Pacific Silver Fir is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, occurring in the Pacific Coast Ranges and the Cascade Range from the extreme southeast of Alaska, through western British Columbia, Washington and Oregon, to the extreme northwest of California. It grows at altitudes of sea level to 1,500 meters in the north of the range, and 1,000-2,300 meters in the south of the range, always in temperate rain forest with relatively high precipitation and cool, humid summers. Common associate trees are Douglas fir and California buckeye. It is a large evergreen coniferous tree growing to 30-45 meters (exceptionally 72 meters) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.2 meters (exceptionally 2.3 meters). The bark on younger trees is light grey, thin and covered with resin blisters. On older trees, it darkens and develops scales and furrows. The leaves are needle-like, flattened, 2-4.5 centimeters long and 2 millimeters wide by 0.5 millimeters thick, matt dark green above, and with two white bands of stomata below, and slightly notched at the tip. The leaf arrangement is spiral on the shoot, but with each leaf variably twisted at the base so they lie flat to either side of and above the shoot, with none below the shoot. The shoots are orange-red with dense velvety fine hair. The cones are 9-17 centimeters long and 4-6 centimeters broad, dark purple before maturity; the scale leafs are short, and hidden in the closed cone. The winged seeds are released when the cones disintegrate at maturity about 6-7 months after pollination.

The Bristlecone Fir or Santa Lucia Fir (Abies bracteata) is a rare fir, confined to slopes and the bottoms of rocky canyons in the Santa Lucia Mountains on the central coast of California, USA. It is a tree 20-35 meter tall, with a slender, spire-like form. The bark is reddish-brown with wrinkles, lines and resin vesicles ('blisters'). The branches are downswept. The needle-like leaves are arranged spirally on the shoot, but twisted at the base to spread either side of the shoot in two moderately forward-pointing ranks with a 'v' gap above the shoot; hard and stiff with a sharply pointed tip, 3.5-6 centimeter long and 2.5-3 millimeter broad, with two bright white stomatal bands on the underside. The cones are ovoid, 6-9 centimeter long (to 12 centimeter including the bracts), and differ from other firs in that the bracts end in very long, spreading, yellow-brown bristles 3-5 centimeter long; they disintegrate in autumn to release the winged seeds. The male (pollen) cones are 2 centimeter long, shedding pollen in spring.

White Fir (Abies concolor) is a member of the Pinaceae (Pine) family native to the mountains of western North America, occurring at altitudes of 900-3,400 meter. In California it is quite common in the Sierras and North Coast Range, with scattered locations in the mountains of southern California. It is a medium to large evergreen coniferous tree growing to 25-60 meters tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 2 meters. The leaves are needle-like, flattened, 2.5-6 centimeter long and 2 millimeter wide by 0.5-1 millimeter thick, green to waxy pale blue-green above, and with two waxy pale blue-white bands of stomata below, and slightly notched to bluntly pointed at the tip. The leaf arrangement is spiral on the shoot, but with each leaf variably twisted at the base so they all lie in either two more-or-less flat ranks on either side of the shoot, or upswept across the top of the shoot but not below the shoot. The cones are 6-12 centimeter long and 4-4.5 centimeter broad, green or purple ripening pale brown, with about 100-150 scales; the scale leafs are short, and hidden in the closed cone. The winged seeds are released when the cones disintegrate at maturity about 6 months after pollination. This plant prefers higher elevations and cold winters; it needs extra care if grown outside its native range.

The Red Fir or Silvertip fir (Abies magnifica) is a western North American fir, native to the mountains of southwest Oregon and California in the United States. It is a large evergreen tree typically up to 40-60 meter tall and 2 meter trunk diameter, rarely to 76 meter tall and 3 meter diameter, with a narrow conic crown. The bark on young trees is smooth, grey, and with resin blisters, becoming orange-red, rough and fissured on old trees. The leaves are needle-like, 2-3.5 centimeter long, waxy pale blue-green above and below with strong bands, and an acute tip. They are arranged spirally on the shoot, but twisted slightly s-shaped to be upcurved above the shoot. The cones are erect, 9-21 centimeter long, yellow-green (occasionally purple), ripening brown and disintegrating to release the winged seeds in fall.

