• Adenostoma fasciculatum—Chamise
• Most abundant shrub in some local coastal chaparral, often called “Chamise chaparral”. Known for spring bloom but often flowers in fall.
• Arctostaphylos glandulosa, ssp. crassifolia—Del Mar manzanita
• Coastal manzanita endemic to local region.
• Arctostaphylos pumila—Sandmat manzanita
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursa—kinnikinnick
• From northern California but will grow here.
• Artemisia californica—California sagebrush888
• Frequently found in old coastal stands of chapparal
• Artemisia pycnocephala—Sandhill sagebrush
• Grows in Torrey Pines Park
• Atriplex canescens—Fourwing saltbush, Cenizo
• Mounding to 8 feet, can take irrigation but thrives with none, all parts edible by humans or birds. Attracts birds and butterflies.
• Atriplex lentiformis ssp. breweri—Brewers saltbush, Quail bush. Foliage and seeds are edible. Brings birds. Grows to 8 feet.
• Baccharis pilularis—Coyote brush
• Not exactly trouble free since, in a solid planting, some will die probably from root rot. Old stands can be renewed by mowing to the ground in fall.
• Ceanothus gloriosus—Point Reyes ceanothus
• Ceanothus griseus (not including ‘Diamond Heights’)—Carmel ceanothus
• Ceanothus maritimus—Maritime ceanothus
• Ceanothus thyrsiflorus—Blue blossom ceanothus
• Ceonothus verrucosus—Warty-stem ceonothus
• The kind that grows in Torrey Pines Park
• Cercucarpus betuloides—Mountain mahogany
• Coreopsis gigantea—Giant coreopsis***
• Usually dies if irrigated in summer. Needs full sun.
• Dendromecon rigida—Bush poppy***
• Eyecatching bloom on clean shrub with attractive foliage.
• Encelia californica—California sunflower***
• Likes underground water such as in a canyon but will live without. Best in sun but can take partial shade.
• Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium—Thick leaved Yerba Santa***
• Many healing uses for Native Americans, colorful lavender flowers in late spring; soft, felty textural leaves.
• Eriogonum arborescens—Santa Cruz Island buckwheat***
• Excellent garden plant, thrives with no water or can take some irrigation.
• Eriogonum cinereum—Ashyleaf buckwheat
• Grows in Torrey Pines Park
• Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Dana Point’—Dana Point buckwheat***
• Improved form of frequent component of coastal San Diego chaparral. Available: El Nativo Growers, Tree of Life, others
• Eriogonum parvifolium—Bluff buckwheat
• Often grows closest to ocean front on bluffs at Torrey pines.
• Eriogonum giganteum—Saint Catherine’s lace***
• Stunning plant from Catalina Island. Grows well in San Diego coastal region. No summer water needed.
• Eriogonum grande var.rubescens—Red-Flowered buckwheat**
• Striking member of the buckwheat family from the Channel Islands.
• Eriogonum latifolium—Coast buckwheat
• Grows in Torrey Pines Park and around many local lagoons
• Eriophyllum nevinii ‘Canyon Silver’—Canyon Silver island snowflake
• Fremontodendron californicum ssp. californicum—Fremontia, Flannelbush
• Not found growing wild along the coast but can adapt to steep coastal banks if planted there. Worth a try for its extreme beauty next to blue ceonothus on a steep slope. Needs some water to become established. No summer irrigation once extablished.
• Heteromeles arbutifolia—Toyon**
• White flowers in spring followed by colorful red berries in fall and winter bringing birds. Some selections have larger bunches of berries. Abundant in local coastal canyons.
• Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii—Coastal goldenbush, Menzies goldenbush***
• Common along the coast, abundant flowers in late summer.
• Tree of Life Nursery, San Juan Capistrano, 92693
• Isomeris arborea—Bladderpod
• Found in Torrey Pines Park and around local lagoons
• Lavatera assurgentiflora—Island shrub mallow**
• Evergreen shrub, to six feet, long flower season, very salt tolerant, from Channel Islands, has naturalized in some mainland areas.
• Lepechinia calycina ‘Rocky Point—Rocky Point pitcher sage**
• Brings butterflies. El Nativo growers has this compact (to 3 feet)selection. Good coastal plant.
• Lupinus arboreus—Bush lupine***
• Grows well along the coast. Self seeds. (Las Pilitas Nursery)
• Malacothamnus fasciculatus, (syn.: M. arcuatus) ‘Edgewood’—Bush mallow, Coastal bushmallow***
• Improved form of delightful shrub with flowers over long season, almost year round if irrigated. Often sprouts on disturbed land and the wild unimproved form is currently seen growing adjacent to Penasquitos Lagoon. Some sources say it does not live long unless cut to the ground annually in fall. Detests hot interior climates, but thrives near the ocean. Makes a very good bank cover Can be seen on Leucadia Blvd where the road cuts through the golf course. This steep irrigated, planting blooms almost year round and none of these examples have either been cut back or died since they were planted about 5 years ago. May attract ground squirrels, rabbits, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
• Malosma laurina (Rhus laurina)—Laurel sumac
• Big shrub or small tree. Las Pilitas
• Mimulus aurantiacus—Bush monkeyflower
• Yellow, white or orange, shrub or subshrub, widely adapted and very colorful with many improved hybrids. Grows well along the coast. Common in Torrey Pines Park and on north-facing hillsides.
• Myrica californica—Pacific wax myrtle
• Shrub or tree to 15 feet, best along the coast. Las Pilitas.
• Rhamnus croceas—Redberry; Spiney redberry.
• Brings birds and butterflies, good barrier plant. Needs no water once established. Tidy looking evergreen shrub, flat to 2 feet mounding. Las Pilitas Nursery.
• Rhamnus californica ‘Eve Base’—Coffeeberry
• More compact form of large, 8-foot chapparal shrub; this one grows to about 5 feet. Looks shaped without clipping. No irrigation needed, once established. (Las Pilitas Nursery.)
• Rhus integrifolia—Lemonade berry***
• Among the best-looking, easiest-to-grow, evergreen shrubs native to the San Diego coastal area. Found all around San Elijo Lagoon and most other lagoons. Good road edge and screen in gardens. Can be grown in full sun or light shade, with or without irrigation. Amenable to clipping, shearing, and training. May succumb to root rot if grown in heavy soil and irrigated too much in summer.
• Salvia leucophylla—Purple sage**
• Grows wild in Torrey Pines Park. Large sprawling groundcover, well adapted to coast. Las Pilitas.
• Salvia mellifera—Black sage
• Most abundant sage in Torrey Pines Park. 3 feet tall. Las Pilitas
• Suaeda taxifolia—Woolly sea-blight
• Common to salt marshes, can be grown where the ground floods. Las Pilitas
• Trichostema lanatum—Woolly bluecurls**
• Common at low elevations, less common around lagoons but worth a try for its lovely blue flowers.

