Slides from April 11, 2019 Presentation

Home , Clarkia amoena, Quercus berberidifolia

Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Easy-to-grow, Tonight's Agenda Drought-tolerant • Introduction California Native What is a California native plant • Our California Climate Plants: • Myths 20+ about using California native plants in the garden Proven Winners • Benefits for your Garden from using California native plants in the garden • How to begin in your yard

A talk created for the CNPS-SVC chapter by Arvind Kumar with • 7 FAQ revisions and additional photographs by Nancy McClenny between 2014 and January, 2018 • 20 + California native plants Edits and additions by Sally and Ken Coverdell April 2019 1 2

What is a local CaliforniaThenative plant ? (And why is that helpful)

What exactly is a CaliforniaWWhat’sWhatnative’hatWplant?

Also see www.calflora.org and www.calscape.org for answers to what’s local to your city or county. Plants that occur naturally within the state of California, i.e. California Floristic Province The Jepson Manual, 2012 without direct or indirect human intervention. CWhttp://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/ = Central Western Region

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Seasons of California Our Climate in a Nutshell The Rainy Season, November – February • Most of California, including the Bay Area, has a The beginning of our spring! Mediterranean climate characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. - begins with the first big rain - plants begin to spring forth • The average annual rainfall: The Wildflower Season, March - June Half Moon Bay 29.6” - days become longer, winter storms are warmer Redwood City 20.4” - wildflowers take advantage of this time to grow and bloom San Jose 15.9” The Dry Season, July - October - soil becomes dry (rainfall totals from usclimatedata.com) - this is the season when many plants are dormant

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1 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Innate Survival Strategies Myth: Hummingbird Sage Giant Chalk Dudleya Native plants are unattractive. (Hairy, resinous leaves) (White, succulent leaves) Chalk dudleya • Early settlers wrote glowing accounts of California Dudleya brittonii flora.

• Plant hunters, started visiting California in the 18th California Buckeye century, documenting its flora and taking seeds White sage (Summer deciduous)Mountain Mahogany (Leaves vertical when stressed) back to Europe. (Salvia apiana) • Appreciation of our native flora was lost due to: - Our insistence that our gardens look like those where we migrated from, areas with Photo by N.McClenny summer rain. - The ability to irrigate (abundant and inexpensive water) - Corporate Nurseries wanting to grow and sell the same plants throughout California and the US. Coast Live Oak White Sage - Many California native plants don’t like being in (Leathery leaves ,the edges of the pots and are unattractive at the nursery. (Small leaves in summer, big ones in winter.) leaves curl under when stressed) Photos on this slide by N McClenny 7 8

Myth: Native plants are hard to grow. Myth: Native plants are hard to find…and expensive. CA native nurseries: • Yerba Buena Nursery, 12511 San Mateo Rd. (Hwy 92) • Other nurseries can be found at • calscape.cnps.org/plant_nursery.php

General nurseries with some CA natives: • SummerWinds Nursery 725 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto • Half Moon Bay Nursery, 11691 San Mateo Rd. (Hwy 92),

St Catherine’s Lace and Paciific wax myrtle in a Sunnyvale garden Other sources: • Annual CNPS-SCV plant sales at Hidden Villa, Los Altos • San Bruno Mountain Mission Blue Nursery plant sales, Brisbane Any plant does poorly if its needs aren’t met. • For a complete list of nurseries, sales, events, helpful info, go to: Photos by Sally Coverdell Select appropriate plants! cnps.org/gardening#bay 9 10

Myth: If a plant is a California native, What Does Drought-Tolerant Mean? it must be drought-tolerant. Right? • Plants that survive in average or less-than average • All newly planted native plants require water until established in rainfall in your region. the garden. A redwood that is drought-tolerant in Half Moon Bay Provide deep watering at planting time, during the first one 29.6”rain/yr) will likely NOT be drought-tolerant in or two summers and thereafter based on the plant species. San Jose (15.9” rain/yr).

