California native and drought-tolerant plants
Native plants are built for the Santa Ynez Valley's dry summers. Once established, most need little or no summer water and they feed local bees, butterflies and birds.
Natives that do well in the valley
- Ceanothus (California lilac) — blue spring flowers, evergreen, from groundcovers to small trees.
- Manzanita — red bark and winter flowers; needs good drainage and little summer water.
- Sages such as Cleveland sage and white sage — fragrant, loved by hummingbirds, rarely touched by deer.
- Buckwheats — long-lasting flowers for pollinators on dry, sunny ground.
- California fuchsia — late-summer red flowers when little else blooms.
- Coffeeberry and toyon — tough evergreen shrubs for screens and wildlife.
- Coast live oak and valley oak — the trees that define the valley's hills.
Planting natives the right way
- Plant in fall. Winter rain settles roots before the first hot summer.
- Water through the first one or two summers, deeply and less often, then taper off.
- Skip rich amendments and heavy fertilizer. Most natives prefer the soil they find.
- Use mulch, but keep it a few inches away from stems.
Read more in our guide to replacing a lawn with natives, or browse natives in stock.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to plant natives?
Fall, from October through early winter, so the rains can settle the roots before summer.
Do natives need water?
Yes, while they establish: deep, occasional watering for the first one or two summers. After that most need little or none.
Are native plants deer resistant?
Many aromatic natives, such as sages, are rarely eaten. Young plants of almost anything may be browsed, so protect them while they grow.