Here are some California native plants that have some late fall or winter color.

I've tried to include a variety of plants that have leaf color, fruit color or flowers in the period from about the first of December to March. You'll still need to match plant conditions with your garden.
Acer circinatum Vine Maple with fall color - grid24_12
Vine maple, Acer circinatum has fall or early winter leaf color, just before the leaves fall off. AND, flowers in late winter.
Arctostaphylos glauca, Ramona Big Berry Manzanita
The Southern form of Big Berry Manzanita, Arctostaphylos glauca, 'Ramona' can flower in December. The hummingbirds will like you for planting this.
Bushtits are really cute eating the flowers of Arctostaphylos manzanita x densiflora, Austin Griffiths Manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita_x_densiflora Austin Griffiths Manzanita flowers in late December or January.
The strange and beautiful flowers of Aristolochia californica, California Pipevine.
Aristolochia californica, California Pipevine flowers in late winter.
Cornus stolonifera, Red Stem Dogwood fall color with it's red stems makes the California stems turn red in fall.
Cornus stolonifera, Red Stem Dogwood has great fall color that extends into December.
Crataegus douglasii, Western Thorn Apple fall leaves
Western Thorn Apple, Hawthorn, Douglas Thorntree and Black Haw, Crataegus douglasii can have spectacular fall color.
Leaf coloration of Mahonia Nevinii. New growth is commonly red to brown.
Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium can be a very good in contrast in a snow covered garden.
Malus fusca, Western Crabapple fall color - grid24_12
In many coastal areas of California, Malus fusca,  Pacific Crabapple has fall color where other plants have none.
Zauschneria latifolia johnstonii, Aster chilensis and Chrysothamnus nauseosus all flower in late fall. - grid24_24
Chrysothamnus nauseosus.  Rabbitbrush.; Aster chilensis California Aster, and Zauschneria latifolia johnstonii Bush California Fuchsia have great fall color. Ours are commonly in flower until the first killing frost freezes the bejesus out of them.
Fall color on the Quercus kelloggii can be better good.
Kellogg Oak, California Black Oak can have good fall color.
Here is the closeup of the large colorful leaves of Platanus racemosa, California Sycamore, at the Santa Margarita nursery, California.
Platanus racemosa, California Sycamore can have leaf color in fall that will be yellow one year, almost red other years.
Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon berries are loved by native birds. The berries start getting ripe in November and are heavily eaten in December and January. - grid24_12
Toyon or Christmas Berry has great big clusters of red berries in winter.The berries are not very toxic, regular Holly berries are.
Fall Color on California Grape - grid24_12
California Grape can have fantastic fall color.
Rhus trilobata, Squaw Bush Sumac with the fall color of red. - grid24_24
Squaw Bush Sumac, Rhus trilobata,  has great fall color in early December in most of California.
Snowberries in winter.
Snowberries can add interest to a native winter garden.
This Xylococcus bicolor was in flower for Christmas. - grid24_24
Mission Manzanita, Xylococcus bicolor in flower for Christmas
The morning frost and the winter light high lighted this otherwise invisible web. - grid24_24
Keep you eyes open in winter there are all sorts of cool things out there.

Last edited on 2012-01-08 18:09:29.

Authors