Toyon (Heteromeles Arbutifolia)

PRODUCED BY THE TREASURE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND SAN FRANCISCO ENVIRONMENT SEPTEMBER 2018

Flora of the Month: Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Native to YBI as well as to southwestern Oregon, California and Baja California, the Toyon is a perennial shrub and a primary component of the coastal sage scrub plant community. Popular with pollinators, Toyons grow to between approximately 6 and 15 feet tall and produce small white flowers in summer and bright red berry-like fruit in fall and winter. Toyons can be found in a variety of locations on YBI, including along the slopes above Clipper Cove Beach.

Protecting Our Local Pollinators: Pollinators (bees, butterflies, bats and birds) are necessary for the health of our food crops. Home gardens and potted plants can attract and support pollinators! Some things to keep in mind for making your plants and home gardens pollinator friendly “The pedigree of honey include: Does not concern the bee; A clover, any time, to him  Avoid Pesticides—Use Integrated Pest Management techniques. If you choose to use garden products, select Is aristocracy.” pollinator-safe products and avoid combination fertilizer-pesticide products. - Emily Dickinson, Poems. V. (Ed. 1891)  Seeking Perfection? - Plants don’t need to be perfect. They can take some insect damage and be just fine.

 Observe & Interact—Enjoy and observe your garden often, so you can catch problems early. Looking to volunteer or otherwise take positive actions on behalf of  In Moderation—Water and fertilize just enough. the environment? Join the SF Environment Action Network  Mulch! Compost! - To suppress weeds and reduce your watering Facebook Group and learn about needs, apply 2”- 6” of coarse mulch. Keep your soil healthy by using upcoming events and activities compost in your garden. throughout the City!

 Weeds or Dinner? - Not all weeds are invasive. Some of the plants that you call weeds, a pollinator calls dinner!

More info on Page 2 of this newsletter or at: sfenvironment.org/pollinators

Join Us for Monthly YBI Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days!

What: Restoring YBI’s native habitat, propagating native species, beach and shoreline litter pick-up, removing invasive plant species

When: Third Wednesday of each month from 1 PM to 3 PM Where: YBI Quarters 10 Park/Clipper Cove Beach 510 Treasure Island Road (at Macalla Rd)- Park at TI Administration Building Parking Lot

All ages and abilities are welcome! | No RSVP - drop-ins welcome | Use of MUNI 25 bus encouraged

Here are nine plants native to San Francisco to inspire you in starting a pollinator garden:

Blueblossom California phacelia Coast buckwheat Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Phacelia californica Eriogonum latifolium Photo Credit © Leonora Enking Photo Credit © Br. Alfred Brous- Photo Credit © 2000 Joseph seau, Saint Mary’s College Dougherty/ecology.org

Hummingbird sage Pink flowering currant Seaside daisy Salvia spathacea Ribes sanguineum ssp. Erigeron glaucus Photo Credit © Gary A. Monroe glutinosum Photo Credit © Br. Photo Credit © Gary A. Monroe Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary’s

California poppy Toyon Yarrow Eschscholzia californica Heteromeles arbutifolia Achillea millefolium Photo Credit © Roy Randall Photo Credit © Karl Nouslalnen

Grow a Pollinator Garden! Select native plants, choose bee-friendly plant nurseries, and safely care for plants and pollinators. Learn more at:

SFEnvironment.org/pollinatorgardens

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Gardening Tips

Seeking Perfection? Plants don’t need to be perfect. They can take some insect damage and be just fine.

Observe & Interact Enjoy and observe your garden often, so you can catch problems early.

In Moderation Water and fertilize just enough.

Mulch! Compost! To suppress weeds and reduce your watering needs, apply 2”- 6” of coarse mulch. Keep your soil healthy by using compost in your garden.

Weeds or Dinner? Not all weeds are invasive. Some of the plants that you call weeds, a pollinator calls dinner!

I have a pest problem – what should I do? Check the Our Water, Our World factsheets at www.ourwaterourworld.org/Fact-Sheets or call volunteer Master Gardeners, Mondays and Thursdays from 9am - 4pm, (650) 276-7430. Master Gardeners are certified community volunteers that provide free, one-on-one advice on gardening and pest management.

Where can I get safer products? Look for the Our Water, Our World logo on the store shelves of participating nurseries and other stores. Avoid combination fertilizer-pesticide lawn products, which add chemicals to your landscape that you may not need.

Visit Sfenvironment.org/pollinatorcare