• Once established, native plants have evolved to survive in their • A plant that tolerates our six-month summer dry season native range. once established except when we have a winter drought Their native range might be a moist environment: fog-belt, riparian, seep, wetland

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2 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

WUCOLS/MWELO Benefits of Native California Plants How do I know if a plant is drought tolerant: WUCOLS In the Garden (Water Use Classification Of Landscape Species) • Classifies plants as Very Low, Low, Medium, and High water use Create a diverse, beneficial, and beautiful ecosystem • Developed by the California Center for Urban Horticulture, University of • Reduced water use California, Davis. • Find the list at ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS (We are region 1, North Central • Get paid to take out your lawn Coast) The Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency’s (BAWSCA) Lawn be Gone (Ends June 30) MWELO: Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance bawsca.org/conserve/rebates/lawn In 2015 the state of California adopted the Model Water Efficient Landscape • A healthier ecosystem Ordinance to be implemented and enforced by either county or city ordinances. • Plant selection: average WUCOLS plant factor of 0.3 for 75% of the plant area Habitat for native birds and insects • Turf area not to exceed 25% of the landscape area Reduced pesticide and fertilizer use. • Mulch: A minimum 3-inch layer should be applied in planting areas • No introductions of non-native invasive plants

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Do not plant milkweed Do not plant milkweed within 5 miles of coast if you live near the coast

• Milkweed should only be planted if you are more than 5 miles inland. (From the Ocean and the SF Bay)

• You should instead focus on nectar plants.

www.openspacetrust.org/blog/monarch

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Habitat and Pesticide Use Natural Systems and Fertilizer Use • Our native plants host native insects.

• The effects of the absence of insects moves rapidly up the • Natural systems are inherently beautiful food-chain, especially influencing bird populations. • Nothing goes to waste • Inputs are limited Bringing Nature Home: How Plants Sustain Wildlife in our Gardens, Douglas Tallary, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware

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3 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Don’t Plant an Invasive! How to Begin in Your Yard Invasive Non-Natives Calla Lily: Zantedeschia aethiopica Iceplant: Carpobrotus edulis and Carpobrutus chilensis • Basic Principles of Garden Design Mexican Feather Grass: Stipa tenuissima • Identify the microclimates found in your yard Montbretia: Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora • Use local, natural plant communities as models Pampas grass: Cortaderia selloana Go on field trips! Periwinkle: Vinca major • Choose plants from those native plant communities Pride-of-Madeira: Echium candicans associated with the microclimates in your yard Scotch Broom: (Cytisus scoparius) Spruge: Euphorbia (several species) • The more diverse your garden is the more stable it will be

For a complete list go to the California Invasive Plant Inventory www.cal-ipc.org

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General Microclimates found in the Average Yard Basic Principles of Garden Design and the Associated Plant Community Forest: Forests have a continuous canopy In your yard: shady areas such as North facing planting areas and areas shaded by neighboring houses and fences • Balance • Contrast Woodland: Woodlands have a discontinuous breaks in the canopy cause patterns of sunlight and shade. • Focal Points In your yard: East facing planting areas (morning sun, afternoon shade) • Repetition and West facing planting areas (morning shade, afternoon sun)

Coastal scrub and Chaparral: Both generally areas of full sun. Native plants are best suited for informal landscapes In your yard: South facing planting areas

Meadows: Can occur within all the communities. Riparian: Can occur within all the communities. 22 23

A fun way to study the natives near you: A fun way to study the natives near you: Local Field Hikes: The Best Education Local Field Hikes: The Best Education Photos by Sally Coverdell © nmcclenny

nmcclenny.05.2014

CHECKER MALLOW, May, 2014 MILK MAIDS, Pinnacles, Feb. 2011 CHECKERBLOOM, MILK MAIDS, Pinnacles, Feb. 2011 Bean Hollow Beach, May, 2014

Garrya, Mt. Tamalpais Mimulus, Ojai Arctostaphylos, Sedona Az

Larkspur, Edgewood Park

TIDY TIPS, LARKSPUR, MARIPOSA LILY, Pinnacles, April 2014 Edgewood Park, May, 2014 Edgewood Park Ribes, Mt. Tamalpais Heuchera, Carson Pass Calycanthus, Bidwell Park, Chico 24 25

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Going Native Garden Tour The Mission of the 2019 California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is…

Oganized by the To conserve California native plants and their natural habitats. California Native Plant Society (Santa Clara Valley Chapter) To increase understanding, appreciation, and in association with horticultural use of native plants. UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. South: Sat, May 04, 2019, 10:00am to 4:00pm North: Sun, May 05, 2019, 10:00am to 4:00pm Please consider joining the California Native Plant Society

