San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Acanthus mollis
Bear's Breech
X
Achillea clavennae
Silver yarrow
X
Achillea filipendulina
Fernleaf Yarrow
X
Achillea millefolium
varieties
Common Yarrow
Achillia 'Moonshine'
Yarrow
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
Perennial. Fast growth. Dramatic.
Survive almost any conditions.
Long-lasting spikes of white, rose
or purplish flowers in late spring or
summer.
Evergreen Perennial. Reasonable
drainage. Traffic tolerance little to
none. Spreading mat. Occasional
water. White flowers summer to
fall.
Evergreen Perennial. Tolerates
sand. Tolerates foot traffic. Needs
annual pruning of spent flowers.
2-4 ft. x 34 ft.
X
4-12" x 12 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
3-4 ft. x 3
ft.
12-30" x 3
ft. varies
Up to 2 ft.
Additional Characteristics
X
X
Evergreen Perennial. Tolerates
sand & clay. Tolerates foot traffic.
Needs annual pruning of spent
flowers. Spreading Mat. White or
crean flowers in tall stems in
summer and fall.
X
Evergreen Perennial. Tolerates
sand. Tolerates foot traffic. Needs
annual pruning of spent flowers.
X
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
EBMUD/SUNSET
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
Succulent. Slow growth.
Aeonium arboreum
varieties
X
X
X
X
Up to 3 ft.
x 3 ft.
SUNSET
Succulent. Slow growth.
Aeonium decorum
varieties
X
X
X
X
1 ft.
SUNSET
Perennials. Low-maintenance.
Agaphantus hybrids
Lily-of-the-Nile
X
2-4 ft. x 23 ft.
X
X
X
EBMUD
Succulent. Slow growth.
Agave bracteosa
'Mediopicta Alba' Squid
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
2 ft. x 2-3
ft.
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
1
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Agave attenuata 'Nova'
X
Part
Shade
Shade
X
X
Wind
X
X
Additional Characteristics
Succulent rosettes of broad soft
gray leaves. Similar to A. attenuata
but wider & bluer. Hardy to 28F.
3-4 ft. x 34 ft.
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Succulent.
Aloe 'Johnson's hybrid'
Alyogyne huegelii
Blue Hibiscus
Amaryllis belladonna
Naked Lady
X
X
X
X
Up to 1 ft.
Evergreen Shrub, Blooms all year,
light blue flws
6-10 ft. x
6-8 ft.
X
X
SUNSET
Blooms fall/winter from bare
ground. Foliage dies back in late
spring/ summer. Poisonous. Best
in large area.
1 ft. x 2 ft.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Perennial.
Anemone x hybrida
Japanese Anemone
X
X
12" x 812"
X
X
Perennial.
Anigozanthos hybrids
Kangaroo Paw
X
Arabis blepharophylla
Rock rose cress
X
X
X
X
2-3 ft. x 12 ft.
8-10 in.
tall
EBMUD, SUNSET
X
Perennial. Blooms in spring. Grows
in tight rosettes. Tolerates rocky
soil. Edible. Native to Bay Area.
X
SUNSET
Evergreen groundcover
Arctostaphylos 'Emerald
Carpet'
Groundcover Manzanita
Arctostaphylos uva ursi
'Radiant'
Radiant Bearberry
X
X
X
8-14" x 35 ft.
X
3-6" x 10
ft.
X
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
Master Plant list.xlsx
2
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Armeria maritime
Thrift
Armeria maritima
Sea pink
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
X
X
6 in.
mound
4-8" x 612"
X
X
X
X
Additional Characteristics
Perennial. Drought tolerant in
coastal area. Tolerates sand, clay
and heavy foot traffic. Bloom early
spring -8" stalks.
Compact Mounds of Grassy
Leaves. Small, round heads of
rose-pink or white flowers in spring
& early summer. Traffic tolerance:
Little to none.
X
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
Perennial. Good in clay or sandy
soil. Deadhead spent flowers.
Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
Silver Sage
Artemisia californica
California Sagebrush
Artemisia schmidtiana
'Silvermound'
Angel's Hair
Artemisia pycnocephala
'David's Choice'
Sandhill sage
X
X
X
X
X
X
2-5 ft. x 45 ft.
X
1 - 2 ft. x
1 - 2 ft
1 ft. x 3 ft.
X
X
Up to 3 ft.
x 2.5 ft.
X
Asarum caudatum
Wild Ginger
Asclepias fascicularis
Narrow leaf Weed
X
X
Aster chilensis
California Aster
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
6 in. ,
spreading
X
3 ft. x 2 ft.
X
6 in. ,
spreading
X
X
X
X
X
X
Woody Perennial. Evergreen
shrub. Good in clay or sandy soil.
Deadhead spent flowers. Good
drainage. Occasional water.
Woody Perennial. Good in sandy
soil. Deadhead spent flowers.
EBMUD
X
Low-Growing Groundcover. Traffic
tolerance: none. Occasional water.
X
X
Perennial. Winter dormant. Upright
to sprawling stems & leaves,
showy flowers in spring or
summer. Hardy anywhere, prefers
good drainage & little summer
water. Food for monarch butterfly
larvae.
SUNSET
EBMUD
Evergreen groundcover, Leaves 27 in wide, unusual maroon flowers.
X
X
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET/EBMUD
Perennial. Tolerates sand or clay.
X
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
3
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Baccharis pilularis
Dwarf Coyote Brush
Bouteloua dactyloides
Buffalo Grass
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
X
X
8-24 in. x
6 ft.
X
3-12 in.
X
1.5-2 ft.
Tall
X
1-2 ft. x 12 ft.
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Evergreen shrub. Tolerates sand
or clay. Significant for wildlife.
X
X
X
X
Perennial turf. No mow. Long-lived,
warm-season, sod-forming soft
grey green grass.
Bulb
Brodiaea species
(or Triteleia sp.)
Calamagrostis foliosa
Cape Mendicino Reed
Grass
Calamagrostis
nutkaensis
Pacific Reed Grass
Carex buchananii
Leather leaf sedge
X
X
X
Carex texensis
Catlin sedge
X
X
2-3 ft. x 23 ft.
