom.

Gilia capitata
Globe Gilia

Neat powder-blue flowerballs on 1 to 2 ft. stalks with finely-divided leaves. Thrives on dry banks in the chaparral. Long bloom period. Plant fall or mid-spring to bloom with summer Clarkias. Reliable self-sowing annual. Good cut flower.

Gilia tricolor
Bird's Eye Gilia

Charming and dependable California wildflower growing 6" to 12" tall. It is one of the wildflowers that profits from close inspection, with its 1/2" light-blue or violet flowers set off by powder-blue stamen and a yellow throat with a dark purple ring at the top. Long flowering period and good foil to the summer-flowering Clarkias. Marvelous in bouquets. Self-sows, has musky fragrance.

Tarweed 3-Packet Sale
Hayfield Tarweed (white & yellow) plus Elegant Madia

Extend your blooming border into summer with tarweeds. Buy all three, a cost of $19.50 reduced to $15.00, and become an honorary member of the Tarweed Appreciation Society, a select group of gardeners not afraid to take a chance. Sow in the fall.

Hemizonia congesta ssp. congesta
Hayfield Tarweed (yellow)

Annual wildflower blooming late summer turns fields bright lemon yellow. Grows about 8” tall. Great insectary plant, with unique pungent fragrance. Full sun, grows well on clay. Edible seeds were important food source for indigenous peoples.

Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulifolia
Hayfield Tarweed (white)

This lovely white annual has proved a great garden subject, greening up early and flowering long. Loves hot, dry situations, grows about 2' tall, can be pruned before flowering for bushier plants. Likes banks, grasslands, and full sun.

The tall yellow-blooming flower in the background is Elegant Madia (Madia elegans). The shorter white-blooming flower in the foreground is Hayfield Tarweed (Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulifolia).

Lasthenia glabrata
Goldfields

Tiny bright-yellow annual flowers form golden pools that make excellent foil for the larger spring bloomers. We recommend the Trade Packet or Ounce size for effective mass plantings of this species. This plant is one of the primary nectar foodsources for the endangered Checkerspot butterfly. Though fragrance is imperceptible with individual flowers, in masses it becomes heavenly. Attracts goldfinches. Very fine seed.

Layia platyglossa
Tidy Tips

Daisy-like yellow flowers with white tips turn coastal bluffs and inland hills to butter from March to June. Likes full sun and lean soil. Adaptable and easy to grow, it will hug the ground on coastal bluffs and richer garden soil and grow to 2' tall. Excellent wildlife attracter. Nectar source for the Checkerspot butterfly.

Limnanthes douglasii
Douglas Meadowfoam

An annual wildflower found in moist places, such as vernal pools and seeps. Yellow petals with white tips make a showy mass in the moist wildflower meadow. Attracts hoverflies, the larvae of one hoverfly eating 600 aphids. A favored nectar source for bees, butterflies, insects. Easy to grow and strong reseeder. Beautiful in containers.

Limnanthes douglasii var. nivea
White Seafoam

A pretty addition to our selection of meadowfoam, which we offer in yellow and white, all yellow, and now, all white. Grows near vernal ponds and seasonal wetlands but very garden-adaptable. Part-shade or full sun. Packets only.

Limnanthes alba
White Meadowfoam

An enchanting snowy white annual growing 8-12" tall. Reseeds strongly. Found near vernal ponds, seeps, wet fields, but adaptable to garden conditions.

Linanthus grandiflorus
Mountain Phlox

One of the most fragrant annual Western wildflower. Lilac, pink, and white clusters of long-blooming, low-growing flowers that also thrive in higher elevations. Can be sown around low-growing perennials for midsummer bloom in the dry border. Thrives in sun or shade. Long bloom period, May-August.

Lupinus bicolor
Miniature Lupine

Blue and white annual lupine to 16" Makes good bank planting in full sun. Blooms Spring.

Lupinus densiflorus
Gully Lupine

Available in packets only, this annual growing 6" to 12" tall has petals of white to yellow, pink or lavender-tinged. Wide geographic range. Makes beautiful varicolored masses. Blooms later than blue lupines. Packets only.

Lupinus densiflorus aureus
Yellow Lupine, Golden Lupine

Yellow annual lupine. A strong grower and a delight to the eye.

Lupinus nanus
Sky Lupine

The low-growing annual lupine that turns the flanks of Mt. Tamalpais blue in the spring. Dazzling with California poppies. Likes sun, lean soil. Food plant for Painted Lady butterfly.

Lupinus succulentus
Arroyo Lupine

Blue-to-purple flower to 3 ft. casts bluish haze over hills in early spring. One of most reliable annual lupines. Likes sun and drought. Larval food plant.

Madia elegans
Elegant Tarweed

For fall bloom plant this stunning annual, 4'-6' tall, with yellow daisy like flowers and deep orange spots at base of petal. It has a clean pungent aroma and edible seeds. Butterfly food. We grow it in our prairie and in large containers.

LIMITED QUANTITIES - 1 PACKET PER ORDER

Mentzelia lindleyi
Blazing Star

Upright yellow flower to 2' tall with sheen reminiscent of California Poppies. One of most striking Western wildflowers, particularly good with deep blues like phacelia. Not always available. Packets only. List substitute in Shopping Cart.

Nemophila maculata
Five Spot

White flower with a reddish-purple spot on each petal. A low-grower under 1' good for carpets of delicate bloom in sun or light shade. Spectacular grown in containers. Good under oaks. Easy, and one of our best-sellers at shows.

Nemophila menziesii
Baby Blue Eyes

Impossible not to love this clear blue flower with white centers. Charming addition to annual border. Good companion for Chinese Houses, Tidy Tips, Five Spot. Low growing to l0" high. We sow this one regularly throughout the year with excellent results. Sun or part shade. Much grown in England. Also marvelous in containers and as bulb cover. Heralds the beginning of wildflower days. Read Judith's blog article for more info.

Oenothera hookeri
Evening Primrose

Western native biennial growing 2-6' high. Bright-yellow 3" flowers open late afternoon. Competes well with grasses.

Phacelia campanularia
Desert Bluebells

Stunning deep blue flowers with white dots at the base of the petals grace this heat-resistant California annual. Grows to 12" Blooms in eight weeks from seed. Striking contrast with California Poppy or golden Blazing Star.

Platystemon californicum
Cream Cups

Delectable cream and yellow annual growing under 1' tall, with fuzzy nodding buds. Early spring bloomer but can be planted sequentially for later bloom. Limited quantities; list substitute. Packets only.

Salvia columbariae
Chia

If California native plants were to be studied for agricultural potential, we would recommend Chia. Highly nutritious with a mild and nutty taste, it is used to make sprouts, for a refreshing drink, and roasted and ground into meal for pinole. Its pretty blue flowers growing to 2' tall go well with California Poppies. Full sun. Packets only. List substitute in Shopping Cart.

Trifolium albopurpureum
Rancheria Clover

Annual clover with showy white and purple flowers March through July. Found in many plant communities. Pretty in containers. Limited quantities. Packets only.

Trifolium ciliolatum
Tree Clover

One of the annual native clovers that was eaten by indigenous peoples in early spring. Attractive pinkish-purple flowers. Found in many plant communities, including grassland and chaparral, below 5000 feet. Blooms March-June.

Trifolium fucatum
Bull Clover

Another edible native clover, with cream, pink, and dark purple flowers. Found in moist places, marshes, ditches, and also serpentine below 3000 feet throughout California. Blooms April-June.