Pat Welsh Southwest Garden Advice, plus garden ideas for everyone » California Natives

Drought-resistant Lawn Substitute for People and Dogs

Pat — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:41:08 +0000

Question from Candace and Cyrus:
We recently got rid of our entire fescue lawn and replaced it ( or tried to ) with UC Verde, a new form of buffalo grass specially engineered for the climate of the southwest. Unfortunately, because we are within a half mile of the coast, we received insufficient sunshine for the grass to establish. As a result, our entire lawn looks like a war zone now. We need a grassy area for our large German Sheperd /Great Dane mix to run. Our new drought guidelines restrict us to 10 minutes of watering 3 times a week. Any ideas? We live in Encinitas.

Answer from Pat:
One of the most pressing current needs of gardeners is a drought- and-wear-resistant ground cover to take the place of a lawn, especially for people who have dogs or children who love to run and play and can wear out many kinds of ground covers. My suggestions are these: First a bermudagrass lawn such as ‘Santa Ana’ or ‘Tifgreen’ is grass but it is very drought-resistant and will stay green along the coast even in winter and will take no more water than gazanias. In a drought it will pull in its horns and go brown but it will not die. It is far better to water it longer once a week than more shallowly and for less long three times a week as some cities now mistakenly legislate.

Secondly I suggest planting creeping white yarrow or woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) as a lawn. Plant seeds in fall and keep the ground damp until they are germinated. It will take a little time to become established but it will eventually make a ferny green mat that is very pleasant to walk on and very durable. The flowers are a bonus and can be taken off after blooms fade with a weed-wacker.

Thirdly I suggest Lippia (Phyla nodiflora). It is a drought-resistant, low groundcover that takes foot traffic, but it does bear pink flowers in June that bring bees. You can mow them off in June with a lawn mower in order that your dog’s paws won’t get bitten. (Bees in the garden don’t bite except when you accidentally step on one or grasp one by mistake. Bees do protect and guard their hives, however, but having a lawn that attracts bees won’t cause bees to make a hive in your garden.)

Coast Goldenbush

Pat — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:08:15 +0000

Question from Dave:
I want to purchase one plant – can you help?

Answer from Pat:
Coast goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii) is a California native plant that proliferates along the coast of Southern California and the northern Baja peninsula and is a member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae.) I can see why you might want to have a specimen of this plant in your garden. Coast goldenbush is prized as a plant to control erosion on banks.

In late summer and early fall I am always amazed to see masses of coast goldenbush burst into bloom after it has received no water whatsoever since our seasonal rains ceased in spring. I can only suppose that this plant is somehow aware that it’s best to make pollen during the hottest and driest of weather along the coast. Damp conditions of spring and early summer combined with salty air could make pollen sticky but dry weather is ideal. Thus the plant stores up moisture in its roots, buds, pith, and fibers in order that it can bloom in fall after all “June gloom” and summer fogs have been swept away by winds. Fall blooming must also allow coast goldenbush to attract the greatest number of bees that are less active along the coast during other seasons. Thus, by blooming at the warmest time along the coast it not only delights human viewers, but can also count on being be well-polinated year after year.

Good sources for this plant include native plant societies, including the Theodore Payne Society, and nurseries specializing in native plants. Tree of Life Nursery near San Juan Capistrano carries both plants and seeds. I have never tried growing this plant from seeds but it is an ingredient in mixes for erosion control. I recommend fall planting on prepared soil and sprinkling the seeded area when rains are inadequate.

Native Plants of the Southern California Coast

Drought tolerants for patio

Pat — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:21:39 +0000

Question from Tracey: I would like to find out if there are some drought tolerant /native plants that will do well in pots on a patio. The patio is south facing and gets a lot of sun. I’m in the South Pasadena/ Highland Park area of Southern California.

Answer from Pat: A few native plants can be grown in containers, such as grasses. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tennuissima), for example, native to Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, is one of the most drought-resistant of ornamental grasses often seen mixed with other plants in containers. But in my opinion if you are looking for the most satisfying theme of drought-resistant plants for patio containers, your answer is succulents, and if you like them, also cacti. Two years ago I emptied out all my patio pots, rearranged them in attractive groups of various sizes and shapes, put broken crockery over all their drainage holes, filled them with ordinary potting soil (since it retains moisture so I would not need to water as often), and filled all these patio pots with drought-resistant succulents. I already had some of the plants growing in other parts of my garden. I purchased others at plant shows, botanical gardens, nurseries, and even at my local farmers’ market. With the help of a friend, I carefully arranged the plants to please my eye, playing the various textures and colors and shapes against each other. Then I continued to do the same thing with other potted arrangements here and there throughout my garden.

