Going Gently Native

Thinking of popping a few natives into your garden but worried they won't flourish, or look ragged?  Here are some California natives that can be eased gently into the suburban garden, and they stay green in summer.  Don't wait; plant while they'll have time to do some growing before summer dormancy!  Do not amend the soil.  Give one very thorough watering, then no more than weekly; including light weekly waterings through the first summer.

This Baja Fairy Duster at Fullerton Arboretum was about 8 feet wide.
Fortunately they are easy to prune.

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica): Baja is California, after all.  A long season bloomer that will tolerate a little summer water. Delicate foliage reveals its relation to Mimosa.  Can grow tall if happy, but prune it how you like. Be sure to get Baja, not the less colorful and shorter blooming Calliandra eriophylla (unless you get very cold temperatures.)

New growth on Howard McMinn Manzanita almost looks like a flower.
Its tiny heart-shaped flowers are adorable, and it is deep green all summer.
You need this plant.

'Howard McMinn' Manzanita (Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn')  Grows slow and steady, in sun or shade, reliable and elegant bush.  A favorite of mine.

White Sage thriving in suburbia.

Sages of all kinds.  White sage, while an iconic native (make your own smudge sticks!) will tolerate summer water; it just won't look as white.  Cleveland Sage scents up a yard and has fun flower spikes.  Just wash off the leaves in summer for best results.  Hummingbird Sage is great for shady spots with light to moderate watering.  Very green sages (and most sages for sale) are probably not native.  

Island Bush Snapdragon, a hummingbird favorite.
(Copyrighted photo used with permission of laspilitas.com.)

Island Bush Snapdragon (Galvezia speciosa) tolerates wide soil and water conditions, and grows happily in moderate shade.  It is a cheerful light green sprawling bush/vine/groundcover that can be pruned as needed: great filler for a sparse young garden.  The cultivar 'Firecracker' is wonderfully fuzzy and more upright than the species; 'Boca Rosa' is a compact bush.

Check Tree of Life's directory for details about expected size and frost hardiness. Where to buy?  How to plant?  More on that soon.

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