California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Along the edges of the coastal bluff (please stay back) are plants adapted to poor, rocky soils and salt-laden winds. They are tough, often low-growing plants that withstand the often harsh climate. Visitors can see California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), angelica (Angelica hendersonii), live-forever (Dudleya farinosa), golden yarrow (Eriophyllum staechadifolium), seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus), stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) and pearlwort (Sagina procumbens). While it is important that visitors enjoy the spectacular views of the ocean and learn more about the plants in the ocean and on the rocky cliffs, we are taking steps to protect this fragile environment and will be designing paths for the public while fencing off areas of the bluff to protect the plants and to control erosion.

The coastal grasslands or prairies were once the most species-rich grassland types in North America. Most have been lost to urbanization and agriculture. The Gardens’ coastal grasslands were once used to grow potatoes and other crops. Restoration of the grasslands is underway and we are slowly replacing the exotic and invasive grasses with native species such as hairgrass (Aira praecox), fescue (Festuca rubra), Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), California blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), lupine (Lupinus variicolor) and footsteps-of-spring (Sanicula arctopoides).