© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. CountyProject SOUND – 2016 (our 12th year)

© Project SOUND

Fall Color: CA native plants for Autumn

color

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH (emeritus) & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh PreserveNovember 5 & 10, 2016

How do you picture ‘Fall Color’?

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.inspiredhomeideas.com/amazing-colorful-autumn-fall-pictures/

© Project SOUND

Bigleaf maple – Acer macrophyllum

©2016 Zoya Akulova

West coast & mountains – S. CA to Canada

Higher altitude stream banks & moist canyons; below 7000 ft.

Locally: Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains

© Project SOUND

Bigleaf maple – Acer macrophyllum

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=11746

Charles Thoreau Townsend © California Academy of Sciences

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_macrophyllum

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acer_macrophyllum_in_Hoh_Valley.jpg

© Project SOUND

Bigleaf maple: big tree when mature Size:

30-75+ ft tall 20-40 ft wide

Growth form: Woody tree; may be multi-

trunked Winter deciduous Lives 50-200 years Attractive wood; used for

furniture and veneers

Foliage: Large, maple leaves May have nice

fall color (yellow)

Roots: deepSusan McDougall, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

©2016 Zoya Akulova

http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/ace_mac.html

© Project SOUND

Flowers: barely noticeable

Blooms: Spring - usually late March in in S. Calif.

Flowers: Small, pale green-yellow Separate male & female flowers on

same tree; can vary timing Pollinators: bees, flies, and beetles;

Swallowtails

Seeds: Bristly, biwinged samara bearing one

seed/wing Prolific seeder

Vegetative reproduction: can sprout from stump

http://www.answers.com/topic/dudleya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_macrophyllum

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~bot356/species/species/a_eSpecie/AcerMacr.html

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: most local pH: any local to 8.0

Light: wide range – tolerates full sun to quite shady.

Water: Winter: supplement as needed Summer: regular water

Fertilizer: naturally grows in areas with slightly richer soils; supplement probably best

Other: Use an organic mulch (or a

water-loving grass) Roots may invade sewer lines Re-seeds

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/1095--acer-macrophyllum

© Project SOUND

Bigleaf maple: landscape tree

Any place a large, watered tree is needed; fine in lawns

Excellent habitat plant Fall color (with some cold

weather)http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/ace_mac.html

http://www.ucd.ie/plantmat/treeidentification/acer/http://friendsofpierpark.org/forest/big-leaf-maple-acer-macrophyllum/

© Project SOUND

* Vine Maple – Acer circinatum

© Clayton J. Antieau.

© Project SOUND

Vine Maple grows in moist forests

Soils: Texture: any well-drained pH: slightly acidic (5.5 to 7.5)

Light: Afternoon shade or even more

shady Great plant for under tall trees –

pines, firs

Water: Winter: need good water Summer: best watered weekly in

warm weather – Zone 2-3

Fertilizer: likes a rich soil with plenty of organics; fine to fertilize (2/3 strength/dose)

Other: organic mulch a must

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/acci1.htm

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/acci1.htm

© Project SOUND

Vine Maples brighten dark places

As an attractive accent plant – green foliage, red samaras & fall foliage color (maybe)

Along stream banks – for a woodsy look

In large pots – can even bonsai

As a tall informal or semi-formal screen

As a narrow tree in shady areas (like side-yards)

Espaliered along a wall, fence or large trellis

Susan McDougall @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © 2003, G. D. Carr

© Project SOUND

Acer circinatum‘Monroe’

Very deeply dissected leaves

Looks like Japanese Maples – good for Asian-themed garden

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7254

© Project SOUND

Acer circinatum‘Pacific Fire’

Very red bark

Yellow-orange foliage in fall – may be some red leaves in cold climates.

Widely available from commercial nurseries

http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/nativePicks/natives_acer_circinatum.shtml

© Project SOUND

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/acci1.htmhttp://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=357

© Project SOUND

American/Western dogwood – Cornus sericea

©2006 Shawn DeCew

Canada/northern U.S. into CA

Locally in San Gabriel Mtns, ? Santa Monica Mtns

Riparian areas and other moist sites

AKA ‘Redosier dogwood’

© Project SOUND

American/Western dogwood – Cornus sericea

©2013 Jean Pawek

Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

Var. occidentales Var. sericea

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: not particular; clays are fine

pH: any local

Light: part-shade (under taller trees or with some afternoon shade)

Water: Winter: fine with seasonal

flooding Summer: needs some summer

water – Zone 2 to 3

Fertilizer: use an organic mulch

Other: plant where gets good circulation

– susceptible to fungal diseases Prune out oldest 25% of

branches in winter

©2013 Jean Pawek

© Project SOUND

Dogwood in gardens Commonly used in places that get

a little extra water – rain gardens, swales, etc.

