Horticulture Program

Native plants are seen in local demonstration gardens, nature preserves, National Forests, National Parks, and on websites.  Some of the best places are botanic gardens, and we have a list to get you started here.

Many books and posters have beautiful pictures. Check the online store for useful titles.

Buying native plants is as easy as finding your local CNPS chapter. Plant sales and information sharing are common chapter activities. Botanic gardens displaying natives often have seasonal sales as well. Many wholesale and retail nurseries have ample supplies. Check this list for a sample of nurseries across the state selling native plants.

For more quick information about growing natives, look at this list of Gardening with Natives links.

Plants from around the world can grow in California. Some are beautiful and useful, while others are disruptive runaways. Problem plants are fierce competitors that “jump the fence” and expand their territory.

With none of the natural controls found in their homelands, these invasive weeds crowd out native habitat and become a weeding chore for gardener and farmer. Natural landscapes are affected with damage to waterways and recreation areas, decreased quality of food and habitat for animals, increased fire dangers and increased costs to control the problem.

CNPS supports control and eradication of invasive weeds.  For information about plants not to use, please visit your local CNPS chapter or go to the California Invasive Plant Council website at www.cal-ipc.org.