A free tour of native gardens in Santa Clara Valley & www.CNPS.org Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

GNGT.ORG

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Selecting the Plants • Start big, work to small Build your garden’s foundation and focal points Our Mission Decorate with the small stuff • Select appropriate plants, think about: POST protects open space on the Can the plant that can grow to its natural shape and size in the space allotted Peninsula and in the South Bay Will the plant grow into powerlines for the benefit of all. Is the plant summer dormant openspacetrust.org Is the plant deciduous Does the plant spread by underground stems or rhizomes Does the plant have thorns Can the plant tolerate summer water Should the plant be planted on a slope Should the plant be cut back yearly Are you identifying hydrozones Are you thinking about fire-wise landscaping 28 29

Interesting Garden

Interesting Plants

Photos by Sally Coverdell

Photo by Sally Coverdell 30 31

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How to Plant Soil Drainage Test

• Dig hole 18-24” deep (width is not important) – Use shovel or posthole digger • Fill hole with water to the top • Let drain overnight (pre-wet) • Re-fill hole to within a couple inches of the top • Measure drop in water level after 30 minutes and after 1 hour Less than 1/2 inch per hour - Poorly drained soil 1/2 inch to 1 inch per hour - Moderately well drained soil More than 1 inch per hour - Well drained soil Diagram from Sunset Western Garden Book Planting steps from Theodore Payne Foundation website

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Mulch What to Expect

Moderates soil temperature and helps retain moisture “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, • Use weed and disease-free mulch the third year they leap.” • Spread 2-4” around landscaped area Remember: • Leave 2-3” clear around the crown of each plant Summertime is our dormant season. Many of our native plants are not looking their best! Different California native plants prefer different types of mulch. Know what mulch plants prefer by visiting Calscape.org. Remember: Gardening is part knowledge and a lot trial and error. Observe and learn from failures.

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References The Big and Little Four The Big Four The Little Four California Native Plants for the Garden; Carol Bornstein, David Fross, Bart O’Brien Ceanothus; David Fross and Dieter Wilken • Arctostaphylos • Salvia Sunset Western Garden Book • Ceanothus • Eriogonum Bay-Friendly Landscape Guidelines; www.stopwaste.org • Ribes • Diplacus (Mimulus) California Invasive Plant Inventory :www.cal-ipc.org California Native Plant Society: www.cnps.org • Berberis • Penstemon Usefull Websites Bloom late fall – late spring Bloom late spring – dry season – Calflora – Calscape – Las Pilitas Nursery Found in most plant communities in California – Theodore Payne Foundation Provide bloom all year round – www.firesafesanmateo.org Attract hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies

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6 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

TREES

VALLEY OAK (Quercus lobata) 20+ Easy-to-Grow, COAST LIVE OAK (Quercus agrifolia) Drought-Tolerant-Once-Established ISLAND OAK (Quercus tomentella) Native Plants for the Bay Area CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE (Aesculus californica) CATALINA IRONWOOD (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp aspleniifolius)* BLUE ELDERBERRY (Sambucus nigra ssp.caerulea) DESERT WILLOW (Chilopsis linearis)

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Photo by Arvind Kumar

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)

COAST LIVE OAK VALLEY OAK (Quercus lobata) (Quercus agrifolia)

Photo by Sally Coverdell 43 44

ISLAND OAK (Quercus tomentella) CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE (Aesculus californica)

Photo by Arvind Kumar

Photos by Sally Coverdell 45 46

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Catalina Ironwood Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp aspleniifolius

Photo by Sally Coverdell

Photo by N McClenny 47 48

Photo by Arvind Kumar DESERT WILLOW Photo by N McClenny (Chilopsis linearis)

BLUE ELDERBERRY (Sambucus nigra ssp caerulea, formerly S. mexicana) Photo by Sally Coverdell © LasPilitas.com 49 50

SCRUB OAK (Quercus berberidifolia) CATALINA CHERRY (Prunus ilicifolia spp. lyonii) SCRUB OAK HOLLY-LEAVED CHERRY (Prunus ilicifolia) (Quercus berberidifolia) RAY HARTMAN WILD LILIC (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’) SILK TASSEL BUSH (Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ or ‘Evie’) TOYON (Heteromeles arbutifolia) DR. HURD MANZANITA (Arctostaphylos ‘Dr. Hurd’) TOYON (Heteromeles argutifolia) 51 52

