WHY NATIVE PLANTS

Support and preserve the region’s biodiversity with native plants.

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. If we can change our mindset, we will find bounty and beauty in the world of native species. We can not only create gorgeous landscapes that provide innumerable benefits to other plant and animal species, we will also reap a host of benefits as the property owners and stewards of our land.

SUPPORT LOCAL BIODIVERSITY

Native plants and the birds and the bees were made for each other! They have spent a millennia evolving together, and even seasonal migratory visitors rely on the wide diversity of native flora blooming throughout the year. While your plants will provide an abundance of food, the birds, butterflies, bees and more will keep everything in balance. The benefit to you is that you get to watch your garden come to life!

SAVE WATER

Native plants are adapted to our local climate and the hot, dry summers and cooler, wet winters of our region. This means they require less water and maintenance than non-native plants. By planting native plants in your yard, you can reduce your water usage and save time and money on maintenance. Once they are established many native plants can survive with little to no irrigation. Water conservation in our valley is vital, and saving water will save you money too!

CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE

Native plants in Southern California are beautiful and diverse, with a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes. By planting native plants in your yard, you can create a beautiful and unique landscape that reflects and contributes to the natural beauty of the region.

BUILD HABITAT CONNECTIVITY

With over 98% of land the US either developed or in agricultural production, there is little native habitat left for our wildlife and pollinators. By planting our yards, gardens, parks, roadsides, and more with native plants, the little space left can become habitat–connecting our remaining wildlands.

NATIVE PLANT Guide

Get to know all the types of OVLC grown native plants in our interactive guide!

Plant this, not that!

  • Chaparral Bush Mallow

    Chaparral Bush Mallow

    Malacothamnus fasciculatus instead of lavender

  • Big Big berry manzanita

    Arctostaphylos glauca instead of an olive tree

  • buckwheat

    California Buckwheat

    Eriogonum fasciculatum instead of iceberg roses

  • Purple needle grass

    Stipa pulchra, instead of fountaingrass

  • Golden yarrow

    Eriophyllum confertiflorum instead of lantana

  • Purple sage

    Salvia leucophylla instead of salvia nursery hybrids

  • chaparral yucca

    Chaparral Yucca

    Yucca whipplei instead of Mexican agaves

  • western redbud

    Western redbud

    Cercis occidentalis instead of crape myrtle

  • ceanothus

    Buckbrush

    Ceanothus cuneatus instead of pittosporum

  • milkweed

    Narrowleaf milkweed

    Asclepias fascicularis instead of lion’s tail

  • salvia apiana

    White Sage

    Salvia apiana instead of Mexican sage

  • matilija poppy

    Matilija poppy

    Romneya coulteri instead of oleander

How to plant

  1. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and half again as deep as the container. 

  2. Fill the hole with water and let it soak through before continuing.  Rough up the sides and bottom of the hole so the roots will be able to dig in as they grow.  Put back enough loose dirt in the bottom of the hole, so that when you put the plant in the hole, the root ball is about 1″ higher than the surrounding grade.

  3. Hold the plant gently at the base, turn the pot upside down and tap the bottom of the pot to help it release. Lift the pot off and carefully place in the hole. Check to make sure the root ball is a bit above grade.

  4. Fill in the hole with the dirt you removed, and tamp gently around the plant. Don’t push too hard or push on the root ball. Smooth it out and create a little berm around the plant so that water stays near and doesn’t run off. Water gently one more time. Always water gently to avoid disturbing the soil too much.

OVLC Nursery

Native plants from local seed

Native plant guide

See what we grow in the nursery

Why grow natives

Benefits