Perennial Grass. Recently
available. Does not do well in
sandy soil.
X
X
SUNSET
Slender, upright sedge with rusty
bronze or coppery foliage.
SUNSET
Small matlike sedge with dark
green leaves.
4-6" x 68"
X
1-2 ft. X 12 ft.
X
SUNSET
Perennial Evergreen Grass. Flower
culms 4 ft. Native to Bay Area.
18"-2 ft. x
12-18"
X
X
Carex tumulicola
Berkeley sedge
X
X
SUNSET
Clump of thin, arching, dark green
foilage, Good rough turf. Tends to
self-sow.
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub. Resistant to oak
root fungus.
Carpenteria californica
Bush Anemone
Ceanothus gloriosus
Point Reyes Ceanothus
X
4-6 ft. x 46 ft
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
1-1.5 ft. x
12-15 ft.
varies
X
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Evergreen woody groundcover.
Lives 5 to 10 yrs.
X
X
X
X
X
Master Plant list.xlsx
4
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Ceanothus griseus
horizontalis
Carmel creeper
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
repens
Low Blue Blossom
X
X
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
1-3 ft. x 515 ft.
varies
X
X
6 in - 3 ft.
x 3-9 ft.
X
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Evergreen woody groundcover.
Lives 5 to 10 yrs.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Evergreen woody groundcover.
Lives 5 to 10 yrs. Tolerates sand or
clay soil.
Perennial Groundcover, spreading
Cerastium tomentosum
Snow-in-Summer
Cistus salvifolius
'Prostratus'
X
X
X
X
6-8 in. x 23 ft.
X
X
1-2 ft. x 46 ft.
X
2-3 ft. x 23 ft.
SUNSET
Groundcover. Relatively shortlived.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD
Shrub. Relatively short-lived.
Cistus x skanbergii
Cistus 'Sunset'
Pink rockrose
Chamaemelum nobile
Chamomile
X
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
X
X
3-12" x 1
ft.
X
18" x 1218"
Clivia miniata
Clivia
Convolvulus cneorum
Bush morninglory
Coprosma 'Verde Vista'
X
X
X
X
X
2-4 ft. x 24 ft.
X
1-3 ft. x 46 ft.
X
X
Excellent drainage. Dense
spreading grouwth. Soft gray-green
leaves & vivid magenta flowers.
X
Soft Textured Spreading Mat.
Moderate/Low water. Traffic
tolerance: occational. Aromatic
leaves, blooms in summer.
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Evergreen Perennial. Good for dry
shade, coastal climate. Lights up
dark places. Moderate to
occasional water.
EBMUD
Small shrub. Showy white flowers
with yellow centers bloom in spring
through fall. Moderate/Low water
X
SUNSET/WUCOLS R1
Evergreen subshrub. Can be
invasive spread by birds.
X
SUNSET
Grass-like Perennial
Cordyline 'Electric Pink'
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
2-4 ft. x 24 ft.
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
5
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Correa 'Dusky Bells'
Australian fuschia
X
Part
Shade
Shade
X
X
Wind
X
X
2-3 ft. x 68 ft.
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Evergreen subshrub. Densely
branched, mounding shrub with
carmine-pink to deep red flowers &
dark green leaves.
X
Reference
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
Correa 'Ivory Bells'
Australian fuschia
Cotoneaster dammeri
'LowFast'
X
X
X
X
X
X
2-3 ft. x 45 ft.
X
8-12" x 810 ft.
X
SUNSET
X
About 1ft tall, evergreen with
glossy green leaves & bright red
berries. Effective cascading down
slopes or over walls. Fast growing.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Succulent Shrub. Grows in clumps.
Cotyledon orbiculata
Pigs Ears
Crassula ovata
Crassula multicava
X
X
X
X
X
1 - 2 ft. X
3 - 4 ft.
X
X
X
Succulent Perennials. Good with
any soil. Seaside, salt tolerant.
Occasional to infrequent water.
http://toptropicals.com
Succulent Perennials. Light pink
flowers in late winter, spring. Good
with any soil, & coastal area.
Occasional to infrequent water.
SUNSET/
http://toptropicals.com
Perennial. Moderate to no water.
Cynoglossum grande
Hound's Tongue
Cyclamen hederifolium
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
2 ft. x 2 ft.
6 in. tall,
spreadin.
g
X
X
Rose pink flowers bloom
intermittently, late summer and
early fall.
EBMUD,
Yerbabuenanursery
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
6
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Evergreen Shrub. Needs much air
around its roots - a porous soil,
otherwise, water molds attack.
Little or no water in summer
increases flowering next spring &
helps prevent death from water
molds.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Daphne odora
Winter Daphne
Delosperma cooperi
Hardy iceplant
Dianella tasmanica
variegata
Flax Lily
X
X
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
4 ft x
spreading
X
X
X
X
3 in. x 1.5
ft.
Very slow growing, so best to plant
larger specimen.
X
3 - 4 ft.
tall
Dietes bicolor
Fortnight Lily
X
X
X
X
2 - 3 ft. x
2-3 ft.
Dietes iridioides
African Iris
X
X
X
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
Distictis buccinatoria
Blood Red Trumpet Vine
Drosanthemum
floribundum
Rosea Ice Plant
Non-invasive iceplant with smaller
succulent leaves. Blooms MayOct.
X
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Perennial from rhizomes. Flower
stems last a year. Pale yellow
flowers with dark spots on 3 ft. tall
stems.
Perennial from rhizomes. Flower
stems last more than a year.
20-30 ft.
X
Evergreen vine. Blooms in summer
and warm bursts. Prune in winter.
Needs support.
Silver grey leaves and abundance
of pink flowers.
6 in.
spreading
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Tolerates clay soil.
Dudleya spp
Live Forever
X
X
1-2 ft.
tall. varies
X
SUNSET
Good rock garden plant
Dryas octopetala
Mountain Dryad
Dymondia margaretae
Silver carpet
2-3 ft. x 3
ft.
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
1-3" x 2 ft.
SUNSET
Good drainage. Icy green carpet of
small narrow leaves, brigh yellow
daisylike flowers in summer.
Occasional - Moderate/ Low water.
Traffic tolerance: Occasional.