8 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Catalina Cherry Holly-leaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia spp. lyonii) (Prunus ilicifolia)

…IN THE GARDEN …IN THE GARDEN All Photos © LasPilitas.com Photos by N McClenny 53 54

Silk Tassel Bush (Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ or ‘Evie’)

Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ Photos by N McClenny , Castle Rock State Park, 2/2011 55 56

TOYON (Heteromeles arbutifulia) DR HURD MANZANITA (Arctostaphylos manzanita ’Dr. Hurd’)

©El Nativo Growers, Inc.

Photos by N McClenny Photo by Arvind Kumar http://www.sanjose.watersavingplants.com www.laspilitas.com /PlantMaster/Photos/2528a.jpg Photo by N McClenny

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9 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

SHRUBS • MANZANITA (ARCTOSTAPHYLOS) • WILD LILAC (CEANOTHUS) • FLOWERING CURRANT (RIBES) Ribes sanguineum var glutinosum Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle’ Ceanothus Ribes viburnifolium thyrsiflorus • OREGON GRAPE (BERBERIS) Berberis aquifolium var. repens ‘Ray Hartman’ ‘Snow Flurry’ • COFFEEBERRY (Frangula californica) • COYOTE BUSH (Baccharis pilularis) • FLANNEL BUSH (Fremontodendron) • BUSH POPPY (Dendromecon)

• A VINE: CALIFORNIA GRAPE (Vitis californica) Photo by Sally Coverdell

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Ribes sanguineum var glutinosum Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle’ (Pink-Flowering Currant) (White Icicle Flowering Currant)

Photo by Sally Coverdell

Photo by Sally Coverdell 61 62

Ribes viburnifolium (Catalina perfume) Berberis aquifolium var. repens (Creeping Oregon grape)

10 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Photo by Arvind Kumar Frangula californica ‘Mound San Bruno’’

Photo by N McClenny ‘Eve Case’

COFFEEBERRY ‘Seaview Improved’ (Frangula californica, formerly known as Rhamnus californica)

Photos by Sally Coverdell 65 66

Fremontodendron 'Ken Taylor’ Coyote Bush (Flannel Bush) Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’ Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks II’

Photo by N McClenny

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Dendromecon harfordii Dendromecon rigida (Channel Island Bush Poppy) (Bush Poppy)

Photo by Sally Coverdell Photo by Sally Coverdell

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11 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

SHRUBBY PERENNIALS Vine: • SAGE - SALVIA Vitis californica Salvia millifera 'Terra Seca’ California Grape Salvia clevelandii x leucophylla 'Pozo Blue’ Salvia spathacea

• BUCKWHEAT - ERIOGONUM ’’Walker Ridge’’ Eriogonum fasciculatum Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Theodore Payne’ or ‘Warriner Lytle’ Eriogonum giganteum

• MONKEYFLOWER - DIPLICUS (MIMULUS) Diplacus aurantiacus Diplacus 'White’

• BEARDTOUGUE - PENSTEMON Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ 71 72

’ Salvia mellifera ‘Terra Seca’ Salvia clevelandii x leucophylla 'Pozo Blue’ (Black Sage) (Gray Mist Sage)

Photo by Sally Coverdell Photo from Calscape Photos © LasPilitas.com 73 74

Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird Sage) Photo by N McClenny

CALIFORNIA BUCKWHEAT Eriogonum fasciculatum (Er-ee-OG-an-um fa-sik-yoo-LAY-tum) ALSO Photo by Arvind Kumar Photo by Sally Coverdell Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Theodore Payne’ Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Warriner Lytle’ Photos © LasPilitas.com 75 76

12 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Mimulus

‘Jelly BeanWhite’ ‘Trish’

‘Jelly Bean Orange’ ‘Trish’

Another species of our native buckwheats: More Mimulus

Photos by N McClenny St. Catherine’s lace (Eriogonum giganteum) Mimulus aurantiacus var grandiflora

makes a big statement. Photo by N McClenny See: http://www.smgrowers.com/info/mimulus.asp 77 78