Makes a nice shrub under trees Can be used for hedges – coppice Also does fine in large containers

http://plantsciences.montana.edu/horticulture/PS231/VCTT/area10/area10b/Cornus_sericea.jpg

©2013 Julie Kierstead Nelson

http://www.talltreesgroup.com/Cornus%20Sericea.jpghttp://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/217--cornus-californica

Cornus sericea occidentalis'Tomales Bay'

California native cultivar from Tomales Bay, Marin County

All the good characteristics of the species

© Project SOUND

http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/cornus-sericea-occidentalis-tomales-bay

©2013 Jean Pawek

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/217--cornus-californica

© Project SOUND

S. California has some lovely, reliable fall foliage

Cottonwoods (Populus)

Willows (Salix)

Western Sycamore (Platanus racemose)Box elder (Acer negundo)

Issues with CA Riparian trees (in urban landscapes)

Large size: most are more appropriate for parks, botanic gardens, other large gardens

Some are prone to branch- drop (willows & cottonwoods)

Roots invade pipes – water-seeking

Susceptible to Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB)

© Project SOUND

The Narrowleaf willow can be grown in large containers

Some non-native trees may be better choices for reliable fall color

© Project SOUND

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia species)

© Project SOUNDhttps://perennialgardener.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/a-tree-for-all-seasons-2/crepe-myrtle-fall-color/

Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.urbanforestnursery.com/treeprofiles/profilesweetgum.html

Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)

© Project SOUNDhttp://ucanr.edu/blogs/uss/index.cfm?tagname=fall%20color

Asian pear - Pyrus serotina

© Project SOUND

‘Anna’ Apple - Malus domestica 'Anna'

© Project SOUND

http://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-tree-care-fall-planting

Pears and apples can be espaliered to accommodate a small space

© Project SOUNDhttp://arizonatraveler.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

© Project SOUND

California Wild Grape – Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’

© Project SOUND

Native CA Grapes are a great addition to the garden

Trained over a pergola or arbor – the classical use

To hide a chain-link or other fence

On trellises to screen a poor view or plain wall; or provide summer shade

As a groundcover, particularly on slopes

Even in a large Mediterranean pot

Because we don’t have truly cold temperatures, brilliant fall colors are less

reliable in S. California

© Project SOUND

Why do some leaves turn color in fall? Lengthening nights signal fall changes

in plant tissues

Leaves prepare for winter leaf-drop by:

Increased production of special chemicals; transporting nutrients out of leaf cells

Decreased production of the green pigment, chlorophyll

Yellow and orange pigments, previously masked by chlorophyll, now can be seen

With cold exposure, additional red (anthocyanin) pigments may also be produced

© Project SOUND

The secret ingredient: cold temperatures

© Project SOUNDhttp://regex.info/blog/2013-02-19/2213 http://www.gardensuiteresort.com/golden-temple-kyoto-pictures/

Reality: lowland S. California is too warm for brilliant fall leaf displays

In many parts of the country, chrysanthemums = fall

© Project SOUND

http://www.growplantsinpots.com/grow-chrysanthemum-plants-in-containers/

They are reliable, bright fall bloomers

Texas gardens (and the water-wise industry) have inspired another look for fall gardens

© Project SOUND

http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=18474

Why are the Tex-Mex fall bloomers so popular?

Something new & pretty

Bright colors; many cultivars, hybrids

Readily available

Good sizes for smaller gardens – even containers

Touted by commercial growers and ‘water-wise establishment’

Many are essentially tropical – tolerate more summer/fall water

© Project SOUND

Mexican sage – Salvia leucantha

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.sb.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=1480&return=b_aS

Native to Mexico & Central America

© Project SOUND

*Texas/Scarlet/Tropical sage – Salvia coccinea

https://www.pinterest.com/waterlooatx/hamel-2014/

Native to Texas and Southeastern U.S.

