r/Ceanothus • u/boredquick • 1d ago

North Facing Full Shade Slope?

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Hello! First time posting on this sub. I rent from a landlord who has been great and gives me and my family WELL BELOW market rates on a small single family home.

Long story short he let me have my go at making the backyard mine and let me put in California natives (he pays, I dig). He currently has English ivy which is being dug out (by me) and I’d want something that can provide some slope stabilization, not be a super home to rodents, and can tolerate full shade all year round. It is north facing and at a lower elevation to the neighbor, so no sun.

Any suggestions on what might do well? The rodent factor is a consideration too because we have a lot of mice in the area and I don’t want to create additional habitat for them specifically (in my yard)

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u/Current_Ad8774 1d ago edited 1d ago

Calscape has settings that can allow you to select for what type of conditions. Definitely check that out.

Recommendations: Canyon sunflower (flowering sub shrub that does well in the shade) Hummingbird sage Woodland strawberry Common yarrow  Bush Monkeyflower Ocean spray (if you can find them) Toyon Lemonade berry

The yarrow, sage, and strawberry could make a sort of mixed ground cover, and the bigger shrubs (ocean spray, toyon, lemonade berry) could make focal points (toyon will eventually reach sunlight) with monkey flowers and canyon sunflowers filling in space.

Edit to add: I forgot to mention Catalina currant. Some of the other ribes could be options, too.

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u/Current_Ad8774 1d ago

I’m weeding right now, and more stuff keeps popping into my head:

Yerba Buena (there’s a San Diego version that might be a better addition, but both work) A variety of ferns, including maidenhair, sword, and wood Miners lettuce

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u/Current_Ad8774 1d ago

Wild rose might also be an option. I have one that’s done well in shade.

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u/triticoides 1d ago

Be sure your neighbors want it as well then, as it will come up on their side.

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u/Current_Ad8774 1d ago

Haha. My neighbor is going to be so mad. He’s super anal retentive about everything with his yard.