25% California Brome, Bromus carinatus
20% Blue Wildrye, Elymus glaucus
20% California Barley, Hordeum californicum
12.5% Idaho Fescue, Festuca idahoensis
12.5% Purple Needlegrass, Stipa pulchra
10% One Sided Bluegrass, Poa secunda

The California Habitat Mix is a meticulously crafted blend of native grasses designed to bring the essence of the Californian landscape right to your doorstep. Perfect for sustainable landscaping, restoration projects, and creating a vibrant habitat for local wildlife, this mix embodies the beauty and resilience of California’s diverse ecosystems. We have formulated the perfect mix of grasses that will thrive in these conditions using little irrigation.

Scientific Name: Elymus multisetus

Big squirreltail is a species of wildrye native to the western United States, particularly in California; often found on rocky or brushy hillsides and in open woods, dry plains, grasslands, or savannas. It is a drought tolerant bunchgrass that is fire resistant. Big squirretail prefers full sun, well drained soils and is used as a quick fix to soil stabilization. Big squirretail is similar to bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), but grows in slightly more mesic areas.

Host plant: woodland skipper, Nevada skipper, white-lined sphinx, armyworm moth, bronzed cutworm, glassy borer, and darted wainscot

Produced by Hedgerow Farms

62% California Brome
25% Small Fescue 13% Foothill Clover

Our California Native Erosion Control Mix is a mixture of annual native California species that have been formulated for rapid growth in the lower rainfall climates and varied soil types of Central and Southern California. For this reason, it is the best choice for permanent or temporary cover in areas that may not support perennial natives without the addition of irrigation or soil amendments. These seeds are adapted to our climates and plant communities and can be used around sensitive native habitats and in conjunction with other species, including wildflowers, without fear of native gene contamination.

This mix contains grasses that establish very quickly for the fastest results possible while at the same time knitting together the soil to prevent future erosion. It can also be used for livestock and wildlife forage, including a mix of annual grasses and legumes designed to germinate quickly and provide vegetative cover for disturbed areas. This mix is formulated for non-irrigated sites; though, irrigation will prolong the growth period.

Produced by S&S Seeds

Scientific Name: Bromus hordeaceus

Blando brome is a cool season annual bunchgrass native to Europe. It is widely distributed throughout the ranges of California, including the Sierra foothills, and range areas bordering the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley and the high mountain chaparral ranges of southern California. Blando brome growth starts in the fall and matures by April or May of the following year. This grass has excellent reseeding abilities, along with a dense and fibrous root system that aids in reducing soil erosion. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climates, is low-growing, and matures early. Blando brome is often used in ranges, pastures, and as a cover crop for vineyards and orchards.

Produced by S&S Seeds

Scientific Name: Melica imperfecta

Coast range melic, also known as California melic, small flower melic, and little California melic, is a perennial grass native to the southwestern United States and Baja California. It typically grows in woodlands, chaparral, and other dry areas and can be primarily found in the central and southern portions of California, along the coast, in the coastal mountain ranges, and in the foothills of the Sierras. With supplemental irrigation, coast range melic can remain evergreen, otherwise, it is dormant throughout the summer, greening up in fall/winter rain.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx and rural skipper

Produced by S&S Seeds

Scientific Name: Hordeum brachyantherum

Meadow barley is a perennial grass native, to western North America, from Alaska to northern Mexico, and parts of eastern North America. It is a tufted grass that produces compact, narrow purple flower clusters. Similar to other barleys, the smaller lateral spikelets come in triplets.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx, alfalfa looper moth, venerable dart, armyworm moth, bilobed looper moth, bronzed cutworm, and glassy borer

Produced by Hedgerow Farms

Scientific Name: Stipa cernua

Nodding needlegrass is a perennial grass native to California, primarily in the Coast Ranges from Tehama County southward. It is often found at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet. This quick-growing grass flourishes in the spring with medium-green deciduous leaves. Needle grasses (Stipas) have been a major component of California’s native grasslands. In the garden, this grass is best grown in small patches between chaparral or sage scrub species and mixed with various perennial herbs and annuals.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx, Juba skipper, common ringlet, and Nevada skipper

Scientific Name: Plantago erecta

Dotseed plantain, also known as California plantain, foothill plantain, English plantain, and dwarf plantain, is a small annual herb native to California and Oregon. It often grows in sandy, clay, or serpentine soils, on flat or open woodland, or on grassy slopes. Dotseed plantain provides a grasslike appearance, is easy to establish, and is an excellent choice for erosion control.

Host plant: common buckeye, variable checkerspot, Edith’s checkerspot, painted lady, variegated fritillary, Anicia checkerspot, and snowberry checkerspot.

Produced by Hedgerow Farms

Scientific Name: Festuca microstachys

Small fescue, also known as pacific fescue or three weeks fescue, is an annual grasslike herb native to western North America, particularly to California. It is often found in disturbed or recently burned, open, sandy regions at elevations up to 5,000 feet. Small fescue is also found in the Yellow Pine Forest, in foothill woodlands, chaparral, and valley grasslands.

Host plant: common ringlet, sandhill skipper, Sonora skipper, Madron skipper, Sierra skipper, Lindsey’s skipper, and Nevada skipper

Produced by Hedgerow Farms

Scientific Name: Bromus carinatus

California brome is a cool season perennial bunchgrass native to western North America including California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Colorado, as well as Kansas. California brome is wind-pollinated, used for erosion control and land reclamation with its sod-building root system. It is also a highly palatable forage for livestock. In the garden, it can be short-lived though it readily reseeds. It can be grown without irrigation in areas receiving at least 18 inches of annual precipitation.

Produced by Hedgerow Farms