5 Superstar Native Plants for Western Gardens

Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) – Glossy green foliage, large yellow flower clusters spring through early winter. Evergreen shrub, can be trained as a tree to 25 ft. Zones 12, 13, 21–24; H1, H2.

Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) – Spring to early summer red tubular blooms that glow when backlit. Desert Southwest native perennial, 1–3 ft. Zones 1–3, 7–13, 18–21.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – Low, spreading manzanita groundcover to 15 ft wide. Pink spring flowers, red bird-attracting fruit, red-purple winter leaves. Native from Northern California to Alaska. Zones A1–A3; 1–9, 14–24.

Wild Lilac (Ceanothus) – White to blue flowers, versatile from groundcovers to tall shrubs, attracts butterflies. 'Concha' (6–7 ft) tolerates some summer water. Mostly California native. Zones vary; 'Concha': 6–9, 14–24.

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica) – Hummingbird magnet with red powder-puff stamens. Accent for ocotillo fences or backdrop for blue agaves. Baja California native, 5 ft. Zones 10–24.