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Master Plant list.xlsx
7
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Succulent Perennial
Echeveria agavoides
'Maria'
X
X
up to 1 ft.
x 1 - 2 ft.
X
SUNSET
Succulent Perennial
Echeveria 'Blue Bedder'
X
X
6 in.ch
tall,
clusters
X
SUNSET
Succulent Perennial
Echeveria elegans
Hens and Chicks
X
X
Rosettes
4 in. wide
X
SUNSET
Succulent Perennial
Echeveria harmsii
X
X
6 in.ch
tall,
clusters
X
SUNSET
Succulent Perennial
Echeveria imbricata
X
X
Up to 8 in.
across
X
SUNSET
Succulent Perennial
Echeveria juarezensis
X
X
6 in.ch ,
clusters
X
SUNSET
Good for rock gardens
Echeveria pumila glauca
X
X
Up to 8 in.
across
X
SUNSET
Perennial Grass
Elymus magellanicus
Blue Wheatgrass,
Magellan Wheatgrass
Encelia californica
California encelia
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
Up to 1.5
ft. x 1.5 ft.
3 ft.x 4 ft.
SUNSET
X
Little or no water. Native to
Southern CA. Flowers 3 inches.
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
8
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
Mat Forming Groundcover. Water:
None-Occasional, Traffic
tolerance: little to none.
X
SUNSET
X
Perennial. Tolerates salt spray
and sandy soil. Bay Area native.
Cut back in late fall.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Epilobium septentrionale
California fuchsia
Ericameria ericoides
California Goldenbush
X
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
8-12" x 23 ft.
X
X
X
X
3-4 ft. tall
Additional Characteristics
Tolerates clay soil. Short lived.
Erigeron glaucus
Beach Aster
X
X
X
X
Up to 8 in.
X
X
Perennial. Cut back hard in fall.
Can be invasive.
Erigeron Karvinskianus
Mexican Daisy
X
X
X
X
Up to 1.5
ft. x 3 ft.
X
Perennial groundcover
Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat
X
1-3 ft. x
4ft.
X
X
X
X
X
White flowers turn reddish in
summer.
Eriogonum giganteum
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum grande
rubescens
Red buckwheat
X
X
X
3-4 ft. x
4ft.
X
X
X
X
Perennial groundcover
X
X
Eriogonum latifolium
Chalk buckwheat
X
X
Eriogonum umbellatum
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
1 ft. x
1.5ft.
X
X
X
X
X
Perennial groundcover. Summer
bloom.
1 ft. x
1.5ft.
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
1.5 ft. x
3ft.
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
9
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Eriophyllum
stachaedifolium
Lizard tail
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
X
X
2.5 ft. x 5
ft.
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
Evergreen perennial/shrub. Good
in sandy soil. Excellent wildlife
habitat.
X
X
X
Perennial. Cut back after blooming
to prevent leggy growth.
Erysimum 'Bowles
Mauve'
X
X
X
X
Up to 3 ft.
x 4 - 6 ft.
SUNSET
Pink/red blossoms.
Escallonia 'Compakta' or
dwarf varieties
Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
8 - 24 in.
X
X
X
SUNSET
Perennial. Tolerates sand.
Tolerates foot traffic. Dies back in
winter.
X
SUNSET
Perennial. Short lived.
Euphorbia amygdaloides
1-3 ft. x 13 ft. .
X
SUNSET
Perennial
Euphorbia x. martinii
X
X
2-3 ft. x 23 ft.
X
Up to 6
in.x1 ft.
SUNSET
stems trail outward
Euphorbia myrsinites
Myrtle Spurge
X
SUNSET
Clumping grass, dropping flower
spikes
Festuca amethystina
Festuca californica
'Serpentine Blue'
California fescue
X
X
X
1.5 ft. x
10 in.
X
2-3 ft. x 12 ft.
SUNSET
Clumping grass
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
10
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
1 ft. x 10
in.
Clumping grass. OccasionalModerate/Low water. Traffic
tolerance: Occasional. Dense tuft
of bery narrow, fine leaves; color
varies from blue to silvery white.
X
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
1-2 ft. x 12 ft.
Bunch Grass. Traffic tolerance:
Occasional. Water: OccasionalModerate/ Very low. More tolerant
of wet winter soils. Good slope
stabilizer.
X
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Festuca glauca
Common Blue Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Idahoe fescue
X
X
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
X
X
X
X
Additional Characteristics
Clumping grass, can be used as
unclipped lawn or groundcover.
Festuca muelleri
Mueller's Fescue
Festuca rubra
Red fescue
X
X
Fuchsia procumbens
Prostrate fuschia
Fragaria chiloensis
Beach Strawberry
X
Fragaria vesca
Woodland strawberry
X
Up to 1 ft.
tall
X
X
1-2 ft. x 12 ft.
X
6" x 3-4 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
4-8" x 1218",
spreading
SUNSET
X
X
X
X
4-8" x 812"
X
X
X
Fine-Bladed Bunch Grass.
Spreads by rhizomes.Traffic
tolerance: Occasional. Water:
Moderate low. Most shade tolerant
of good lawn grasses. Good wi/
Oaks. Clay tolerant.
Semi evergreen or deciduous.
Prostrate Spreading Growth.
Regular/Moderate water. Little to
no traffic tolerance. Showy red
berries, good in shady rock
gardens & containers.
Spreading groundcover. Good in
sandy soil. Lush compact mat.
Water: Regular/Moderate. Traffic
tolerance:Occasional. White
flowers & red seedy fruits.
X
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Groundcover. Good in clay soil.
Water: Regular/Moderate. Traffic
tolerance: Little to none. Deer
tolerant, good w/ oaks. White
flowers, yummiest strawberry.
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Intermittent bloom throughout year,
scarlet flws, no irrigation needed
Galvezia speciosa
Island Bush Snapdragon
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
3 ft. x 5 ft.
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
11
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Perennial. Cut back after flowering.
Gaura lindheimeri
Butterfly Gaura
2.5 - 4 ft.
x 2 - 3 ft.
X
SUNSET
Succulent
Graptosedum 'Vera
Higgins'
X
X
X
X
1 ft. x 2 3 ft.
