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.

Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Bees Maya Normandi Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Bees Maya Normandi

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.

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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

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Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Hummingbirds, Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars, Butterflies Maya Normandi Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Hummingbirds, Bats, Birds, Bees, Caterpillars, Butterflies Maya Normandi

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

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Type: Shrub / Tree
Size:10 To 20 ft

Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Week
uses: TAGS Deer Resistant, Fire Safe

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Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Bats, Bees, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Birds Maya Normandi Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Bats, Bees, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Birds Maya Normandi

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.

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Type: Tree
Size: To 15 ft

Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month
Uses: Deer Resistant

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Full Sun, Part Shade or Shade, Dry Soil, Dry or Moist Soil, Bats, Birds, Bees, Hummingbirds, Caterpillars, Butterflies Maya Normandi Full Sun, Part Shade or Shade, Dry Soil, Dry or Moist Soil, Bats, Birds, Bees, Hummingbirds, Caterpillars, Butterflies Maya Normandi

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.

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Type: Annual Grass Perennial Herbaceous Shrub Tree
Size: To ft

Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
Uses: Deer Resistant

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Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry or Moist Soil, Bats, Birds, Caterpillars, Butterflies Maya Normandi Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry or Moist Soil, Bats, Birds, Caterpillars, Butterflies Maya Normandi

Coast Live Oak

Tree

Quercus agrifolia

Evergreen Oak. An ideal Shade tree with very deep roots.

Supports Bats, Birds, Caterpillars, and 163 species of Butterflies and Moths
A true keystone species supporting a myriad of life forms

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Type: Tree
Size: To 25 ft and more

Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
Notes: Deer Resistant, Fire Safe, Grow in Containers

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Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Bats, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Bees, Hummingbirds Maya Normandi Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Bats, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Bees, Hummingbirds Maya Normandi

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

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Type: Tree
Size: To 20 ft

Watering: Maximum Summer Water 1 x / Month
Uses:

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Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Bats, Butterflies, Caterpillars Maya Normandi Full Sun or Part Shade, Dry Soil, Bats, Butterflies, Caterpillars Maya Normandi

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

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Type: Shrub , Tree
Size: 10 To 20+ ft

Watering: Maximum Summer Water 2 x / Month

Note: poisonous

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