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
Sky Lupine
Annual
Lupinus nanus
Blue,Lavender fragant spring flowers
Dies back with summer heat , Self
Supports Bats, Bees , Birds, Caterpillars and over 53 species of Butterflies and Moths
Adds fertility to the soil by fixing nitrogen from the air
Has been growing in California for thousands of years, likely since the end of the last Ice Age, around 11,000–12,000 years ago.
Type: Annual
Size: to 2 ft Tall
watering: Water Maximum 2x / month ,
notes: Deer Resistant, Fire Safe , Will grow in Pots, Self seeds
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,
California Sagebrush
Shrub
Artemisia californica
Easy to Grow
Very aromatic and fragrant silvery-green foliage
Supports Bats, Birds, Caterpillars, and 26 species of Butterflies and Moths
California sagebrush is the preferred nesting site of the rare and threatened California gnat catcher. The California Quail also value this shrub for habitat.
Type: Shrub Tree
Size: 1 To 8 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant