California is home to over 6,000 native plant species, with nearly 1,500 species representing San Diego County. To honor California’s abundant and incredible plant life, the California State Legislature designated the month of April as Native Plant Month. 

Native plants provide essential benefits, including habitat for wildlife, water filtration, erosion prevention, as well as food, clothing, shelter, and medicine for centuries to the indigenous peoples of this land. 

To celebrate these iconic and unique plants, we invite you to revel in the glory of California native plants at Mission Trails Regional Park all month long. 

Mission Trails Regional Park serves as a refuge for hundreds of plants, from towering trees to teeny tiny wildflowers. Spring is, without a doubt, the best time to view the stunning flower display many of the native plants put on at the park each year.

Discover the flower clusters, also known as catkins, of the coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) along Oak Canyon Trail, or get up close to see the bracts, or petal-mimicking leaves, of the woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa) along Father Serra Road. If wildflowers are what you’re after, head to the Grasslands to see California poppies, Padre’s shooting stars, and other springtime gems. 

The Visitor Center Loop Trail is lined with deerweed, monkeyflower, and black sage in full bloom, creating a landscape of yellow, orange, red, and purple. 

Urbanization and the influx of non-native invasive plant species are major threats to California native plants, but these threats can be mitigated through native plant gardens. 

California native plants are already perfectly suited to our climate and soil, require and use less water than ornamental landscapes, and support native wildlife. Not to mention, they can boast blooms all year round. Bring Mission Trails to your home by planting native plants. 

Whether you stop by to see the blooms, hike the peaks, or take a walk on the trail, we hope to see you at the park soon.

– This article was provided by Kindra Hixon, stewardship manager, Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. Photo credit of oak tree Eva D’Amico.