They may be the most distinctive and unforgettable trees in Southern California gardens and landscapes. Unlike palm trees, however, which also have an exotic look, there are not so many of them as to become boring. The first time you see one, your jaw drops in amazement. You have to touch the foliage since this is a tree that does not look real.

September 10th,  7-9pm PT

California is home to more than 5,000 native plant species and over 700 recorded bird species, yet habitat loss, development, and invasive plants threaten this biodiversity.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Caltech will mark the planting of the 4,000th tree through Metropolitan’s Turf Replacement Program at 10 a.m. Wednesday on the Caltech campus in Pasadena.

he Native Plant Finder website is a collaboration between the National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Forest Service, and is based on the work of Doug Tallamy, noted entomologist and ecologist at the University of Delaware.

California is home to over 6,000 native plant species that thrive in local climates, require minimal water and support birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.  These native plants existed in the state before European colonization and are adapted to California’s diverse climates, soils and ecosystems.

Nicole Brodeur, who designed a California native plants garden in 2024 for home owner Marc Dantona in Sacramento, talks about the benefits on Aug. 11, 2026.

The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in deepening the relationship between the Tribe and CalBG. Through this agreement, both organizations reaffirm their shared dedication to preserving native flora, supporting Indigenous plant wisdom, and fostering education and community engagement that honors the ecological and cultural heritage of the region.

As thousands of western monarch butterflies return this fall to their overwintering sites along the central coast and other coastal locations of California, Caltrans and partner agencies are working to protect their migration and habitats, which are increasingly stressed by urban growth.

Outdoor areas surrounding houses and housing complexes that have California native plants support four times more pollinators than conventionally landscaped yards, according to a recent study led by a Cal State Los Angeles graduate.

If you’ve ever driven through Southern California in late summer, you probably are familiar with the rolling, brown hills that cover the landscape, typical of the coastal sage scrub plant community.