Fritillaria biflora

Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are classics of spring but not so common outdoors in San Diego gardens because of our warmer climate.  Many years ago, I planted the bulb from a (supermarket) potted gift bouquet into my garden.  Each year if it flowers (like this year) I know it has been cooler and wetter than normal.  Most years only the leaves emerge without a flower.

Pinus radiata is native to the California coast. In the mid-19th century seedlings were sent to New Zealand for evaluation. The example you see here is from one of those original test plantings in Wellington, New Zealand and is approaching 175 years old.  Pinus radiata is now the foundation of commercial forestry in NZ and in Chile because in these locations this species grows faster and larger than in California with trees ready for harvesting in just 30 years.

A little exotic but worth attempting in San Diego. This is Cobaea scandens, also known as Cathedral Bells or Monastery Bells and is native to Mexico. It is a vine that may do better wrapping around another plant rather than on its own trellis. The flowers change from pale to darker purple so you can get a range of coloration.