California native flowers
Left to right: redbud (Cercis occidentalis), paintbrush (Castilleja sp.), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)

May Madness: California Native Plant Showdown


About "May Madness"

Spring has sprung in California! And although most sporting events are currently on hold, that doesn't mean you still can't bet on your favorite players — in this case, your favorite California native plants! This spring, the Arboretum and Public Garden is introducing May Madness! It's a showdown of all our favorite California native plants, many of which you can find all through campus. 

Throughout the month of May, we hope you will virtually vote on your favorite California native plant via Facebook or Instagram. Along the way, learn more about the various native plants and consider including them in your own yards. 

How to Participate

Fill out your bracket now until May 1 (download available below)
Vote on your favorites on Facebook and Instagram on multiple days throughout the month of May. You can also revisit this page for updated voting specifics in the future. Let others know about the contest by posting your bracket on Facebook and tagging us (@UCDavisArboretum).

Virtual Environmental Leadership

image of Madissen Hamberlin.This contest is the brain child of the Arboretum and Public Garden's Learning by Leading Plant Propagation and Nursery Management intern Madissen Hamberlin. While the campus is on suspended operations and classes are online, our interns are working on environmental education projects that allow for some fun and engage our community! Learn more

Throughout the month of May
Vote on your favorites on Facebook and Instagram; the match ups will appear on select days throughout the month of May. You can also revisit this page for updated voting specifics in the future. 

Although we appreciate all of our natives in the Arboretum, in the end, there will be one winner.

Follow us on Instagram @ucdavis_arboretum and on Facebook HERE to stay up to date on the winning flower! 

See you at the polls! Let the May Madness begin!

Download the May Madness bracket HERE and check out an updated version of the bracket HERE

May Madness bracket

 

Learn more about the
California natives that made it to this year's showdown!

 

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

A vibrant orange beauty ready to star in any social media post. This poppy is excited to steal your heart and finish on top. california poppy

blue-eyed grass

Sisyrinchium bellum

Blue-eyed grass is a mysterious gem that is surely one of the underdogs in this battle. However, the calming purple petals will lull the competition, bringing a swift victory. 
blue eyed grass

narrowleaf milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

Small, petite bunches of joy! Don’t count the narrowleaf milkweed out though, each flower is ready to fight its way to the top. 
milkweed

showy milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Showy milkweed was one of the first flowers to receive a callback. A true master of its craft, this milkweed loves to be the center of attention and can not stand flowers getting in its way. Showy milkweed is ready to outshine the competition. 

milkweed

fairy duster

Calliandra eriophylla

One of Tinkerbell’s favorite flowers! Long, red, wispy petals, fairy duster brings magic wherever it goes. Fairy duster will put a spell on you in order to be victorious. fairy duster

bush sunflower

Encelia californica

Classics never get old. Bush sunflower will charm you with its nostalgia, bringing you back to simpler days.  bush sunflower

rock phacelia

Phacelia californica

Rock phacelia is by far one of the most unique flowers to debut on Flower showdown. It hopes to steal this round with its individuality. 

rock phacelia

California buttercup

Ranunculus californicus

California buttercup will cure any sweet tooth with her pure nature. So sweet, Willy Wonka planted the buttercup in his garden. California buttercup is ready to give what it takes to win. 


 

california buttercup

sugar bush

Rhus ovata

Look close or else you might miss the extravagance of this flower. This tiny beauty is equipped with a fiery passion to face all its competitors head on. 

sugar bush

desert globemallow

Sphaeralcea ambigua

Desert globemallow will burn down the competition with its fiery, orange flare. Its vibrant color will definitely win your vote. desert globemallow
Clarkia sp. Elegant! Clarkia sp. dazzles audiences. Although it is no 24 carat diamond, it is hoping to win your vote with some 24 carat magic.  Clarkia sp

paintbrush 

Castilleja sp.

