This California native is deadly but stunning

This is one part in a weekly series featuring the UC Davis Arboretum’s “Life After Lawn” series – 45 can’t-fail, easy-care, low-water plants well adapted to our region and ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes.

California purple nightshade

Solanum xanti “Mountain Pride”

Size: To 2 feet tall and wide.

Bloom season: Clusters of purple flowers with yellow centers in winter and spring.

Exposure: Partial sun or shade.

Pruning needs: Prune back long stems to induce branching.

Water needs: Low to none; once established, deep water once a month or not at all.

Snapshot: Found in woodlands and chaparral, this sprawling California native sub-shrub bears clusters of attractive purple flowers and furry gray leaves. It thrives in the dry shade under native oaks. Super drought-tolerant, nightshade needs little or no irrigation once established. Its one drawback: All parts of this plant are toxic to people. That toxicity also makes it highly deer resistant.

For more on “Life After Lawn,” click on arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

This story was originally published September 30, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "This California native is deadly but stunning."