The Native Landscape Notebook

Hi Native Plant Lovers,

Just a quick reminder: we have four seasons here in California but sometimes we forget.  In Fall and Winter, we want to not only plant those new CA Native Plants but also  sow bulbs and wildflowers.  Spring is time to enjoy the fruits of your labor especially all of those wildflowers in bloom.

Summer is both a time for rest for us in the garden and a great time to plan for the following autumn.  Lastly, remember that for our beautiful CA Natives, summer is like winter on the East Coast.  The plants will drop their leaves and go to sleep.   They say, “Oh it’s hot now so they go dormant for summer-see you in fall for a new growing season”.

So the savvy native gardener will anticipate this and cut back on watering plants that go dormant because they are not absorbing water like they do in fall.  Failure to take this into consideration will result in early plant deaths because the plants drown and rot away.

This is especially true for the following plants: Fremontia, Manzanita, CA Lilac, Matilija Poppy, Chamise, Wooly Blue Curls and Coast Live Oak.  There are others as well, so check your plant lists.

So,  now that your prepared for the hot summer, go ahead and enjoy your native garden.  You can let your neighbor stuggle to keep their lawn alive while your plants go on vacation during the summer.

Have a great summer of fun, barbecuing, and going to the beach!

-Steve

Hello Friends,

My personal favorite native plant is CA Bay Laurel  (Umbellularia californica).  To those who may believe it grows only in Northern Cal-Sorry to disappoint you.  Take a walk in the Santa Monica Mountains-ie. Try Solstice Canyon and Corral Canyon- there are some nice stands there.  Or if you’re on the eastside try the “Red Box” turnoff of Hwy 2.  California bay smells wonderful and you can use a leaf to season some tasty dishes. You will use about 1/3 the amount of bay leaf called for in recipes, as our native bay laurel is more potent.

In the garden you can use it as a specimen or as an evergreen hedge.  Replace your poisonous oleander. Your Kids and pets will thank you for keeping them safe.

Remember CA Bay can tolerate shade so its versatile and low maintenance.  It will grow fairly large, about 20-30′h x 20′w, but it will take a while.

That’s one of my favorites, what’s yours?

-Steve

Welcome to The Native Landscape Notebook.   Here you will find helpful tips, articles,  and links relevant to your native plant landscape.  Put these garden tidbits into action and your sure to save time, money and precious water.

Here there are no dumb questions,  just unasked ones. So jump right in…and restore your garden savvy!

The NativeScape Development Team