Marin Backyard Habitats
The Marin Backyard Habitats program invites you to transform your yard into a thriving habitat by planting native species that support local wildlife, conserve water, and improve soil health.
By replacing invasive plants and reducing pesticide use, you can protect waterways from pollution and create a sanctuary for birds, bees, bats, butterflies, and more.
Start your journey to creating a healthy backyard habitat by selecting plants from the searchable Marin Local Native Plant Guide listing below .
Here we have suggested over 40 resilient local native plants that will enrich your garden, improve your appreciation of local wildlife and enhance the resilience of your neighborhood.
Farewell To Spring
Annual
Clarkia amoena
Easy to Grow
Bright pink , purple flowers in spring and summer.
Supports Bees, Bats, Caterpillars , Hummingbirds , and 5 species of Butterflies and Moths
A California native wildflower that has been growing in the region for over 10,000 years
Learn More
Type: Annual
Size: to 3 ft tall
Watering : Max summer water 1x month
notes: Deer resistant
California Poppy
Annual/ Perennial
Eschscholzia californica
Easy to Grow
Orange, Yellow flowers Spring to Fall.
Often drops into senescence in the heat of summer and returns from the surviving root growth with the onset of cooler weather
Supports Bats, Bees, Birds, Caterpillars, and 7 species of Butterflies and Moths .
A variety of Bee species are attracted to the pollen and nectar and California Quail especially like the seeds
A member of the poppy family that evolved perhaps 50 million years ago the California poppy is a truly an ancient part of our our ecosystems and has likely been on the landscape here for millions of years
Type: Annual / Perrenial
Size: To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / month
Special uses: Easy to grow Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots, Self -Seeds
Tricolor Gilia
Annual
Gilia tricolor
Easy to Grow
Blue, Lavender, and White Spring, Summer flowers.
Looks great in mass planting. Will reseed itself in the garden.
Supports Bees, Bats, Caterpillars, and several species of Butterflies and Moths
A California native wildflower that has been growing in the region for over 10,000 years
Type: Annual
Size: to 1 Ft
USES: Easy to grow , Self-Seeds
Hairy Leaved Sunflower
Annual
Helianthus annuus
Easy to Grow
Yellow, Orange flowers in Summer
Supports Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars and 37 species of Butterflies and Moths
Our wild native Sunflower had its origins here in North America at least 5,000 years ago , is an ancestor of the agricultural varieties grown around the world today.
Type:Annual
Size: to 5 ft + Tall
waTERING: Summer Water Maximum 1x / week
Notes: Easy to Grow , Will grow in Pots
Fivespot
Annual
Nemophila maculata
White, Blue, and Purple Winter and Spring flowers
Supports Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars, and 4 species of Butterflies and Moths
Fast growing and likes to spread, providing seasonal ground cover that helps protect soil and support biodiversity
Type: Annual Tree
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2x / Month
Notes: Re-Seeds
Rock Phacelia
Annual /Perennial
Phacelia californica
Easy to Grow
Lavender, White Flowers. Spring and Summer
Supports Bats, Bees, Caterpillars and 11 species of Butterflies and Moths
This native wildflower is a food source for the Mission blue butterfly, an endangered species endemic to San Francisco.
Type: Annual /Perennial
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: never irrigate once established
Common Yarrow
Perennial
Achillea millefolium
Easy to Grow
White and Yellow Flowering , Spring to Summer
Supports Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars and 15 species of Butterflies and Moths
Type: Perennial
Size:1 to 3ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / week
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots, Lawn Alternative
Narrow Leaf Milkweed
Perennial
Asclepias fascicularis
Lavender / Pink Summer and Fall Flowers
This native milkweed variety is the correct one to provide support for Monarch migration health and survival
Allow the Monarch eggs to mature in the garden and the caterpillars to consume the leaves without disturbing them.