Few garden projects have given me as much pleasure as has this one or produced such delightful results. Also, once the weather cooled down in fall I stopped watering these pots altogether and told my gardener not to water them. It is now April and we still have not resumed watering. In return for no care other than picking out the occasional snail, the colors, flowers, and burgeoning growth has given us an ever-changing and totally glorious display. In summer I water once a week, if that. Though I have a gardener who comes to my garden once a week, I could go away for a week or a month at any time of year even if no one were caring for my plants, and I know these tough little performers would still be there when I got back. For ideas, see Debra Lee Baldwin’s new book “Succulent Container Gardens.”

Many of these plants can also be grown in hanging baskets. One of my long-time favorites is donkey tail (Sedum morganianum). These thrive in semi-shade, for example hanging from tree branches, as do orchid cacti (Epiphyllums). If you feed epi’s in accordance with the month-by-month instructions in my book, these flowering cacti will also reward you with a spectacular display of blooms in May of many different colors according to variety. Some have iridescent blooms, others are fragrant at night and attract sphinx moths.

Native Plants Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon

Pat — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:11:15 +0000

SHRUBS

Adenostoma fasciculatum—Chamise
Most abundant shrub in some local coastal chaparral, often called “Chamise chaparral”. Known for spring bloom but often flowers in fall.
Arctostaphylos glandulosa, ssp. crassifolia—Del Mar manzanita
Coastal manzanita endemic to local region.
Arctostaphylos pumila—Sandmat manzanita
Arctostaphylos uva-ursa—kinnikinnick
From northern California but will grow here.
Artemisia californica—California sagebrush888
Frequently found in old coastal stands of chapparal
Artemisia pycnocephala—Sandhill sagebrush
Grows in Torrey Pines Park
Atriplex canescens—Fourwing saltbush, Cenizo
Mounding to 8 feet, can take irrigation but thrives with none, all parts edible by humans or birds. Attracts birds and butterflies.
Atriplex lentiformis ssp. breweri—Brewers saltbush, Quail bush. Foliage and seeds are edible. Brings birds. Grows to 8 feet.
Baccharis pilularis—Coyote brush
Not exactly trouble free since, in a solid planting, some will die probably from root rot. Old stands can be renewed by mowing to the ground in fall.
Ceanothus gloriosus—Point Reyes ceanothus
Ceanothus griseus (not including ‘Diamond Heights’)—Carmel ceanothus
Ceanothus maritimus—Maritime ceanothus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus—Blue blossom ceanothus
Ceonothus verrucosus—Warty-stem ceonothus
The kind that grows in Torrey Pines Park
Cercucarpus betuloides—Mountain mahogany
Coreopsis gigantea—Giant coreopsis***
Usually dies if irrigated in summer. Needs full sun.
Dendromecon rigida—Bush poppy***
Eyecatching bloom on clean shrub with attractive foliage.
Encelia californica—California sunflower***
Likes underground water such as in a canyon but will live without. Best in sun but can take partial shade.
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium—Thick leaved Yerba Santa***
Many healing uses for Native Americans, colorful lavender flowers in late spring; soft, felty textural leaves.
Eriogonum arborescens—Santa Cruz Island buckwheat***
Excellent garden plant, thrives with no water or can take some irrigation.
Eriogonum cinereum—Ashyleaf buckwheat
Grows in Torrey Pines Park
Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Dana Point’—Dana Point buckwheat***
Improved form of frequent component of coastal San Diego chaparral. Available: El Nativo Growers, Tree of Life, others
Eriogonum parvifolium—Bluff buckwheat
Often grows closest to ocean front on bluffs at Torrey pines.
Eriogonum giganteum—Saint Catherine’s lace***
Stunning plant from Catalina Island. Grows well in San Diego coastal region. No summer water needed.
Eriogonum grande var.rubescens—Red-Flowered buckwheat**
Striking member of the buckwheat family from the Channel Islands.
Eriogonum latifolium—Coast buckwheat
Grows in Torrey Pines Park and around many local lagoons
Eriophyllum nevinii ‘Canyon Silver’—Canyon Silver island snowflake
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. californicum—Fremontia, Flannelbush
Not found growing wild along the coast but can adapt to steep coastal banks if planted there. Worth a try for its extreme beauty next to blue ceonothus on a steep slope. Needs some water to become established. No summer irrigation once extablished.
Heteromeles arbutifolia—Toyon**
White flowers in spring followed by colorful red berries in fall and winter bringing birds. Some selections have larger bunches of berries. Abundant in local coastal canyons.
Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii—Coastal goldenbush, Menzies goldenbush***
Common along the coast, abundant flowers in late summer.
Tree of Life Nursery, San Juan Capistrano, 92693
Isomeris arborea—Bladderpod
Found in Torrey Pines Park and around local lagoons
Lavatera assurgentiflora—Island shrub mallow**
Evergreen shrub, to six feet, long flower season, very salt tolerant, from Channel Islands, has naturalized in some mainland areas.
Lepechinia calycina ‘Rocky Point—Rocky Point pitcher sage**
Brings butterflies. El Nativo growers has this compact (to 3 feet)selection. Good coastal plant.
Lupinus arboreus—Bush lupine***
Grows well along the coast. Self seeds. (Las Pilitas Nursery)
Malacothamnus fasciculatus, (syn.: M. arcuatus) ‘Edgewood’—Bush mallow, Coastal bushmallow***
Improved form of delightful shrub with flowers over long season, almost year round if irrigated. Often sprouts on disturbed land and the wild unimproved form is currently seen growing adjacent to Penasquitos Lagoon. Some sources say it does not live long unless cut to the ground annually in fall. Detests hot interior climates, but thrives near the ocean. Makes a very good bank cover Can be seen on Leucadia Blvd where the road cuts through the golf course. This steep irrigated, planting blooms almost year round and none of these examples have either been cut back or died since they were planted about 5 years ago. May attract ground squirrels, rabbits, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
Malosma laurina (Rhus laurina)—Laurel sumac
Big shrub or small tree. Las Pilitas
Mimulus aurantiacus—Bush monkeyflower
Yellow, white or orange, shrub or subshrub, widely adapted and very colorful with many improved hybrids. Grows well along the coast. Common in Torrey Pines Park and on north-facing hillsides.
Myrica californica—Pacific wax myrtle
Shrub or tree to 15 feet, best along the coast. Las Pilitas.
Rhamnus croceas—Redberry; Spiney redberry.
Brings birds and butterflies, good barrier plant. Needs no water once established. Tidy looking evergreen shrub, flat to 2 feet mounding. Las Pilitas Nursery.
Rhamnus californica ‘Eve Base’—Coffeeberry
More compact form of large, 8-foot chapparal shrub; this one grows to about 5 feet. Looks shaped without clipping. No irrigation needed, once established. (Las Pilitas Nursery.)
Rhus integrifolia—Lemonade berry***
Among the best-looking, easiest-to-grow, evergreen shrubs native to the San Diego coastal area. Found all around San Elijo Lagoon and most other lagoons. Good road edge and screen in gardens. Can be grown in full sun or light shade, with or without irrigation. Amenable to clipping, shearing, and training. May succumb to root rot if grown in heavy soil and irrigated too much in summer.
Salvia leucophylla—Purple sage**
Grows wild in Torrey Pines Park. Large sprawling groundcover, well adapted to coast. Las Pilitas.
Salvia mellifera—Black sage
Most abundant sage in Torrey Pines Park. 3 feet tall. Las Pilitas
Suaeda taxifolia—Woolly sea-blight
Common to salt marshes, can be grown where the ground floods. Las Pilitas
Trichostema lanatum—Woolly bluecurls**
Common at low elevations, less common around lagoons but worth a try for its lovely blue flowers.

PERENNIALS

Achillea millefolium—Yarrow**
Frequent member of our coastal plant community
Aster chilensis ‘Point Saint George’—Point Saint George aster**
Improved selection of a similar aster species to the species of aster found growing in coastal San Diego.
Aster subulatus var. ligulatus—Slim aster
Grows near coastal lagoons, such as Buena Vista
Coreopsis maritima—Sea dahlia***
Cannot take summer irrigation. Needs full sun.
Dryopteris arguta—Coastal wood fern
Needs shade,
Erigeron glaucus—Seaside daisy**
Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum—Golden yarrow**8
Gnaphalium californicum–California everlasting**
Fragrant blooms over a long period in spring into summer.
Lotus scoparius, var. scoparius—Coastal deerweed***
Lotus brevarius grows inland after fires. L. scoparius is abundant near San Elijo and other lagoons and along coastal roads. Long bloom season spring and summer. Short lived but fixes nitrogen in soil. Las Pilitas
Sidalcea malviflora—Checkerbloom**
Tanacetum—Dune tansy**

ANNUALS

Abronia umbellate ssp. umbellate—Sand verbena
Prostrate and spreading with purple flowers in spring and summer common in sandy coastal clearings.
Camissonia bistorta—Calfornia sun cup
One of the more easily identified yellow spring wildflowers common in sandy soil near coast.
Cryptantha intermedia—Popcorn flower
Coastal wildflower with bunches of white flowers on hairy plant in
Spring.
Layia platyglossa—Tidy tips
Seen in spring on Torrey Pines bluffs
Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia—California aster
Native to coastal San Diego***
Lasthenia californica—Goldfields***
Common on Torrey Pines bluffs
Linanthus dianthiflorus—Ground pink
Colorful, abundant after good rains, low stature.
Pluchea odorata—Fragrant march fleabane
Found near lagoons and marshes, pink flowers in summer and fall. Frangrant gray foliage.
Stephanomeria diegensis—San Diego wreath plant
Little purplish-white flowers on wirey plant have some resemblence to babies breath, common summer wildflower near the coast.

GRASSES

Not listing any grasses due to invasive qualities.

SUCCULENTS

Agave shawii—Shaw agave***
Excellent barrier plant with clean appearance, bold, architectural shape and ferocious spines. Uniquely-shaped bloom spike is attractive to hummingbirds.
Cylindropuntia prolifera—Coast cholla**
Extremely prickly plant for keeping out intruders, not for use near paths.
Opuntia littoralis; O. orricula—Coast prickley pear**
Effective spiney barrier plant for use away from paths. Used on banks will keep out intruders entering from above or around gates.
Dudleyas—Any of the types listed on the green roof list would adapt to being grown on the ground, but could easily be damaged by foot traffic.

Planting California Native Plants

Pat — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:20:38 +0000

Here is the way to plant native plants (Best time to plant: in November)

Native plants like best to be planted in plain, native, un-amended soil. Amended soil where garden plants have grown is not the best environment for native plants because native plants are sensitive to fungi and other pathogens that have been brought in with exotic plants. Best scenario is to plant natives straight into bared bulldozed ground with all prior plant material removed.

Make sure plants were well watered prior to planting. (If they are dry water them in the can again.)
Clean any existing mulch off the ground, making a large bare space surrounding the hole that has no mulch. (Mulch must not touch roots or get mixed into native soil.)
Dig the hole to the same depth as the depth of the plant from soil level to bottom of root ball.
Place the soil you remove from the hole onto clean ground. Or you can put it onto a tarp.
Fill the hole with water and let it drain out.
Fill the hole a second time with water and let it drain out once again. (In very dry soil it’s wise to do this 3 times before planting.)
Carefully remove plant from can supporting root ball with your hands so roots do not break. (Native plants have notoriously fragile roots. Plants are often killed by careless handling at planting time.)
Sometimes roots are wound around in can. If so, gently loosen them but take care while you are doing this that roots don’t break off from the crown of the plant because of the weight of the root ball.
Place the plant into the hole with the top of the plant on the same level as surrounding ground. Check the soil level. Fill in with native soil removed from the planting hole and press down with hands, never with feet.
Use the extra soil taken from the hole to form a watering basin on the edge of the rootball. A week later move water basin out further.
Replace mulch on top of the ground.
Water the plant thoroughly.
Water again the next day.
Water 3 times a week the first week.
Water once a week thereafter.
In summer spritz tops of foliage in early morning or evening to mimic the effect of a brief monsoon rain that washes off dust but doesn’t really get soil wet. These plants can absorb moisture through their leaves. For many natives, watering the ground surrounding their roots in warm weather is likely cause root rot rot and kill the plants.

Native Plants Suitable For A Green Roof

Pat — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:22:25 +0000

In this short list are several succulents, and two grasses. Several groundcovers, a few bulbs, and some perennials would also be worthy contestants but all these would require regular maintenance, so they are not included.

