As for many in California, the numerous days of 100+ degree heat has been tough on our vegetable garden, roses, fruit trees and well, pretty much everything (including ourselves....) But we continue to have some plants – mostly California natives or their hybrids – that look good despite little …
Native Plants Do Help Habitat for Wildlife
A friend forwarded an article "Are We Really Helping" by plant ecologist Susan Tweit that questions how much the planting of native plants aids wildlife. The answer is yes, it does. As I've mentioned in previous posts, while keeping some mature (50 + years) California natives such as Sugar Bush …
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Converting Lawns to Waterwise Landscapes: So CA examples
With the drought in the west and the growing appreciation for natives and other drought-tolerant landscapes, I'm writing some articles for our local paper - here is the link to the first one that explains why, here's the second on the planning process, and here's the last one on plant selection. I …
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Sustainable landscaping: Some tips…
Wondering how you can do your landscaping and yard work in a more gentle-on-the-earth and sustainable way? Janet Hartin, horticulture advisor and author with the U of California, has given over 1000 talks on sustainable landscape topics, and our local horticulture group was one of them last …
Favorite Natives: Hardy, Dramatic Manzanitas
Manzanitas (arctostaphylos) are one of my favorite native plants. Their reddish bark offers a striking contrast to their green leaves, which look healthy even when temps start soaring. Very drought tolerant, they grow well in the West as long as you don't overwater them or fertilize them. The four …
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Favorite Natives: Western Sycamore
Here in Redlands CA, ESRI employs 2000 and is a huge presence in our town. With hundreds of sycamore trees dotting ESRI’s campus, the tree is obviously a favorite of the company's founder, Jack Dangermond. “I like this tree. It makes people feel good when they are around them," says Dangermond. He …