Native Plants for Natural Landscaping in Southern California
- sublimesetuphousin
- Oct 20
- 6 min read
Using native plants in your landscaping comes with many benefits. First, your plants will look natural in the Southern California setting, helping your yard feel more integrated in the surrounding area. Second, native plants have many benefits, from using less water to helping retain the soil, and even attracting local pollinators and birds! Finally, native plants tend to thrive in their natural habitat, meaning you can expect your native plants to flourish in Orange County.
Let's dive into what you should consider before choosing native plants, as well as what kinds of plants are native to Orange County. Of course, be aware that there are so many native plants that it is nearly impossible for us to list them all in one article (check out the fantastic resources from the California Native Plant Society if you're interested in a comprehensive list of all native plants in California). Instead, we're focusing on a specific aesthetic of landscaping for the Orange County area, but if you're looking for a totally different aesthetic, our team is ready and able to help you make the landscape of your dreams.
What to Know Before You Grow
So you've decided to use native plants in your landscaping. That's fantastic! Local wildlife, your water bill, and of course, those with aesthetic sensibilities, all thank you. However, before you go pulling native plants for Orange County off the shelves there are some things to keep in mind.
First, you want to consider the sun. What patches get direct sunlight versus shade? How often is your yard in direct sunlight? Are you looking to reduce sunlight getting in through your windows, or are you worried your interior views will be blocked by tall foliage? All of this is important to consider when choosing native plants. Plants with high sunlight needs will wilt in shady zones, while shade-loving plants will fry in direct sunlight. Knowing what each plant needs to thrive is crucial to working with native plants.
The next thing for you to consider is plant water usage. Some plants, like our beloved succulents, thrive with little water, while others need gallons to sustain themselves in Southern California's heat. Each plant has variable water usage requirements, but knowing just how often you'll be reaching for the hose or turning on the sprinklers can really make a difference in yard maintenance, not to mention your water bill.
Finally, you want to consider seasonal growth, bloom, and, of course, leaf litter. Some plants only bloom for one season, others come back year after year with a little TLC. You want to arrange your yard so that there is a chorus of flowers and leaves all year round, instead of delegating spring as the only colorful season in your landscaping. You also want to consider what plants lose their leaves through the year, and what evergreen plants can cover for these shrinking violets of the foliage world.
It's a lot to consider, but at the end of the day, your garden and your overall landscape will benefit from paying attention to these factors.
Native Orange County Plants
Before we dive into some plants native to Orange County, it is worth noting that our list prioritizes some select categories to help narrow things down a bit. We aimed for low to moderate water usage, a blending of full and partial sun exposure, and a range of blooms across all seasons. If you're looking for a specific aesthetic for your landscape, we would be happy to schedule a consultation to help you choose the right native plants for your yard.
Grasses
Clustered Field Sedge
This long grass has evergreen foliage and thrives in full sunlight to partially shaded spaces. It uses low to moderate amounts of water and blooms best in the spring.
Canyon Prince Wild Rye
This moderate-height grass has evergreen foliage, thrives in both full sunlight and partial shade, and uses very little water. It blooms best in summer, but due to its evergreen status, it looks wonderful all year round.
Deergrass
Deergrass has a spiky look and evergreen foliage. It likes full and partial sunlight, uses moderate amounts of water, and blooms in the spring.
Low Plants
Yarrow
Yarrow has absolutely gorgeous blooms, doesn't lose its leaves, and tolerates full and partial sunlight. While it has a moderate water use, it does bloom in spring and summer, leading to a stunning look in any landscaping.
Nicolas Chamise
More aesthetically similar to sea grass clusters, this interestingly textured plant has evergreen foliage, thrives in direct and partial sunlight, and uses very little water. It also blooms in spring and summer, making it a great companion to yarrow visually.
Catalina Currant
Catalina Currant has beautiful red flowers with five leaves that bloom in the fall. Their foliage is evergreen, they love full and partial sunlight, and use very little water, making them a great native plant for any Orange County yard.
Flowers and Herbs
California Sunflower
These brilliant sunflowers have low to moderate water usage and beautiful blooms that make the winter-to-summer season much brighter.
Texas Paintbrush
Blooming in spring and summer, Texas Paintbrush has red blossoms that stand out from long stalks. These vibrant flowers deserve a place in any native plant garden, and they use less water than some other flowers for your garden. Plus, they look like something out of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting, which is a true win.
Purple Owl's Clover
Flowering in the spring, this fast-to-moderate-growing plant can grow up to 2 feet tall, and ranges in color from purple to pink, lavender, and even white, despite the name. These flowers are crucial to butterfly feeding, meaning you're likely to get lovely winged visitors when these flowers bloom.
Succulents
Fingertips
Also known as lady's fingers and, more creepily, dead man's fingers, these succulents are evergreen, though they flower in summer and spring. Short, sweet, and perfect as a filler plant, fingertips are a great native plant for Orange County landscaping.
Chalk Dudleya
Close your eyes and picture a succulent. Okay, once you're done picturing a cactus, the next image that should come to mind is a Chalk Dudleya. These flower-shaped plants bloom in spring and summer, and are deer-resistant, not to mention needing very little water to thrive.
Shrubs
Coffeeberry
Like its name implies, these plants have coffee-colored berries that attract birds. These plants work well in different soil types, and on top of this, have evergreen foliage, making them beautiful even when not flowering or producing berries like they do in the summer and the spring.
Toyon
This plant, also known as a Christmas Berry, is technically related to the rose. With evergreen leaves and gorgeous red berries, toyon stand out in your garden and attract various native mammals to your landscape, contributing to the local ecosystem.
Trees
Desert Willow
While technically a shrub, this plant can grow up to 26 feet tall, putting it in the tree category as far as landscaping goes. A rare deciduous tree for Orange County, these trees produce flowers in spring, summer, and fall, and have gorgeous purple, lavender, pink, and white blossoms.
Coast Live Oak
This evergreen tree flowers in spring and winter, and has notable long seeds and iconic foliage. It grows slowly, but can live for hundreds of years, and get up to 82 feet in height! Keep its size in mind when choosing where to plant this beautiful tree.
We Can Help!
If you're looking for native plants for your landscaping in Orange County, we can help. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more about native landscaping and ensure your backyard merges with your surroundings while still looking absolutely gorgeous. We can tailor your landscaping plans to work with water-conscious plants, and we are happy to integrate eco-friendly choices into every step of the landscaping process.
Citations
cnps.org (California Native Plant Society)
Meet Allison, Founder & CEO of Sublime Setup
Allison is a passionate landscape designer and contractor with deep roots in Southern California. My love for outdoor living started at an early age, inspired by my grandfather’s craftsmanship and my own experiences exploring nature. That passion evolved into a thriving business dedicated to helping homeowners enhance their outdoor spaces.
Based in San Clemente, I work closely with homeowners across Orange County, creating landscapes that are both stunning and functional. My approach combines thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to bringing each client’s vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden escape or a dynamic outdoor entertainment area, I’m here to help make it happen.
At Sublime Setup, we believe that an outdoor space should be more than just a yard; it should be an extension of your home, a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. That’s why we pour our hearts into every project, delivering high-quality, custom-designed landscapes that enhance not just properties, but lifestyles.
If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space, reach out today! Let’s create something extraordinary together.
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