SUCCULENTS:

General Characteristics of Dudleyas—
Approximately 40 species native to California and Mexico
Members of stonecrop family (Crassulaceae)
Can survive 20 or 50 years with little care.
Some are summer deciduous, (actually disappearing in summer) and die if watered in summer.
Others are evergreen, or will remain evergreen in foggy climate or with light occasional irrigation.
Most like to go dry in late summer.
Some species resent any summer irrigation.
Plants attract birds who collect and disperse the fine seeds.
Seeds are also spread by wind, may sprout on bare banks in the region thus helping spread these beautiful and non-weedy native plants.
When dudleyas fail in cultivation it is usually from root rot from over-watering.
All can survive without summer irrigation, though leaves may shrivel.

The following dudleyas that are available in the trade and worth trying on this green roof.

Fingertips, Ladies Fingers—(Dudleya edulis)

Attractive, low (1 foot tall and wide) evergreen plant. Native to San Diego coastal region. Grayish green foliage is edible, a source of food of Native Americans. Can take light, occasional summer irrigation. Needs some summer irrigation for survival if grown in full sun in sandy soil. I have observed it growing in pine needle debris on a north-facing, tile roof at the top of the Del Mar hill where it survived at least 45 years that I know of and stayed green year round with no summer irrigation other than drips of moisture on foggy days from overhanging foliage. Can take summer water. Its “fingers” will stay more plumped up through summer if occasionally watered very lightly overhead (like a light summer rain) or by drip. Plants are available at Las Pilatas Native Plant Nursery.

Catalina Island dudleya,—(D. virens ssp. hassei)

Evergreen plant endemic to Catalina Island, makes an excellent ground cover. Plants spread in profusely-branched mounds 6 to 8 inches high and wide. Tolerant of heavy soil.

Frank Reinelt dudleya, Anacapa dudleya (D. ‘Frank Reinelt’, D. ‘Anacapa’)

Improved selection with tight low mounds, 6 to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide with profuse yellow flowers in spring. Silvery leaves flush rosey-purple in winter. Available from Native Sons Nursery, others.

Candleholder dudleya—(D. candelabrum)

Among many island endemic dudleyas this one from Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel islands is adapted to rocky soil. Rosettes of leaves are not finger-shaped, but measure 6 to 10 inches across. The leaves are chunky, green, flattened, and send up tight clusters of pale yellow flowers in spring, hence the name.

Britton dudleya—(D. brittonii)

Most popular of dudleyas, prized for its stunningly large (6 to 12-inch) rosette of luminous, whitish or silvery leaves. In spring sends up a tall (1 to 2 1/2 foot) flower stalk which turns red when it bears its yellow flowers. Makes a good pot plant since must have good drainage. Worth trying on the roof but may die from root rot and unlike other varieties named here, might need some brown leaves removed.

General Characteristics of Native Agaves
Most agave’s are too large for use on a roof or are native to hot interior regions and do not do well along the coast. However, the following agave is native to the coast and small enough for a roof. It can be seen growing wild in Torrey Pines Park and on coastal bluffs throughout southern California.

Shaw agave—(Agave shawii)

Bold-looking, architectural rosettes (3-foot tall and 2 feet wide) of succulent, sharply-spined, leaves are handsome year round and can be used as an effective barrier against foot traffic. Individual plants eventually create large colonies forming strong, sculptural accents. Can be used in drifts for good effect. Once an individual has matured it will send up a 7 or rarely even to 12 foot tall flower stalk with attractive rounded yellow bloom clusters that are irresistible to hummingbirds. A negative factor to this plant is that after bloom the entire rosette dies (though not the clump.) In nature the plants remain highly attractive despite the dead rosette and browning flower stalk bearing seed pods after blooms fade, but in a garden or perhaps on a roof, people may feel that the one dead rosette should be removed from the clump of new plants that by now has grown up around it. Also the flower stems may be too tall for harmonious appearance on a roof.

Shaw agave can adapt to irrigation and occasional water may improve its appearance in dry weather especially in shallow soil.

GRASSES

The main reason for any objection to grasses on this roof is the possible need for occasional mowing for safety and appearance, which might be difficult on a roof. A second reason is the problem with seedlings sprouting in the lagoon area. Nonetheless, here are two native grasses that don’t not seem to be particularly invasive and might be a good choices, providing an excellent appearance year round, and also might do well on this roof with little or no mowing:

Red Fescue—(Festuca rubra ‘Slopesaver’)

Red fescue is native to moist climates in California and is widely grown as an ornamental grass to provide an informal greensward or bank cover in sun or shade. It is available as sod or seed in as many as 40 named cultivars, the best known of which is given above. Given regular irrigation it maintains a beautiful green appearance year round. Tufted drifts 3 to 12 inches high spread by rhizomes. This grass is disease and pest free. It can be grown without mowing or can be mowed with a weed wacker if desired. Gray selections are drought-resistant. Red fescue would provide an extremely attractive sod roof and has been successfully used for this purpose.

