Going Native
Gardening in Harmony With Our Climate
Seven Reasons to use Native Plants
Courtesy of the California Native Plant Society
Landscape is part of a place’s regional identity and natural heritage. Curiously, most man-made landscapes in California are examples of gardens from other parts of the world. California has multiple landscape identities with a tremendous range of vegetation. Early Europeans found California vegetation fascinating and sent samples home to botanical gardens. Native Americans knew and depended on local plants for their livelihood. Display California’s beautiful and natural identity in your landscape by using native plants.
Low maintenance landscaping methods are a natural fit with native plants that are already adapted to the local environment. Look forward to using less water, little to no fertilizer, little to no pesticides, less pruning, and less of your time.
Local California native plant species survive in nature with only rainfall for irrigation. You can take advantage of low water use species in your garden. Once established, these species need minimal to no irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Saving water saves money and conserves a vital resource.
Native plants have evolved defenses against native pests, and are usually resistant to non-native pests too. When plants are your partners for managing a pest problem, you have greater freedom to decide the amount and type of pesticide to use, if any at all.
As development replaces natural habitats, planting gardens, parks, and roadsides with California natives can provide a “bridge” to nearby remaining wildlands. As a further step, get involved in local land use planning processes at the grass roots level. Recommend natives to homeowner associations, neighbors, and civic departments.
Many of the best plants for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and other beautiful creatures are the native plants they have used for thousands of years. Invite the species you want to see, whether it is birds, dragonflies, honey bees, native bees, beneficial insects, or interesting animals by planting their favorite natives in your landscape.
Large delicate white Matilija Poppy petals, aromatic Sages, abundant pink flowers on a Western Redbud tree in spring, shredded hanging bark on a Catalina Ironwood – these are only a few examples of the intriguing and beautiful plants found naturally in California. Add a few local species to your existing garden, or go totally native. Your explorations can lead others to discover the diversity of characteristics that natives possess.
Instructions For Planting and Care
Ten Easy Steps for Success | |
1. Dig hole twice as deep and twice as wide as plant container. Break up large clods and try to avoid the smooth-sided “bucket” effect in the hole. 2. Amending the Soil 3. Fill planting hole with water and allow to percolate (drain) into subsoil. 4. Spill some backfill material into the bottom of hole, moisten, tamp and mound slightly. | 5. Set plant root ball atop the moistened backfill so that plant collar is 1″ higher than finished grade. 6. With water flowing slowly from a hose into the hole, replace backfill material up to about 2/3 the height of the root ball; moistening, tamping and settling all around. 7. Fill remaining portion surrounding the top of root ball with more backfill. Be sure collar is still higher than grade. 8. Create an irrigation basin berm, considerably outside the dimension of the hole using remaining backfill and native soil. 9. Apply a generous portion (approx. 2-4″ deep) coarse, organic weed and disease-free mulch; topdressing around exposed collar and inside the entire basin area. 10. Irrigate thoroughly, filling the basin with water and sprinkling around to settle backfill, mulch and berm. Allow to soak in and repeat.
|
Warm Season Planting and Watering | |
1. Summer is the most difficult season to install native plants in the landscape (for best results, wait until fall through early spring). 2. Pre-irrigate the planting hole and allow to drain. 3. Carefully follow the planting instructions above. 4. Upon completion, apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch around the root zone of each plant (away from the crown). | 5. Avoid watering during the heat of the day, and avoid overhead watering; prolonged leaf wetting can promote disease. 6. Provide temporary shade to the most sensitive species to reduce the stress of exposure to direct sun. 7. Do not allow the root ball to dry out; water 1-3 times a week by thoroughly soaking the soil. An infrequent, deep soaking is preferable too short, frequent waterings. |
Initial Maintenance | |
Like all nursery stock, container-grown California native plants need careful attention during their establishment period in the landscape. Watering – It is important that the root ball does not dry out during the first two or three months. Irrigate about once a week, trying not to oversoak the surrounding soil. After two months, be sure to water deeply. Do not allow the ground to remain soggy for long periods of time, as this encourages disease, especially during the dry season. Native plants need deep moisture and cool roots to find oxygen. Usually, one deep watering every two or three weeks is sufficient in summer and fall. Less frequent irrigations are required in the spring. During the winter, rainfall alone is adequate for most plantings. Avoid overhead watering during the hot part of the day in the warm season. Mulching – Use organic mulch in late spring and fall to retain moisture, cool roots, discourage weeds and strengthen plants. Fertilizing – Use “all purpose” type plant foods for cool season feedings (October-May) and one light application mid-summer. Usually, you can cut the rates given for general ornamental plants in half. Pruning – Depending on the type of plant, you will need to thin and head back to direct its growth. Remove any dead wood. Use sanitation procedures when pruning diseased branches. |
