Tag: butterflies
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Gardening Resolutions for a Thriving Native Landscape in 2026
The January/February 2026 edition of the Native Gardener’s Corner features insights and challenges faced by members regarding their native gardens. Contributors discuss optimism, sourcing plants, managing weeds, and personal resolutions for braver gardening practices. The newsletter highlights aspirations to balance biodiversity with neighborhood acceptance while adapting to changes in gardening resources and personal capabilities.
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December Plant Spotlight: John Dourley Manzanita
The December Plant of the Month for the OCCNPS is ‘John Dourley’ Manzanita, a low-growing shrub ideal for various garden settings. Known for its attractive orange-red new growth, pink flowers, and adaptability, it provides nectar and berries for wildlife. It requires careful watering and occasional pruning for optimal growth.
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Planting Elegant Clarkia Seeds for a Vibrant Garden
Elegant Clarkia, or Clarkia unguiculata, is a vibrant annual wildflower ideal for California gardens. With colorful blooms from April to June, it’s adaptable to various soil types and light conditions. Seeds are best sown in late fall for naturalization. This hardy plant attracts pollinators and serves as a beautiful cut flower.
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Honoring Tree of Life Nursery’s Impact on California Ecology
Tree of Life Nursery, closing this December after 45 years, has profoundly influenced California’s native plant community. Members of OCCNPS express gratitude for its role in fostering connections between people and ecology. The nursery served as both a retail space and a space for education, enriching the lives of many through native gardening.
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Top Native Plants for Summer Drought
In this column, expert gardeners share their favorite native plants that thrive in summer with minimal watering. Key recommendations include Hooker’s Evening Primrose, Lemonadeberry, various Buckwheats, and small trees like Scrub Oaks and California Bay Laurel. Responses emphasize low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants to support local ecosystems and attract pollinators.
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Pamela Heiss: Championing Native Plants in Orange County
Pamela Heiss, a member of the OCCNPS board, actively promotes native plants within the Orange County community through her work with the Garden Tour and Outreach teams. Since joining CNPS in 2018, she emphasizes the importance of conservation and community education. Pamela aims to inspire awareness of native plants’ benefits for local ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Lilac Verbena: A Butterfly-Friendly Garden Choice
Lilac Verbena, or Glandularia lilacina, is an evergreen subshrub that blooms year-round, attracting butterflies with its lilac to violet flowers. Native to Cedros Island, it thrives in various soils and conditions, making it a low-maintenance choice for Southern California gardens. Regular pruning enhances flowering, while two cultivars, ‘De la Mina’ and ‘Paseo Rancho,’ showcase different…
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Native Plants for Privacy Hedges: Expert Tips and Choices
The newsletter feature by Dan Songster provides gardening tips focused on native plants for privacy screens and hedges. Members shared their favorite selections, particularly Lemonade Berry and Toyon. Recommendations include a variety of native plants that offer aesthetic appeal while being drought-tolerant. The upcoming topic invites members to discuss native flowers for indoor bouquets.
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Sarah Jayne: A Legacy of Native Plant Advocacy
Sarah Jayne, a dedicated member of OCCNPS and former president, significantly revitalized the organization through extensive volunteer work since the mid-1980s. Her leadership, acknowledged with a CNPS Fellow award, inspired many by emphasizing the conservation and promotion of native plants. Sarah’s legacy continues as she supports ongoing initiatives within the chapter.
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Top Native Plants to Brighten Your Winter Garden
The column by Dan Songster highlights winter plant favorites among gardeners, featuring manzanitas, toyons, and native bulbs like Brodiaea and blue dicks. Members express their joy in winter blooms and foliage, while sharing inspiration and gardening experiences.
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Meet Katie Newman: Advocate for California Native Plants
Katie Newman, a board member of the OCCNPS, shares her journey with California native plants, influenced by her gardening family and studies at UC Davis. She’s currently working on outreach through social media while cultivating a garden with both natives and non-natives. Her goal is to reshape perceptions of native landscaping.
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Benefits of Growing Bush Sunflower
Encelia californica, or bush sunflower, is an evergreen sub-shrub native to Southern California, thriving in coastal sage scrub. It features yellow daisy-like flowers, attracts pollinators, and provides food for birds. Suitable for slopes and gardens, it requires little maintenance, with moderate water and occasional pruning for optimal bloom.