© Project SOUND

Scarlet Sage cultivars Attractive pot plant, even in part-shade Easy from seed; readily available on-line Needs regular water

http://fnps.org/plants/plant/salvia-coccinea

http://www.mullerseeds.com/salvia-cocconea-summer-jewel-pink.html

© Project SOUND

*Baby/Graham's/Blackcurrant sage –Salvia microphylla

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_microphylla

Native to mountains of SE Arizona, Mexico

© Project SOUND

Why it’s loved Attractive flowers, foliage Fills a pot or planter Takes part-shade Needs regular water Readily available Many cultivars, mostly reds, pinks

https://englishgardeneclectic.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/2012-the-winners/

http://www.prideofplaceplants.com/2011/plants/salvia-greggii-heatwave-blaze/

‘Blaze’

http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/garden/bloom_14_12.shtml

‘Hot Lips’

© Project SOUND

*Autumn (Texas) sage – Salvia greggii

http://www.geoscapenursery.com/Perennials.html

Native to Texas, Mexico

© Project SOUND

Salvia greggii in the garden Attractive choice for pots and planters Can be spectacular when massed Many cultivars: mostly brilliant reds, pinks and

magentas, but also purples, peach, even white Aromatic foliage Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies Tolerates heat, but needs regular water

http://www.eldoradowindyfarm.com/SFBG-salviavarious.htmlhttp://dancingredranch.com/where-have-all-the-hummingbirds-gone/

My (potential) reservations about the Tex-Mex fall color plants

They don’t really look like S. California – don’t contribute to our ‘sense of place’

May be invasive, particularly in our climate

May not be as good habitat plants as local natives

May not be as water-wise as we’re told (come from areas with summer precipitation)

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=8454

If you really need those colors in your fall design scheme:

Use them as accents, rather than main players (unless you’re going for a Texas-style garden)

Grow them in containers

Easier to give them the water they need (even if the rest of the garden is drier)

Allow you to create fall color even in shadier places (where these plants actually do well)

Don’t let them re-seed

© Project SOUND

Do you have to have fall garden that looks like this?

© Project SOUND

https://zoomeboshi.com/2012/10/21/fall-colors/

http://signaturegardens.blogspot.com/2010/12/playing-favorites.html

Or can you learn to relish one that looks like this?

© Project SOUND

What is your favorite color?

© Project SOUNDhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology#/media/File:RGB_color_wheel_72.svg

Men and women like different colors…

© Project SOUND

http://neilpatel.com/2015/05/14/the-psychology-of-color-how-to-use-colors-to-increase-conversion-rate/

…but the most favorite colors overall are blue and green

It’s easy to create a pleasing garden with blue skies and plenty of green

© Project SOUND

Fall garden colors present a bit more challenge

© Project SOUNDhttps://instapage.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-color-psychology

Golds, tans, oranges and browns

Positive associations

Ageless and timeless Straightforward,

uncomplicated Solid, reliable, serious Practical Warm and cozy Nature and natural things Restful, safe

Negative associations

Dead plants; vacant lots Untidy Cheap, frugal (too sensible) Somber Dull, boring Conservative Fall garden chores

© Project SOUND

That just means we have to work a little smarter when designing fall gardens

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Natural landscapes: lovely in fall

What makes these landscapes attractive?

© Project SOUND

Some green

Contrasting accentsMasses of color

Dark background ‘frames’ the picture

Contrasts are an important design element

© Project SOUND

But contrast is essential for the fall garden

© Project SOUND

The two most important fall

contrasts

© Project SOUND

Green vs. non-green

Light vs. dark

A few tricks for creating a colorful Southern California fall garden

1. Provide backgrounds that highlight fall accent plants

2. Plan enough green foliage to ensure:

The garden still looks viable Enough contrast for the colorful

parts of the garden

3. Select plants that provide fall color accents:

Leaf color Bright fall flowers Colorful seeds, fruits or other

© Project SOUND

The background color depends on the accent plant

© Project SOUND

The importance of a contrasting backdrop becomes even more obvious in fall

© Project SOUND

Mother Nature often relies on darker evergreen trees to provide the backdrop

© Project SOUND

This trick also works well in gardens

© Project SOUND

A few tricks for creating a colorful Southern California fall garden

1. Provide backgrounds that highlight fall accent plants

2. Plan enough green foliage to ensure:

The garden still looks viable Enough contrast for the colorful

parts of the garden

3. Select plants that provide fall color accents:

Leaf color Bright fall flowers Colorful seeds, fruits or other

© Project SOUND

We’ve talked before about the benefits of green hedges, screens & hedgerows

© Project SOUND

Larger evergreen shrubs/hedges provide a good backdrop for many fall colors

© Project SOUND

Plants to consider for a green fall background Evergreen conifers

Pines (consider size) Junipers

Evergreen shrubs Toyon Sugarbush Lemonadeberry Coffeeberry Smaller manzanitas Scrub oaks

Agaves Agave shawii Agave ‘Blue Flame’ (A.

shawii x attenuata) Yucca bacata & other

Yuccas Warm season grasses

© Project SOUND

Shaw’s agave

California coffeeberry

If you only have a small space? Use wall color to provide a backdrop…

© Project SOUND

…or cover the wall with an evergreen

© Project SOUND

Cover with evergreen vines

Espalier an evergreen native (like Toyon)

I can’t emphasize too strongly: green foliage is an essential part of the well-designed

S. California fall garden

© Project SOUND

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘green’?

fresh shady

cool spring

© Project SOUND

Can green effect our brains?

Green is often used in decorating for its calming effect. For example, guests waiting to appear on television programs often wait in a “green room” to relax.

Green is thought to relieve stress and help heal. Those who have a green work environment experience fewer stomachaches.

Green can improve reading ability (speed and comprehension) - ? Improves concentration

© Project SOUND

http://www.furnisketch.com/antique-retro-the-green-room/

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/floor1/green-room.htm

Medium to dark greens make light and bright colors appear more intense

© Project SOUND

Mother Nature’s fall design: the basics

© Project SOUND

Evergreen background

Green accents

Large swaths of different browns, golds & tans

Garden design: same basics adapted for use in a smaller landscape

© Project SOUND

Evergreen background

Green accents

Large swaths of different browns, golds & tans

Note how this garden uses ‘appropriated’ trees for part of the green backdrop

How much green do you need?

choice25%

© Project SOUND

choice40%

choice50%

choice75%

choice10%

Depending in the garden size and accent colors, 25-40% green coverage

© Project SOUND

Ironically, large landscapes may get by with less green than smaller ones

Of course the choice and placement of background plants depends on the accent plants

© Project SOUND

A few tricks for creating a colorful Southern California fall garden

© Project SOUND

1. Provide backgrounds that highlight fall accent plants

2. Plan enough green foliage to ensure:

The garden still looks viable Enough contrast for the colorful

parts of the garden

3. Select plants that provide fall color accents:

Leaf color Bright fall flowers Colorful seeds, fruits or other

Sometimes you can incorporate fall color into your hedge or hedgerow

© Project SOUND

Native plants with colorful fall foliage/bark

Trees/large shrubs Western dogwood (Cornus

glabrata) Cornus sericea

Red/purple Vines/climbers & groundcovers Acer circinatum Anemopsis californica Lonicera hispidula Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’

Smaller shrubs Berberis/Mahonia aquifolium Ribes (Currant/Gooseberries)

© Project SOUND

Mahonia aquifolium Ribes speciosum

California’s fall red foliage – sometimes subtle and sophisticated

© Project SOUND

http://www.wineandbeerwalk.com/info_wilmington.html

Pink Honeysuckle – Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Berries are edible – enjoyed by birds Berries in summer/fall Bright red – in showy clusters –

can be dramatic Fruits edible – with a little

sweetner Fruit-eating birds will take care

of them for you

http://www.backyardnature.net/n/09/091004.htm

http://blog.duncraft.com/2010/08/10/feed-fruit-and-berries-to-your-birds/

Cedar waxwing

Garden uses for native honeysuckles On fences or trellises – they need

something to grow on

Over an arbor or pergola; great addition to scented garden & great habitat plants

As a groundcover on slopes

© Project SOUND

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/psd/lonicera_hh.jpg

© Project SOUND

Yerba Mansa – Anemopsis californica

S. California’s native fall colors: sometimes warm and bright

© Project SOUND

Native plants with colorful fall foliage/bark

Yellow/orange/mahogany

Trees Willows (Salix species) Cottonwoods (Populus species) Western sycamore (Platanus

racemosa) Boxelder (Acer negundo) Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) S. Californa walnut (Juglans

californica) Island ironwoods (Lyonothamnus

floribundus)

Large shrubs Western redbud (Cercis

occidentalis ) Sourberry (Rhus trilobata) Currants & gooseberries

(Ribes)

