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.
Farewell To Spring
Annual
Clarkia amoena
Easy to Grow
Bright pink , purple flowers in spring and summer.
Supports Bees, Bats, Caterpillars , Hummingbirds , and 5 species of Butterflies and Moths
A California native wildflower that has been growing in the region for over 10,000 years
Learn More
Type: Annual
Size: to 3 ft tall
Watering : Max summer water 1x month
notes: Deer resistant
Cobweb Thistle
Perennial
Cirsium occidentale
Easy to Grow
Red and Purple Thistle flowers Spring into Summer
Supports Birds, Caterpillars and 16 species of Butterflies and Moths
This thistle tends NOT to be a troublesome weed.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant
California Fuchsia
Perennial
Epilobium canum
Easy to Grow
Red Summer and Fall Flowers .
Often goes dormant in Winter
Supports Bats, Birds, Hummingbirds, Caterpillars and 15 species of Butterflies and Moths
This is THE best California native plant for attracting hummingbirds.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Will grow in Pots, Self-Seeds
Douglas Iris
Perennial
Iris douglasiana
Easy to Grow
Pink , Blue , Purple Flowers in Winter and Spring
Supports Caterpillars, Hummingbirds and Butterflies
Tribes of Mendocino County used the fibers along the edges of the leaves to make rope for hunting and fishing.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 1 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 or 2 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots
Coyote Mint
Perennial
Monardella villosa
Easy to Grow
Pink Lavender Flowers in Spring .
Often becomes dormant in Summer Heat
Supports Humming Birds, Bats, Bird, Bees, Catterpillars and 11 species of Butterflies and Moths
Indigenous peoples of California are known to have used Coyote Mint for medicinal purposes, often utilizing their aromatic properties for teas
Type: Perennial
Size: To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Will grow in Pots
Evening Primrose
Perennial
Oenothera elata
Easy to Grow
Yellow , Orange Flowers in Summer and Fall
as name implies flowers close at mid day but open in the evening
Supports Bats, Caterpillars Hummingbirds and 15 species of Butterflies and Moths
Its fragrance is known to attract lined sphinx moth as well as other moths at night.
The seeds attract goldfinch.
Type: Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Week
USes: Self-Seeds
Hummingbird Sage
Perennial
Salvia spathacea
Easy to Grow
Pink and Red Flowers in Winter , Spring and Summer
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Birds and 11 species of Catterpillars and Moths
Native Californian tribes, such as the Chumash, valued S. spathacea for its medicinal and aromatic qualities
Type: Perennial
Size: To 2 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Will grow in Pots
Bee Plant
Perennial
Scrophularia californica
Easy to Grow
Red Flowers in Winter and Spring
Supports Hummingbirds, Bats, Bees, Birds, Caterpillars and 12 species of Butterflies and Moths
As the name suggests, bees are extremely attracted to the flowers. It is also a host plant for many butterflies, an important food source for small wasps and hummingbirds. The flowers are ideal for native bees, especially bumblebees
Type:Perennial
Size: To 3 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Self Seeds
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
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
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
Evergreen Huckleberry
Shrub
Vaccinium ovatum
White Spring Flowers followed by Blue Edible Fruits for people and wildlife
Will produce more berries in full sun and will grow taller in shade
Supports Bats, Caterpillars, Hummingbirds,Bees, and 54 species of Butterflies and Moths!
Many species of birds and small mammals eat the berries Both birds and mammals use the thickets as habitat.
Type: Shrub
Size: 2 To 8 ft
Watering: Maximum Summer Water 3 x / Month
uses: Will grow in Pots
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: