Canyon Silktassel – Garrya veatchii (GARE-ee-uh VEECH-ee-eye)

Family: Garryaceae (Sillktassel Family) Native to: Southwestern CA from San Luis Obispo Co. to N. Baja; dry slopes in chaparral, oak woodlands below 6000 ft. elevation in Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains. Growth characteristics: evergreen woody shrub/tree mature height:8-15 ft. mature width: 6-8 ft. Large evergreen shrub or small tree, often with several trunks. Foliage dense or more open, depending in part on water, light. Leaves elliptical, white beneath, held upright on branches (reminiscent of Manzanita). Leaf edges may be flat, wavy, slightly rolled. Tidy-looking, liveoak-like. Blooms/fruits: Blooms spring – usually Feb-Apr. in our area. Species is dioecious (separate male & female plants). In both sexes small flowers in showy, hanging catkins (the ‘silk tassels’). Male plants have slightly longer catkins. Berries on female plants become dry, purple-brown at maturity. Uses in the garden: Long history of use as garden ornamental. Often used as a hedge/screen or large foundation plant. Looks equally nice trained as a specimen tree for patio or garden. Great along walls or fences. Adds a woodsy or Mediterranean feel to the garden. Pretty, water-wise. Sensible substitute for: Non-native evergreen shrubs of comparable size. Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover & nesting sites. Female plants provide seeds. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to light shade coastal; light to part-shade inland. Soil Most local textures and pH; clays fine unless very poorly drained. Water Very low needs once established (Zone 1-2 to 2); don’t overwater. Fertilizer None Other Management: Prune (if needed) in spring after flowering; don’t cut old wood. Can be hedged. Deer will browse. Choose young plants and plant in final position as resents root disturbance. Propagation: from seed: cold-treatment; plant in winter by cuttings: tip cuttings summer/fall Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 13 2/26/17

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Redshanks – Adenostoma sparsifolium (ad-en-OS-toh-muh spar-si-FOH-lee-um)

Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family) Native to: Southern CA from San Luis Obispo county to N. Baja, with largest populations in Riverside, San Diego counties. Locally in Santa Monica Mtns.; dry, well-drained slopes and mesas at elevations from 1,000 to 7,000 feet in Chaparral. Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tree mature height: 6 -15 ft. mature width: 8-12 ft. Woody shrub, mostly evergreen, often with multiple branches. Leaves are very narrow, linear, glandular. Old bark is red-brown, shreddy, hence the name ‘Redshanks’. Blooms/fruits: Blooms in summer. Small pale-yellow or cream flowers in open clusters. Very showy in bloom – literally covered with blooms. Flowers attract native insect pollinators. Uses in the garden: Most often used as a specimen plant or in chaparral-themed gardens. Can be pruned up to make an interesting multi-trunk tree – has lovely natural shape. Good habitat for birds. Thrives in hot, dry places. Good on slopes. Note: NOT FIRE-RETARDANT. Sensible substitute for: Non-native Acacias and other drought tolerant trees/large shrubs. Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun. Soil Adaptable; fine in clays. pH 6.5-7.5. Water None to little summer water once established (Water Zone 1 to 1-2] Fertilizer Not needed; light dose OK. Other Like organic mulch. Management: Pretty easy. Prune out dead/diseased branches as needed. Can prune as tree. Propagation: from seed: acid or smoke treatment by cuttings: probably – semi-soft wood Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24 2/27/17

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* California Spicebush – Calycanthus occidentalis (kal-ee-KAN-thus ock-sih-den-TAY-liss)

Family: Calycanthaceae (Sweetshrub Family) Native to: Cascades (OR) and North Coastal range and western Sierra Nevada Range; in moist, shady places, canyons, along streamsides. Growth characteristics: large woody shrub mature height: 6-12 ft. mature width: 4-10 ft. Deciduous shrub with multiple erect stems and glossy, aromatic, leathery, dark-green foliage. Form is mounded, usually as wide as it is tall. Crushed flowers and leaves have an odor of an "old wine barrel" – smell it before buying to be sure you like the aroma. Blooms/fruits: Blooms mid-spring to early summer. Flowers are an unusual purple-bronze to dark red, solitary, exotic-looking (somewhat reminiscent of a water-lily). Very showy in bloom. Fruits are bell-shaped capsules containing many seeds. Seeds are poisonous if eaten. Uses in the garden: Makes an excellent background shrub or accent plant. Winter-deciduous with interesting branch structure. Would look right at home in a woodland garden or along a stream. A great addition to the fragrance garden. Can be trained as a vine or espalier - or used as an informal hedge. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Nice, versatile garden shrub. Sensible substitute for: Non-native winter-deciduous shrubs. Attracts: Good bird habitat: attracts flycatchers, robins, thrushes among others. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to part-shade. Give some afternoon shade in hot gardens. Soil Prefers light, rich soils but can be grown in clays. Any local pH. Water Prefers regular (weekly) watering (Zone 2-3). Leaves become ‘burned’ if soil is too

dry. Can even take winter flooding. Fertilizer Organic mulches are useful, both for soil moisture retention and added nutrients. Other Management: Fairly easy to grow. Prune to shape. Can spread to form a thicket, so consider containing it if space is an issue. Propagation: from seed: best with fresh seed in fall by cuttings: semi-softwood cuttings in summer. Better by divisions (cut off the suckers when plant is dormant) or by layering, both of which are easy. Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 8, 13, 14, 21, 25, 26, 45, 62 2/26/17 * Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co. © Project SOUND

California false indigo – Amorpha californica (a-MOR-fuh kal-ih-FOR-ni-kuh)

Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) Native to: Mountains of western CA from N. CA south, AZ and Baja CA. Locally in the Santa Monica & San Gabriel mtns.; shrubby or open slopes in slopes in Yellow Pine Forest, Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Oak Woodland and riparian woodlands. Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 4-8 ft. mature width: 4-8 ft. Open, drought-deciduous shrub with hairy, scented foliage. Leaves are compound, to 12” in length, medium green, with hair-like glands. Leaves smaller than similar Amorpha fruticosa. Plant shape very dependent on light – more rounded, shrubby in more light, groundcover-like in lower light. The foliage has pleasant fragrance – like tropical fruit perhaps combined with lavender. Wonderful! Blooms/fruits: Blooms are unusual. Plants flower in spring – usually Apr-June in our area. Inflorescence (flower cluster) is spike-like. Individual flowers are small, somewhat pea-like with prominent purple sepals and reproductive structures extending beyond the fused sepals. This plant is exotic looking when in bloom. The flower stalks are subtle but so unusual as to draw attention. Uses in the garden: Usually planted for its habitat value. Larval food source for California’s state butterfly, the California Dogface (Zerene eurydice). Nice addition to a scent garden. Does well in shady or partly shady areas, under trees. Fine on shady slopes, stream banks. The foliage is so different that it provides a nice contrast with other local native shrubs. Fine in large containers. Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs in Pea Family like Psoralea pinnata, Caragana species. Attracts: Excellent butterfly and hummingbird habitat (see above). Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Filtered sun to nearly full shade Soil Adaptable; most local textures including sand, pH 6.0-8.0 Water Drought tolerance but best with occasional summer water (Water Zone 1-2 to 2) Fertilizer Not required, except in container; light doses Other Fine with organic mulch – in fact, probably best with mulch Management: The only issue is summer irrigation schedule. Other than that, easy once established in a shady spot. Prune when dormant; can shape but best to just remove old branches. Propagation: from seed: easy from fresh; 21 days cold-moist for stored by cuttings/layering: yes Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 8, 10, 13 2/21/17

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*Littleleaf mock orange – Philadelphus microphyllus (fill-uh-DEL-fus MY-crow-file-us)

Family: Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family) Native to: Deserts of Southwestern North America, from CO west to CA, & south to N. Mexico. In CA, desert mountains, Mojave Desert, Peninsular Ranges; scrub/brush habitat on arid rocky slopes, cliffs, in foothills and mountains - Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest. Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 3-6 ft. mature width: 3-6 ft. Woody, multi-trunk shrub that varies considerably across its range and light conditions. Plants are dense, mounded to upright shrubs in sun; taller (to 10-15 ft) and more vine-like in part-shade. Leaves simple, opposite, bright to grayed green. Winter-deciduous; moderate growth rate. Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring, Mar-May. Flowers solitary or in small clusters at ends of last-year’s lateral branches. Flowers are pure white and about 1 inch across – very showy plant in bloom. Very sweet-smelling flowers, with fragrance reminiscent of citrus blossoms. Uses in the garden: Less common than Philadelphus lewisii, but more water-wise. Most often used as a foundation plant or hedge, but could be used in dry shrub borders, or as an accent plant for flowers. Might be suitable for espalier in part-shade. Plant near seating, windows to enjoy scent. Cultivar 'Desert Snow' is 6'h x 6'w and has all characteristics of species in a garden-tested shrub. Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs with scented flowers. Attracts: Excellent bee habitat plant; provides cover and seeds for birds. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Sun to part-shade. Some afternoon shade probably best. Soil Most garden soils, except poorly draining; most local pH. Water Deep water twice a month first year; then occasional deep summer water. Fertilizer Tolerates occasional fertilizer (1/2 strength, in spring). Other Light organic mulch or inorganic/none. Management: Few pests. Does not tolerate standing water or very moist soils (plant on small berm if needed. Prune as needed to shape, immediately after flowering. Propagation: from seed: 1 month cold-moist treat by cuttings: semi-soft wood, summer Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 14, 46, 55, 61 2/27/17 * California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND

* Douglas’ Mock Orange – Philadelphus lewisii (fill-uh-DEL-fuss lew-ISS-ee-eye)

Family: Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family); formerly in Philadelphaceae Native to: Mountain ranges from S. OR to Central CA; on rocky slopes, in canyons or gullies, usually in coniferous forests or on forest edges. Growth characteristics: large perennial shrub mature height: 4-10 ft. mature width: 8-10 ft. Rounded, winter-deciduous shrub with down-curving branches. Leaves attractive bright green. Growth form varies depending on light availability. Fast growing. Blooms/fruits: Blooms May-July. Flowers white, showy and very aromatic (scent like orange blossoms). Flowers can be 1 ½ inches across. Very attractive. Uses in the garden: A favorite shrub in Victorian gardens. Use as a large shrub or prune as hedge or screen. Gives a ‘woodsy’ look to garden. Fine massed on slopes or near pond. