LPNA planted a demonstration garden for native plants in November 2021 using neighborhood volunteers. We also installed drip irrigation, with a connection provided by the Parks Department.
Plants were selected to be drought resistant, tolerate local clay, and support pollinators. Birds, bees and butterflies visit the garden, along with beneficial insects and small lizards. If you plant it, they will come!
Native plants start growing slowly, but after 3 years the garden has filled in and is thriving. LPNA volunteers maintain the garden. If you would like to help, or get additional information, contact Barbara at gardener@lospaseosneighbors.com.
The garden was initially funded by a BeautifySJ Grant through the City of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department. LPNA has also adopted Los Paseos Park through San Jose’s Adopt-a-Park program.
We have a detailed list of our plants with planting information and other helpful resources for native plants:
- Detailed LPNA garden plant list PDF – includes sun, water, and soil requirements for each plant.
- Current Plants in Los Paseos Park Native Garden
Helpful Websites:
https://calscape.org. Search for plants by common or Latin names. Gives detailed information for each species & variety. Most of the details in the spreadsheet attached below is from this site.
https://calflora.org. Search for plants native to a specific area in California, and filter by various criteria.
Other Practical Information:
Locally Native Plants for Bay Area Gardens (California Native Plant Society presentation)
Planting tips for California natives
Local Nursery Sources:
Capitol Wholesale Nursery, provided many of LPNA’s plants, located at 2938 Everdale Drive, San Jose (near Capitol and Aborn). Browse at their property or email them to request specific plants for pickup at the nursery.
Linda Vista Native Plants, some of our plants were purchased here online and picked up. Large selection of plants. Their website indicates what is available at the moment.
Almaden Valley Nursery, at 15800 Almaden Blvd. also has a section for California natives.
Current Plants in Los Paseos Park Native Garden
Small Trees and Shrubs
Arctostaphylos “Dr Hurd”
Dr Hurd Manzanita
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis
Paradise Manzanita
Berberis aquifolium
Oregon Grape
Ceanothus “Yankee Point”
California Lilac
Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat
Ribes aureum
Golden Currant
Ribes speciosum *
Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry
Rosa Californica
California Wildrose
Perennials
Achillea millefolium “Terra Cotta”
Terra cotta Yarrow
Achillea millefolium “Island Pink” *
Island Pink Yarrow
Eriophyllum lanatum
Common Woolly Sunflower
Epilobium Canum
California Fuchsia
Erigeron glaucus “WR” *
Seaside Daisy WR
Penstemon heterophyllus
Margarita BOP Penstemon
Salvia clevelandii
Cleveland Sage
Salvia spathacea *
Hummingbird Sage
Solidago veluntina
California Goldenrod
Groundcover
Lessingia Filaginiolia
California Aster Silver Carpet
Eriogonum grande rubescens
Red Buckwheat
Salvia “Bees Bliss”
Bees Bliss Sage
Sisyrinchium bellum
Blue-Eyed Grass
Grasses
Muhlenbergia rigens
Deer Grass
Annuals (seeded)
Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy
* Certain photos are from the Calscape website (permitted with attribution) when the subject is too recently planted for our own photos to be useful. All other photos were taken by Barbara Canup for LPNA.