Works well with a wide variety of other plants but is best located where its winter leaf loss and summer consumption by caterpillars will not be the center of attention. Also, plant a number of milkweeds in proximity so caterpillars will have sufficient amounts to eat.
Type: Perennial
Size:1 To 3 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x /Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Will grow in Pots
Cobweb Thistle
Perennial
Cirsium occidentale
Easy to Grow
Red and Purple Thistle flowers Spring into Summer
Supports Birds, Caterpillars and 16 species of Butterflies and Moths
This thistle tends NOT to be a troublesome weed.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant
California Fuchsia
Perennial
Epilobium canum
Easy to Grow
Red Summer and Fall Flowers .
Often goes dormant in Winter
Supports Bats, Birds, Hummingbirds, Caterpillars and 15 species of Butterflies and Moths
This is THE best California native plant for attracting hummingbirds.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Will grow in Pots, Self-Seeds
Seaside Daisy
Type: Perennial
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe
Coast Buckwheat
Perennial
Eriogonum latifolium
Easy to Grow
Pink and White Flowers Summer to Fall
Supports Bats , Birds, Bees, Caterpillars and 42 species of Butterflies and Moths
Leave the flower stalks to remain through winter to provides seed for hungry birds
This is a long time native of California and has been present for thousands to potentially millions of years.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots
Woodland Strawberry
Perennial
Fragaria vesca
Easy to Grow
Winter Spring Flowering and Spring Summer Fruiting
Grows in Dry Shade under oaks
Supports Bats, Birds, Caterpillars and 42 species of Butterflies and Moths
Ecological History
Type Perennial
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 3 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Self Seeds, Will grow in Pots
Prairie Flax
Perennial
Linum lewisii
Blue and White Spring and Summer flowers
Supports Bats, Bees, Caterpillars and 9 species of Butterflies and Moths
It provides special value to native bees
Type: Perennial Size: To 1/2 ft
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Self Seeds,
Coyote Mint
Perennial
Monardella villosa
Easy to Grow
Pink Lavender Flowers in Spring .
Often becomes dormant in Summer Heat
Supports Humming Birds, Bats, Bird, Bees, Catterpillars and 11 species of Butterflies and Moths
Indigenous peoples of California are known to have used Coyote Mint for medicinal purposes, often utilizing their aromatic properties for teas
Type: Perennial
Size: To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots
Evening Primrose
Perennial
Oenothera elata
Easy to Grow
Yellow , Orange Flowers in Summer and Fall
as name implies flowers close at mid day but open in the evening
Supports Bats, Caterpillars Hummingbirds and 15 species of Butterflies and Moths
Its fragrance is known to attract lined sphinx moth as well as other moths at night.
The seeds attract goldfinch.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Week
USes: Self-Seeds
Hummingbird Sage
Perennial
Salvia spathacea
Easy to Grow
Pink and Red Flowers in Winter , Spring and Summer
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Birds and 11 species of Catterpillars and Moths
Native Californian tribes, such as the Chumash, valued S. spathacea for its medicinal and aromatic qualities
Type: Perennial
Size: To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Will grow in Pots
Bee Plant
Perennial
Scrophularia californica
Easy to Grow
Red Flowers in Winter and Spring
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Birds, Caterpillars and 12 species of Butterflies and Moths
As the name suggests, bees are extremely attracted to the flowers. It is also a host plant for many butterflies, an important food source for small wasps and hummingbirds. The flowers are ideal for native bees, especially bumblebees
Type:Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Self Seeds
California Aster
Perennial
Symphyotrichum chilense
Easy to Grow
Blue , Lavender Flowers in the Summer
Supports Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars and 10 species of Butterflies and Moths
Blooming from late summer to early fall, its clusters of lavender to pale purple flowers are magnets for native bees, butterflies (such as the painted lady and monarch), and other pollinating insects that rely on late-season nectar sources. This extended bloom time also makes it a useful plant for creating seasonally diverse habitat gardens that support pollinators through the year.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots