Comments on: Planting California Native Plants http://patwelsh.com/wpmu/blog/california-natives/planting-california-native-plants/ Just another Patwelsh.com weblog Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 By: Pat http://patwelsh.com/wpmu/blog/california-natives/planting-california-native-plants/comment-page-1/#comment-1618 Pat Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:29:28 +0000 http://patwelsh.com/wpmu/?p=181#comment-1618 Lambs ears (Stachys byzantina) is not a native plant. It is native to the Caucasus, Iran, but it grows well in Southern California's dry Mediterranean climate and makes a good ground cover under native oaks. It can be short lived close to the coast. Clumps of lambs ears (Stachys byzantina) often die out in the center. Frost damages its foliage and heavy rains can mash the plants down and rot the leaves, but plants come back strongly once the weather warms up even if you do nothing. Lambs ears need full sun along the coast. They can take part shade inland and the green-leaved varieties must have shade at mid-day inland. Moderate water is best, once established, and good drainage is a must. If you live in Southern California, mid-February is the best time to clean up the perennial garden. I suggest you dig out and divide lambs ears in mid-February, throwing away the worn out center and all brown and unsightly sections and replanting the good divisions that are found around the edges. Never divide this plant in fall or your plants may die during winter. Amend the soil before replanting and add a little fertilizer, then follow up with a thorough irrigation. After this clean-up your plants should bounce back quickly. Lambs ears (Stachys byzantina) is not a native plant. It is native to the Caucasus, Iran, but it grows well in Southern California’s dry Mediterranean climate and makes a good ground cover under native oaks. It can be short lived close to the coast. Clumps of lambs ears (Stachys byzantina) often die out in the center. Frost damages its foliage and heavy rains can mash the plants down and rot the leaves, but plants come back strongly once the weather warms up even if you do nothing. Lambs ears need full sun along the coast. They can take part shade inland and the green-leaved varieties must have shade at mid-day inland. Moderate water is best, once established, and good drainage is a must. If you live in Southern California, mid-February is the best time to clean up the perennial garden. I suggest you dig out and divide lambs ears in mid-February, throwing away the worn out center and all brown and unsightly sections and replanting the good divisions that are found around the edges. Never divide this plant in fall or your plants may die during winter. Amend the soil before replanting and add a little fertilizer, then follow up with a thorough irrigation. After this clean-up your plants should bounce back quickly.

]]> By: Tina Cremer http://patwelsh.com/wpmu/blog/california-natives/planting-california-native-plants/comment-page-1/#comment-1616 Tina Cremer Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:14 +0000 http://patwelsh.com/wpmu/?p=181#comment-1616 What causes Stachy byzantina leaves to yellow and die? Does it have a period of semi-dormancy? Knowing that it is a low water needs plant, what are it's specific water, sun, and soil requirements? Should the dead leaves be removed to improve its appearance? Thank you for your trusted advise. Tina What causes Stachy byzantina leaves to yellow and die?

Does it have a period of semi-dormancy? Knowing that it is a low water needs plant, what are it’s specific water, sun, and soil requirements? Should the dead leaves be removed to improve its appearance?

Thank you for your trusted advise.

Tina

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