Smaller shrubs Amelanchier alnifolia

'Regent‘ Wild roses (Rosa species)

© Project SOUND

Other local sources of yellow foliage

© Project SOUND

Blue/Mexican elderberry

Sourberry – Rhus trilobata

Wild roses

S. CA Wild Grape - Vitis girdiana

Sometimes the color is fleeting, but other local natives provide lasting leaf color

© Project SOUND

Island ironwoods (Lyonothamnus floribundus) create a colorful mulch for many months

© Project SOUND

Western redbud – Cercis orbiculata/occidentales

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/437412182535475317/

N. California east to S. Utah and south to S. Arizona; at 500-6000 ft. elevation

Dry, shrubby slopes, canyons, ravines, streambanks

Chaparral, Douglas Fir Forest, Central Oak Woodland, Joshua Tree Woodland and Yellow (Ponderosa) Pine Forest

© Project SOUND

Western redbud – Cercis orbiculata/occidentales

http://clminternship.org/blog/?author=572&paged=2 ©2005 Gary A. Monroe

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=203

© Project SOUND

Western redbud: large shrub/small tree

Size: 6-20 ft tall 6-20 ft wide

Growth form: Multi-trunk large shrub or

small tree, Rounded crown w/ many

spreading branches; can be trained to a central leader.

Gray bark

Foliage: Rounded heart-shaped leaves Winter deciduous; fall color

(yellow-gold to red-brown)

https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/cercis-occidentalis

©2009 Gary A. Monroe

© Project SOUND

Western redbud makes a nice small tree

Small tree for water-wise gardens Excellent wildlife habitat Year-long interest: flowers, green

foliage, fall color (leaves, pods), architectural branches (winter)

Fine on slopeshttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/11962755236984876/

The real local stars of fall have showy flowers and/or seeds & fruits

© Project SOUND

Plants with fall flowers – Yellow, orange, buff

Shrubs (large) Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) Goldenbushes

Hazardia species Isocoma menziesii

Shrubs (smaller) Abutilon Rabbitbush (Ericameria

nauseosa) Other Ericameria species Gutierrezia californica

Other Annual sunflower

(Helianthus annuus) Clinopodium mimuloides Epilobium canum Heterotheca grandiflora Mimulus cardinalis

© Project SOUND

California Fuschia – Epilobium canum

California fuschia look spectacular massed – or against a green backdrop

© Project SOUND

If you’re limited to container gardening, a few orange-flowered plants may bloom again in Fall

© Project SOUND

http://www.livingandkitchen.com/15454-cheap-adirondack-chairs-exterior-modern-with-adirondak-deck-dobkins-house-floor-to-ceiling-window-frank-lloyd-wright-mid-century-patio-potted/cheap-adirondack-chairs-porch-beach-with-adirondack-chairs-area-rug-container-plants-hurricane-lamps-neutral-colors-outdoor-cushions/

© Project SOUND

Scarlet Monkeyflower - Mimulus cardinalis

© Project SOUND

*Monkeyflower savory – Clinopodium mimuloides

Beatrice F. Howitt © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Monkeyflower savory: a little more upright

Size: 1-3 ft tall 2-4 ft wide

Growth form: Sub-shrub/perennial; drought-

deciduous to evergreen Slender, fuzzy branches; more

upright in brighter locations Fast growth

Foliage: Simple, medium-green Aromatic – minty (tea)

Roots: shallow roots; spread via rhizomes

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/satureja-mimuloides

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any pH: any local

Light: Best bloom in morning sun; part-

shade, dappled shade or quite shady in most gardens

Water: Winter: adequate; tolerates

seasonal flooding Summer: keep it green (Water

Zone 2-3) or more natural (Zone 2) – taper off water in late Aug/Sept

Fertilizer: probably OK; organic mulch would work as well

Cut back to 2-4 inches in late fall after blooming ceases (like CA Fuschia – Epilobium species)

© Project SOUND

Monkeyflower savory: hummingbird habitat Under trees and other shady parts of the

garden - groundcover In a hummingbird garden paired with

Heuchera maxima & Aquilegia Formosa –mid-ground

As an attractive pot plant

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=950https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5579/14797700067_98a9c7fccf.jpg

If you have a sunny location, you’re in luck

© Project SOUND

Notice how the yellow flowers contrast with green background

The Goldenbushessignal Fall

Isocoma menziesii Hazardia squarrosa

Telegraph plant (Heterotheca grandiflora)