Paintbrush is no Picasso, but its interesting coats of color will not disappoint. Put your aprons on to avoid the splatter! Paintbrush will defeat all the tacky flowers. paintbrush

baby blue eyes

Nemophila menziesii

What can I say except stunning? Truly stunning. Its sheer beauty will force voters to choose baby blue eyes as the victor. baby blue eyes

tidy tips

Layia platyglossa 

A true neat freak, tidy tips’ yellow and white coloration is perfectly organized. Tidy tips will sort out the competition. 

tidy-tips

California fuchsia 

Epilobium canum sp.

A simple soul. California fuchsia hopes to bring you back to your roots with some smooth jazz and relaxation.

Photo: Saxon Holt

California fuchsia

foothill penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus

Purple people eater! Foothill penstemon will fly its way to the top, devouring its competition each step of the way.  foothill penstemon

bush anemone

Carpenteria californica

Bush anemone is like the white clouds on a warm summer day. The gorgeous flowers flout as if they are only carried by the air. Don’t get too lost daydreaming. Bush anemone will storm and rain the competition away. 

bush anemone

Palmer’s mallow

Abutilon palmeri

Shy and cozy. Palmer’s mallow is ready to curl up with you by the fire and while drinking hot coco. Its cuddly demeanor will sooth the competition into a slumber.   

Palmer's mallow

California lilac 

Ceanothus sp.

Can’t stop the feeling! Dance, dance, dancing its way to the top, California lilac hopes to in with its sunshine in its pocket.

lilac

redbud

Cercis occidentalis

Redbud is ready to represent the trees in this competition. The striking pink color will blast redbud into the next round. 

redbud

sticky monkeyflower

Mimulus aurantiacus

A comedian this flower is. Want to flop sticky monkeyflower does not. Monkeyflower wants to book the gig and win with laughs, it does. 

sticky monkeyflower

hummingbird sage

Salvia spathacea

A true hummingbird magnet. Its sweet nectar draws everyone in. Hummingbird sage is hoping that because it can attract all the hummingbirds, it can attract your vote. hummingbird sage

turpentine bush

Ericameria laricifolia

Wild and crazy guys! Never expect the same fight from these flowers. They will always keep you on your toes. Turpentine’s spontaneity will leave the competition defenseless. turpentine bush

Cleveland sage

Salvia clevelandii

If plants could make it into the rock and roll hall of fame, Cleveland sage would definitely be inducted. Cleveland sage is relying on Brown’s fans to cast their vote, so it can win. cleveland sage

white sage

Salvia apiana

It’s beginning to look like Christmas! The soft white of the White sage creates the illusion of a fresh blanket of snow. Competitors better not come close though, its cold chill will freeze the competition away. white sage
woolly bluecurls Trichostema lanatum Release your anxieties and worries. Looking at woolly bluecurls is better than yoga. Its calm energies relax other flowers, paving the way for its victory. wooly bluecurls

red buckwheat

Eriogonum grande var. Rubescens

Pink color everywhere? So what? Red buckwheat is the rockstar. It is ready to use its rock moves to outstage the competition.

red buckwheat

Silver bush lupine

Lupinus albifrons

This lupine is better than any werewolf you will see from a teen romance novel. Silver bush lupine doesn’t need any pack and prefers to work alone. Its cutthroat mentality will make it the alpha. silver bush lupine

vinegarweed

Trichostema lanceolatum

What is that smell? Vinegarweed rightfully deserves the name vinegar because of its pungent odor. It will use this to its advantage. The strong aroma chases away any rival flower looking for victory. chia

chia

Salvia columbariae

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Its catchy jingle will stay in your head all day and will only go away once you vote for chia to win. chia

flannel bush

Fremontidendron californicum

The large, sunshine like flowers draw everyone in. Don’t come too close! The plant can cause irritation which is exactly how Flannel bush plans to outcompete its competitors. Rival flowers have no choice but to stay away. 

flannel bush

chaparral mallow

Malacothamnus fasciculatus

A princess’s dream flower! The beautiful pink blossoms will match any royal dress. By being the perfect accessory, chaparral mallow wishes that it can take her rightful place on the championship throne. 

chaparral mallow

 

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