The Science Behind Nature - in Layperson Speak
If you’re in the market for a tree or shrub, consider California natives -- for a number of reasons. While we’ve received nearly two inches of rain this fall, Southern California is still in an extreme drought. California native trees are drought tolerant and have the best chance of success once …
Continue Reading about Favorite Plants: California Native Trees and Shrubs
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 …
Fall is the perfect time to be exploring and planning the purchases of California native choices, with lots of plant sales. So I checked in with some friends who over the last couple years have planted California natives - to get feedback on what's done well for them. It's challenging where we live …
Continue Reading about California Native Plants: Favorites of Two Residents
With our drought here in Southern California there is more talk of removing lawns and planting drought tolerant alternatives. We've done both - we took out most of our lawn and replaced it with mostly California native plants. (I've written a lot about our process - here's one) But we've also …
Continue Reading about Using low water native grasses for your lawn
Flannel bush (Fremontodendron) or fremontia is another favorite California native plant. And with its distaste for summer water once it's established, fremontia is a perfect solution for the drought times we seem to be going through here in the Southwest. Here is more info about this beautiful …
Continue Reading about Favorite California Natives: Flannel Bush (Fremontia)
I realize I haven't written about ceanothus - commonly called wild lilac, which has been ablaze with its blue blooms lately. So here is another favorite, which has done really well on the two properties where we planted it. It's short-livedness is a rumor for us, and backed up by ceanothus in the …
Continue Reading about Favorite Native Plants: Ceanothus (Wild lilac)
