This Ventura County native gets our vote for most unique California Native plant! 50% shrub, 60% succulent and 34% ‘What the heck is that thing?’ (Yes, we flunked math), this is THE yellow-flowered plant that lights-up our local hills from Jan. into Spring, including most of the drive from Oxnard to Malibu on the PCH. Looking like a cross between a mini-palm tree and an elephants’ trunk, Giant Coreopsis quickly grows to 3-6 feet tall, and in the ground will drop all of its leaves and look dead by the Summer. At the first sign of Fall rain, this is one of the first plants to green-up, and some flower as early as November. A great local plant for gardens that are as dry as our humor in the Summer (seriously, they need to be bone dry during the Summer months or they will rot out). Works well under oak trees, where it will flower less but can light up the shady winter garden, or try it in a pot next to the beach.