Sand Verbena (Abronia latifolia) is a species of the Four O'Clock Family (Nyctaginaceae) native to the west coast of North America, from Santa Barbara County to the Canadian border, where it grows on beach dunes and sand dunes of coastal bars, river mouths, spits along the immediate coastline (0-10m elevation). Its National Vegetation Community Status (NVCS) is the Ambrosia chamissonis herbaceous alliance (dune mat). It grows in succulent mats where it has room to spread. It is an important plant in helping to stabilize dunes and resist erosion. It grows from a stout, fleshy root structure which are edible, traditionally eaten by the Chinook Indians. When stressed it will die back to the root, to sprout again when conditions are more favorable. It has attractive neatly-rounded heads of small, bright golden flowers and small, winged fruits. The individual flowers have no petals being composed of yellow bracts forming a trumpet-shaped calyx about the stamens. If given the proper conditions it will flower most of the year. It is geared for salt spray and will not tolerate regular water nor extreme drought.

Palmer's Abutilon (Abutilon palmeri) is a relatively rare species of the Malvaceae Family (mallows) native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. It grows primarily on the eastern slopes of the Peninsular Range and the Western Sonora Desert, and in San Bernardino County in the low foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains (1080-3600 feet).

Flowers are cup-shaped, approximately one inch in size. They produce small fruits which are round, capsular, multi-parted and covered with silky fine hair similar to foliage. Branches and stems are also hairy, with a red-brown coloring to the twigs. Bark ranges from green to brown.

Palmer's Abutilon is tough and easy to grow. For best results, plant in rocky or sandy well-draining soil. It tolerates occasional light summer watering.

Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) is a species of maple native to western North America, from southwest British Columbia to northern California, usually within 300 km of the Pacific Ocean coast. It most commonly grows as a large shrub growing to around 5-8 meters tall, but it will occasionally form a small to medium-sized tree, exceptionally to 18 meters tall. The shoots are slender and hairless. It typically grows in the understory below much taller forest trees, but can sometimes be found in open ground, and occurs at altitudes from sea level up to 1,500 meter.

Acer glabrum is a species of maple native to western North America, from southeastern Alaska, British Columbia and western Alberta, east to western Nebraska, and south through Washington, Montana and Colorado to California, Arizona and New Mexico. It is a small tree growing to 10 meters tall, with a trunk diameter up to 20-30 centimeters. The flowers are produced in corymbs of five to ten, yellowish-green, at the same time as the new leaves in spring. The fruit is a samara with two winged seeds.

Box elder (Acer negundo), sometimes called boxelder, is a type of maple tree commonly found growing in moist areas near streams and rivers. Box elder is a deciduous tree with pinnate compound leaves (small leaflets that branch out of a single stem). The leaves turn yellow in the fall. Clusters of small flowers appear in spring. The flowers on female trees develop winged fruits called samaras. The flowers attract pollinators and the seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.

Box elder is an attractive tree that provides shade and visual interest in the landscape. Some gardeners prefer male box elders because they are less messy than female trees. Gardeners should also be aware that this tree sends out suckers which can become weedy and invasive. This fast-growing tree needs a large planting area as it can reach over 50 ft tall - and nearly as wide - when mature. It also requires a moderate to high level of moisture, including weekly supplemental irrigation in summer.

Box elder gets its name from its wood, which is used to make boxes and crates. The wood pulp is used in paper making. Like other maples, the tree's sweet sap can be cooked into a syrup.

Yarrow is an all-star, popular plant choice among California native gardeners, including beginners! It is durable and easy to grow in a wide range of soil types and has low moisture requirements. It reseeds and spreads quickly, making it a good groundcover plant for lawn replacement.

Yarrow's abundant white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other insects. It is a staple in native pollinator gardens throughout the state. Yarrow has many alternative common names, including soldier's woundwort and nosebleed plant. They reflect its long history as an important medicinal plant.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Achillea millefolium. This Yarrow selection has soft pink flower clusters which makes a great landing area for bees and butterflies. Dense spreading mats are formed by underground rhizomes which makes it an excellent substitute for a lawn. Easily divided in fall or early spring. Plants may be trimmed back hard after the first bloom to keep compact. Sun loving and fragrant, add heat tolerance and a long flowering season and you have the makings of a perennial favorite.

This plant has a myriad of uses including; as a groundcover, lawn substitute, in wildflower gardens, along a walkway, in perennial borders or even under oaks in dry dappled shade. The possibilities are endless. The flower heads may be used in dried arrangements if picked and dried quickly. The leaves can be used as a salad green. Yarrow is a historically important medicinal plant with a wide variety of uses such as; snuff, poultice, wound dressing, astringent, anti-depressant, stimulant, antispasmodic, fever reducer, blood pressure reducer, perspiration inducer and baldness prevention for centuries.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Achillea millefolium from the northern Channel Islands. Achillea millefolium 'Island Pink' is a perennial Yarrow that spreads by rhizomes. Island Pink is native to Santa Cruz Island and is distinguished from our common White Yarrow by its bright pink flowers. Dark green foliage is topped with clusters of bright pink flowers on 1-1/2' tall stems, over a long season. Best in full sun if coastal, part shade inland. Tolerant of drought, swamp and alkali conditions, or rocky to clay soils. This is a nectar plant for butterflies and other pollinators. Plant in meadows, or flower borders for a splash of color.