PERENNIALS

• Achillea millefolium—Yarrow**
• Frequent member of our coastal plant community
• Aster chilensis ‘Point Saint George’—Point Saint George aster**
• Improved selection of a similar aster species to the species of aster found growing in coastal San Diego.
• Aster subulatus var. ligulatus—Slim aster
• Grows near coastal lagoons, such as Buena Vista
• Coreopsis maritima—Sea dahlia***
• Cannot take summer irrigation. Needs full sun.
• Dryopteris arguta—Coastal wood fern
• Needs shade,
• Erigeron glaucus—Seaside daisy**
• Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum—Golden yarrow**8
• Gnaphalium californicum–California everlasting**
• Fragrant blooms over a long period in spring into summer.
• Lotus scoparius, var. scoparius—Coastal deerweed***
• Lotus brevarius grows inland after fires. L. scoparius is abundant near San Elijo and other lagoons and along coastal roads. Long bloom season spring and summer. Short lived but fixes nitrogen in soil. Las Pilitas
• Sidalcea malviflora—Checkerbloom**
• Tanacetum—Dune tansy**

ANNUALS

• Abronia umbellate ssp. umbellate—Sand verbena
• Prostrate and spreading with purple flowers in spring and summer common in sandy coastal clearings.
• Camissonia bistorta—Calfornia sun cup
• One of the more easily identified yellow spring wildflowers common in sandy soil near coast.
• Cryptantha intermedia—Popcorn flower
• Coastal wildflower with bunches of white flowers on hairy plant in
• Spring.
• Layia platyglossa—Tidy tips
• Seen in spring on Torrey Pines bluffs
• Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia—California aster
• Native to coastal San Diego***
• Lasthenia californica—Goldfields***
• Common on Torrey Pines bluffs
• Linanthus dianthiflorus—Ground pink
• Colorful, abundant after good rains, low stature.
• Pluchea odorata—Fragrant march fleabane
• Found near lagoons and marshes, pink flowers in summer and fall. Frangrant gray foliage.
• Stephanomeria diegensis—San Diego wreath plant
• Little purplish-white flowers on wirey plant have some resemblence to babies breath, common summer wildflower near the coast.

