Good natives to plant.

DOUGLAS IRIS (Iris douglasiana) This perennial herb bursts with flowers that range in color from cream to purple. The plant can handle full sun on the coast but needs afternoon shade inland.

ALUM ROOT (Heuchera micrantha) Reddish stalks with snowy-white flowers make a splendid pairing. This plant is happy in the shade.

CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY (Fragaria californica) This perennial provides great ground cover, white flowers and tasty berries for your morning yogurt. Strawberries do well in damp shady areas.

CARMEL SUR MANZANITA (Arctostaphylos edmundsii) This fast-growing evergreen shrub produces pink flowers and berries. It thrives in part shade inland and full sun near the coast.

SKYLARK BLUE BLOSSOM (Ceanothus thrysiflorus) This lilac spawns beautiful blue flower clusters. You can plant it in moist, warm soil and deer likely will leave it alone.

SNOWBERRY (Symphoricarpos albus) This deciduous shrub bears plump, white berries, although they taste bitter. Snowberry can tolerate sun or shade.

CALIFORNIA ROSE (Rosa californica) This deciduous shrub produces fragrant pink flowers. The rose likes shade to part shade in the interior and sun near the coast.

CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE (Aesculus californica) This small tree (20-40 feet) extends sweet-smelling flowers in jutting panicles. Buckeye can grow in sun or light shade.

MADRONE (Arbutus menziesii) This evergreen, which grows to 40 feet, displays a red-orange bark and produces berries in fall and winter that match. Madrone does best in sun or light shade.

COAST LIVE OAK (Quercus agrifolia) This tree reaches 70 feet, has prickly green leaves and produces acorns. It provides great cover for natives like monkey flowers or gooseberries.

Note: Check soil conditions to determine whether plants are suited for your yard.