Blue grama—(B. gracilis)

A tough, very drought-resistant, bunch grass that forms slowly spreading tufts, 4 to 16 inches tall, of wiry grass. It must have full sun and will die if over-watered. Allowing it to dry out completely between summer irrigations may be the best way to keep it happy. Best adapted to the hot, dry interior where it goes brown in winter, this grass may stay partially green in winter in this coastal zone, but it may not do as well as red fescue in a foggy coastal zone.

Native Plants of the Southern California Coast

Pat — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:41:55 +0000

Southern California is not a desert. Only the area east of the mountains can correctly be characterized as a desert having plants we know as desert plants.

The coastal zones of California, west of the mountains have a Mediterranean climate, which means dry summers with brilliant sunshine and blue skies, and almost all rainfall concentrated during the mild, winter and spring, averaging 10 to 40 inches per year (worldwide average for Mediterranean climates). Snowfall is rare except at high elevations.

Mediterranean climates occur on approximately 2% of the world’s total land, on the south and southwestern portions of a large land mass. There are 5 main areas: California, the Mediterranean Basin, Central Chile, Western Cape of South Africa, and Southwest and South Australia (which also faces West.)

Native plants of these regions are typically endemic to certain defined areas, because of climates within climates, caused by sun, shade, temperature, distance from coast, elevation, air currents, soil, and moisture. Not all native plants are drought resistant.

Plant adaptation, drought-evading tactics include: Summer-deciduous plants, bulbs store water in roots, annuals die after setting seeds, seeds spring up after fire, tap roots for rapid establishment combined with fine surface roots to catch moisture, plants springing from ground after fire, gray leaves resistant to sun, hairs on leaves to protect leave (hirsute), tough leathery leaves resist dehydration, thick succulent leaves and stems, protective waxy surface of leaves, mulch from fallen leaves.

Plant history of California:

Much of California coastal region was covered with native bunchgrasses. Antelope (prong horns) abounded. The Indians burned off the thick chaparral in winter to make more spaces for grasses to grow and also to create pathways for themselves so they could get around through the thick growth. This was the California seen by Portola. In one area a botanist with his group described a valley covered with wild roses. Obviously this was a dry land, but not a desert! Native oaks also forested some portions.
California poppy fields in Altadena were a landmark to Spanish galleons 30 miles distant, out to sea. At first they thought it was a hillside covered with gold.
The Mission era was marked by an influx of Spanish priests who imported food plants and used irrigation methods learned in Spain. They saved the wild landscape but brought in certain non-native plants such as California pepper, Canary Island palm, and, from Northern California, Monterey cypress.
The Rancho era.
- Cattle ate and destroyed our native grasses.
- Ranchers imported European annual grasses that go brown in summer and now cover our hills

The privilege of living in San Diego, combined with the danger of fire.

Compared to Amalfi coast where the hills burn but the houses are built of stone and all huddled together in walled, fireproof villages. We are just now beginning to learn about fire-resistant housing and gardens.
Different types of Chaparral (Chaparral is not all alike. Each is a mix of many plants in a plant community, and these are distinguished and named for the dominant plant in each one.)
- chamise chaparral,
- coastal sage chaparral
- ceonothus chaparral,
- manzanita chapparal,
- scrub oak chapparal,
- others.

Similar plant communities or habitats in other Mediterranean climates around the world.

Mantorral—Chile, or Espino (sparse savannah)
Fynbos—South Africa (meaning “fine brush” or “fine bush”—proteas etc.) or Ericas (meaning heaths)
Scrub Heath—Australia
Maquis—Mediterranean (many types) and Garrigue (same thing but sparser and on poorer ground.)

Native Plants Of Southern California’s Coastal Zones

Pat — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:35:57 +0000

These are plants adapted to Mediterranean climate, drought-resistant plants, that can survive in coastal California zones on natural rainfall in winter alone.

