The Science Behind Nature - in Layperson Speak
"One of the advantages of growing local native plants is that the plants from your immediate vicinity are well adapted to our climate's yearly fluctuations and can take those rare days with winter low temperatures and high temperatures in the sumners" - Bart O'Brien, RSABG Here in California …
Continue Reading about Seek Local Native Plants for Cold (and Hot) Tolerance
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 …
Continue Reading about Favorite Natives: Hardy, Dramatic Manzanitas
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 …
We had a garden club meeting in my town (Redlands CA) and were lucky to have as our speaker Bart O’Brien from the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (RSABG) in Claremont. He presented a wonderful talk about California native plants. More importantly, he shared his favorites for our area. These …
Continue Reading about Favorite So. California Native Plants
Native California salvias (commonly called sages) make my favorite list for many reasons: their spectacular show of flowers spring through summer, their aroma that permeates the air, especially after rainfall. Also, the sages in our landscaping offer great wildlife habitat. I have photos of …
Continue Reading about Favorite Natives: Salvias (Sages) for Aroma, Wildlife and Spectacular Flowers
9/5/14 Note: I've added an article on care of oaks during drought I love our majestic old native oaks here in California. And like many, I get distressed when I see one dying, especially from improper care. Background: There are nine species of native tree oaks in California - In SoCA most of our …
Continue Reading about Taking Care of Our California Native Oaks