GRASSES

• Not listing any grasses due to invasive qualities.

SUCCULENTS

• Agave shawii—Shaw agave***
• Excellent barrier plant with clean appearance, bold, architectural shape and ferocious spines. Uniquely-shaped bloom spike is attractive to hummingbirds.
• Cylindropuntia prolifera—Coast cholla**
• Extremely prickly plant for keeping out intruders, not for use near paths.
• Opuntia littoralis; O. orricula—Coast prickley pear**
• Effective spiney barrier plant for use away from paths. Used on banks will keep out intruders entering from above or around gates.
• Dudleyas—Any of the types listed on the green roof list would adapt to being grown on the ground, but could easily be damaged by foot traffic.

Related posts:

1. Native Annuals Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
2. Native Perennials Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
3. Native Shrubs Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon

Question from Barbara:

Answer from Pat:
Gypsum is a relatively inexpensive mineral mined from the earth and sold in bags. Gypsum is indeed an excellent way to combat problems with bad drainage in clay soils in areas where soils are alkaline and where the cause of bad drainage is the alkalinity of the clay. In other words, gypsum is an excellent additive for clay soils throughout the west and southwest or wherever clay soils are alkaline. If the lack of drainage is cause by physical factors such as compaction, gypsum won’t help that problem, but if the soil is not draining because of its alkalinity then gypsum will help it to drain.

What “compaction” means is illustrated by this example: If you have heavy clay soil and you have a horse trail on top of it, applying gypsum on top of the trail probably won’t help the puddles to drain away from the horse trail because the clay has been compacted by the weight of the horses and it has been “puddled” by the horses hoofs. In this case, a better solution would be to slope the trail slightly to drain off the water and then cover it with with a thick layer of mulch. No gardener should walk on his garden soil when it is wet, but particularly if it is clay soil since this increases compaction. (On lawns, combat compaction with aeration as explained on page 358 of my book, but also apply gypsum every year or two.)

In the west, where most likely you live, a frequent reason that clay soil does not drain (unless one has been driving a bulldozer over it) is probably mainly caused by its alkalinity. As explained in the box on page 23 of my book, clay soils are fine-grained earths containing a large percentage of tiny mineral particles that are less than 0.002 millimeters in size and these tiny particles have an electric charge that is negative. This negative charge makes positively charged minerals like iron, phosphorus, and potassium stick to them. This is a good thing since it makes clay soils, unlike sandy soils, highly nutritious, but when there is a lot of sodium (alkaline) in the clay, like we have in the west, then you have a problem because the sodium in clay acts almost like glue. As explained in my organic gardening book on page 21, the sodium in the soil pulls the tiny particles together and makes it hard for water to penetrate. Remember I said the particles have an electric charge so the action of sodium in clay is even more dramatic than glue, it’s as if there is a magnet pulling the particles together. You can see how this stops drainage.

So here comes the educated gardener. A wise gardener with clay soil, living in the west knows he or she needs to add gypsum and also knows to keep it up by adding the gypsum every year or every two years, since it only works for a couple of years. Organic gardeners believe in adding mined gypsum, but I have to tell you honestly that soluble gypsum works better. Soluble gypsum has been treated with chemicals so for a purist it’s not fully organic. The problem is it works. The chemical formula for gypsum is CaSOv. When you add it to clay soil, what results is a chemical exchange. The gypsum releases soluble calcium which takes the place of some of the sodium stuck to the clay particles and this loosens the soil by breaking apart the particles.