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Two Coastal Goldenbushes

Similar growth habit (2-4 ft shrub) and flowers; fall blooming (Aug-Oct)

Coast Goldenbush: foliage lighter; leaves rounder, softer, Sawtooth Goldenbush: foliage stiffer, prickly

Coastal Goldenbush – Isocoma menziesii Sawtooth Goldenbush – Hazardia squarrosa

© Project SOUND

Goldenbushes are easy to grow in our area…

Soils: Texture: any, even clay pH: any, even alkali

Light: full sun best

Water: Young plants: need some water to get

going – plant in fall Summer: little to moderate (Zone 2);

looks better with occasional water

Fertilizer: none (although probably wouldn’t hurt it)

Other: even tolerates seaside conditionsCut back yearly in the fall after bloom

Goldenbushes are excellent choices for local water-wise gardens

Do well in almost any local soil

Water-wise & sun loving – need little to no supplemental water

Good size for mid-bed; foliage provides nice contrast to foreground plants (spring/summer)

Great for erosion control on slopes; mix with grasses, other native shrubs

Super habitat plants: butterflies, bees, birds in fall (when such habitat is needed)

© Project SOUND

Ericamerias – smaller shrubs for fall gold

Shorter and more shrub-like than Goldenbushes

Like occasional summer water Glorious color – fantastic habitat

© Project SOUND

Ericameria linearifolia

Ericameria ericoides

Ericameria nauseosa

The Senecios

© Project SOUND

Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii

Senecio californicus

©2015 Zoya Akulova

Look more like native perennial asters or sub-shrubs

Fewer flowers, but nice foliage Green up with late summer water Fabulous habitat plantsWe will have some of these

for sale at the Fall Plant SaleNov. 18, 19 - CSUDH

© Project SOUND

California Matchweed – Gutierrezia californica

http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/imageviewer.php?&genus=Gutierrezia&species=sarothrae&imagenum=0

Genus Gutierrezia Named for Pedro Gutierrez

(Rodriguez), a 19th century Spanish nobleman, botanist and apothecary at the Madrid Botanical Garden

Commonly called ‘Snakeweeds’ or ‘Matchweeds’

© Project SOUND

Native to CA and Baja Los Angeles Co.: foothills of San Gabriels

& Liebre Mtns, Griffith Park, Westwood, - 1 from Palos Verdes

Sunny sandy or rocky areas in grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands

AKA: San Joaquin snakeweed

© Project SOUND

CA Matchweed – Gutierrezia californica

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=3140

G.A. Cooper, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database ©2010 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

Matchweeds: small, bunching sub-shrubs

Size: 8-20 inches tall 2-3 ft. wide

Growth form: Mounded, bunching sub-

shrub from woody root Many stems – but fairly

open

Foliage: Medium- to gray-green,

narrow leaves (almost linear)

May be drought-deciduous

Roots: stout, woody taproot

J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Sunny & bright

Blooms: Usually May-Nov. in S. CA Blooms in response to rain or

watering – quite dramatic

Flowers: Small (1/4 to 1 inch) sunflower

heads with yellow ray and disk flowers

Fantastic insect plant; attracts wide range of insect pollinators (beetles, flies, bees, butterflies and others)

Seeds: fluffy sunflower seeds are favorite of birds

©2010 Neal Kramer

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Matchweeds are hardy, drought-resistant plants Soils:

Texture: prefers well-drained soils; if clay, plant on slope or berm

pH: any local

Light: full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: supplement if needed Summer: very drought tolerant, but

best with monthly water

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: Mulch should be inorganic (gravel) or

light organic Prune back (nibble) for nice shape

©2010 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

Matchweed in gardens As an attractive pot plant As a filler in mixed dry beds; great

with buckwheats, silver-foliage plants For Fall flower color As an important insect habitat plant,

particularly in Fall As a medicinal: warm poultice of

foliage for joint/muscle pain

©2009 Barry Breckling http://www.flickriver.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157630212655446/

…but that’s not all

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Berries of Summer holly and other fruit-bearing natives often provide Fall color

Plants with colorful Fall fruits, seeds Trees/large shrubs

Creambush (Holodiscusdiscolor)

Summer Holly (Comarostaphylisdiversifolia)

Toyon (Heteromelesarbutifolia)

