Bidens Laevis Bur's Marigold

Gillett Plant Palette Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org Back to Natives Mission: To encourage and actively participate in the conservation and restoration of Orange County and California wildlands, through education and habitat restoration programs featuring native plants and biodiversity as a centralizing theme. Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth.

Biodiversity measures the health of biological systems (historical species present vs. historical species extinct). What does non-native mean?

When non-native plants spread and become established in wild areas they out-compete native plants.

Diseases or weather conditions which kept the plants in check in their homeland are absent here.

These weeds deprive our wild animals of food and shelter, since native animals cannot make much use of them. What does native mean? “Natives” were here prior to European contact.

California's native plants & animals evolved here over a very long period, and form a complex network of relationships.

They are adapted to our climate and geography. Why Grow Native Plants? Promote Biodiversity • In California, there are over 6,000 native plant species, more than in the central and northeastern US and Canada combined. • More than 1500 of these plant species are endemic to (found only in) California, and most of these endemic species are found in Southern California. • Southern California is one of the 25 global biodiversity “hotspots.” Hotspots are where the largest number of different species can be found, especially those species found nowhere else. • More than 60 percent of the Earth's total species live in hotspots, which cover only 1.44 percent of its surface. • Orange County is “a hotspot within a hotspot”, with more native plant species per square mile than Yosemite National Park. • Orange County has over 1200 species of native vascular plants. • As the human population grows, many of Orange County’s open spaces are vanishing, and with it the native plants. • By growing native plants in our gardens, we are restoring some of the natural biodiversity of our area. • Many species are dependent on the habitat provided by native vegetation and taken in aggregate, home plantings can enhance the wildlife populations of an area. Why Grow Native Plants?

Reduce the use of water • Native plants are adapted to the unique climatic conditions of their growing area and once established they require little or no supplemental irrigation. • When we grow plants found in our resident plant community, we use far less water than traditional garden landscapes. • Using drought tolerant natives in our California gardens conserves a scarce natural resource and saves money on water costs. Why Grow Native Plants? Reduce the use of pesticides

• Many native plants are not severely effected by insect pests and diseases that afflict traditional ornamentals. • Often, natives have adapted defense mechanisms to pests common in their habitats or have a high tolerance for pest damage. • Eliminating pesticide use in the garden promotes biodiversity, reduces our exposure to toxic substances and saves money. Why Grow Native Plants?

Enjoy a low maintenance garden

• Natives require less work at garden chores such as mowing, pruning, fertilizing and dividing. • California native plants are adapted to a wide variety of growing conditions and fine native plant choices exist for virtually any garden environment. Why Grow Native Plants? Provide Habitat!

• The biodiversity promoted by a native plant garden will reward the owner with satisfying experiences of discovery and observation, not only of the plants themselves, but a host of other species... birds, insects, mammals, etc. • A good native plant garden complements the indigenous habitat and by growing plants found in our resident plant community, we bring in all sorts of nearby creatures dependent on that habitat. • In a small but significant way, we as native plant gardeners begin to help secure a connection with the natural world that is infinitely more satisfying than mowing the lawn. Knowing your Area

• What is your purpose for the garden? • What soils make up the area you want to plant? • What habitat is near your location? • What/How much water is available to the location? • What Butterflies do you want to attract? Water Management

• Be true to your area, If an arid region use plants that are adapted to the water restrictions of your area. • Be true to your space, if your overhang causes moist damp soils, rethink using Deerweed or Woolly Blue Curls, and consider False Indigo or Scarlet Monkey Flower

Soils Defining the Plant Community • Sandy- Coastal Sage Scrub-some grasses, Coastal Strand, Riparian, Coastal Bluffs, Woodlands, Chaparral • Clay(Heavy) Grasslands, Chaparral, Riparian, Woodlands, some CSS Habitat/Communities Near You

• Be true to the surrounding habitat • Plant California Natives, Actual Plants found in your area to augment existing or damaged habitat • How would what you plant improve or degrade the habitat near you?

