Arboretum All-Stars
Down to Earth plants for Colusa County are from the UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars collection. To see more plants click here.
Iris 'Canyon Snow' - Canyon Snow Pacific Iris
| Latin Name: |
Iris ‘Canyon Snow’ |
| Common Name: |
canyon snow Pacific iris |
| Type: |
Perennial |
| Size: |
Medium |
| California Native: |
Yes |
| Description: |
California native plant; most dependable hybrid iris of the Pacific coast; white orchid-like flowers light up shady gardens; grows with little maintenance; narrow leaves form an attractive, evergreen, grass-like mound. |
| Pruning Needs: |
little or none; can dig up and divide in fall |
| Sun Exposure: |
Part Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low |
| Color(s): |
White |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Spring |
| Wildlife Value: |
Beneficial Insects |
Berberis aquifolium 'Compacta' - Compact Oregon Grape
| Latin Name: |
Berberis aquifolium ‘Compacta’ |
| Common Name: |
compact Oregon grape |
| Type: |
Shrub |
| Size: |
Small |
| California Native: |
Yes |
| Description: |
California native plant; dark, grape-like fruits provide food for native birds and can be made into preserves; tough plant that tolerates a variety of garden conditions; attracts beneficial insects and birds. |
| Pruning Needs: |
little or none |
| Sun Exposure: |
Part Shade Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low |
| Color(s): |
Yellow |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Spring Winter |
| Wildlife Value: |
Beneficial Insects Birds |
Mandevilla laxa - Chilean Jasmine
| Latin Name: |
Mandevilla laxa |
| Common Name: |
Chilean jasmine |
| Type: |
Vine |
| Size: |
N/A |
| California Native: |
No |
| Description: |
Attractive, twining vine; clusters of white, funnel-shaped flowers blossom in the summer with a delightful tropical fragrance; tolerant of both full sun and partial shade. |
| Pruning Needs: |
little or none; prune in winter to shape |
| Sun Exposure: |
Full Sun Part Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Very Low Low |
| Color(s): |
White |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Spring Summer |
| Wildlife Value: |
None |
Cerastium tomentosum - Snow-in-Summer
| Latin Name: |
Cerastium tomentosum |
| Common Name: |
snow-in-summer |
| Type: |
Groundcover |
| Size: |
N/A |
| California Native: |
No |
| Description: |
Gives a cool look to hot Central Valley gardens; can thrive in low to medium amounts of irrigation; silver foliage good for contrast with green-leaved plants. |
| Pruning Needs: |
little or none |
| Sun Exposure: |
Full Sun Part Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low Medium |
| Color(s): |
White |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Spring Summer |
| Wildlife Value: |
None |
Festuca californica - California Fescue
| Latin Name: |
Festuca californica |
| Common Name: |
California fescue |
| Type: |
Perennial |
| Size: |
Medium |
| California Native: |
Yes |
| Description: |
California native plant; tolerates summer drought and various soil types, and is long lived; has graceful, gray-green leaves and airy flowers that mature to a golden yellow color. |
| Pruning Needs: |
remove old flower stalks in fall for tidy appearance |
| Sun Exposure: |
Part Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Very Low Low |
| Color(s): |
None |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Spring |
| Wildlife Value: |
None |
Lagerstroemia hybrids and cultivars - Crape Myrtle
| Latin Name: |
Lagerstroemia hybrids and cultivars |
| Common Name: |
crape myrtle |
| Type: |
Tree |
| Size: |
Medium |
| California Native: |
No |
| Description: |
Provides year-round interest with summer flowers, fall color, and handsome ornamental bark in winter; comes in pink, white, lavender-purple, or red-flowering varieties; hybrid forms are more mildew resistant; attracts beneficial insects. |
| Pruning Needs: |
prune in winter to shape |
| Sun Exposure: |
Full Sun |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low Medium |
| Color(s): |
Pink Purple White Yellow |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Summer |
| Wildlife Value: |
Beneficial Insects |
Kniphofia "Christmas Cheer' - Christmas Cheer Poker Plant
| Latin Name: |
Kniphofia ‘Christmas Cheer’ |
| Common Name: |
Christmas cheer poker plant |
| Type: |
Perennial |
| Size: |
Large |
| California Native: |
No |
| Description: |
Dramatic plant brightens up the winter garden; at the top of its tall flowering stems, brilliant orange buds open to deep-gold tubular flowers; long, narrow leaves form an attractive, medium-large clump over time; attracts hummingbirds. |
| Pruning Needs: |
remove old flower stalks |
| Sun Exposure: |
Full Sun Part Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low |
| Color(s): |
Orange Yellow |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Winter |
| Wildlife Value: |
Hummingbirds |
Echeveria 'Imbricata' - Hens and Chicks
| Latin Name: |
Echeveria ‘Imbricata’ |
| Common Name: |
hen and chicks |
| Type: |
Perennial |
| Size: |
Small |
| California Native: |
No |
| Description: |
Lovely, drought-tolerant edging plant for partial shade; sculptural foliage rosettes look like blue-green succulent “flowers;” spreads by producing plantlets that slowly form a groundcover. |
| Pruning Needs: |
remove old flower stalks |
| Sun Exposure: |
Part Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low |
| Color(s): |
Red |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Spring |
| Wildlife Value: |
Hummingbirds |
Bergenia crassifolia - Pigsqueak
| Latin Name: |
Bergenia crassifolia |
| Common Name: |
pigsqueak |
| Type: |
Perennial |
| Size: |
Small |
| California Native: |
No |
| Description: |
Dense clusters of pink flowers bloom in winter and early spring; classic California garden plant for dry or moist shady border; broad, shiny leaves provide textural contrast to small-leaved plants; attracts beneficial insects. |
| Pruning Needs: |
remove old flower stalks |
| Sun Exposure: |
Part Shade Shade |
| |
|
| Water Needs: |
Low Medium |
| Color(s): |
Pink |
| Bloom Season(s): |
Winter |
| Wildlife Value: |
Beneficial Insects |