SUNSET
Succulent
Graptoveria 'Fred Ives'
X
X
X
X
1 -2 ft. x 1
- 2 ft.
SUNSET
Succulent
Graptoveria 'Debbi'
X
X
X
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 1 ft.
SUNSET
Evergreen subshrub
Grevillea lanigera
'Coastal Gem'
X
X
1 ft. x 4-5
ft.
X
SUNSET
Evergreen subshrub
Grevillea 'Magic Lantern'
Grindelia hirsutula
Gum Plant
Hardenbergia
comptoniana
or H. violacea
Lilac Vine
Helleborus foetidus
Bear's foot hellebore
X
X
X
X
X
2-3 ft. x 46 ft.
2 ft. tall
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
Up to 10
ft.
2.5 ft. x
2.5 ft.
SUNSET
X
X
X
Perennial. Blooms in summer w/o
water. Bay Area native. Good in
sandy soil.
X
Evergreen vine. Need support.
Bloom late Winter to Spring. Prune
after bloom.
X
SUNSET
SUNSET
Evergreen perennial. Pale green or
purple flowers. Poisonous.
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
12
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Helleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose
X
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Needs
little/no
water
Evergreen perennial. Blooms
March-May. Flowers greenish,
purplish, or rose with spotted or
splashed with deep purple.
up to 1.5
ft. tall
X
Additional Characteristics
Reference
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
Helianthemum 'Apricot'
X
X
X
Up to 6 8 in.x 3 ft.
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
Helianthemum 'Belgravia
Rose'
X
X
X
Up to 6 8 in. x 3
ft.
SUNSET
Whitish pink flower stalks.
Tolerates sun on coast.
Heuchera maxima
Island Alum Root
X
1-2 ft. x 12 ft.
X
X
X
SUNSET
White flower stalks.
Heuchera micrantha
Hybrids
Coral Bells
X
Heuchera 'Santa Ana
Cardinal' or 'Wendy'
Alum root/Coral Bell
hybrids
X
Heuchera sanguinea
Coral Bells
X
Horkelia californica
California Horkelia
X
2 ft. x 2 ft.
X
X
X
SUNSET
Rose red flower stalks 2 feet tall.
Very drought tolerant. Tolerates
sun on coast.
SUNSET
1-3 ft. tall
Perennial. Bell shaped, bright red
or coral pink flowers. Moderate to
occational water.
SUNSET/EBMUD
1-2 ft x 12 ft.
Perennial groundcover. Tolerates
rocky soils. Musky fragrance.
Native in Bay Area.
2 ft. x 3-4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Blooms in spring.
Hyacinthoides hispanica
Spanish squill
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
1-2 ft. x 1
ft.
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
13
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Perennial. Dies back in late
summer.
Iris Pacific Coast Hybrids
X
X
X
X
1 -2 ft. x 2
- 3 ft.
X
SUNSET
Perennial. Dies back in late
summer.
Iris douglasiana
Jasminum polyanthum
Pink Jasmine
X
X
X
X
1.5 - 3 ft.
Tall
X
SUNSET
Evergreen vne. Blooms late Winter
to Spring. Very fragrant.
Up to 20
ft.
X
SUNSET
Can tolerate inundation.
Juncus effusis bruneus
Green Rush
Juncus patens
California Gray Rush
X
X
2.5 ft. x
2.5 ft.
X
X
2 ft. x 2 ft.
X
Can tolerate inundation. Tolerates
more heat & drought, but thrives
best in moist soil or even shallow
water.
X
X
SUNSET/CNP
X
SUNSET/CNP
Succulent Perennial
Kalanchoe orgyalis
Copper Spoons
X
4 - 6 ft. x
4 - 6 ft.
X
SUNSET
Succulent Perennial. Clumping.
Kalanchoe thrysiflora
Paddle Plant
Kniphofia 'Dwarf Yellow'
Poker Plant
Knifphofia galpini
'Orange Flame'
X
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
up to 2 ft.
X
X
X
X
2 - 3 ft. x
3 - 4 ft.
1-2 ft. x 12 ft.
SUNSET
X
X
Dense clumping grass-like, finely
toothed foliage. Need some water
to bloom. Shear back in Fall.
Dense clumping grass-like, finely
toothed foliage. Need some water
to bloom. Shear back in Fall.
SUNSET
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
14
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Lathyrus vestitus
Wild Pea
Lantana montevidensis
Trailing Lantana
Lavandula angustifolia
'Hidcote Superior'
English Lavender
Lavandula 'Goodwin
Creek Grey'
Lavandula multifida
Fern Leaf Lavender
Lavandula stoechas
'Alba'
Spanish White Lavender
Lavandula stoechas
'Willow Vale'
Spanish Lavender
Lavandula dentata
candicans
French Lavender
Lavandula x. intermedia
'Grosso'
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1.5-6 ft. x
1.5-6 ft.
1.5-2 ft. x
2ft
2.5 - 3 ft.
x 3 - 4 ft.
X
2.5 - 3 ft.
x 3 - 4 ft.
X
X
X
X
2 - 3 ft. x
2 - 3 ft.
2-3 ft. x 23 ft.
2 - 3 ft. x
3 - 4 ft.
2.5 ft. x
2.5 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Needs
little/no
water
Deciduous Perennial with twining
stems.
Evergreen Shrub. Profuse
summer bloom. Shear to keep full.
2 ft. x 3-6
ft.
X
X
X
Additional Characteristics
Reference
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
Evergreen Shrub. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering.
SUNSET
X
Evergreen Shrub. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering.
SUNSET
X
X
Evergreen Shrub. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering.
Evergreen Shrub. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering. Good
drainage. Occasional water.
X
Evergreen Shrub. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering. Erect &
dense wuth short clusters of
summer flowers with large bracts.
Tidiest & most durable.
X
Evergreen Shrub. Green or graygreen leaves & purple flowers with
colorful bracts. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering.
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub. Relatively shortlived. It will become leggy if not
pruned after flowering.
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
SUNSET
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
15
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Leonotis leonurus*
Lion's Tail
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
X
X
4 - 6 ft. x
4 - 6 ft.
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Shear to keep dense. *Best
planted along Building side, too
high for sidewalk.