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

Check list for your garden 1. Determine Soil Type 1. Sandy soils = Coastal Sage Scrub plant community 2. Clay soils = Native Grassland plant community 3. etc 2. Determine sun exposure 1. Shade, part shade, sunny, part sunny, etc 3. Measure your area 4. Create site layout 1. try to be accurate with scale, i.e.. 1 inch= 1foot 5. Research plants 1. Size 1. Height and Spread 2. Texture 3. Soil preferences 4. Water requirements 5. Plant Communities 6. Prices and availability 6. Create icons to represent each plant, even if only circles with plant initials 1. be accurate with size of circle to reflect spread of plant on layout 2. Can be drawn onto layout, or use separate pieces to move around as you like backtonatives.org Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org Trees Ceanothus spinosus

Greenbark Ceanothus Sambucas mexicana Elderberry Shrubs Artemisia californica California Sage Brush Eriogonum fasciculatum Buckwheat Nolina parryi Beargrass Salvia apiana White Sage Salvia leucophylla Purple Sage Trichostema lanatum Woolley Blue Curls Sub-Shrubs & Perennials Achillea millefolium Yarrow Asclepias californica

California Milkweed Asclepias eriocarpa

Indian Milkweed Asclepias fascicularis

Narrowleaf Milkweed Asclepias speciosa

Showy Milkweed Epilobium canum

California Fuschia

Eriophyllum confertiflorum

Golden Yarrow Heuchera maxima Jill of the Rocks Lotus scoparius Deerweed Mimulus aurantiacus MonkeyFlower Monardella villosa Coyote Mint Penstemon spectabilis Showy Penstamon Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage Sisyrinchium bellum

Blue Eyed Grass Grasses Aristida purpurea Purple Three Awn 2.5 ft. height, Carex praegracilis perennial with rhizomes, stems Field Sedge triangular, leaves flat to channeled, excellent for wet areas in all but high elevations in Calif., rhizomes will spread, will grow in sandy soils, good forage for livestock Carex praegracilis Field Sedge

Leaning Pine Arboretum Horticulture and Crop Science Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Ca 93407 805.756.2888 [email protected] Carex praegracilis Field Sedge Juncus patens Spreading Rush Juncus mexicanus Mexican Rush Melica imperfecta Coast Range Melic

• Native to dry hillsides, chaparral and open woodlands of the coast ranges. • This native perennial grass grows 1 - 2 ft. tall in flower. The narrow flower panicles provide a delicate effect, starting out cream and aging to beige. Grows best in part shade and responds to some irrigation. • Goes dormant if allowed to go summer dry once established, turning green with the winter rains. • Useful for lightly shaded meadow plantings and stabilizing slopes. Deer resistant. Nassella cernua Nodding Needle Grass

• Growth habit: Upright bunch grassSize:2' - 3' h x 2' -3' w • Semi-deciduous • Flowering Season: Spring • Growth Rate: Fast • Seeds purplish • Hardiness: To 25 F • Sun to part • Soil Moisture: Semi- dry • Type: Sandy, Rocky below 4100' • Description: A Southern California native bunchgrass that is both showy (purple seed heads) and tough (deep roots) Recommended for dry, hot areas and steep slopes. Ground Cover Aster chilensis California Aster Fragaria chiloensis

CaliforniaBeach Wild Strawberry Satureja chandleri

Yerba Buena / San Miguel Savory Vines Calystegia macrostegia Wild Morning Glory Clematis spp.

Virgin’s Bower Vitis girdiana California Wild Grape Native Plant Websites

• www.CNPS.org California Native Plant Society • www.CalFlora.org Native Plant descriptions, ranges and photos • www.treeoflifenursery.com California native plant nursery • www.laspilitas.com California native plant nursery • www.SerCal.org Society for Ecological Restoration of California • www.OCWild.org Orange County Wild Places website for natural interpretive areas and volunteer venues •www.BacktoNatives.org Back to Natives Restoration