Native Plants

  • A Guide to Flowers on our Preserves

    This guide contains California native flowering plants and wildflowers. Download a PDF of this guide and save to your phone for quick access and use when you are out of service.

    Wildflower Guide

  • This database of invasive species provides resources to help identify invasive species and create solutions for removal.

    CAL IPC

  • This guide presents native alternatives to common horticultural varieties. Download the PDF and see what common landscaping varieties you can exchange for our incredible local native plants!

    Plant This Not That Guide (coming soon)

  • This database features various native plants found in Southern California, specifically the Santa Monica Mountains. Though there are some differences in our native plants, this is still a great resource for learning more about our native plants.

    Access Plant of the Month

  • The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Douglas W. Tallamy

    Buy the book here

  • California Native Plant Society holds a variety of in-person and online events throughout the year on a wide variety of topics, from plant care to garden design. Learn more about California native plants with these events!

    CNPS Events

  • Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife, like birds and insects. By planting a native plant, you can help support the local ecosystem and preserve the unique biodiversity of your region. This guide contains OVLC grown native plants. Download a PDF of this guide or view the plants below.

    Native Plant Guide

  • A native plant database that allows you to share your observations with other native plant enthusiasts and scientists. This site is similar to Calscape, but with a more scientific focus.

    Calflora

  • This tool allows you to search native plants and pollinators in your area to discover which plants support which pollinators and which pollinators rely on which plants.

    Native Plant Finder

  • This middle grade edition of the groundbreaking bestseller by Doug Tallamy will inspire kids to use their backyard to help save the planet.

    Buy the book here

  • Learn more about why planting native plants is important! From creating habitat to saving water, our local native plants make Ojai the incredible place that it is.

    Why native plants matter

  • This is an excellent online database of native plants and how to use them in your garden. On Calscape, you can search for plants, gardening tips, garden design, nursery availability, and landscaping professionals.

    Visit Calscape

  • California Native Plants for the Garden is a comprehensive resource that features more than 500 of the best California native plants for gardening.

    Carol Bornstein is one of Southern California’s most highly respected native plant specialists and co-author with David Fross and Bart O’Brien of California Native Plants for the Garden (Cachuma Press, 2006). Carol was a horticulturist for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for nearly thirty years.

    Buy the book here

  • Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy

    Buy the book here

  • Trying to decide what to plant?

    Check out this plant list created by one of our dedicated volunteers, Jesse. This shows which native plants support which birds and butterflies, which native plants smell the best, and which plants are the easiest to grow!

    Read the plant list here