The many benefits of using California native plants

2010-09-16T18:50:42Z

Local gardeners face many challenges, not the least of which are hot days and no precipitation between May and late September. Soon we will have water meters and thirsty yards will run up the water bill.

The local area has also seen a decrease in a number of beneficial native insects, such as bees, butterflies and many of the native flies that aid pollination. Many gardeners have been complaining that their vegetables and fruits aren’t setting, and even though they had lots of blossoms they had few zucchinis, tomatoes, apples etc.

Many of these problems can be remedied by re-introducing local California natives to your yard. The natives from this area tend to be very drought tolerant and once established need very little water during the hot months. Since most of these natives produce colorful flowers, they will draw bees, butterflies, birds and other interesting and beneficial species to your yard. As a result the garden starts to produce vegetables and fruit in abundance.

There are native species of all types, colorful flowers, ground covers, bushes with and without flowers, shrubs and trees. An example is the California Fuchsia, which has silver green foliage and red orange flowers that attractive hummingbirds. It is a very tough plant and tolerates full sun; it also spreads to fill in areas around it.

So you are asking, how can I learn more about CA natives and where can I get them. Each spring and fall the Sacramento Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has a native plant sale. The fall 2010 sale will be held Sept. 25th and 26th at Shepard Garden & Arts Center, McKinley Park, 3330 McKinley Blvd. (extension of E St.), Sacramento 95816. The sale is open from 10 am to 2 pm each day. See press release below.

Don’t just garden, create habitat!

Take “think local” to the next level. Plant local California natives this fall to brighten a spring garden. Find them at the Bring Nature Home Fall Native Plant Sale and Celebration, presented by the Sacramento Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society, September 25-26.

Choose California fuchsia—a hummingbird favorite—or purple coyote mint from among the many American River Parkway natives that have been lovingly nurtured at the chapter’s all-volunteer Elderberry Farms Native Plant Nursery. Stock from local nurseries and member growers rounds out the selection. A plant list is available at http://www.sacvalleycnps.org/events/ElderberryCornflowerFarms.pdf.

Plant advisors will be on hand to help gardeners choose the best plants for their garden’s soil, water and light conditions. Gardening books, regional field guides and more will also be for sale.

Local native plants are best adapted to local conditions, save water and reduce the need for pesticides.
“Native plants are the foundation of the web of life,” says Christina Lewis, plant sale co-chair and Elderberry Farms leadership team member. “When you garden with native plants you invite nature to your front door.”

Invasive species and development threaten native plant habitats, but by planting local natives, you can provide an oasis of biodiversity. Even a few plants can attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife!

Connecting plants and their places
New this year is an exhibit, Connecting Plants and their Places. Regional preserves, conservation organizations and efforts such as the California Heartland Project and the new Grassroots Working Group for Sacramento’s Regional Open Space and Parks will share their special places inside the Garden & Arts Center.

“Saving and expanding our current parks and wild spaces will ensure livable communities for generations to come,” says Betsy Weiland, plant sale co-chair and Elderberry Farms leadership team member.

When: Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Shepard Garden & Arts Center, McKinley Park, 3330 McKinley Blvd. (extension of E St.), Sacramento 95816. Admission is free and open to the public. Family friendly.

More info at: http://www.sacvalleycnps.org/

Disclosure Note: Paul Barth is a volunteer for the Sacramento Chapter of the California Native Plant Society .

Rick's garden

2009-04-26T01:16:27Z

Leaving the house can be somewhat of a chore. Some days it's nice to be secluded in my apartment, reading or watching television. However, once I step foot outside of the apartment, I immediately feel a warm pleasantness come over me. Rick's garden sprawls across the small front yard. The garden is an explosion of all kinds of different plants, colors and textures.

With every new day of spring and summer, there is always something new and interesting blooming, making for a pleasant surprise. There are traditional beauties like roses and irises, but also plants to satisfy unusual tastes such as Mullens, which grow over six feet and are covered in pods and look as if they arrived from another planet.

When Rick Castro and Larry Fox bought the house over four years ago when it had not been lived in for many years and had suffered a fire. They gutted the house, by putting in new amenities while still maintaining the structure of the house. When my boyfriend and I moved in nearly two years ago, Rick was just starting to develop his garden. His main themes are, Victorian style (to match the house), native plants and drought tolerance.

Because of water shortages and waste, it is very important for Rick that his plants use as little water as possible. Drought tolerant plants are not only convenient in their minimal use of water but in that they can thrive in arid areas such as Sacramento. One of Rick's more interesting plants is the Sago Palm. The Sago Palm grows in a confined space and only generally reaches a height of six feet. It is coniferous and also kin to the Ginko tree. They can be traced back to the Mesozoic era and are often referred to as "living fossils". Rick was lucky enough to find the Sago at a garage sale and instantly liked it for its Victorian look (Victorians loved palms).

White and gray were two of the colors Rick had in mind to dominate the garden. White flowers are not only visible at night but also reflect light and color from the other plants. Another factor in some of his flower choices is a desire to attract hummingbirds. By planting red flowers next to white flowers with an especially tasty nectar, the hummingbirds flock to the garden.

Vegetables can also be found in the garden. He chose self-seeding leeks, Swiss chard and kale. Not only do these vegetables look very ornamental but they are tasty as well. Rick plans to grow more vegetables and herbs in the significantly larger backyard because of their growing success.

For mulch, Rick collects fallen leaves and covers the ground with them. This is an efficient way of reusing the leaves and a very effective one. I have hardly seen a weed. He is also working on a worm compost, using worms to compost food scraps and other organic material into a nutrient rich soil.

If I had to narrow down my favorite plants in the garden, they would be the more unusual ones. The Melianthus major Honeybush is tall and imposing, with jagged leaves and whispy maroon blooms. The Mullens are also tall and, at first, have a fuzzy appearance with small yellow flowers. As they age, the fuzz and flowers disappear into hundreds of dry pods. Rick's Foxgloves take my breath away with their beauty, looking like the layered ruffled dresses of the Civil War era. The Lamb's Ears, which resemble overgrown sage leaves,add texture and the gray color desired by Rick. Euphorbia may be my favorite of the bunch with their bright green color and suction cup look. I also appreciate the rose bushes because they are some of the plants that survived the fire.

By using drought tolerant plants and composting and mulch, Rick has created a beautiful and eco-friendly garden for all that pass by to enjoy. People have likened his garden to The Wizard of Oz because of its unusual plants and bright colors. Rick enjoys the otherworldly comparison and will continue to garden, introducing people to new and interesting plants.

Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "drought tolerant"

The many benefits of using California native plants

Rick's garden