Autumnal Wildflowers Along The Pacific Coast

Fall is not exactly peak wildflower season.  Most of us have our hopes set on brilliant fall foliage this time of year, while simultaneously peering beyond to the hints of a wintery wonderland and snowy pines just on the horizon.  But California's seasons are unique, due to its Mediterranean climate, and even during this quiet season of senescence, a few flowers are still blooming along the coast.


Seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus), pictured above and below, is a hardy perennial at home on the dunes and cliffs up and down California's rugged coast.  These beautiful little daisies are also excellent plants for a low-water native garden, and are commonly available at nurseries that sell native plants.


Coastal weather in the fall is often sunny and clear - ideal for strolling along the winding pathways that lead from Monterey, around Point Pinos and south to Asilomar State Beach.  This two or three mile stretch is just about one of my favorite walks anywhere!


Pictured below is another common dune plant, beach sand verbena (Abronia umbellata) This prostrate plant plays an important role in dune stabilization, and is much more valuable to the ecosystem than introduced, non-native (and invasive) iceplant.


California is home to over 100 species of buckwheat.  Ranging from alpine regions to deserts and coastlines, there is a buckwheat for everyone!  That being said, I can't tell with 100% certainty which species I'm showing you in the photo below.  I assumed when I was photographing it that it was coast buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium), but now after looking more closely at those little leaves, I'm going to call it seacliff buckwheat (E. parvifolium).  (Feel free to correct or confirm my guess.)

Buckwheats are extremely valuable plants for gardeners and wildlife alike, and, happily, a decent handful of species are commonly available in native plant nurseries.  Even after their flowers fade, many types hold onto rusty-colored dried seedheads that are really quite ornamental in their own right.


Gumweed (Grindelia stricta) brightens up coastal areas with its sunny composite flowers.  As its name might suggest, parts of the plant are sticky to the touch.  A closely related species of gumweed is found in the Great Central Valley as well.


The flowers of beach sagewort (Artemisia pycnocephala), pictured below, may not elicit much enthusiasm from most, but this humble relative of sagebrush is a fragrant part of the coastal strand plant community.  And its soft, silvery foliage just begs to be touched!


Taken together, coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), buckwheat and beach sagewort form a beautiful tapestry of color across coastal dunes.  (Other common plants in this mosaic include Eriophyllum spp. and Lupinus arboreus.)

Coastal strand, looking like it should!

I found myself admiring how perfectly the colors, forms and textures of these various plants blend together into a seamless work of art, clothing the dunes to provide erosion control as well as valuable habitat.  I can't believe we once thought the dunes needed "improving."

A gorgeous coastal tapestry

Diminutive common sandaster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia) is also called "silver carpet" for it's soft gray foliage and spreading habit.  The flowers are small, so keep a sharp eye out for this one along the paths around Asilomar.


Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) may be familiar to gardeners, especially those with a penchant for the cottage garden style.  But these little beauties are really at home along the rugged coast of Northern California.  Dainty balls of pink (or white in cultivation) flowers top grassy clumps of leaves, making them attractive and popular garden plants.  (Most of them are no longer blooming this late in the season; I was lucky to spot a few lingering blooms!)


Though it will be several months before wildflower season kicks into gear again, it's fun to search out a few out-of-season beauties in unexpected places.  But really, with autumn days along this coast this beautiful, who could ask for more?  The wildflowers are really just icing on the cake!


Click here to read more about the ecology and restoration of California's coastal dune habitat.

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