Good habitat value, providing nectar for bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden from sonoma Co. near Windy Ridge above Mattole River.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Achillea millefolium. Yarrow is one of the easiest perennials to grow and is a good choice for beginners. All it needs is full sun and well-drained soil. It thrives in average to poor soil and is drought tolerant once established. It has very few pest or pathogen problems.

The Achillea 'Paprika' Yarrow is renowned for its large clusters of bright red flowers. As is the case with all Yarrows, the flowers fade as they age; the Paprika fades from red to salmon pink. This perennial garden plant is ever blooming with regular deadheading. This will likely stimulate a second flush of blooms in late summer. After the flowers have faded, cut the plant back by half and divide every few years to keep plants to a manageable size.

Achillea 'Paprika' flowers from summer to early fall and attracts butterflies and makes a great addition to a butterfly garden. Plant for fresh cut flowers or dried arrangement.

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Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selection from western sonoma County near salmon Creek.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Chamise, or Greasewood, (Adenostoma fasciculatum), a member of the Rose family, is a flowering plant native to California and northern Baja California. This shrub is one of the most widespread plants of the chaparral biome, sometimes forming monotypic stands.

Chamise is an evergreen shrub with dry-looking stick-like branches. The leaves are quite small, sprouting in clusters from the branches. Its leaves are shiny with flammable oils, especially in warmer weather. Chamise is said to be highly flammable but can be more fire-resistant with occasional watering. The branches terminate in bunches of white tubular flowers.

Chamise is one of the best plants for anchoring a slope and resisting erosion, due to its wide-spreading and deeply-penetrating roots. In maturity, it develops a large burl from which it will resprout after fire or severe pruning. In the wild, it is the host plant of a common root parasite, Chaparral Broomrape.

There are three recognized varieties of this plant. Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum is found throughout the range of the species. Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium is found only in San Diego and Orange Counties. Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum, a low-growing form, is found primarily on the northern Channel Islands. A cultivar known as 'Black Diamond' (Adenostoma fasciculatum 'Black Diamond') is popular and widely available.

Horticultural selection from Adenostoma fasciculatum from Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in the san Francisco Bay Area near Concord. Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for use in the garden. Cuttings from Black Diamond Mines Regional park (Contra Costa County).

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden from san Nicolas Island by Tree of Life Nursery.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

This Prostrate Chamise is a horticultural cultivar of the widespread native Adenostoma fasciculatum (Chamise) from San Nicolas Island in Southern California, that was selected and introduced by Tree of Life Nursery in 1979.

This is a dense mounding ground cover shrub, 1-3 ft. high and spreading 3-5 ft. It has dense heather-like dark green foliage, which can be an attractive contrast to lighter green or gray foliage of surrounding plants. It has white flowers in spring to summer.

San Nicolas Prostrate Chamise is recommended for parkway median strips, slopes, rock gardens, or containers. It grows in full to part sun, is very drought tolerant, and can handle no summer water once established.
A wider spreading cultivar, also with the common name Prostrate Chamise, is Adenostoma fasciculatum 'Nicolas'.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selection from santa Cruz Island.

Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum) is a native tree or shrub that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-5200 feet.

Adenostoma sparsifolium (Redshanks or less commonly, Ribbonwood) is a multi-trunked tree or shrub in the Rosaceae (Rose) family that is native to dry inland slopes or chaparral of Southern California and northern Baja California below 6,000 ft. Shaggy falling shanks or ribbons of bark are one of the strongest characteristics of the tree, hence the common names. Redshanks are closely related to the more abundant Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum). Members of this genus are very deep rooted and important slope stabilizers. The foliage is feather-like, allowing the trunk and main branches to show through. The flowers are small but attractive. The fruit is an achene which is valued by small birds. Red Shank is an attractive garden tree, especially when planted in a small grouping.

California Buckeye (also known as California Horse-chestnut) is a large shrub or small tree. It is typically multi-trunked and spreads out, with a crown as broad as it is high. California Buckeye is a species in the Sapindaceae family that is endemic to California; it is the only buckeye native to the state.

California Buckeye has gray bark that is often coated with lichens or mosses. It has dark green leaves that can be prone to damage from both spring freezing or snow and summer heat. It tends to leaf out in early spring, followed by creamy-white to pale pink-flower spikes. Some say the flowers resemble candles from afar and butterflies love them!

