Water Smart Plant Picker
Water conservation is an essential consideration when designing and managing Sonoma and Marin County landscapes. Our area enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by wet winters and long, dry summers with little rainfall. Plants that are suited or adapted to local conditions not only use less water but generally grow more successfully and robustly, with fewer insect and disease problems. They ultimately create a healthier, more beautiful and more sustainable landscape.
Below is a hand selected plant list for Sonoma and Marin counties that displays mostly native species that will thrive in our climate. You can search, filter and save specific plants. A login (Facebook or Email) is required to save a plant list. No account is needed to copy and share links to individual plants.
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California Native
Achillea spp & cvs Yarrow Perennial
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California Native
Aesculus californica California buckeye Shrub, Tree Perennial
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Agastache spp Hyssop, Licorice Mint Perennial
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California Native
Agave spp Agave Succulent
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Aloe spp Aloe Succulent
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Anigozanthos spp Kangaroo Paw Perennial
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California Native
Aquilegia spp Columbine Perennial
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California Native
Arbutus spp & hybrids Arbutus, Strawberry Tree Shrub, Tree
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California Native
Arctostaphylos spp & cvs Manzanita, 'Dr. Hurd' Ground Cover, Shrub
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California Native
Aristolochia californica California Pipevine Vine Perennial
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California Native
Artemisia ssp Sagebrush, Wormwood Shrub Annual, Perennial
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California Native
Asclepias spp, CA native Milkweed Perennial



Yarrows are variable low-growing, spreading herbaceous perennials with finely divided leaves that inhabit many temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Flattish clusters of flowers form in spring and well into summer and provide an important nectar source for pollinators and insects. Yarrow can help to stabilize slopes and is a good addition to the upper level of rain gardens and swales. Colors include yellow, pink, and red.
California native spp & cvs: A. millefolium (common yarrow), A. m. ‘Calistoga’, A. m. ‘Island Pink’, A. m. ‘Sonoma Coast’, A. m. ‘Terracotta’.
Other yarrows: A. filipendulina (fern leaf yarrow), A. f. ‘Coronation Gold’, A. ‘Moonshine’, A. tomentosa (woolly yarrow).
- Water: Low
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Most Soils
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: Gray GreenGreen
- Flower Color: PinkRedYellow
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummer
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: SmallMedium
- Wildlife: Deer Resistant
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesMMWDSCLLLSonoma Super StarSRJC IDWater Smart Plants Cards



Large, multi-trunked shrub or small tree. Silvery gray bark with green leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers. Summer deciduous, defoliating in early July and growing during wet winter and spring months. Only buckeye native to California, small trees are found in Southern regions while large shrubs are found in Northern regions.
- Water: Very Low
- Light: Full Sun
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Flower Color: White
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummerWinter
- Bark Color: Gray
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: Medium
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseWater Smart Plants CardsSR Climate Forward Tree
Shrubby perennial in the mint family with aromatic gray-green leaves from southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Tubular orange and lavender flowers from midsummer to fall. Can be short-lived in clay soils.
- Water: Low
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: Gray GreenGreen
- Flower Color: LilacLavenderOrange
- Blooming Season (s): Summer
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: SmallMedium
- Featured On A Local List? : Landscape TemplatesMMWDSRJC ID
Large group of succulents that can provide a sculptural focal point. Mostly from warm, dry areas of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Well-adapted to California gardens, especially with well-drained soils.
Examples: A. americana, (century plant, 6’ x 10’), A. filifera (threadleaf agave, 2’ x 2’), A. parryi (artichoke agave, 3’ x 3’), A. shawii (Shaw’s agave, 2’ x 5’), A. weberi (5’ x 10’).
- Water: Very LowLow
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: BlueGreenSilver
- Flower Color: RedYellow
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummerFall
- Size: SmallMediumLarge
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden Sense
Large, variable group of succulents, primarily from South Africa, that produce yellow, orange, or red tubular flowers. Many are somewhat tender and are best grown in mostly frost-free areas. Plant in well-drained soils in full sun in coastal areas and with partial shade in hot locations.
Examples: A. arborescens (tree aloe, 6-8’ x 5-6’), A. ferox (bitter aloe, 3-5’ x 3-5’), A. maculata (soap aloe, 18” x 2-3’), A. striata (coral aloe, 2’ x 2’), A. vera (medicinal aloe, 2’ x 3-4’).
- Water: Low
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: BlueGreenSilver
- Flower Color: OrangeRedYellow
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummerFallWinter
- Size: SmallMediumLarge
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseSRJC ID
Southwestern Australian perennial with strappy, evergreen leaves and long-lasting, colorful and fuzzy tubular flowers attractive to hummingbirds. Prefers well-drained soils and can be short-lived.
Examples: A. flavidus (2-4’ x 2-3’), A. rufus (1-3‘ x 1-3’), A. ‘Red Cross’, A. ‘Regal Claw’.
- Water: Low
- Light: Full Sun
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Flower Color: GreenOrangePinkRedYellow
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummer
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: SmallMedium
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesSRJC ID
This woodland perennial has blue-green, deeply divided leaves and delicate, nodding flowers. Leave spent flowers to form seed heads for a crop of new seedlings. There are many species and hybrids, but the red-and-yellow flowering Aquilegia formosa (western columbine) is perhaps the most fitting for gardens in Sonoma and Marin. Excellent companion for other shade-loving plants such as coffeeberry and currants.
