Easy California Native Groundcovers

Eriophyllum lanarum ‘Siskiyou’ Siskiyou Wooly Sunflower

1 ft tall – 3-4 in wide
A soft, silver-leaved groundcover that produces cheerful yellow daisies from spring through summer. It thrives in full sun, needs little water, and attracts native bees and butterflies. Great for dry slopes and rocky areas.

Monardella macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’ Marion Sampson coyote Mint

6-12 in tall
This tidy, aromatic mint has deep green foliage and vibrant red-orange blooms that attract hummingbirds. It loves full sun, well-draining soil, and brings bold color to dry gardens or containers.

Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Warriner Lytle’

1-2 ft tall
An evergreen groundcover with narrow leaves and long-lasting pink-white blooms that fade to rust. Loved by native pollinators, it’s excellent for erosion control and dry, sunny areas.

Antennaria rosea – Rosy Pussytoes

4-16in tall
A fuzzy, silver-foliaged native that spreads gently by stolons and offers small pink flower clusters in spring. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, perfect for meadows, borders, or dry corners.

Phyla nodiflora ‘Common Lippia’

2-4 in tall
A fast-spreading, tough groundcover with tiny scalloped leaves and small purple-white flowers. Ideal for lawn replacement and parkways, it handles some foot traffic and thrives with low water.

Ceanothus gloriosus – Point Reyes

1 ft tall – 3-4 in wide
A soft, silver-leaved groundcover that produces cheerful yellow daisies from spring through summer. It thrives in full sun, needs little water, and attracts native bees and butterflies. Great for dry slopes and rocky areas.

Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Anchor Bay’

1-3 ft tall – 5 ft wide
A dense, evergreen spreader with dark green leaves and clusters of violet-blue spring flowers. Excellent for slopes and habitat gardens, it thrives in dry soil and coastal or inland sun.

Ceanothus uva-ursi ‘Woods Compact’

6-12 in high 1-3 ft wide
A neat, evergreen groundcover with glossy leaves and vibrant blue flowers in spring. Ideal for small spaces, edges, and pollinator-friendly gardens with low water needs.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – Bearberry (Kinnikinnick)

6 to 12 inches
A trailing evergreen manzanita with red stems, glossy leaves, and delicate pink flowers followed by red berries. Great under oaks or in dry shade, it supports birds and pollinators.

Fragaria chiloensis – Beach Strawberry

8-12 inches
A lush, spreading groundcover with dark green leaves, white flowers, and small edible berries. Low-water and great for coastal gardens, it’s kid-friendly and pollinator-supportive.

Salvia sonomensis – Creeping Sage

1 ft tall – 5 feet wide
A fragrant native sage with soft gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers. A magnet for bees and butterflies, it’s perfect for sunny slopes and low-water landscapes.

Carex pansa – Dune Sedge

8-16 inches tall
A soft, grass-like groundcover that works as a native lawn alternative. It’s low-maintenance, handles light foot traffic, and grows well in sun or part shade with little water.

Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks’ –Coyote Bush

8-16 inches tall
One of the most widely used groundcover forms of Coyote Bush. It forms a dense, tidy mat of evergreen foliage, tolerates pruning, and is great for erosion control on slopes. Very low water once established and excellent habitat for birds and pollinators.

Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’ – Dwarf Coyote Bush

1-2 ft tall, 6-8 feet wide
Similar to ‘Twin Peaks’ but typically a bit lower and tighter. Also used widely for groundcover applications, especially along freeways and in restoration projects. Dense growth helps suppress weeds and resist deer.