All four of the above species shown here together in the San Diego upper hills, at Hell Hole Canyon Nature Preserve, growing in a spring-creek.   The Carex is like a tall grass, but technically not a grass, center;  the Juncus is a more slender reed, grass-like, on the sides.  Woodwardia is the fern in the back area.   Rubus ursinus at forward groundlevel (native Blackberry, - though from what I've noticed, the species is not much fruitful).

Spring 2016.   Showing Dendromecon rigida, with yellow flowers, the clump grass called Stipa coronata with it's tall thin arching stalks, and Cneoridium dumosum with it's small narrow slender leaves and tiny burnt-orange colored fruits.    And, Torrey Pines in the background.   This collection in the foreground is right by the edge of a 20' cliff drop.   A dramatic, core, beautiful composition.

(Click on underlined blog entry title to see more) Possibly native to the California Floristic Province, or, possibly not.  Calflora lists it as native to Calflora.   That matter is uncertain by the most prominent botanists, but South America is consistently figured the most likely 'home region', though it's figured native to other regions, including North America, at least by some official state level botanical references.

(Click on underlined title to see more photos and more description)(two upper photos by Bri Weldon) Twenty footer growing at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden near Pomona.  Native from northwestern Baja to barely on the U.S. side of the border near San Ysidro.   With adequate water and wind protection can get to around 20 feet, growing about six inches to one foot per year.

Click on underlined title to read more detail about this plant.

Below, closeup from patio above, on south side of garage:

Perspective from downslope looking up:

(Click on underlined title to see more) Camissonia bistorta, blooms year-round in typical yard space that has some ambient ground moisture to tap into.  Lives about a year or two; readily reseeds and sprouts new plants with rains or occasional irrigation.  An all-star performer.  Makes masses of plants if you allow it, serving as an informal 12 to 18 inch tall and how ever wide groundcover.

Check out this very interesting article about 'Native Succulent Diversity and Gardening' from the San Diego Natural History Museum conservation botanist John Rebman:  

www.sdnhm.org/science/botany/resources/general-information/native-succulent-diversity-and-gardening/

Cryptantha clevelandii, white flowers, aka popcorn flower, and Encelia californica, yellow flowers, in early Spring, Pt. Loma.

Mid-Summer by Mt. Miguel.  Eriogonum fasciculatum - white flowers at front left, Artemisia californica - khaki colored stringy foliage(dry season semi-dormant) in multiple positions, Baccharis sarothroides - bright green lowbush in foreground and further in background, before white flowered Toyon(Heteromeles arbutifolia) which is in far background down road, and, Malosma laurina which is the main big bush in bloom in the center are of the photo.