It has large, shiny round nut-like fruit that appear in late summer and drop in late fall to early winter. Be careful when using this plant in the garden, because all parts of the fruits are toxic.

This plant is very drought tolerant and does well on dry slopes, but looks better with some water. Native (white-flowered) varieties seem to have lower water requirements and are tolerant of recycled water.

Horticultural selection from Aesculus californica.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selection for the garden.

Native to the desert regions of Southern California, Arizona, and Baja California, Desert Agave (Agave deserti) is an iconic plant of the Southwestern landscape. Its low water needs also make it an ideal plant for the waterwise garden.

Desert Agave grows in clusters. The individual plants are rosette-shaped, with long gray-green leaves that have sharp spines at the tips and along the edges. For safety, it is best to plant it away from walkways and other high-traffic areas. Desert Agave is a slow-growing plant. At full maturity, it will send up very tall spikes of yellow flowers. The blooms attract hummingbirds and insects. Individual plants die after blooming, but other plants in the cluster will continue to grow.

Plant Desert Agave in dry, rocky, well-draining soil. It is highly drought adapted, with minimal water needs. It is both heat and cold tolerant, although some species can be sensitive to frost.

Agave deserti var. deserti is a native perennial herb that grows in southern California.

Coastal agave (Agave shawii), also called Shaw's agave, is a dramatic and distinctive succulent native to coastal Southern California. Its dark green leaves are accented with red spines and grow in a tight rosette shape. Individual plants grow to a large size and produce clusters of smaller offshoots called pups. Coastal agave plants grow for many years before producing clusters of yellow flowers on tall stalks that can reach over 10 ft in height. After flowering, an individual rosette dies, but the pups continue to grow.

Coastal agave attracts insects, hummingbirds and bats during its long fall to spring blooming season. It is a low water plant that does not need supplemental irrigation once established. Plant in full sun in rocky, well draining soil. Coastal agave is a bold statement plant in the garden. Pruning is not normally needed, and gardeners should use caution near the plant as the spines are sharp.

Agrostis densiflora is a species of grass known by the common name California bent grass. It is endemic to the coast of northern and central California, where it grows in habitat along the immediate coastline, such as dunes and bluffs. It is a perennial grass growing in tufts between 10 and 85 centimeters tall. The small inflorescence is a few centimeters long and is a dense, cylindrical array of tiny spikelets, each up to about 3 millimeters in length.

Agrostis exarata is a species of grass known by the common names Pacific bentgrass, spike bentgrass, and spike redtop. It is native to western North America from Texas to the Aleutian Islands. This is a common perennial grass reaching one to three feet in height with long, thin, flat leaves each with a ligule of 2 to 4 millimeters. The tuft flower cluster may be up to 30 centimeters long and is usually dense with tiny spikelets. It reproduces mainly by seed, but it can also spread via rhizome. This bunchgrass occurs in many plant communities in varied climates. It is considered good forage for livestock.

Thingrass (Agrostis pallens) is a perennial grass that makes an eco-friendly lawn alternative, requiring half the water of non-native grasses. Its deep green color lasts year-round with weekly summer watering, and it tolerates light foot traffic.

Thingrass grows up to 2 feet tall but typically reaches about 1 foot in height and width. Its narrow leaves, usually under 2 inches long, complement its feathery flower clusters. Mowing is optional; without it, the grass has a meadow-like appearance.

Adaptable to various soils, it thrives in sun or part shade, making it an ideal ground cover for under trees. Thingrass also attracts butterflies and moths, adding both beauty and ecological value.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Allium abramsii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Abrams' onion. It is endemic to the central Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows in the coniferous forest understory in granite sand soils. This onion grows from one or more bulbs each just over a centimeter wide attached to a thick rhizome. It reaches a maximum height of about 15 centimeters with usually one curving cylindrical leaf. The flower cluster contains up to 40 pink or purplish flowers with lance-shaped petals.

Allium acuminatum , also known as the tapertip onion or Hooker's onion, a species in the genus Allium and is native to the Western United States and Canada. Its bulbs are small and spherical and smell like onions. The flowers are pink to purple on a long stem which appear after the leaves have died. The onions were eaten by first peoples in southern British Columbia. They were harvested in either early spring or late fall and usually cooked in pits.

