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.
Common Manzanita
Tree / Shrub
Arctostaphylos manzanita
Easy to Grow
Evergreen, small white Flowers Winter and Spring forming small fruit resembling “little apples” as the Spanish word
manzanita implies
Supports over 50 species of Caterpillar, Butterflies and Moths
There are many different species, hybrids, and varieties of Manzanitas native to California. They vary in size, flower color, and more, making them an excellent option for most gardens.Tshey are a pollinator and wildlife all-star, supporting local birds and insects.
Plants in this family are highly mycorrhizal (associated with symbiotic fungi). This allows them to survive in many harsh environments; however, it also makes them very susceptible to over watering and fertilizing. They really do not like to be summer watered nor fertilized. If grown correctly these plants, especially the larger forms, will grow for more than 100 years.
Type Shrub / Tree
Size: 3ft To over 6 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Self Seeds, Will grow in Pots
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
Coyote Bush
Shrub
Baccharis pilularis
Easy to Grow
White Flowers in Spring, Summer, Fall
Supports Bats, Catterpillars, and 29 species of Butterflies and Moths
An amazing pioneer species field study has shown Baccharis to send roots as deep as 10 feet . The extensive root structure also allows these plants to access deep water sources which it also makes available to surrounding plants
Type Shrub
Size:2 ft to 6
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Week
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant
Blueblossom Ceanothus
Shrub
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Purple and White Flowers in Winter and Spring
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Birds, Bees, Catterpillars, and 93 species of Butterflies and Moths!
Varying dramatically in form and size over its natural range, some plants grow fairly upright to 30 feet and others grow in a mounding form to only 2-3 feet tall.
Type: Annual Grass Perennial Herbaceous Shrub Tree
Size: 3 To 30 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: a habitat superstar!
Western Redbud
Tree / Shrub
Cercis occidentalis
Easy to Grow
Purple and Pink Flowers in Winter and Spring as foliage also turns color
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars and 11 species of Butterflies and Moths
Native Leafcutter Bees especially like the flowers
This Shrub / Tree is a legume and adds nitrogen to the soil
Type: Shrub / Tree
Size:10 To 20 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Week
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe
Sticky monkeyflower
Shrub
Diplacus aurantiacus
Orange, Red Flowers in Winter, Spring, and Summer
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Birds, Catterpillars and 8 species of Butterflies
Exceptionally deep root systems to 6 feet or more
Type: Shrub Tree
Size: To 4 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe
Coffeeberry
Shrub
Frangula californica
Easy to Grow
Small Flowers turn into Blue and black Fruit in Summer
Supports Bats, Catterpillars, and 33 species of Butterflies and Moths
Small flowers attract native bees and hummingbirds in spring. Fall Berries are eaten eagerly by birds
Deep, fibrous roots contribute significantly to soil stabilization, especially on slopes and in erosion-prone areas. These roots also enrich the soil by supporting beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi.
Type: Shrub
Size: 6 To 15 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
uses: Will grow in Pots
Toyon
Tree / Shrub
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Easy to Grow
White Flowers in the Summer followed by Fall and Winter Red Berries
Supports Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars, and 8 species of Butterflies and Moths
An important nectar plant for the California Tortoiseshell butterfly.
The berries are eaten by many birds, including Mockingbirds, American Robins, and Cedar Waxwings. Mammals including coyotes also eat and disperse the berries.
Grows to 15 feet tall a good choice for erosion control, fire resistance, and as an informal hedge in the landscape.
A great native alternative to exotic Pyracantha and Cotoneaster.
Type: Tree
Size: To 15 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
Uses: Deer Resistant
Red Flowering Currant
Shrub
Ribes sanguineum
Easy to Grow
Red and Pink Winter and Spring Flowers
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Birds, Catterpilars and 86 species of Butterflies and Moths !
Ecological History
Type: Annual Grass Perennial Herbaceous Shrub Tree
Size: 6 To 10 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 3 x / Month
uses: Deer Resistant
California Wildrose
Shrub
Rosa californica
Easy to Grow
Pink, White Flowers in Spring and Summer
The large pink flowers have a rich rose fragrance and the brightly colored fruits attract pollinators and birds.
Supports Bats, Catterpillars, and 72 species of Butterflies and Moths
The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. In fall, it produces deep red rose hips that provide food for birds.
The thickets provide cover for wildlife.
Type: Shrub Tree
Size: To 6 ft tall or more
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 3 x / Month
uses: Hedge
Sonoma Sage
Shrub / Perennial
Salvia sonomensis
Easy to Grow
Blue and Lavender Flowers in Spring and Summer
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Caterpillars, and 11 species of Butterflies and Moths
The plant’s mat-forming roots help retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation at the surface, which benefits surrounding plants in drought-prone environments.
In addition to soil stabilization, the shallow roots and aromatic foliage of Sonoma sage help suppress weed growth, making it a valuable ground cover in native gardens. Its fragrant leaves and pale lavender to blue flowers attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, while providing a resilient, low-maintenance habitat for native species in dryland landscapes.
Type: Perennial
Size To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 3 x / Month
uses: Deer Resistant
Blue Elderberry
Tree / Shrub
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea
White Spring Flowers and Summer Fruit
Supports Bats, Birds, Bees, Hummingbirds, Caterpillars and 23 species of Butterflies and Moths
Berries are a good for source for wildlife and are edible for humans only after cooking.
Type: Annual Grass Perennial Herbaceous Shrub Tree
Size: To ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
Uses: Deer Resistant
Pacific Madrone
Tree
Arbutus menziesii
White to pink Spring flowers followed by orange Fall berries.
A broadleaf evergreen with rich orange-red bark that peels away on the mature smooth wood,.
Supports Bats, Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds, Caterpillars and 40 Species of Butterflies and Moths
Type: Tree
Size: To 20 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
Uses:
California Buckeye
Tree
Aesculus californica
White Spring and Summer flowers in large displays followed by Buckeye nuts
Drops its leaves during Summer Heat
Supports Bats, Catterpillars and 12 species of Butterflies and Moths
Type: Shrub , Tree
Size: 10 To 20+ ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
Note: poisonous