X
Reference
SUNSET
Evergreen groundcover.
Tolerateates rocky and clay soil.
Lessingia filaginifolia
Dune Aster
Leucadendron Salignum
Common Sunshine
Conebush
Leucophyllum spp
Texas Ranger
Leymus arenarius
Lyme Grass
Libertia peregrinans
X
X
X
X
X
X
Lobelia laxiflora
Mexican Bush Lobelia
X
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
Great desert garden plant. Can
rejuvenate by cutting close to the
ground.
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Prefer moist conditions, but do well
with little water.
Evergreen perennial. Basal cluster
wih broad flower cluster. Tolerates
clay soil.
3 ft. x 3 ft.
3-6 ft. x 36 ft.
SUNSET
Perennial Grass. Cut back in
winter.
Up to 2 ft.
x 1 ft.
X
X
Evergreen Shrub. Not tolerate
phosphorus. Prune for dense
growth. Showy new growth.
3 - 4 ft.
clumps
Up to 1 ft
tall.
X
X
3-5 ft. x 35 ft.,
varies
X
X
1 ft. x 3 ft.
4-6 ft. x 46 ft.
X
Limonium perezii
Sea Lavender
Linanthus grandiflora
Mountain Phlox
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Annual. Fragrant blossoms.
Tolerates sand. Bay area native.
X
X
Native to Arizona and Mexico. Can
be invasive. Cut back to ground.
Master Plant list.xlsx
16
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Trailing 2 - 3 ft. long stems
Lotus berthelotii
Parrot's Beak
Lupinus albifrons
Silver bush lupine
Lupinus chamissonis
Silver Dune Lupine
X
X
X
8 - 12 in.
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
SUNSET
X
X
Shrub. Needs good drainage.
Vulnerable to snails. Bay area
native. Host plant for Mission Blue
Butterfly.
X
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Perennial Shrub. Good in sandy
soil. Bay area native.
X
X
4-5 ft.
X
X
X
Perennial Shrub
Lupinus propinquus
Violet-flowered Lupine
Lupinus variicolor
Many Colored Lupine
Macfadyena unguis-cati
Yellow Trumpet Vine
Malvastrum lateritium
Trailing mallow
Mahonia repens
Creeping Mahonia
Melica torreyana
Torrey’s melic
X
X
1-2 ft. x 3
ft.
X
X
4 ft. x 6 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Groundcover. Good in sandy soil.
Bay area native. Blooms spring/
summer. Host for Mission Blue
Butterfly.
X
Evergreen vine in frost free area.
Aggressive climber with tendrils.
Blooms in early spring.
25-40 ft.
Evergreen groundcover.Traffic
tolerance: little to none. Tolerates
poor soil, heat, drought. Salmonpink flowers with distinct yellow
centers in summer.
8" x 5 ft.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD
Woody groundcover. Sharp edged
leaves.
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
1 ft. x 3 ft.
1 ft.,
flowers 2
ft.
X
X
Compact Bunch Grass. Traffic
Tolerance: Moderate
X
Master Plant list.xlsx
17
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
There are many varieties available.
Mimulus aurantiacus
Sticky Monkey Flower
X
1-4 ft. x 14 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Woody Perennial
Monardella villosa
Coyote Mint
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Lindheimer's muhly grass
Muhlenbergia rigens
Deer grass
X
X
X
X
X
X
2 ft. x 2 ft.
X
X
X
X
4- 5 ft. x 45 ft.
X
X
3-6 in. x
10 ft..
Myrtus communis
compacta
Dwarf Myrtle
X
X
4 ft. x 4 ft.
X
X
X
X
Showy ornamental grass. Good in
poor soils. Blue grey foliage.
Flowering spikes in fall and winter.
3- 5 ft. x 35 ft.
Myoporum parvifolium
varieties
Myoporum
Myrtus communis
Common Myrtle
X
5-6 ft. x 45 ft.
Showy ornamental grass. Good in
poor soils. Silver foliage. Flowering
spikes in fall and winter.
X
Evergeen shrub. Not tolerate foot
traffic. Dense fast-growing, matforming groundcover. Tender,
narrow, mid-green leaves & tiny,
white flowers in summer. Can be
invasive.
Evergreen shrub. Excellent
drainage. Smaller shiny, bright
green, aromatic leaves, & small
sweetly scented creamy white
flowers. Moderate/Low water
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD/CALIPC
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Makes a good formal hedge or
topiary.
X
X
SUNSET
Perennial from Bulb
Narcissus hybrids
Daffodil or Narcissus
Nadina domestica
'Compacta'
Heavenly Bamboo
X
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
1-2 ft.
4-5 ft. x 3
ft.
SUNSET
X
Airy, upright shrubs resemling
bamboo with narrower, mediumgreen leaflets that turn colors in
winter. Creamy white flowers in
large. Excellent drainage.
X
EBMUD
Master Plant list.xlsx
18
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Nandina domestica
'Harbour Dwarf'
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Nandina domestica
'Nana' and 'Nana Dwarf'
X
Wind
X
X
1-2 ft. x 12 ft.
X
Needs
little/no
water
Purplish green leaves in summer
and reddish purple in winter. In
damp shade, leaves will mildew.
Reference
SUNSET
Purplish green leaves in summer
and reddish purple in winter. In
damp shade, leaves will mildew.
2-3 ft. x 23 ft.
X
Additional Characteristics
SUNSET
aromatic (part of mint family)
Nepeta cataria
Catnip
Nepeta racemosa
Cat mint
Oenothera elata ssp.
hirsutissima
Hooker's Evening
Primrose
X
X
X
X
Omphalodes
Omphalodes
SUNSET
6-12" x 23 ft.
X
X
2 - 3 ft. x
2 - 3 ft.
X
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
X
X
X
Perennial. Blooms all summer.
Tolerates drought/ flooding. Short
lived. Reseeds heavily.
X
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
X
Perennial. Moderate to occational
water. Coastal climate, not for hot
locations. Blooms in Winter/
Spring.
6"-12" x
18"-3 ft.
X
X
Perennial. Low growing, compact
plants with soft, grayish green to
blue-gray leaves & lavender
Flowers. Good drainage.Water:
Occasional- Moderate/Low . No
traffic tolerance. Ignored by deer.