STICKY MONKEYFLOWER Mimulus (Diplacus) aurantiacus Photo by Arvind Kumar (MIM-yoo-lus aw-ran-TIE-a-kus) Photo by Arvind Kumar

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MIMULUS (DIPLACUS) ‘WHITE’ FOOTHILL PENSTEMON Native Sons Nursery (Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’)

Photo by Arvind Kumar Photo by N McClenny

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13 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Perennials, Fern, and Grasses DOUGLAS IRIS (Iris douglasiana) COYOTE MINT (Monardella villosa) DOUGLAS IRIS (Iris douglasiana) YARROW (Achillea millefolium) ALUM ROOT/CORAL BELLS ISLAND ALUM ROOT (Heuchera maxima) CORAL BELLS (Heuchera ‘Canyon Series’) BLUE FLAX (Linum lewesii) CALIFORNIA FUCHSIA

Epilobium canum Pacific Coast Hybrids Epilobium septentrionale WOODLAND STRAWBERRY (Fragaria vesca)

CALIFORNIA POLYPODY (Polypodium californicum) Photos by N McClenny Photo by Armind Kumar CALIFORNIA FESCUE (Festuca californica) DEER GRASS (Muhlenbergia rigens) 83 84

COYOTE MINT DOUGLAS IRIS (Iris douglasiana) (Monardella villosa) 'Pt Reyes’ Bonus Plant: COYOTE MINT (Monardella villosa) 'Canyon Snow’

Photo by N McClenny 85 86

YARROW Photo by Arvind Kumar Achillea millefolium (ak-ILL-ee-a mil-eh-FO-lee-um)

Island Alumroot (Heuchera maxima)

Photos by Sally Coverdell ‘Island Pink’ 87 88

14 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Coral Bells ‘Canyon Series’ (Heuchera 'Canyon Series’) Western Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)

Photo from San Marcos Growers

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CALIFORNIA FUCHSIA Epilobium canum

CALIFORNIA FUCHSIA Epilobium septentrionale ‘Select Mattole’ nmcclenny.5.2014 Photo by N McClenny

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Woodland Strawberry CALIFORNIA POLYPODY (Fragaria vesca) (Polypodium californicum)

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15 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

DEER GRASS (Muhlenbergia rigens) California Fescue (Festuca californica)

ANNUALS Photo by Arvind Kumar • CALIFORNIA POPPY (Eschscholzia californica) • CLARKIA Farewell to spring (Clarkia amoena) Ruby chalice clarkia (Clarkia rubicunda) Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) • GLOBE GILIA (Gilia capitata) • MEADOWFOAM (Limnanthes douglasii) • TIDY TIPS (Layia platyglossa) CALIFORNIA POPPY • BABY BLUE EYES (Nemophila menziesi Eschcholzia california (esh-SHOLE-tzee-a) SEED SOURCES www.theodorepayne.org www.larnerseeds.com 97 98

FAREWELL TO SPRING (Clarkia amoena) (Clarkia amoena

Photo by N McClenny

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16 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

RUBY CHALICE CLARKIA Photos byNancy McClenny (Clarkia rubicunda (KLAR-kee-a ru-bi-CUN-da) Photo by Arvind Kumar

ELEGANT CLARKIA Clarkia unguiculata Photo by N McClenny (KLAR-kee-a un-gwik-you-LAY-ta)

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Photo by Arvind Kumar Photos by Arvind Kumar MEADOWFOAM Limnanthes douglasii ssp. sulfurea (lim-NAN-thus dug-LAS-ee-I sul-FUR-ee-a)

GLOBE GILIA Gilia capitata (JEE-leea ca-pi-TAY-ta)

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Tidy Tips (Layia platyglossa) Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesi) Lawns Meadows And Bioswales

Photo from http://www.larnerseeds.com/product/tidy-tips

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17 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Lawn : Delta Blue Grass Sod

Native Mow Free Native Bent Grass • Molate Blue Fescue • Agrostis Pallen • Idaho Fescue • Western Mokelumne • Fescue

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18 Easy to Grow California Native Plants San Carlos Library April 11 2019

Meadow (Delta Blue Grass Sod)

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Meadow (Carex pansa with Achillea millifolium ‘Island Pink’) Bioswales

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Success in a Tough Environment

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