Tag: california native plants
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Creative Bouquets with Native Flowers
Dan Songster encourages local gardeners to incorporate native flowers into indoor bouquets, promoting their use while enhancing plant growth. Contributors share favorites like Blue-eyed Grass, California Poppy, and Woolly Blue Curls, highlighting their longevity and aesthetic appeal. The newsletter invites future tips on drought-resistant native plants.
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Island Bush Poppy: A Gardener’s Guide
The Island Bush Poppy, or Dendromecon harfordii, is an evergreen shrub thriving in full sun to partial shade, native to Southern California’s Channel Islands. With beautiful yellow flowers and bluish-green leaves, it’s drought tolerant and adaptable. Ideal for gardens, it requires careful planting and minimal pruning for optimal health.
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UCI Herbarium Receives $98,000 Grant for Local Plant Documentation
The Joan R. Hampton Trust and OCCNPS granted $98,566 to the UCI Herbarium to address its backlog of plant vouchers. This funding will enable the digitization and accessibility of plant collections, supporting local biodiversity research. Joan Hampton, a former member of OCCNPS, advocated for plant identification throughout her life.
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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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Caring for California Native Plants
In Southern California, the rainy season has seen delays, contributing to drought and wildfires. Proper care is essential for native plants as they require thoughtful maintenance, especially in dry periods. Expert Colin Dunleavy highlights strategies for watering and plant selection to ensure healthy native landscapes, emphasizing the need for deep, infrequent watering.
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February’s Featured Plant: Hummingbird Sage
Hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea) is a semi-evergreen perennial thriving in dappled light or full sun, adaptable to various soils. This native California plant attracts hummingbirds with its striking magenta flower spikes from late winter to July. It’s drought-tolerant, culinary-friendly, and easy to maintain, enhancing gardens with beauty and habitat value.
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California Polypody Fern: A Native Plant Guide
The California Polypody Fern, or Polypodium californicum, is a creeping perennial that thrives in light shade and requires winter and spring moisture. It grows in California’s coastal areas and mountains, emerging in fall and providing vibrant green foliage. The ‘Sarah Lyman’ variety, noted for its unique appearance, was named after an enthusiastic gardener.
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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.