Source: California Invasive Plant Council


URL of this page: http://www.cal-ipc.org/landscaping/dpp/planttypes.php
Cal-IPC > Responsible Landscaping > Don't Plant a Pest > Choose a plant for Southern California

Don't Plant a Pest

Southern California region

The problem plants listed here can escape from gardens in the Southern California region and invade wildlands (see photos under each plant listed). Because of their aggressive growth, these plants degrade native habitat, and some increase flood and fire risk. Each section lists other desirable landscaping plants that serve as good alternatives to the invasive plants

Select a type of plant below for a list of invasive species and alternatives.


Order copies of the Southern California Don't Plant a Pest print brochure:

Copies of the 9" x 28" accordion-fold companion brochure can be ordered online from the Cal-IPC Shop, or you can print the order form and return it by mail. You can also download a PDF copy, formatted for printing on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, for free.

Sources for non-invasive and California native plants in Southern California

The following list is for your reference only. Neither the State Water Resources Control Board, nor the Santa Margarita-San Luis Rey Weed Management Area, nor the California Invasive Plant Council offer any endorsement or warranty regarding these vendors.

Vendors are listed alphabetically:

Bitterroot Restoration, wholesale 858-546-1980. Nursery is not in San Diego. Riparian, sage, chaparral species. Call for current availability list.

Cal-Native Plants Nursery, (Francisco Chavez) 25735 Garbani Road, Menifee, CA (near Temecula) 92584, 714-337-4007,909-301-8314/fax 909-301-8314. Specializing in natives, wholesale, limited retail, contract grow.

Coastal Sage Gardening, 3685 Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach, San Diego. 619-223-5229. A garden shop with a selection of native plants and wildflower seeds. Owner John Noble will deliver plants from Tree-of-Life Nursery. Open weekends or by appointment, email coastalsagegardening@cox.net

El Nativo Growers, 200 So. Peckham Rd., Azusa, California, 626-969-8449; fax: 626-969-7299. Well-established wholesale grower, 500 species in sizes from 4", to 24" box for some trees; will contract grow.

Las Pilitas Nursery, Nelson Way at Old Highway 395, Escondido, CA 92026, 760-749-5930. The satellite of a 30-year old natives nursery near Morro Bay. Increasing variety, 1 to 5 gallon sizes. Retail, wholesale, contract grow, consulting, and growing guide.

Manzanita Native Plant Nursery, 39397 Highway 94 Boulevard, CA 91905 (619) 733-9843, manzanitanursery@aol.com. Most Saturdays or by appointment. Local California native conifers, penstemons and other interior natives and carries more familiar species and cultivars as well. Will contract-grow.

Matilija Nursery, 8225 Waters Road, Moorpark, CA 93021, 805-523-8604, matilijanursery@gtemail.net. Entertaining web site includes contests and details on the plants available. Wholesale and retail available.

Rancho Jojoba Nursery, 11935 Hwy 67, Lakeside, CA (619) 561-0751/(619) 504-2017, allenj.k@sbcglobal.net. Stocks and grows a wide variety of native plants, wholesale and retail.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 100 N College Ave, Claremont CA 91711-3157, (909) 625-8767; Fax: (909) 626-7670. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is devoted to the collection, cultivation, study, and display of native California plants and to graduate training and research in plant systematics and evolution. Native plants are sold during the Fall Sale on the first weekend of November, the Spring Sale on the first Saturday in April, and in the Garden Shop year-round except during the summer.

Recon Native Plant Nursery, in the Otay area. Habitat restoration, native plant material, wholesale only. 619-423-2284.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, 805-682-4726 x127. Sells plants and seeds in the gift shop.

Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, California 91352-2126, 818-768-1802. 80-year old nonprofit retail nursery sells California native plants, seeds and books. Over 300 native species for sale.

Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 949-728-0685. Wholesale, restoration; retail Fridays and most Saturdays. Over 600 types of native plants for landscaping and revegetation, sells mycorrhizal inoculum, detailed growing guide.

Resources for more information about invasive plants in Southern California:

Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part through an Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) pursuant to the Costa-Machado Water Act of 2000 (Proposition 13) and any amendments thereto for the implementation of California's Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the SWRCB, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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