Shade Loving California Natives For Your Container Garden

Including native plants in your garden is one of the best ways to directly support local ecosystem health. Native plants provide valuable habitat and food for pollinator species that are threatened due to habitat loss.

Native plants evolved over millions of years, and are adapted to unique soil, moisture and sun conditions. Native plants are often praised as low maintenance for this reason. However, choosing the right plant for the right place is crucial! Urban environments often mean gardening in pots and containers, and sometimes, working with limited light. These are my top picks for California Natives when growing in containers in full or part shade:

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Aromatic foliage, small white or light pink flowers, groundcover, used medicinally. Spills over edges of pots or climbs over ledges, does well in full or part-shade.

Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima)

Large, scalloped green leaves, tall white flower spikes, shade-loving, attractive to pollinators.

Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana)

Found in the understory of redwood forests, this groundcover thrives in full shade and is edible.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)

Evergreen, large fronds, thrives in moist, shaded areas, low maintenance.

Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

Deciduous shrub, clusters of pink or red flowers in spring, attracts hummingbirds, berries for wildlife.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Fern-like foliage, clusters of small flowers (commonly white), drought-tolerant, attracts butterflies. Usually prefers more light but can tolerate some light shade.

California Buttercup (Ranunculus californicus)

Bright yellow flowers, prefers moist areas, spring bloomer, part of the Ranunculaceae family. Usually prefers more light but can tolerate some light shade.

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

Red and yellow flowers, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, prefers moist, well-drained soil. Does well in full shade.

California Wild Grape (Vitis californica)

Deciduous vine, does well in shade, needs fence or trellis to climb. Rroduces small grapes, heart-shaped leaves, fall color, provides habitat and food for wildlife. Variety Rodger Red creates stunning display of color in fall.

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aleuticum)

Delicate, fan-shaped fronds, prefers shady, moist areas, graceful and airy appearance.

Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)

Heart-shaped leaves, small, hidden flowers, groundcover, prefers shade and moist soil.

Monkey Flower (Mimulus spp.)

Colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers, attracts pollinators, drought-tolerant, variable species. In my experience, needs some light, does not do well in full shade.

Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana)

Showy flowers in shades of purple and blue, spring bloomer, drought-tolerant once established.

California Fescue (Festuca californica)

Perennial grass, blue-green foliage, drought-tolerant, provides texture in design. Likes some sun but tolerates shade