Native Plants to Beverly Hills

• California brittlebush is native to the coastal regions of southern California Design Pics/Valueline/Getty Images

  Native plants are a wonderful, environmentally friendly option for any gardener. They have adapted to local conditions, have defenses against local pests, and require little to no care. Because they are so well suited to their natural environment they don't require expensive and dangerous chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And chances are, whether you have a green thumb or not, your native plants will look beautiful all year round.

California Brittlebush

• Found chiefly in the southern coastal regions of California, this shrub goes by the Latin name Encelia californica. Also called the bush sunflower it is characterized by thick growth dotted with medium sized, bright yellow flowers. It can be grown in a garden and prefers full sun.

California Lilac

• This pretty purple native prefers south facing slopes. It does well in gardens but is prone to root rot and needs very little water. In the wild they have a natural life cycle of 10 to 15 years; more than 50 species of lilac are native to southern California.

Fairyduster

• Shocking pink poof balls adorn the Calliandra haematocephala, also called the pink powderpuff, it can be trained to grow against a wall or fence. It prefers dry, but warm conditions; temperatures under 20 degrees Fahrenheit could damage it's delicate flowers.

Giant Stream Orchid

• The Epipactus giganteum shows its robust groupings of purple and green dragon-like flower heads in mid to late spring. They do well in moist, shady conditions and seem to prefer running water. They are sensitive and can be damaged by the chlorine found in drinking water. Watering cans should be filled and left to stand for 24 hours before watering when only chlorinated water is available.

Snowberry

• The snowberry is a deciduous shrub showing delicate pink flowers in the summer which transform into the snowy white berries it is named for. The berries last until late winter, early spring and are a great way to spruce up a dull winter garden. They can be sparse and look best planted in large groups.