North Coast California Native Plant Society
Gardening with Natives!
Biodiversity, pollinators, birds, bees, and beauty all come together in the native plant garden.
Below you’ll find printable documents from our Chapter and links to some of our favorite websites.
Welcome, gardeners, to the rewarding realm of native plant gardening.
Be Inspired
Restoring Nature, One Garden at a Time Critical reasons for planting native plants. Donna Wildearth summarizes the essential work of Douglas Tallamy on the importance of native plants. Includes a link to videos.
Books Regarding Gardening with Native Plants. A three-page, annotated list compiled by chapter members.
Doug Tallamy/Home Grown National Park. Tallamy’s website documents his work promoting native plants for wildlife and biodiversity.
California Native Plant Society. A terrific amount of gardening advice, videos, and how-to articles.
Gardening Tips
Native Landscape Planting Guide. Landscape design ideas created by state CNPS. Includes a list of “beginner” plants for Humboldt Bay area gardeners generated by local CNPS members.
Creating a Native Plant Garden. Our native plant consultants’ summary of how to get started. Includes links for beginer and experienced gardeners.
Northwest California natives tested in the Arcata-Eureka area. A plant list of trees, shrubs, herbs, and ground covers. Called “Pete’s plant list,” it also includes contributions from other members.
Invasive Weeds of Humboldt County. Humboldt County’s booklet on the identification and eradication of invasive weeds.
Calscape. A resource for all you need to know about California native plants, landscape needs, range, etc., including an option to advise native plants by zip code.
Living with Wildfire in Northwestern California. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection guide.
Plants to Attract Wildlife
Caterpillars for Baby Birds. A list of local key plants that support food for birds based on the work of Douglas Tallamy.
Native Plants for Butterflies in the Humboldt Bay Area. An annotated list of local native plants that attract butterfly species.
Native Plants for Local Birds. Compiled from the Audubon database by our nursery manager, this list includes the scientific and common names of the plant, the type of plant, birds the plant may attract, and what the plant provides.
Native Plants that Attract Hummingbirds. Plants on this list can be found at our nursery.
Jefferson Community Center Pollinator Garden Plant List. A 2-page list by flowering season with scientific and common names of each plant, as well as if the plant is a nectar or pollen source and what it attracts.
Plant & Design Resources
Where to Find Native Plants Local nurseries that carry native plants.
Where to Find Landscape Designers Local landscape designers and architects familiar with native plants.
Free Native Plant Consultations
Are you wondering which plants in your yard are native? Are you unsure if that vine in the corner is an invasive exotic? Would you like to know some native species that would grow well in your yard? The North Coast Chapter of CNPS offers a free Native Plant Consultation Service to answer questions and to share our gardening with native plants experiences.
Contact us at to arrange a visit by our knowledgeable volunteer consultants.
