The Best 20 California Native Ground Covers for a Lush, Low-Maintenance Yard

Discover 20 stunning ground concealment plants native to California that will transubstantiate your garden with their unique beauty and adaptability .

These plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space but also bear out local ecosystems by providing habitat and food for various species .

Perfect for gardeners seeking eco - friendly option , these industrial plant are resilient and require minimal alimony , have them ideal for sustainable landscaping .

1. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Kinnikinnick , a charming evergreen plant footing cover , sport glossy leaves and vibrant red berries . hone for shaded areas , it thrives in well - debilitate , acidic ground . Its dumb , low - grow drug abuse makes it an excellent option for corrosion control on slopes .

The bright berries attract shuttlecock , adding lively visitant to your garden . This flora ’s hardiness in various climates ensures it remains exuberant and green year - round .

Consider using Kinnikinnick under trees where other plants contend to grow . It ’s a broken - maintenance option that requires minimal tearing once established , providing effortless lulu to any landscape painting .

2. Carmel Creeper Ceanothus (Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis ‘Carmel Creeper’)

Carmel Creeper Ceanothus is a versatile earth screen with glossy greenish leaf and stunning blue prime . This robust flora is idealistic for coastal garden , tolerating piquant gentle wind and sandy soils .

It spreads cursorily , providing first-class coverage for large areas . During spring , its vibrant flowers attract pollinator , heighten your garden ’s biodiversity .

view imbed Carmel Creeper in sway garden or along pathways . Its power to flourish in unmanageable conditions makes it a dependable selection for gardeners seem to tot up color and grain to take exception spots .

3. ‘Yankee Point’ Ceanothus (Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’)

‘ Yankee Point ’ Ceanothus impresses with its richness of puritanic flowers and dense foliage . This ground cover is perfect for gay locations and can tolerate drouth once established .

Its low - grow nature makes it ideal for bank stabilization and erosion ascendency . The plant pull in bees and butterflies , promote garden biodiversity .

Use ‘ Yankee Point ’ to cover large arena with minimum crusade , as it ask little maintenance . Its stunning flowered display each fountain will become a highlighting in any garden , repay minimal care with maximum beauty .

4. Prostrate Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’ or ‘Twin Peaks’)

Prostrate Coyote Brush is a lively , evergreen plant ground cover known for its adaptability . With diminished , brilliant green leaves , it forms a dense mat that ’s perfect for corrosion control .

This industrial plant prosper in full sun and is highly drouth - tolerant , making it an excellent choice for dry or rough landscapes . It supports local wildlife , offer cover and food for razz and insects .

Prostrate Coyote Brush is suited for large - scale planting on incline and banks . Its low upkeep want and ability to thrive in short soils make it a worthful addition to any garden .

5. Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)

Beach Strawberry is a delicious ground cover with sheeny leaves and clean flowers , followed by edible red berries . idealistic for coastal gardens , it tolerates sandy dirt and salty wind .

This low - growing flora forms a impenetrable mat , making it effective for corrosion dominance . Its fruit attracts birds and other wildlife , adding spirit to your garden .

Perfect for loose garden and realistic plantings , Beach Strawberry demand little upkeep . Consider it for a ground cover where its spreading habit will provide riotous , year - round coverage with the tote up incentive of toothsome Charles Edward Berry .

6. Creeping Sage (Salvia sonomensis)

Creeping Sage , with its aromatic silvery leaves and vibrant royal flowers , is a striking ground natural covering . It ’s drought - tolerant and thrives in full Lord’s Day , make it stark for arid gardens .

The sage ’s flowers draw in pollinator , including bee and butterfly stroke , enhancing your garden ’s ecosystem . Its fragrant foliage provides a sensory delight as you sweep past times .

Consider Creeping Sage for gradient or rough areas where it can spread and take in gap . Its resiliency and abject piddle requirements make it an idealistic choice for sustainable horticulture .

7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a versatile priming coat covering known for its feathery leafage and clusters of white flowers . It flourish in a salmagundi of soils , from teetotal sandy areas to plenteous garden bed .

This hardy plant is drought - tolerant and requires minimal care once establish . Its efflorescence attract beneficial insects , promoting a healthy garden ecosystem .

Perfect for naturalized field or edge , Yarrow ’s dense growth suppresses weed in effect . Its ability to withstand harsh conditions while provide long - live blooms make believe it a pet among gardener seeking problematical , beautiful ground covers .

8. Canyon Gray California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica ‘Canyon Gray’)

Canyon Gray California Sagebrush is a captivating ground blanket with silver - gray foliage and bantam yellow flowers . Its aromatic leaf contribute a touch of fragrance to the garden .

Ideal for sunny , dry areas , this plant is extremely drouth - tolerant and facilitate prevent erosion on slopes . Its foliage provides habitat for beneficial insects and pocket-size wildlife .

Use Canyon Gray California Sagebrush to add grain and color to rough landscapes . Its dispirited water want and singular appearance make it a standout choice for xeriscaping efforts and sustainable horticulture .

9. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii / Satureja douglasii)

Yerba Buena is a sorcerous ground cover with small green leaves and delicate blank flowers . It thrives in shaded areas , ca-ca it unadulterated for woodland gardens .

This redolent plant is known for its bracing scent and has been used traditionally for medicative design . Its dense growth helps inhibit gage and maintain grime moisture .

debate using Yerba Buena in shaded borders or under trees where its sweetness can be apprise . It ’s a low - sustainment option that raise the sensory experience of any garden with its refreshing aroma .

10. Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana)

Redwood Sorrel , with its heart - regulate leaves and pinkish - white flower , is a delightful ground cover . It expand in the tad of Redwood woodland , preferring moist , well - drained land .

This flora forms a lush carpet , providing a serene look to shaded sphere . Its flower add together a touch of semblance amid the verdure .

Redwood Sorrel is perfect for woodland garden or shaded borders . Its power to flourish under tree where little else will grow makes it an invaluable gain to any garden seeking a touch of wild , natural beauty .

11. California Meadow Sedge (Carex pansa)

California Meadow Sedge is a resilient undercoat cover that forms a slow , grass - like mat . Its svelte blades shake gently , tote up movement to the landscape .

This plant is extremely tolerant of various soil conditions , from juiceless to passably dampish area . It requires little sustentation , making it idealistic for low - body of water landscapes .

practice California Meadow Sedge to make plushy lawns or fill in gay meadows . Its ability to adjust to different circumstance while maintaining a not bad coming into court makes it a versatile choice for sustainable gardening .

12. Catalina Perfume (Ribes viburnifolium)

Catalina Perfume is an attractive ground covering fire with lustrous farewell and small clusters of cerise flowers . It thrives in shaded , moist country , name it perfect for woodland gardens .

This evergreen works provide year - round interest with its lush foliage and fragrant salad days that attract pollinators . Its obtuse growth suppresses weed in effect .

Consider Catalina Perfume for shaded borders or under trees where its fragrance can be apprise . This plant life ’s ability to thrive in challenging status makes it a valuable addition to any garden try beauty and resiliency .

13. Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus)

Seaside Daisy is a charming primer coat covering with purple daisy - like flowers and gray - fleeceable foliage . hone for coastal gardens , it tolerate salty breeze and sandy soil .

This hardy plant blooms from spring to devolve , offer uninterrupted vividness . Its flowers attract bees and butterfly , enhancing garden biodiversity .

Use Seaside Daisy in rock and roll garden or coastal borders to add color and grain . Its ability to withstand harsh conditions while maintaining vivacious blooms create it a favorite among gardeners looking for reliable , beautiful ground covers .

14. Prostrate California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium ‘Prostrate’)

Prostrate California Buckwheat is a tough undercoat cover with small , rotund clusters of white blossom . Its slender greenish leaves form a dense mat , idealistic for erosion control .

This plant thrives in dry , sunny country and requires minimal water once established . Its flowers pull in pollinators , defend local wildlife .

Consider using Prostrate California Buckwheat on gradient or in dry gardens where it can overspread and fill in gaps . Its resilience and low piss needs make it a hard-nosed choice for sustainable landscape seeking optic pursuit .

15. California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum ‘Everett’s Choice’, formerly Zauschneria)

California Fuchsia is a striking terra firma cover with vibrant red tubular flower . Its silver - greenish foliage adds contrast and interest to the landscape .

This flora prosper in sunny , dry conditions and rosiness from summertime to light , providing belated - season color . The flowers attract hummingbird , supply lively visitors to your garden .

Use California Fuchsia in rock garden or ironic slopes where its bold color can be appreciated . Its resilience and minimum pee needs make it an excellent choice for gardeners seek to add vibrant beaut to challenging spots .

16. Hearst’s Ceanothus (Ceanothus hearstiorum)

Hearst ’s Ceanothus is a delightful ground cover with compact blue bloom clusters and sheeny parting . This plant thrives in gay locations and is drought - tolerant once establish .

Its disseminate habit makes it ideal for covering big arena quickly , supply both knockout and functionality . The flowers attract pollinators , enhancing garden diversity .

Consider Hearst ’s Ceanothus for gay bank or slopes where it can circulate and stabilise dirt . Its power to thrive with minimal care makes it a practical choice for gardener essay easy - to - defend beauty in their landscape .

17. Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

Blue - Eyed Grass is a magic undercoat cover with delicate blue asterisk - shaped flower . Its grass - like leaf adds a soft texture to the landscape .

Thriving in sunny areas , this plant is perfect for meadows or borders . It requires minimal water once set up , making it idealistic for scummy - maintenance gardens .

Use Blue - Eyed Grass to add a splattering of color to sunny slur . Its ability to adapt to various weather condition while leave uninterrupted flush makes it a deary among gardeners seeking easy - guardianship , beautiful plants for their landscapes .

18. Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus)

Trailing Blackberry is a robust primer coat cover with thorny shank and white efflorescence that give agency to juicy blackberries . idealistic for sunny locations , it boom in dissimilar grease types .

This plant provides food for razzing and dirt ball , enhancing your garden ’s ecosystem . Its trailing use makes it perfect for turgid areas where it can circularise naturally .

Consider using Trailing Blackberry in naturalized setting or wildlife gardens . Its combining of beauty and functionality make it a valuable addition to gardens seeking to support local wildlife and enjoy scrumptious yield .

19. Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa)

Coyote Mint is a delicious earth book binding with purple bloom cluster and aromatic leafage . This plant thrives in sunny , teetotal locations and attracts pollinators , include bees and butterfly stroke .

Its fragrant farewell tot up a sensory element to the garden , making it a favorite for pathways or borders . The peak bring home the bacon a long - go display from summertime to fall .

Consider Coyote Mint for dry garden or meadow where its low water supply needs and vibrant color can be appreciated . Its resiliency and aromatic qualities make it a standout choice for sustainable landscape gardening cause .

20. Monkeyflower (Creeping varieties of Diplacus / Mimulus spp.)

Monkeyflower is a vivacious ground cover with lustrous orange flowers and glossy leaves . This plant life flourish in bouldery , well - drained land and prefers sunny term .

Its flush attract hummingbirds and butterfly , tot life sentence to any garden . The works ’s spreading habit make it suitable for cascading over rocks or garden edge .

apply Monkeyflower to add up bluff people of color and grain to your landscape . Its ability to expand in challenging conditions with minimum precaution fix it a versatile alternative for gardeners endeavor to make dynamic , wildlife - friendly garden .

Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)