native plants
Native plants are the foundation of the work at the ranch, they facilitate healing of the landscape and ecosystem, and support bird life. They are also the most beautiful backdrop we could hope for in creating a place to study birds and our local ecosystem. The fragrance of sages, the shade of a Coast Live Oak or the sight of a monarch on Narrowleaf Milkweed; native plants, like the birds they host, are pure magic.
Gardens and Landscaping
Currently the grounds are home to several different types and styles of gardens, including the more formal demonstration garden surrounding the front of the main house, our field station and bird blind, event terrace, and kids zone by the river.
Some Spring and Summer blooming favorites…
Links and profiles provided by California Native Plant Society’s Calscape
Red Maids- Calandrinia menziesii
Arroyo lupine- Lupinus succulentus
Tidy tips- Layia platyglossa
Common Fiddleneck
Fivespot- Nemophila maculata
Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat- Eriogonum arborescens
California fuchsia- Epilobium canum
Bush Sunflower- Encelia californica
species resources:
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Plants that were and are here
Years before embarking on landscaping, we studied the naturally occurring plant species and communities. This list shows common Ventura County species in the following communities: Oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, alluvial and riparian scrub as well as common non-native and invasive plants we are working to remove.
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landscaping plants
The chosen plants for landscaping started with plant species that are naturally occurrng here. We have added others that are predominantly native to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and a few that occur on the islands.
