Resources
Where to start,
if you'd rather start yourself.
A short list of the places I send people most often — for finding plants native to your street, for rebates that pay for lawn removal, and for seeing native gardens in person before you commit to one.
Calscape
Search by your address and get a list of plants native to your exact location, with photos and growing notes. The best starting point for a homeowner.
Theodore Payne Foundation
Sun Valley nursery and nonprofit devoted to California native plants. Classes, plant sales, and the spring Native Plant Garden Tour.
California Native Plant Society — Orange County
Local chapter with plant walks, garden tours, and a native plant sale each fall.
Tree of Life Nursery
San Juan Capistrano grower with one of the largest native selections in the region.
MWDOC turf replacement rebate
Orange County's residential turf replacement rebate. Apply and get approved before any lawn comes out — removing it first disqualifies the project.
Xerces Society pollinator plant lists
Regional plant lists chosen specifically for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
More coming: a printable Orange County plant list by sun exposure, and notes on what to plant in place of a lawn.
Updated 2026-08-11