• Palm trees are common landscaping plants in California.Buena Vista Images/Lifesize/Getty Images
  
  Gardening and landscaping with native plants in California benefits the landscape and aids in the reduction of water usage. Native plants work well in California landscapes because they are accustomed to the terrain and the climate, allowing them to thrive in the state's distinctive conditions.
  
  

Shrubs

• Native Californian shrubs generally thrive well in a variety of different conditions and provide excellent ground cover in landscaping projects. Some of the native shrubs that are common in California include sage, gooseberry, currant, lemonade berry, flannelbush, greasewood, lupine, creosote bush, huckleberry and coffeeberry.
  
  

Perennials

• There are a number of common perennial flowering plants that are native to California and work well in native flower gardens and landscapes. Sun-loving perennials include buckwheat, coyote mint, columbine, Douglas iris and the California poppy. Shade-loving perennials include redwood sorrel, threeleaf foamflower, hairy purple bells, canyon coral bells, Pacific bleeding heart, island coral bells and western wild ginger.
  
  

Ferns

• Ferns work well both in landscaping and as container plants, and many are distinctive to California. Native ferns that grow throughout California include maindenhair fern, polypody fern, wood fern, native sword fern, goldback fern and giant chain fern. Ferns do not require much watering, so they are relatively draught resistant and work well in changing California climates.
  
  

Annuals

• Native annuals in California are a colorful addition to a landscape, and many grow freely as wildflowers. Common wildflowers and annuals that grow natively in California include wind poppy, baby blue eyes, tarweed, blazing star, miner's lettuce, California poppy, meadowfoam, Chinese houses and farewell-to-spring.
  
  

Succulents

• Succulents are well-suited for California landscapes, especially in warmer areas and desert-themed landscapes. Succulents, like cacti, can thrive with minimal watering and therefore are largely draught resistant. Native Californian succulents include coast sedum, chalk lettuce, fingertips, canyon live-forever and coast dudleya.