Berry bushes, roses, grapes

Smaller shrubs Native buckwheats (Eriogonum

californicum; E. fasciculatum; E. giganteum; E. parvifolium)

Catalina silverbush

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Toyon – Heteromeles arbutifolia

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Toyon color occurs earlier with drier conditions

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But the real seed-color stars are the native buckwheats

Native Buckwheats: lovely throughout the year

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Giant Buckwheat/ St. Catherine’s LaceEriogonum giganteum var. formosum

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St. Catherine’s Lace makes a grand statement in the garden

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E. gianteum is a representative native buckwheat

Foliage White-green Thick Drought deciduous Used as larval food by Blue and

Hairstreak butterflies

Flowers typical Cream-pink fading to rust Clustered in dense heads Used as nectar source by many

butterflies, bees, other pollinators

Seeds – eaten by birds in late summer/fall

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/stcath.htm

Like all Eriogonums, prone to hybridization

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Garden potential

Tall informal hedge

On dry sunny slopes

For erosion control

As a specimen plant (both for gray foliage, summer flowers and fall seed heads)

Dried flowers in arrangements

Bird/butterfly habitat gardens

As a backdrop for smaller shrubs and perennials in a border, planter or parkway

In large pots; can be pruned up to show its thick, rough trunk and branching structure

Because of their dark fall seed heads, buckwheats also

make good background shrubs

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https://plus.google.com/s/Eriogonum%20giganteum/top

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California Buckwheat - Eriogonum fasciculatum

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California Buckwheat - Eriogonum fasciculatum

Southwestern U.S. to Utah, Arizona, nw Mexico s Sierra Nevada, Central

Western California, Southwestern California, East of Sierra Nevada, Desert

Common. Dry slopes, washes, canyons in scrub < 2300 m.

fasciculatum : derived from a Latin word meaning "bundles" and describing the way the leaves are attached to the leaf stem in little bunches or 'fascicles'

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/Syllabus2/factsheet.cfm?ID=639

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5936,5994,6045

var. fasciculatum

var. foliolosum

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var. fasciculatum: Dry slopes and canyons near the coast, coastal sage scrub

var. foliolosum: Sandy to gravelly flats, slopes & canyons , mixed grassland and chaparral communities, oak and conifer woodlands

http://www.cnps.org/cnps/nativeplants/gallery/ingram/index.php

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Characteristics of California Buckwheat

Size: similar to Dune Buckwheat 2-5 ft tall 3-5 ft wide

Growth form: low mounded semi-evergreen

shrub Many-branched, but truly

shrub-like

http://www.newportbay.org/plants/index.html

Foliage: Leave alternate, but densely clustered

at nodes, evergreen, narrow lanceolate (nearly needle-like)

http://www.birdmom.net/wildflowerspink.html

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CA Buckwheat: showy for months

Great for summer color: May-Nov. possible

As an alternative to the non-native Rosemary

In perennial beds

On parking strips & bordering paths and driveways

For erosion control

larval foodsource for MormanMetalmark, Bramble Hairstreak, Common Hairstreak, Avalon Hairstreak

Shrubby Buckwheats can even be sheared to shape for a more formal look

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CA Buckwheat cultivars make good (but large) groundcovers

‘Dana Point’ - brighter green leaf, more mounding than species; 2-3 ft tall, 5-8 ft spread

'Bruce Dickinson' – good for groundcover; stays close to the ground, spreads nicely, and holds good form throughout the year.

‘Theodore Payne' – low groundcover (1 ft high; 1-3 ft spread)

'Warriner Lytle' - A sprawling low growing California buckwheat; can grow to 2 feet tall but is often more prostrate, hugging the ground like a mat

‘Dana Point’

Warriner Lytle’

You could design an entire fall garden around our local native buckwheats

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A colorful S. California fall garden takes planning – and time

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Fall Pruning Workshops –Mother Nature’s Backyard

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Mother Nature provides some valuable lessons on fall gardening

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Coming in December: Designing with Silver Foliage

Several words come to mind when I see a Fall garden

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peaceful

grounded

productive

appropriate

warm & inviting

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I want to sit, relax and enjoy Fall’s bounty

A garden should connect California’s past with her future

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In summary, we have choices about how our Fall garden will look

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.inspiredhomeideas.com/amazing-colorful-autumn-fall-pictures/

Or we can learn to relish one that looks like this

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