Have a sunny spot where nothing seems to survive? California natives are made for it! Just a 4×4-foot patch can flourish where ornamentals fail—while providing nectar, seeds, and shelter for pollinators and birds.
Why Small Patches Matter
If every yard dedicated just 16 square feet to natives, the combined habitat could sustain pollinators and the food webs they support. In the San Lorenzo Valley, a sunny patch can become a vital nectar hub in summer and fall, when pollinators need it most.
Sun-Loving Natives to Try
Try these resilient natives in your own 4×4 patch:
- California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) – a hummingbird favorite
- Gum Plant (Grindelia hirsutula) – bright summer blooms for pollinators
- Pacific Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) – late-season nectar for butterflies
💧 Water them through their first summer, and by year two, they’ll thrive on rainfall alone, saving water while filling your garden with life.
Plan Your Patch
Plant a patch, grow a habitat, and help pollinators—and our valley—thrive.
The San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat Restoration Program integrates environmental and community needs to restore the riparian habitat and ensure the ongoing health and beauty of the watershed.