Pinus torreyana—Torrey Pine (a source of pine nuts for local native American tribes.)
Coreopsis maritima—Sea dahlia. (Cannot abide summer water in gardens.)
Encelia californica—California coastal shrub daisy (native to coastal southern California. (E. farinosa—Brittlebush, or Incienso, is a desert plant, found in interior zones.)
Encelia farinosa (growing in the interior near Poway.)
Chrysanthemum coronarium—Crown daisy, Chop-suey greens, (roadside, self-sewn, naturalized, non-native plant often found growing on disturbed land, road edges next to chapparal but does not mix with the wild plants, nor crowds them out.)
Dudleya lanceolata—Lance-leaf dudleya, Live-forever . (D. brittonii has wide leaves, chalky surface, pink flowers, once widely distributed in coastal areas but cannot survive if watered in summer.)
Dudleya edulis—Ladies Fingers. These were a source of salad greens for Native Americans.
Dudley brittonii, wide leaves, chalky surface, pink flowers, once widely distributed along the coast, still exists in Rancho Santa Fe, under eucalyptus where there is no summer irrigation. This plant springs up during the fall rains and is summer deciduous.)
Agave americana —Barrier plant, for keeping out traffic, people, dogs, etc.. Native to Mexico, not a chaparral plant.
Fremontodendron ‘Pacific Sunset’—Fremontia, Flannelbush. An improved variety, or selection good for banks. No summer water, once established. Good drainage a must.
Ceanothus ‘Joyce Coulter’—California lilac best adapted to gardens. Excellent planted next to ‘Pacific Sunset’ Fremontodendron on steep bank.
Ceanothus ‘Popcorn’ has very small leaves. (white varieties are native to coastal regions.)
Plants for steep hillside that gets no water once established include Atriplex canescens—Four-wing saltbush and Rhus trilobata—Squawbush
Cleveland sage, (Salvia clevelandii) is often grown in gardens. Best garden variety is ‘Winnifred Gilman.’ This is very aromatic in gardens and can take occasional water in summer.
Black sage (Salvia mellifera) is the local wild coastal sage. (Salvia clevelandii is a better one for gardens and has lavender flowers. Salvia aptinia is the white sage used to make Indian smoke sticks out of.
Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri.)
Romneya coulteri—Matilija poppy (Native to canyons near Santa Barbara, almost extinct in the wild.)
Monkey flower. (Mimulus) M. aurantiacus is Sticky Monkey flower, Shrubby monkey flower or Scarlet monkey flower is Mimulus cardinalis. This one is native to damp and wet places. Mimulus aurantiacus grows wild and blooms almost year round on un-irrigated north-facing hillsides.
Verity Hybrid Mimulus. Newer hybrids called Verity hybrids are excellent garden plants, can survive watering.
Spice bush (Cneorum cneoridium dumosum)—Citrus family
Redberry (Rhamnus crocea) the fruit is edible. Taste ranges from bitter to cherrylike. Bitter aftertaste.
Malosma laurina (Rhus laurina)—Laurel sumac in Torrey Pines park. Good in gardens, common roadside plant in Del Mar. Good on banks.
Rhus integrifolia, Lemonade Berry, makes a wonderful plant for coastal gardens, needs no water or can take water, can be pruned into interesting shapes. Rhus ovata is similar but is the one to choose for interior gardens.
Chamise, Greasewood (Adenostema fasciculatum) can grow even on red rock sand stone, showing how natives can get started in a crack in the ground, but you can’t expect that behavior in gardens. (Highly flammable but adapts to gardens)
Warty-stem Ceonothus (Ceonothus verrucosus). Wild type with small white flowers in spring, not widely grown in gardens.
California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
Eriogonum arborescens ‘Santa Cruz’—Santa Cruz buckwheat is a fine garden variety. Deadhead after bloom. (Another wonderful and taller, dramatic buckwheat is E. giganteum—St. Catherine’s lace.
Coastal Sage Brush. (Artemisia californica) ‘Canyon Gray’ and ‘Montara’ are superior selections.
Deer weed, (Lotus scoparius)—perennial, covers hillsides after fire, native to coastal sage scrub and chapparal. (Said to be eaten by deer. Has pea-shaped blooms.
Cneoridium dumosum—Spicebush, (Citrus family.) Some people are allergic, break out in warts. (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi—Kinnikinnik, Bear berry—Good drought-resistant ground cover, prostrate grower, native to northern CA coast.
Mission manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor)—Member of the heath family.
Heteromeles arbutifolia—Toyon, California holly growing in Torrey pines park. Brings birds, excellent roadside, no water needed but can take garden water, member of the rose, subject to fireblight. Many growing wild in Del Mar.
