Coast silktassel (Garrya elliptica) is a shrub to small tree adorned with enchanting catkins of gray flowers in the winter. These attractive, drought-tolerant plants are popular with gardeners who want to add an element of whimsy to their landscapes.

Coffeeberry (Frangula californica) is the native plant gardener’s best friend, and a constant companion to our local oaks! Though its understated appearance might not grab your attention right away, the coffeeberry’s subtle elegance, forgiving nature, and high value to pollinators will be sure to win you over.

Perhaps you've heard it at a workday, or maybe it was through an email you received after your volunteer event. Regardless, we hope it rings true: Grassroots Ecology values your feedback.

Bushmallows are a diverse and underappreciated group of shrubs with stunning, pink blooms and soft, fuzzy leaves. Our local arcuate bushmallow (Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus) is only found in the Santa Cruz mountains and is a great option for sunny spots in the garden.

California bunchgrasses provide beauty and habitat long after invasive annual grasses have died off, and their deep roots make them drought-tolerant and great for increasing soil health and carbon storage. Now there’s some grassroots power!

Yerba buena (Clinopodium douglasii) is a dainty, bright green native mint commonly found crawling along the forest floors of the Bay Area. In the garden it forms a lush groundcover, and it can be used to make tea or to season food. Yerba buena is available at our Native Plant Nursery. Learn more about this deliciously fragrant plant and how to grow it:

We are celebrating the retirement of Claire Elliott, Grassroots Ecology’s very own tirelessly dedicated and enthusiastic employee of 17 years!

Did you know that we have a native species of raspberry right here in the Bay Area? Blackcap raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) is found in the Santa Cruz Mountains and produces delicious black raspberries in the summer. Blackcap raspberries are available at our Native Plant Nursery. Learn more about raspberries and how to grow them.

There are so many places you can find native California wildflowers in the Bay Area, especially at Grassroots Ecology habitat restoration sites! Learn about a few of our favorite flowers and where you can find them:

Every spring, California buttercup blooms across the grasslands, oak forests, and along creeks of the Bay Area. These brilliant, yellow flowers re-emerge after the rain and provide an early food source for native bees, ants, and butterflies. They are sure to add a pop of color to a sunny meadow or semi-shaded woodland garden.

Two native strawberries grow in the Bay Area: woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis). Both are sprawling, deep green groundcovers that can fill in bare zones around shrubs or even serve as lawn replacements for areas with moderate foot traffic. They also produce small fruits in late spring!

If you happen to be bitten by a tick while out enjoying nature, you might try to panic-Google how to remove it or worry about contracting Lyme disease. While ticks are not risk-free, there are ways you can avoid them while outdoors and best practices to remove one if you are bitten.

Grassroots Ecology’s Executive Director of seven years, Alex Von Feldt, has recently been joined in the executive ranks by Junko Bryant, formerly the Assistant Director—making them Co-Executive Directors!

Come explore the future water lines in San Mateo County this month.

Venga a explorar los futuros niveles del mar en el condado de San Mateo este mes.

Our native plant of the month is manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.)! Learn about manzanitas and how to grow them:

Our native plant of the month is oaks (Quercus species.), an important plant in our California ecosystems that provides habitat for hundreds of different mammals, birds, and insects. Learn about oaks and how to grow them:

Volunteers help us install thousands of native plants every year. Pruning, or the removal of dead and unwanted parts of a plant, is a crucial part of maintaining their health. Grassroots Ecology staff recently sharpened their pruning skills at a workshop led by our Nursery Director Deanna Giuliano and Ecologist Siena Watson. Follow their tips below to learn how to prune in your own garden.

Learn how to make native plant scented candles from one of our 2022 Summer Naturalist Interns!

Our August native plant of the month is California fescue (Festuca californica), a great drought resistant native plant that provides habitat for local wildlife!

Learn about the wonders of California native grasses and how to grow California fescue:

Our native plant of the month is California phacelia! Phacelia is a great drought resistant native plant to add to your garden or any outdoor space. Learn how to grow phacelia at home: