Shopping for plants can be frustrating. Many of the plants commonly offered are take a lot of water and can be fussy to grow, require fertilizer and lots of maintenance. However native plants offer the best possible habitat and food for wildlife, are not fussy if planted in the right situation, and require low to no maintenance. Without a degree in horticulture, how can you determine which native plants will look fabulous? Here’s a guide to help.

Instead of Hibiscus, try the lush yellow flowered Palmer’s Indian Mallow, California Flannelbush, and the stunning white-flowered Bush Anemone.  For a flowering groundcover, instead of Gazania, African Daisy, and Myoporum, the delicate lavender blooms of the California Aster will feed native butterflies and pollinators. Also look to prostrate varieties, such as the lovely blue spikes of Creeping Sage , the bright yellow flowers and blue fruit of Creeping Mahonia, the yellow daisy-like flowers of Prostrate Gumplant, and the blue blooms of Centennial  Wild Lilac.

There are far more choices for native trees than most people suspect. For areas that receive a lot of water, replace maple or liquidambar with the graceful White Alder, or the statuesque Western Sycamore.  The non-native pines that are succumbing to drought can be replaced with the iconic Torrey Pine, which will grow straight when away from windy sea bluffs, and the larger Coulter Pine. The showy flowers of Bauhinia, Tabebuia, Flowering Pear and Cherry can be replaced with Western Redbud, Desert Willow, or the white dangly blooms of the Silk Tassel Tree.  A great substitution for the ubiquitous conical Italian Cypress is Tecate Cypress, which is fast-growing, has gray-green foliage, and requires little to no water once established.

There are beautiful native plants for every situation. Explore the Moosa Creek website under its expandable search criteria to find amazing plants for your yard.