SUNSET
EBMUD
Perennial
Origanum dictamnus
Dittany of Crete, Hop
Marjoram
Osteospermum
fruticosum and hybrids
Trailing African Daisy
X
X
X
X
X
X
Up to 8 in.
x 1.5 - 2
ft.
X
Blooms intermittently all year.
Hybrid colors: Purple, lilac, yellow,
orange, and bicolor. Spreads
rapidly.
1 - 2 ft. x
2-4 ft.
SUNSET
SUNSET
Evergreen vine. Fast growing. No
fruit.
Passiflora caerulea
Passion Vine
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
20-30 ft.
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
19
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Shrubby Perennial. Dense mound.
Pelargonium sidioides
Geranium
Pelargonium peltatum
Ivy Geranium
Pennisetum 'Eaton
Canyon'
Dwarf Red Fountain
Grass
Pennisetum setaceum
'Rubrum'
Red Fountain Grass
Penstemon heterophyllus
varieties
Penstemon
Phacelia californica
Desert Bluebell
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 1 ft.
X
1-1.5 ft x
3-5 ft
trailing.
X
Perennial
SUNSET
Perennial Grass with plumes. Cut
back in winter.
SUNSET
Perennial Grass. Cut back in
winter. Note: Pennisetum
setaceum can spread and is not
recommended. 'Rubrum' does not
self seed.
4 - 5 ft. x
3 - 4 ft.
X
X
SUNSET
1 - 3 ft. x
1 - 2 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
1.5 - 2 ft.
x 1.5 - 2
ft.
1.5-3 ft x
.5 ft.
X
SUNSET
Perennial. Prune back in fall.
Bloom time varies.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Annual herb. Fast growing.
Profuse bloomer early spring.
Tolerates sandy soils.
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
Shrub
Philotheca verrucosa
'Starbright'
Fairy Wax Flower
Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis lanata
Phlomis
X
3 - 4 ft. x
3 - 4 ft.
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
SUNSET
4 ft. x 6 ft.
Evergreen shrub with wooly, soft
silvery leaves, bright yellow to
yellow-orange flowers in late spring
& early summer. Needs good
drainage.
X
SUNSET
2 ft. x 3 ft.
Evergreen shrub with small
roundish leaves, sage green above
& whitish gray beneath, yellow
flowers in summer. Good drainage.
Occasional water
X
EBMUD
Master Plant list.xlsx
20
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Grass-like Perennial
Phormium 'Dusky Chief'
New Zealand Flax
X
X
X
X
3 - 4 ft. x
3 - 4 ft.
SUNSET
Grass-like Perennial
Phormium 'Jack Pratt'
X
X
X
X
1.5 ft. x
1.5 ft.
SUNSET
Grass-like Perennial
Phormium 'Tiny Tiger'
X
X
X
X
U to 1 ft.
x 1 ft.
SUNSET
Grass-like Perennial
Phormium 'Yellow Wave'
Phyla nodiflora
Lippia
Plantago erecta
Prarie Plantain
Polygonum paronychia
Dune Knotweed
Polypodium californicum
California polypody
X
X
X
X
X
3 - 4 ft. x
3 - 4 ft.
SUNSET
2" x 2 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6 -12 in.
Low
spreading
X
1ft. x 2 ft.
X
2-4 ft. x 24 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
Perennial. Ground Hugging
Groundcover. Water: LittleRegular/Low. Lavender pink
flowers appear from spring to fall.
Traffic tolerance: Occasional.
Low Annual. Blooms in Spring.
Tolerates sand, clay and
serpentine. Tolerates some foot
traffic. Habitat for threatened bay
checkersop butterfly.
Groundcover. Tolerates sand and
heavy foot traffic. Needle-like lvs,
whitish flowers. Very aggressive
and will out-compete
groundcovers.
Prefers occasional water in dry
months.
X
SUNSET/WUCOLS R1
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
SUNSET
Evergreen Fern.
Polystichum munitum
Western Sword Fern
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
21
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Potentilla fruticosa
Potentilla
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Good drainage. Low-moderate
water.
1.3 ft. x
2.5-4 ft.
X
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Shrub.
Rhagodia spinescens
Australian Saltbush
Rhaphiolepis 'Ballerina'
Indian hawthorn
X
X
X
X
X
X
2 - 4 ft. x
6 - 8 ft.
2-3 ft. x 34 ft.
Evergreen shrub. Deep rosy pink
flowers.Occasional water. Good
seacoast plants; tolerate salt drift.
X
EBMUD
Shrub.
Rhamnus crocea
Redberry
X
Ribes aureum
Golden Currant
X
Romneya coulteri
Matilija Poppy
X
Rosmarinus officinalis
'Prostratus'
Prostrate Rosemary,
Creeping Rosemary
Rubus pentelobus
Bramble
Rudbeckia californica
California coneflower
X
X
X
X
X
X
2 ft. x 5 ft.
X
3-6 ft. x 36 ft.
X
3-5 ft. x 68 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
Evergreen & deciduous shrub with
light green leaves & clusters of
bright yellow flowers in spring &
clusters of orange, red, & black
berries, with a spicy fragrance.
Perennial spreading from
underground runners. Tolerates
many soils. Can spread. Cut back
to ground in the Fall. Blooms in
Summer/ Fall.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET/EBMUD
Perennial. Spreading like a
groundcover. Fast growth.
X
X
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
X
X
3 ft. x 4 8 ft.
6-12" X 6
ft.
2-4.5 ft. x
2-4.5 ft.
X
X
X
Evergreen groundcover,
suppresses weeds, leaves turn
scarlet in fall, raspberry-like fruit.
White summer flowers followed by
golden yellow fruit. Good drainage.
Perennial. Blooms summer and
fall. Can tolerate clay soil.
X
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
22
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
Salvia apiana
California White Sage
X
3 - 5 ft. x
3 - 5 ft.
X
X
X
X
Perennial
Salvia 'Bee's Bliss'
X
1.5 ft. x 5
ft.
X
X
X
X
X
Perennial
Salvia chamaedryoides
German Sage
X
1 - 2 ft. x
2 - 3 ft.