- Water: Low
- Light: Partial Shade
- Soil: Most Soils
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: BlueGray GreenGreen
- Flower Color: PurpleRed
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummer
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: Small
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesMMWD
Group of evergreen trees and large shrubs with attractive foliage and bark, small urn-shaped flowers, and reddish fruit. Prefer sunny locations and well-drained soil. A. ‘Marina’ (20-30’ – 15-30’) and A. unedo (strawberry tree, 15-30’ x 15-30’) are most commonly planted in California landscapes, either as multi-stemmed or single-stemmed, large shrubs or trees. While the two trees are similar in appearance, A. ‘Marina’ has cinnamon-brown shedding bark, whereas the bark of A. unedo is more brown. A. menziesii (madrone, 20-100’) is native to the west coast of North America, including the foothills of Sonoma and Marin counties. A. menziesii is less common in landscapes as it is notoriously difficult to establish.
- Water: Low
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Evergreen
- Leaf Color: GreenGreen - Dark
- Flower Color: White
- Blooming Season (s): FallWinter
- Fruit Color: OrangeRed
- Bark Color: Cinnamon-Brown
- Size: SmallMedium
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesMMWDSRJC IDWater Smart Plants CardsSR Climate Forward Tree
Manzanitas vary from carpet-forming groundcovers to small trees. Manzanitas have varying shades of striking, reddish brown bark and can provide structure to a garden. These plants have evergreen foliage, small white-to-pink, urn-shaped blossoms in late winter to early spring, and then small fruits that resemble tiny apples.
Groundcovers: A. ‘Emerald Carpet’ (1’ x 3-6’), A. ‘Pacific Mist’ (2-3’ x 6-8’), A. nummularia ‘Bear Belly’ (1’ x 3’), A. uva ursi ‘Radiant’ (6” x 4-6’), A. uva ursi ‘Wood’s Compct’ (1’ x 3’).
Shrubs: A. ‘Howard McMinn’ (5-7’ x 6-10’), A. ‘John Dourly’ (3-4’ x 5-6’), A. ‘Lester Rowntree’ (8-10’ x 10-15’), A. ‘Sunset‘ (5-7’), A. bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’ (8-10’), A. manzanita ‘Sentinel’ (6-8’ x 5’).
Trees: A. manzanita ‘Dr. Hurd’ (10-15′)
- Water: Very LowLow
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Well Drained
- Foliage: Evergreen
- Leaf Color: Green
- Flower Color: PinkWhite
- Blooming Season (s): SpringWinter
- Fruit Color: Reddish Brown
- Bark Color: Brown
- Size: SmallMediumLarge
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesMMWDSonoma Super StarWater Smart Plants CardsSR Climate Forward Tree
Important northern California native habitat plant that is the sole larval food source for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. This deciduous vine grows naturally along stream banks and in woodlands and performs well under native oaks. Dutchman’s pipevine is relatively slow-growing and takes a few years to establish. Pendulous pipe-shaped flowers bloom in early spring, followed by soft, bright green, heart-shaped leaves. Best grown as a groundcover to provide protection for pipevine swallowtail larvae but will also twine up other plants and structures. The real show comes in late spring as larvae feed on the plant and grow into spectacular horned, black caterpillars with red spots!
- Water: Low
- Light: Partial ShadeShade
- Soil: Most Soils
- Foliage: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green -Light
- Flower Color: Pale Green
- Blooming Season (s): SpringWinter
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: Medium
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesWater Smart Plants Cards
Large group of plants that includes annuals, perennials, and shrubs grown for fine, soft-textured, aromatic, gray-green foliage. Flowers are inconspicuous but provide a source of pollen, nectar, and seeds for wildlife. Shrubby varieties can be cut back to maintain a more tidy and compact appearance. Perennial varieties can be divided in fall or early spring. Excellent choice as support for more showy plants in the garden.
Examples: A. ‘Powis Castle’ (3’ x 6’), A. californica (2-5’ x 4-5’, low-growing cultivars ‘Canyon Gray’ and ‘Montara’), A. pycnocephala ‘David’s Choice’ (6” x 2’).
- Water: Very LowLow
- Light: Full Sun
- Soil: Most Soils
- Foliage: EvergreenHerbaceous
- Leaf Color: GrayGray GreenGreen
- Flower Color: YellowWhite
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummer
- Life Cycle: AnnualPerennial
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesMMWDWater Smart Plants Cards
Colony-forming, herbaceous perennials with several species providing important habitat and larval food sources for the monarch butterfly while attracting a diverse array of insects.
California milkweeds remain dormant during the colder months. Stems that emerge in April or May bear clusters of small, star-like flowers in summer followed by silky-tailed seeds that are dispersed by wind. A. fascicularis (narrow-leaved milkweed, 1-3’) is the preferred food source for monarch larvae. A. speciosa (showy milkweed, 2-4’) has larger, soft foliage, showier flower clusters, and is also a food source for monarch larvae.
- Water: Low
- Light: Full SunPartial Shade
- Soil: Most Soils
- Foliage: Herbaceous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Flower Color: Pink
- Blooming Season (s): SpringSummer
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Size: Medium
- Featured On A Local List? : Garden SenseLandscape TemplatesMMWDSCLLLWater Smart Plants Cards