Allium amplectens is a species of wild onion known by the common name narrowleaf onion. It is native to western North America where it grows in woods and especially in clay and serpentine soils. It grows from a pinkish-brown bulb and sends up a naked green stem topped with an flower cluster. When closed the flower cluster is wrapped in bright pink to magenta leafs. It opens to produce between 10 and 50 shiny white to pale pink flowers, each under a centimeter wide. The six stout stamens and the ovary are white or tinted pink or lavender. It is a fairly widespread species.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Allium crispum is a species of wild onion known by the common name crinkled onion. It is endemic to California, USA, where it grows along the Central Coast, often in clays and serpentine soils. This onion grows from a bulb one to one and a half centimeters wide and sends up naked green stems topped with flower clusters of many flowers, each on a short pedicel. The flowers are magenta in color and have six triangular petals. The inner three petals are smaller and crinkled like cloth and may curl under.

Allium dichlamydeum is a species of wild onion known by the common name coastal onion. It is endemic to California where it grows on sea cliffs on the coastline in the northern half of the state. The coastal onion grows from a brown or gray bulb one to one and a half centimeters wide. It has a stout naked green stem surrounded by 3 to 6 long onion leaves. Atop the thick stem is an flower cluster of five to 30 flowers. Each flower has six oval-shaped dull-pointed petals in shades of bright magenta to fuchsia and each flower is about a centimeter wide.

Allium haematochiton is a North American species of wild onion known by the common name redskin onion. It is native to northern Baja California, Sonora, and southern California as far north as Kern County. It grows on the slopes of the hills and mountains, such as those of the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and southern California Coast Ranges. . Allium haematochiton has a small rhizome associated with clusters of brightly colored red bulbs. From these grow several naked green stems, each with a few withering, curling leaves. Atop each stem is an inflorescence of several flowers, each on a short pedicel. Each flower is just under a centimeter wide and white to pinkish with dark midveins. There are six stout stamens around a white or pink ovary. USDA Plants Profile 

Allium hyalinum is a species of wild onion known by the common name glassy onion. It is endemic to California, where it is a common species of the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. The glassy onion grows from a cluster of bulbs, with each bulb sending up a tall stem. Atop each stem is an flower cluster of up to 25, but usually fewer, white or pink-tinted white flowers. The flowers have six shiny petals which become transparent as they age.

Mountain Alder (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 20 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are purple and bloom in the early spring. Leaves are dark green and deciduous. It tends to grow in wet places, at elevations from 4500-8000 feet.

White alder (Alnus rhombifolia) is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the birch family (Betulaceae), native to western North America at elevations of 300–7,900 feet. It thrives in moist soils, often found along streambanks and other wet areas.

This tree provides excellent shade, with dark green leaves in summer that drop in winter. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, white alder produces noticeable male catkins, which hang in clusters and release large amounts of pollen. The female catkins mature in autumn, resembling small cones that may persist on the tree for up to a year.

White alder is heat and wind tolerant but requires deep watering to establish. Its roots can be invasive, so it should be planted with caution, especially near structures or small residential gardens. However, it is an excellent choice for woodland plantings and riparian areas.

This tree has high wildlife value. It serves as a larval food plant for the Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and provides habitat and food for various bird species.

Alnus rubra (red alder) is a deciduous broadleaf tree in the Betulaceae (Birch) family native to western North America. In California it is found primarily along the coast from San Luis Obispo County northward. In southern california Alnus rhombifolia is the more commonly found alder. Red Alder is the largest species of alder in North America and one of the largest in the world, reaching heights of 20-30 meters. The official tallest red alder (1979) stands 32 meters tall in Clatsop County, Oregon (USA). The name derives from the bright rusty red color that develops in bruised or scraped bark. The bark is mottled, ashy-gray and smooth, often draped with moss. Large trees are often unbranched for a considerable distance from the ground. The leaves are ovate, 7-15 centimeter long, with bluntly serrated edges and a distinct point at the end; the leaf margin is revolute, the very edge being curled under, a diagnostic character which distinguishes it from all other alders. The leaves turn yellow in the autumn before falling. The male flowers are dangling reddish catkins 10-15 centimeter long in early spring, and female flowers are erect catkins which develop into small, woody, superficially cone-like oval dry fruit 2-3 centimeter long. The flowers are wind pollinated, and a large amount of airborne pollen is produced in early spring. The seeds develop between the woody leaves of the 'cones' and are shed in the autumn and winter.

Surface roots can be problematic if the tree receives frequent, shallow watering. Better to water deep and infrequently. Established trees with deep roots can be surprisingly drought tolerant. This is a large tree that requires plenty of space. Best suited for restoration or large gardens with bioswales or streams.

Sitka Alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata) is a native tree or shrub that grows in Northern California, primarily in the North Coast, the Klamath Mountain Range and North Coast Range regions. It is slow growing and long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 16 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Leaves are light-green and deciduous. It tends to grow in creek and meadow edges, at elevations from 3300-8900 feet.