X
X
X
X
Perennial. Prune below old flower
cluster in late June.
Salvia clevelandii
Cleveland Sage
X
3 - 5 ft. x
5 - 8 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
Perennial Shrub
Salvia coahuilensis
Coahuila Sage
X
2 - 3 ft. x
2 - 3 ft.
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
Salvia greggii 'Alba'
Autumn Sage
X
1 - 4 ft. x
1 - 4 ft.
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub
Salvia greggii 'Salmon"
Salvia leucantha
Mexican Bush Sage,
Velvet Sage
Salvia leucophylla
Coast Purple Sage
X
1 - 4 ft. x
1 - 4 ft.
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub. Cut stems down
in winter.
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
3 - 4 ft. x
3 - 6 ft.
X
3 - 5 ft. x
3 - 5 ft.
X
X
X
X
X
X
Silvery gray leaves and whorls of
purple flowers.
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
23
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Salvia melifera 'Terra
Seca'
Prostrate sage
X
X
2 ft. x 6 ft.
X
X
X
Salvia sonomensis
Creeping sage
X
X
8-12" x 34 ft.
X
X
X
Salvia spathacea Pitcher
sage
X
X
1-2 ft. x
34"
X
X
Santonlina
chamaecyparissus
Lavender Cotton
X
Santolina rosmarinifolia
Santolina
X
Satureja douglasii
Y erba Buena
Scrophularia californica
California Figwort
X
X
X
X
Extra Tough Groundcover. Water:
Occasional. Traffic tolerance: Little
to none. Fast growing, good for
erosion control.
Shrubby perennial. Groundcover.
Water: Occasional. Little to none
traffic tolerance. Good for dryish
shade. Lavender blue flowers.
Perennial. Evergreen
Groundcover. Water: Drought
Tolerant- Regular. Traffic
tolerance: Little to none.
Evergreen Shrub. Blooms MayJune. Whitish gray leaves & bright
yellow flowers.
1 ft. x 2 3 ft.
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
18" X 3-8
ft.
6 in. x 3
ft.
X
Perennial groundcover. Leaves
have strong minty scent, and used
in teas to treat variety of ailments.
Grows under oaks. Prefers some
moisture but drought tolerant.
Traffic tolerance: Little to none.
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
EBMUD
SUNSET
X
Perennial from Bulb, blooms for
several weeks. All parts poisonous
if ingested.
X
X
X
X
Perennial. Woodsy plant. Tolerates
clay or sand. Tubular red flowers.
Fast growing.
Reference
EBMUD
Evergreen Shrubs & spreading
underrunners. Blue-black friut.
Cluster of fragrant white flowers in
later winter to early spring.
Lustrous dark green leaves.
6-12 in. x
18 in.
3-5 ft . x 23 ft.
Needs
little/no
water
Evergreen Shrub. Narrow green
leaves that resemble rosemary &
bright yellow flowers. Occasional
water.
2-3 ft. x 23 ft.
X
Sarcococca hookerana
humilis
Sweet Box
Scilla peruviana
Peruvian Scilla
X
Additional Characteristics
SUNSET
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
24
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Do not tolerate foot traffic but
otherwise tough.
Sedum dendroideum
X
X
Up to 2 ft.
x 2 ft.
X
Do not tolerate foot traffic but
otherwise tough.
Sedum pachyphyllum
Stonecrop
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 2 - 3 ft.
X
Do not tolerate foot traffic but
otherwise tough.
Sedum palmeri
Hens and Chicks
Sedum rubrotinctum
Pork and Beans
Sedum spathulifolium
6-12 in. x
6-12 in.
X
X
X
6-8" x 10"
X
Trailing
groundco
ver
X
X
Succulent Perennial. Red-tinted
green leaves & yellow spring
flowers. Little to moderate water.
Protect from frost & heat.
Succulent. Does not tolerate foot
traffic but otherwise tough.
X
EBMUD
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Perennial.
Silene californica
California Indian Pink
X
X
X
6-16 in.
tall
X
X
Succulent
Sempervivum montanum
X
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 1 ft.
Succulent
Senecio amaniensis
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
2 - 4 ft. x
2 - 4 ft.
Master Plant list.xlsx
25
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Senecio cineraria
Dusty Miller
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
Needs
little/no
water
Blooms intermittently all year.
Provide good drainage. Shear
back.
2 - 3 ft. x
2 - 3 ft.
X
Additional Characteristics
Reference
SUNSET
Succulent
Senecio mandraliscae
1 - 2 ft. x
2 - 3 ft.
X
SUNSET
Succulent
Senecio scaposus
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 1 ft.
X
SUNSET
Evergreen vine. Rampant grower.
Cut back anytime.
Solanum jasminoides
Potatoe Vine
Solidago californica
Solidago spatulata
Coast Golden Rod
X
X
X
Sollya heterophylla
Australian Bluebell
Creeper
X
Up to 30
ft.
X
X
1.5-3 ft x
1.5-3 ft
X
1.5-3 ft x
1.5-3 ft
X
X
X
2-3 ft. x 45 ft. .
X
X
X
X
Perennial herb. Easy to grow.
Blooms late summer.
X
X
X
SUNSET
SUNSET
Deciduous Perennial herb. Easy to
grow. Tolerates clay and sand.
Blooms late summer.
SUNSET
Evergreen Shrub. Good drainage
critical. Will grow under
Eucalyptus.
SUNSET
Perennial. Spreads with surface
runners. Slow grower.
Stachys byzantina
Stipa arundinacea
Feather Grass
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
X
X
Up to 1.5
ft. high
X
2 ft. x 2
ft.
SUNSET
Perennial Grass. Clumping,
feathery form.
SUNSET
Master Plant list.xlsx
26
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Part
Shade
Shade
Wind
Additional Characteristics
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
Shrub. Pink flowers in summer.
Needs good drainage.
Symphoricarpus albus
Common Snowberry
X
X
2-6 ft. x 26 ft.
X
X
X
X
SUNSET
Perennial
Tanacetum haradjanii
Tecomaria capensis
Cape Honeysuckle
Teucrium chamaedrys
Germander
Teucrium fruticans
'Compactum'
Bush Germander
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 1 - 2 ft.
15-30 ft.
SUNSET
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 2 ft.
Evergreen Vine. Needs support.
Blooms Fall into Spring. Can shear
as 6-8 ft. Shrub.
SUNSET
Shrubby Perennial. Tolerates
some salt spray. Upright woodybased stems. Shear in early
spring. Summer bloom.
SUNSET
Shrubby perennial. Shear in spring.
Blooms throughout year.
X
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
SUNSET
Thymus serpyllum
(var. 'Elfin')
Creeping Thyme
X
X
X
Up to 3 in.
x 3 ft.
X
Thymus
pseudolanuginosus
Woolly Thyme
X
X
X
Up to 3 in.
x 3 ft.
X
Shrubby Perennial. Aromatic
leaves. Low Compact
Groundcover. Does not tolerate
heavy foot traffic.Water:
Occasional- Moderate/Moderate
Shrubby Perennial. Low Compact
Groundcover. Does not tolerate
heavy foot traffic. Water:
Occasional- Moderate/Moderate
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
EBMUD/WUCOLS R1
Shrubby Perennial. Does not
tolerate heavy foot traffic.
Thymus 'Victor Reiter'
Victor Reiter Thyme
Trifolium repens
White Clover
X
X
X
X
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
X
Up to 1 ft.
x 1 - 2 ft.
4" Tall
X
X
SUNSET
Low groundcover. Water:
Regular/Moderate. Traffic
Tolerance: Little to none. Leaves
can stain clothing, white flowers
attract bees.
SUNSET/WUCOLS R1
Master Plant list.xlsx
27
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
Bees
Host
Width
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Suitable Site Conditions
Photo
Name
Sun
Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium
X
Part
Shade
Shade
X
Wind
X
X
Additional Characteristics
Annual. Flowers are edible. Can be
invasive.
climbs/trai
ls to 6 ft.
Needs
little/no
water
Reference
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Perennial. Mounding
Verbena lilacina
'De La Mina'
Cedros Island Verbena
X
X
X
3 ft. x 3 ft.
X
Shrubby Perennial
Westringia 'Smokey'
Coast Rosemary
X
Whipplea modesta
Western modesty
Zauschneria californica
(Epilobium canum
canum)
California Fuchsia
Zauchneria
septentrionale
Humboldt County
Fuchsia
X
Up to 4 6 ft. x 4 6 ft.
1"-4" x 2
ft.-3 ft.
X
X
X
X
1-2 ft. x
2ft.
Good oak woodland understory.
Traffic tolerance: Little to none.
Good for erosion control on shady
banks. Drought tolerant when
established, occasional water.
X
X
X
Perennial. Blooms early summer
through winter.
Las Pilitas
X
SUNSET
X
SUNSET
Perennial
X
X
Up to 1 ft.
matting
DO NOT PLANT Non-native Invasive Plants such as the following: Algerian ivy (Hedera caneriensis), Alta (or Tall) Fescue (Festuca arundinacea), Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Cape ivy (Centaurea solstitialis),
Cotoneaster species (Cotoneaster lacteus and C. pannosus), English Ivy (Hedera heliz), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), French Broom (Genista monspessulana), Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis), Jubatagrass (Cortaderia
jubata), Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare), Mock (or Indian) Strawberry (Duchesnea indica), Oxalis pes-caprae (Bermuda buttercup), Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana), Periwinkle (Vinca major), Portuguese Broom
(Cytisus striatus), Scarlet Wisteria (Sesbania punicea), Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum), Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) and Annual European Grasses.
Do Not Plant Non-native Invasive Trees such as the following: Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood Acacia), Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum Eucalyptus), Edible fig (Ficus carica), Saltcedar Tamarix spp., Russian olive
(Elaeagnus angustifolia). Albizia julibrissin, silk tree can be invasive in open areas, may be okay as street tree.
Plant Information from the following sources: Sunset Western Garden Book, SF Botanical Garden, San Francisco Department of Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
Natural Areas, 'Wildlife Enhancement in San Francisco's Urban Parks' by Josiah Clark,San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's Draft San Francisco Stormwater Design Guidelines, The Encyclopedia of Ornamental
Grasses by J. Greenlee, Water Conserving Plants and Landscapes for the Bay Area by Eat Bay Municipal Utility District 1990, Landscape Plants for Western Regions by Bob Perry 1992, and Website sources such as: San
Franciso's Friends of the Urban Forest, Calflora, California Invasive Plant Council,California Urban Water Conservation Council's H2O USE site, Berkeley Horticultural Nursery, San Marcos Grower's, Horticulture Unlimited,
Inc., California Native Plant Link Exchange, Bay Natives Nursery, California Flora, Wildflower Information, Yerba Buena Nursery, Larner Seeds, Las Pilitas Nursery, Monrovia Nursery, Annie's Annuals and Perennials and the
following local nurseries: Flora Grubb Gardens, Floorcraft Garden Center, and Sloat Garden Center. http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=782#planting.
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
Master Plant list.xlsx
28
San Francisco Sidewalk Landscaping: Recommended Drought Tolerant Plant List
Plant
Needs
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar for
CA
Size
Photo
Name
Additional Characteristics
little/no
Reference
Part
Seacoast Height x Native Humming Butter
Fruit/
water
Sun
Shade Wind
Bees
Host
Width
Shade
/Fog
birds
flies
Seed
Plant Photos from the following website sources: San Macros Growers, California Urban Water Conservation Council's H2O USE site, Horticulture Unlimited, Inc., Bay Natives Nursery, PlantMaster™ GardenSoft,
Annie's Annuals and Perennials, California Flora, Plant Safari, Yerba Buena, Larner Seeds, Las Pilitas, Monrovia, Monterey Bay, Blue Stem, and Dave's Garden. http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/trfre.htm,
http://jjlgreenhouses.com, http://courses.nres.uiuc.edu, http://www.fabfolia.co.uk/plants, http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki, http://toptropicals.com, http://commons.wikimedia.org, http://laudatortemporisacti.blogspot.com,
http://www.gardenstew.com
Suitable Site Conditions
Information and photos sources listed in the last page of this document.
Master Plant list.xlsx
29