Category: Gardening with Native Plants
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Find Native Plants that Best Support Butterflies and Moths
Guest author, Chris Cosma, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, Riverside, shared this October 23, 2023 article about his web application called The Butterfly Net that helps gardeners know which native plants are most supportive of butterflies and moths. Which native plants are the best for insects?…
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Board Member Helps Native Plant Chapter Stay on Target
“Accounting is the most important aspect of any business.” Ray Kroc (former CEO of McDonald’s) This month, the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS), is pleased to feature Lewis Marchand, board member and treasurer of OCCNPS. Lewis was introduced to our local chapter—and CNPS as a whole—by Brad Jenkins, former president…
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Native Gardener’s Corner–Weed Management
October/November 2023This column is a regular newsletter feature offering chapter members and local experts a chance to share information on many things related to gardening with native plants. The month’s request was: After the tremendous crop of weeds from last season’s rains, what tricks and techniques do you recommend for efficient weed removal in your…
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Board Spotlight: Laura Camp
This month, the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS), features Laura Camp, current board member and past president of OCCNPS. Laura grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Penn State University. Shortly after graduation, she and her new husband Bob packed up their Plymouth Horizon and crossed the country to California.…
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Native Gardener’s Corner–Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
August/September, 2023 Guest Article compiled by Dan Songster. This column is a newsletter feature offering OCCNPS chapter members and local experts a chance to briefly share information on many things related to gardening with natives. The Request for this Edition of the OCCNPS Newsletter was: “Which native tree would be your favorite to plant in…
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Board Member Helps Trees, People, and Native Plants
This article was arranged by Thea Gavin with help from Gabe Verduzco and online source material. Meet Gabriel Verduzco, board member of the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS), gardener, botanical enthusiast, ISA-certified arborist, plant scientist, and surfer. Past Gabe grew up in Kingsburg, south of Fresno, in the heart of…
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Jennifer Mabley Receives Native Perennial Award
Guest article by Dan Songster Jennifer Mabley was presented with the “Native Perennial Award” at the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS) June 21, 2023 general meeting. The following heartfelt words were on the Native Perennial Award presented by Dan Songster: “Presented in honor of 15 years of giving selflessly of…
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Interview with OCCNPS President Elizabeth Wallace
Elizabeth Wallace, president of the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, shares her journey in native plant gardening and community organizing. Inspired by her love for the environment, she initiated projects like Vera’s Gardens, a native plant garden for women in rehabilitation. She aims to boost awareness of native plants and engage…
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Native Gardener’s Corner
Member’s Tips, Tricks, and Techniques Guest Author Dan Songster offers chapter members and local experts a chance to share information related to gardening with natives. The question for the June/July 2023 edition of the OCCNPS Newsletter was: Our native gardens are often inspired by nature. What is your favorite place/destination to experience and be inspired…
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OCCNPS Past, Present & Future: Insights from Board Members
Guest Article by Thea Gavin The Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS) presents a Q and A that will highlight our Board Members’ experiences and knowledge. We begin this monthly series with an interview arranged by Thea Gavin that features Dan Songster, long-time volunteer and past president of OCCNPS. Dan Songster…
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Bumping into Bumblebees
This year’s So Cal rainy season has been tremendous for plants and wildlife. The oak trees are covered with flowers and the hillsides are experiencing a super bloom. Before the rains, the Carrizo Plain looked like this: One year later, the Carrizo Plain looks like this: Even my little front garden is filled with flowers…
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2,000 New Sages in SoCal
We did it! The Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society distributed 2,000 four-inch white sage (Salvia apiana) plants free to Southern California residents during our A Sage in Every Garden (SIEG) campaign. Our SIEG team began planning for the giveaway campaign last July. We decided to focus entirely on white sage. We…