part shade — Drought Tolerant Plants

Sea Pink

Armeria maritima

Blooms spring to early summer
Armerias are easy to grow, compact perennials, which tolerate salt and are a popular plant for seaside landscapes. Armeria plants form tufts of narrow, stiff evergreen leaves topped with bright, globular, bright rose clover-like flower heads, 6" mound with 1" pink flowers on 1'h stems in spring and early summer. Sturdy and dependable, Armerias are an ideal perennial for edging borders or walks. Drought tolerant at the coast but will survive elsewhere with regular water; part shade inland. Tolerates sandy soils and clay. Deer resistant. Gopher resistant.

Coastal NativeTorrey DouglassOctober 23, 2019salt-tolerant, flowers, part shade, deer resistant, gopher resistant

Penstemon

Penstemon spp.

Bloom times vary spring to summer
Many California natives, many colors to choose from. The bushy, flowery plant is extremely drought-tolerant and excellent for native and honeybees. In spring, Penstemon heterophyllus has gorgeous blue-purple flowers, 1-2' h x 2-3' w, accepting of heavy soils and some shade.

Hummingbird Sage

Salvia spathacea

Blooms winter through summer
Native to coastal California, excellent ground-covering foliage, 2’ h x spreading; prefers partial shade; blooms with long-stemmed flower clusters in late winter through summer, and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees.

Beach Strawberry

Fragaria chiloensis

Blooms March to August
Native to California coastal bluffs and sand dunes; spreading perennial, with white flowers, 6-12 inches tall, followed by edible red fruits. Grows well in most California gardens as long as it gets some shade and water. Beach Strawberry is a good ground cover for sun in coastal areas and part shade inland.

NativeTorrey DouglassOctober 8, 2019good ground cover, perennial, tolerates sand, part shade

Pink-Flowered Currant

Ribes sanguineum glutinosum

Blooms January to March
A five-foot deciduous shrub with long showy pink flower clusters that cover the plant in January to March, followed by edible fruit. Native to canyons and north slopes in the coast ranges, this currant likes shade to part shade and moderate water in the interior but is very drought tolerant in coastal gardens. Tolerates sand, clay and seasonal flooding.

NativeTorrey DouglassOctober 5, 2019deciduous shrub, part shade, tolerates clay, tolerates sand

Chinese Houses

Collinsia heterophylla

Blooms spring to early summer
Annual flower that blooms with two-lipped flowers from pink to lavender on 20” stems. Likes partial shade, well drained sandy soil, and water to extend blooms. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts Bombus and mason bees.