Lawn by Season

California Native Plants by Layer

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56 native species are verified for California across the three planting layers, and this page ranks them by the wildlife they support. California sits in the Mediterranean California ecoregion, so every count below is the figure published for Mediterranean California rather than a national average. The idea is not to remove your lawn. It is that a canopy tree, a shrub layer along a border and a flowering ground layer do the ecological work a garden can actually do, while the turf stays turf.

Canopy for California

The tree layer. This is where most of the caterpillars that birds feed their nestlings are produced, which is why a single tree choice outweighs everything else in the yard.

32 verified canopy options for California. California live oak leads on published wildlife value.

California Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus agrifolia alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 70.0 ft, blooms early spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Canyon Live Oak

Quercus chrysolepis
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus chrysolepis alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 90.0 ft, blooms late spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Oregon White Oak

Quercus garryana
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus garryana alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Deer Oak

Quercus sadleriana
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus sadleriana alone.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Sonoran Scrub Oak

Quercus turbinella
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus turbinella alone.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Carolina Laurelcherry

Prunus caroliniana
  • The genus Prunus hosts 262 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus caroliniana alone.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Bitter Cherry

Prunus emarginata
  • The genus Prunus hosts 262 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus emarginata alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana
  • The genus Prunus hosts 262 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus virginiana alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 25.0 ft, blooms mid spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - AK, Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in California.

24 further verified canopy species for California are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

Understory for California

Shrubs and small trees beneath the canopy. This layer carries the shoulder-season fruit and cover, and it is the easiest layer to add along an existing fence line or bed edge.

13 verified understory options for California. narrowleaf willow leads on published wildlife value.

Narrowleaf Willow

Salix exigua
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix exigua alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Goodding'S Willow

Salix gooddingii
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix gooddingii alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 40.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Sandbar Willow

Salix interior
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix interior alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, mature height 30.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Arroyo Willow

Salix lasiolepis
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix lasiolepis alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 35.0 ft, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: None.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Black Willow

Salix nigra
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix nigra alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 100.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Scouler'S Willow

Salix scouleriana
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix scouleriana alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use high, mature height 50.0 ft, blooms early spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Sitka Willow

Salix sitchensis
  • The genus Salix hosts 328 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Salix sitchensis alone.
  • 15 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Salix. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use high, mature height 23.0 ft, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: None.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48, Native - SPM. Recorded in California.

Buckbrush

Ceanothus cuneatus
  • The genus Ceanothus hosts 120 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Ceanothus cuneatus alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 11.0 ft, blooms early summer, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

5 further verified understory species for California are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

Ground layer for California

Flowering perennials at ground level. This is the layer that keeps pollen and nectar available from spring through fall, and it is what specialist bees depend on.

11 verified ground layer options for California. Nuttall's sunflower leads on published wildlife value.

Nuttall'S Sunflower

Helianthus nuttallii
  • The genus Helianthus hosts 58 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Helianthus nuttallii alone.
  • 41 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Helianthus. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 10.0 ft, blooms mid summer, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Prairie Sunflower

Helianthus petiolaris
  • The genus Helianthus hosts 58 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Helianthus petiolaris alone.
  • 41 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Helianthus. Genus-level figure.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago altissima
  • The genus Solidago hosts 53 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago altissima alone.
  • 27 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 5.0 ft, blooms late spring, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis
  • The genus Solidago hosts 53 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago canadensis alone.
  • 27 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 3.5 ft, blooms late summer, rapid growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Introduced - HI, Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Giant Goldenrod

Solidago gigantea
  • The genus Solidago hosts 53 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago gigantea alone.
  • 27 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance medium, moisture use medium, mature height 8.2 ft, blooms indeterminate, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Rocky Mountain Goldenrod

Solidago multiradiata
  • The genus Solidago hosts 53 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago multiradiata alone.
  • 27 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, mature height 1.0 ft, blooms late summer.

Drought tolerance: Low.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - AK, Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Threenerve Goldenrod

Solidago velutina
  • The genus Solidago hosts 53 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Solidago velutina alone.
  • 27 pollen specialist bee species rely on the genus Solidago. Genus-level figure.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Western Aster

Symphyotrichum ascendens

No published wildlife figure applies to this genus in this state's ecoregion sheet, so none is shown.

USDA lists no drought tolerance value for this species.Nativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

3 further verified ground layer species for California are in the dataset behind the native plant finder.

California natives for a watering restriction

23 of the 56 verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium. That matters in California because a drought tolerant native border is the constructive answer to a watering restriction: once established it holds up on local rainfall, while a cool season lawn browns out and stays brown. If restrictions are in force where you are, the California water restrictions tracker has the current stage, and the California xeriscape guide covers the wider low water approach for the parts of the yard you are converting.

California Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus agrifolia alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 70.0 ft, blooms early spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Canyon Live Oak

Quercus chrysolepis
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus chrysolepis alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance low, moisture use medium, mature height 90.0 ft, blooms late spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Oregon White Oak

Quercus garryana
  • The genus Quercus hosts 275 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Quercus garryana alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use low, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms mid spring, slow growth.

Drought tolerance: HighNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

Bitter Cherry

Prunus emarginata
  • The genus Prunus hosts 262 caterpillar species in the published keystone list for this ecoregion. Genus-level figure, not a count for Prunus emarginata alone.

Growing conditions: shade tolerance high, moisture use medium, mature height 80.0 ft, blooms mid spring, moderate growth.

Drought tolerance: MediumNativity per USDA PLANTS: Native - CAN, Native - L48. Recorded in California.

How to read these numbers

Every caterpillar and specialist bee figure on this page is published by plant genus, not by species. When the page says the genus Quercus hosts a given number of caterpillar species, that is the claim the research supports; attaching the same number to one particular oak would not be. The counts come from the National Wildlife Federation keystone plant sheets, which draw on Dr Doug Tallamy's work at the University of Delaware for Lepidoptera and Jarrod Fowler's work for specialist bees. Nativity, distribution and every growing condition come from the USDA PLANTS Database. Where USDA publishes no value, this page shows none rather than an estimate. The full sourcing, the selection criteria, and the honest case against treating yard scale planting as restoration are all on the methodology page.

For the lawn itself, seasonal timing and grass selection for this state are in the California lawn care guide, and if you are converting an area rather than edging it, the lawn alternatives guide covers ground layer substitutes in more depth.

Common questions

What should I plant first in California?

The canopy layer. California live oak is the highest value verified option, because the genus Quercus carries 275 caterpillar species in the Mediterranean California keystone list. That is a genus level figure. One tree does more ecological work than any other single choice in a yard.

How many native plants are verified for California?

56 species across the three layers: 32 canopy, 13 understory and 11 ground layer. Each is recorded in California by the USDA PLANTS Database and classified native to this region. Anything USDA flags as introduced here is excluded.

Which California natives handle a watering ban?

23 of the verified species carry a USDA drought tolerance of High or Medium, including California live oak, canyon live oak, Oregon white oak. Where USDA publishes no drought value for a species, none is shown rather than an estimate.

Do I need to remove my California lawn to plant natives?

No. The edges, borders and tree layer carry nearly all of the ecological value available to an ordinary yard, and none of that requires changing how the turf itself is used. Adding one canopy tree and one planted border is the realistic version of this for most homeowners.

Sources: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database for nativity, distribution and growing characteristics, read 2026-08-18. National Wildlife Federation Keystone Native Plants for genus level caterpillar and specialist bee counts.