Cavanagh Center

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 [...]

Moonshine Yarrow Acheillea x 'Moonshine' This perennial plant has silver-gray foliage and lemon-yellow flat-topped flowers that cover the plant all summer. Butterflies love the nectar from this plant's flowers. It requires full sun, and doesn't require much water once established. This variety is sterile, meaning it won't reseed [...]

Coffeeberry Rhamnus californica This dense and round evergreen native shrub has big berries that resemble coffee. The small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers appear in May to July and produce showy berries that are first green then red and finally black when ripe. The fruit contains laxative properties and has long [...]

Liberty Apple Malus domestica 'Liberty' You can find this variety of apple tree growing espaliered against the side of the building. It likes full -sun and well-drained soil. The fruit is ready to be enjoyed in late September and early October. This tree is currently the most disease-resistant [...]

Chilean Guava Ugni molinae The Ugni is an evergreen shrub that rarely grows over 5 ft tall. If you crush the leaves they emit a spicy scent! The edible (and delicious) fruit ripens in the summer and are about the size of a blueberry. This plant can be grown [...]

Bartlett Pear Pyrus communis The Bartlett pear, scientifically known as Pyrus communis 'Bartlett', is a classic and widely cultivated pear variety recognized for its sweet and juicy fruit, as well as its adaptability to various climates. This pear variety has a rich history and remains a beloved choice [...]