Dendromecon rigida—Bush poppy (Dendromecon harfordii—Island bush poppy—good garden plant for full sun.)
Purple nightshade (Solanum xantii) Poisonous, long blooming, Local member of the nightshade family (Solanum rantonnetii is a non-native evergreen shrub for gardens from Paraguay and Argentina ‘Royal Robe’ is a good selection.)
Goldfields (Lasthenia californica) Member of the sunflower family.
Wishbone bush (Mirabilis californica)
Eriodictylon crassifolium—Yerba Santa (Named by the Spanish mission padres for its healing qualities. Cures respiratory infections and fevers. Bound the fresh leaves onto sores and smoked and chewed the dried leaves. Chew leaf: bitter taste changes to sweet cool taste.
Cucurbita foetidissima (Cucurbitacea family)—Stinking gourd. Foliage has fowl odor. Early Spanish settlers and Indians used the large root as a purgative or pounded it into a soap said to clean like nothing else but said to need careful rinsing since particles left in garments would irritate skin. Indians ate the seeds, Spanish ladies used the gourds as darning balls. Children played with them. Grows on banks in some coastal towns. A rough perennial vine with large, carrot-shaped root. Dies to the ground in winter.
Marah macrocarpus—Wild cucumber, Old man of the earth. Trailing perennial vine from huge fleshy root, dies to the ground in winter, can live for hundreds of years, one of the first plants to reappear after fire because of its large root. Also known as man root, since large enough to seem like a human corpse. Indians used the seeds for necklaces; children used them as marbles. Male flowers appear on special stems in groups of five to 20 with the stamens exposed and noticeable, at the base of this special stem may be one female flower with a fat little ovary, which turns into a large, egg-shaped bright green fruit, about 4 inches long, covered with big soft green prickles that turn hard and spiney as fruit dries. Inside are several handsome black seeds. (Marah refers to bitter waters in bible. Fruit is bitter.)
Vitis californica—California wild grape. A large vine, no fruit, provides delightful shade. Deciduous. Rogers Red holds gray-green leaf color all summer, turns red in fall. Vitis girdiana is nearly identical, native to Southern California.
Malocothamnus fasciculatus—Bush mallow. Grows on disturbed land, coastal sage, roadside, long-blooming, garden varieties may be available.
Suncups (Camissonia cheiranthifolia ssp. suffruticosa) Pretty flower of coastal dunes and cliffs.
Sisyrinchium bellum—Blue-eyed grass. Blooms magnificently after fire. Perennial. (S. bermudiae, is a native to Bermuda, self-sows in gardens, blooms year round. member of the iris family.
Ground pink (Lynanthus dianthiflora) Phlox family. This plant and flowers named below mix together and carpet undisturbed cliffs after rain.
Vining milkweed. (Sarcostemma cynanchoides) Milkweed family.
Morning Glory (Calystegia macrostegia)
Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)
Phacelia cicutaria—Woolly phacelia. Spring-blooming, high desert annual found in many wild flower mixes, adaptable to wildflower garden displays..
Woolley Indian Paint Brush (Castelleja foliosa) Figwort family
Woolley Indian Paint Brush (Castelleja foliosa) There is another species of Indian Paint Brush also growing in Torrey Pines Park. (C. affinis.) which has green floliage and reddish stems.
Sand verbena (Abronia umbellata)
Bladder Pod (Isomeris aborea) Very fragrant though some don’t like this fragrance.
Lavatera assurgentiflora—Island tree mallow (Nativc to Channel islands, naturalized on coastal mainland, grows in many local gardens.)
Mexican marigold— (Tagetes lemmonii). Lovely growing next to S. leucantha, roadside or in gardens. A shrub. Cut back hard after bloom.
Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha)-colorful planted with Mexican marigold.
Hummingbird flower, California fuchsia (Zauschneria californica, syn: Epilobium canum canum .)
Mexican tulip poppy (Hunnemannia fumariifolia )— Plants look unapreposessing in the cans. But in the ground Hunnemannia fumariifolia —Mexican tulip poppy is a colorful perennial in a garden. (Similar to California poppy. Perennial, often treated as annual.)
Eschscholzia californica—California poppy
Appropriate garden settings for these plants include:
Drought resistant gardens with dry stream bed and mix of native and exotic plants
Fire-resistant chaparral gardens, Zones 3 or 4 surviving with no irrigation, but with more water-adapted varieties subsisting on runoff fromhigher ground.
Coastal chaparral restoration and re-forestation projects.