This is a long explanation, but the simple fact is that adding gypsum to clay soil can’t do any harm and often does a lot of good. If you have clay soil, always add about half a coffee can full of gypsum in the bottom of every planting hole and work it into the soil on the bottom of the hole before planting. This will increase drainage. Also add gypsum on top of the soil every year all over your garden in enough quantity to look as if a light snow has fallen. Follow instructions on the package. Water it into the ground or let the rains wash it in. See my book for more in-depth explanations.

And yes this works just as well in the home garden as anywhere else.

Related posts:

1. Never Add Clay to Sand or Sand to Clay
2. Categories Of Soil
3. Clay soil in Kensington area of San Diego

• Not listing any grasses due to invasive qualities.

Succulents

• Agave shawii—Shaw agave***
   Excellent barrier plant with clean appearance, bold, architectural  shape and ferocious spines. Uniquely-shaped bloom spike is   attractive to hummingbirds.
• Cylindropuntia prolifera—Coast cholla**
   Extremely prickly plant for keeping out intruders, not for use near paths.
• Opuntia littoralis; O. orricula—Coast prickley pear**
   Effective spiney barrier plant for use away from paths. Used on  banks will keep out intruders entering from above or around gates.

Related posts:

1. Native Plants Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
2. Native Shrubs Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
3. Native Annuals Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon

Related posts:

1. Native Plants Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
2. Native Shrubs Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
3. Native Perennials Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon

Related posts:

1. Native Plants Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
2. Native Annuals Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
3. Native Shrubs Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon

• Adenostoma fasciculatum—Chamise
   Most abundant shrub in some local coastal chaparral, often called “Chamise  chaparral”. Known for spring bloom but often flowers in fall.
• Arctostaphylos glandulosa, ssp. crassifolia—Del Mar manzanita
   Coastal manzanita endemic to local region.
• Arctostaphylos pumila—Sandmat manzanita
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursa—kinnikinnick
   From northern California but will grow here.
• Artemisia californica—California sagebrush888
   Frequently found in old coastal stands of chapparal
• Artemisia pycnocephala—Sandhill sagebrush
   Grows in Torrey Pines Park
• Atriplex canescens—Fourwing saltbush, Cenizo
   Mounding to 8 feet, can take irrigation but thrives with none, all  parts edible by humans or birds. Attracts birds and butterflies.
• Atriplex lentiformis ssp. breweri—Brewers saltbush, Quail bush. Foliage  and seeds are edible. Brings birds. Grows to 8 feet.
• Baccharis pilularis—Coyote brush
   Not exactly trouble free since, in a solid planting, some will die  probably from root rot. Old stands can be renewed by mowing to the  ground in fall.
• Ceanothus  gloriosus—Point Reyes ceanothus
• Ceanothus griseus (not including ‘Diamond Heights’)—Carmel ceanothus
• Ceanothus maritimus—Maritime ceanothus
• Ceanothus thyrsiflorus—Blue blossom ceanothus
• Ceonothus verrucosus—Warty-stem ceonothus
   The kind that grows in Torrey Pines Park
• Cercucarpus betuloides—Mountain mahogany
• Coreopsis gigantea—Giant coreopsis***
   Usually dies if irrigated in summer. Needs full sun.
• Dendromecon rigida—Bush poppy***
   Eyecatching bloom on clean shrub with attractive foliage.
• Encelia californica—California sunflower***
   Likes underground water such as in a canyon but will live without.  Best in sun but can take partial shade.
• Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium—Thick leaved Yerba Santa***
   Many healing uses for Native Americans, colorful lavender flowers in  late spring; soft, felty textural leaves.
• Eriogonum arborescens—Santa Cruz Island buckwheat***
   Excellent garden plant, thrives with no water or can take some  irrigation.
• Eriogonum cinereum—Ashyleaf buckwheat
   Grows in Torrey Pines Park
• Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Dana Point’—Dana Point buckwheat***
   Improved form of frequent component of coastal San Diego  chaparral. Available: El Nativo Growers, Tree of Life, others
• Eriogonum parvifolium—Bluff buckwheat
   Often grows closest to ocean front on bluffs at Torrey pines.
• Eriogonum giganteum—Saint Catherine’s lace***
   Stunning plant from Catalina Island. Grows well in San Diego coastal region. No summer water needed.
• Eriogonum grande var.rubescens—Red-Flowered buckwheat**
   Striking member of the buckwheat family from the Channel Islands.
• Eriogonum latifolium—Coast buckwheat
   Grows in Torrey Pines Park and around many local lagoons
• Eriophyllum nevinii ‘Canyon Silver’—Canyon Silver island snowflake
• Fremontodendron californicum ssp. californicum—Fremontia, Flannelbush
   Not found growing wild along the coast but can adapt to steep  coastal banks if planted there. Worth a try for its extreme beauty  next to blue ceonothus on a steep slope. Needs some water to  become established. No summer irrigation once extablished.
• Heteromeles arbutifolia—Toyon**
   White flowers in spring followed by colorful red berries in fall and  winter bringing  birds. Some selections have larger bunches  of  berries. Abundant in local coastal canyons.
• Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii—Coastal goldenbush, Menzies goldenbush***
   Common along the coast, abundant flowers in late summer.
   Tree of  Life Nursery, San Juan Capistrano, 92693
• Isomeris arborea—Bladderpod
   Found in Torrey Pines Park and around local lagoons
• Lavatera assurgentiflora—Island shrub mallow**
   Evergreen shrub, to six feet, long flower season, very salt tolerant,  from Channel Islands, has naturalized in some mainland areas.
• Lepechinia calycina ‘Rocky Point—Rocky Point pitcher sage**
   Brings butterflies. El Nativo growers has this compact (to 3  feet)selection.  Good coastal plant.
• Lupinus arboreus—Bush lupine***
   Grows well along the coast. Self seeds. (Las Pilitas Nursery)
  Malacothamnus fasciculatus, (syn.: M. arcuatus) ‘Edgewood’—Bush mallow, Coastal bushmallow***
   Improved form of delightful shrub with flowers over long season,  almost year round if irrigated. Often sprouts on disturbed land  and the wild unimproved form is currently seen growing adjacent  to Penasquitos Lagoon. Some sources say it does  not live long  unless cut to the ground annually in fall. Detests hot interior  climates, but thrives near the ocean. Makes a very good bank cover  Can be seen on Leucadia Blvd where the road cuts through the golf  course. This steep irrigated, planting blooms almost year round  and none of these examples have either been cut back or died  since  they were planted about 5 years ago.  May attract ground  squirrels, rabbits, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
  Malosma laurina (Rhus laurina)—Laurel sumac
   Big shrub or small tree. Las Pilitas
• Mimulus aurantiacus—Bush monkeyflower
   Yellow, white or orange, shrub or subshrub, widely adapted and very  colorful with many improved hybrids. Grows well along the coast.  Common in Torrey Pines Park and on north-facing hillsides.
• Myrica californica—Pacific wax myrtle
   Shrub or tree to 15 feet, best along the coast. Las Pilitas.
• Rhamnus croceas—Redberry; Spiney redberry.
   Brings birds and butterflies, good barrier plant. Needs no water once  established. Tidy looking evergreen shrub, flat to 2 feet mounding.  Las Pilitas Nursery. 
• Rhamnus californica ‘Eve Base’—Coffeeberry
   More compact form of large, 8-foot chapparal shrub; this one grows  to about 5 feet. Looks shaped without clipping. No irrigation needed,  once established. (Las Pilitas Nursery.)
• Rhus integrifolia—Lemonade berry***
   Among the best-looking, easiest-to-grow, evergreen shrubs native to  the San Diego coastal area. Found all around San Elijo Lagoon and  most other lagoons. Good road edge and screen in gardens. Can be  grown in full sun or light shade, with or without irrigation.  Amenable to clipping, shearing, and training. May succumb to root  rot if grown in heavy soil and irrigated too much in summer.
• Salvia leucophylla—Purple sage**
   Grows wild in Torrey Pines Park. Large sprawling groundcover, well  adapted to coast. Las Pilitas.
• Salvia mellifera—Black sage
   Most abundant sage in Torrey Pines Park. 3 feet tall. Las Pilitas
• Suaeda taxifolia—Woolly sea-blight
   Common to salt marshes, can be grown where the ground floods. Las  Pilitas
• Trichostema lanatum—Woolly bluecurls**
   Common at low elevations, less common around lagoons but worth a  try for its lovely blue flowers.

Related posts:

1. Native Plants Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
2. Native Annuals Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon
3. Native Perennials Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon