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Green Fig Ficus carica The Green Fig tree, Ficus carica, is a deciduous tree with distinctive, lobed leaves and teardrop-shaped fruits. Originating from the Mediterranean region and Western Asia, fig trees have been cultivated for thousands of years for their delicious fruit and ornamental qualities. Fruits generally ripen [...]

Fuyu Persimmon Diospyros Kaki Japanese Fuyu Persimmon, Diospyros Kaki, is a deciduous tree that produces edible fruit that usually ripens by the end of November in Northern California. (It's best to wait to pick them until most of the leaves have fallen off the tree.) It is a [...]

Yerba Buena Clinopodium douglasii Yerba Buena, Clinopodium douglasii, is a creeping evergreen perennial often used as a groundcover or container plant (to keep from overspreading). Yerba Buena grows best in full or part shade. It is a low- to moderate- moisture plant that adapts to different soil types, [...]

Papyrus Cyperus papyrus Papyrus, Cyperus papyrus, is a species of flowering aquatic plants native to wet regions of Africa. It grows in full sun, in flooded swamps, but can also tolerate drought after being established. This plant has a very long history of use by humans, notably by [...]

Chokeberry Aronia Chokeberry, Aronia prunifolia, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Wide range of soil tolerance including boggy soils. Best fruit production usually occurs in full sun. It's astringent berries are edible, [...]

Golden Currant Ribes aureum Golden currant, Ribes aureum, is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub with golden spring blooms. The flowers and fruit of this fragrant and attractive shrub make the golden currant a valuable wildlife plant. Golden currant is very easy to grow and spreads readily, making it [...]

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, is an herbaceous perennial of the mint family with lemon-scented leaves. It was introduced from Europe and has naturalized throughout much of North America. It prefers well-drained soils in sun to part shade but tolerates poor soils and drought once [...]

Gray Rush Juncus patens Juncus patens is an evergreen that is native to California and normally found in areas that are moist year-round, but it is a tough plant that can also grow in areas that are seasonally dry. It has small golden flower clusters that bloom along [...]

Berkeley Sedge Carex divulsa Carex divulsa is a perennial sedge that has naturalized in California. Locally, it was named Berkeley sedge because it was originally obtained from a nursery in Berkeley, California, though it isn't a native species. It's bright green foliage is evergreen.  In early summer, bronze flower [...]

Jerusalem Sage Phlomis fruticosa Phlomis fruticosa, also known as Jerusalem Sage, is native to the Mediterranean region and remains evergreen when grown in California. Its genus name Phlomis is Greek and translated means flame. This may be referring to the fact that in ancient times its leaves were [...]