YardNatives

Native plants for Nevada County, California

1,447 native plants recorded in Nevada County, California

The USDA plant database has 2,317 plants recorded growing wild in Nevada County. 1,447 of them are native to the lower 48, and 269 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 877 wildflowers and herbs, 237 grasses and sedges, 108 shrubs, 123 low woody plants, 79 trees, 23 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 383 of them (26%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 18 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Nevada County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day38301,064
Half shade293901,064
Under trees1642191,064
Heavy clay2111721,064
Sandy, drains fast2641191,064
Never watered1851981,064
Stays soggy1612221,064

Sun all day in Nevada County: 383 rated natives

150 wildflowers and herbs, 104 grasses and sedges, 52 trees, 42 shrubs, 31 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Half shade in Nevada County: 293 rated natives

104 wildflowers and herbs, 88 grasses and sedges, 41 trees, 30 shrubs, 27 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  3. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  4. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  5. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  6. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  8. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Nevada County: 164 rated natives

55 wildflowers and herbs, 49 grasses and sedges, 21 trees, 19 shrubs, 18 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Nevada County: 211 rated natives

91 wildflowers and herbs, 69 grasses and sedges, 23 trees, 14 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Hooker's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza hookeri) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Nevada County: 264 rated natives

83 wildflowers and herbs, 71 grasses and sedges, 47 trees, 36 shrubs, 24 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Davis' knotweed (Polygonum davisiae) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Nevada County: 185 rated natives

52 wildflowers and herbs, 45 grasses and sedges, 33 trees, 29 shrubs, 25 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  2. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  3. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  4. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  5. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  6. Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  7. Marumleaf buckwheat (Eriogonum marifolium) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  8. Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Nevada County: 161 rated natives

74 wildflowers and herbs, 63 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 8 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  3. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  4. Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  5. Chamisso arnica (Arnica chamissonis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  6. Fringed grass of Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  7. Heartleaf bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  8. Hooded lady's tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Nevada County has that most of California does not

24 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:

Where to start in Nevada County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Nevada County gives you the most rated choice (383 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 161 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 1,064 unrated natives too.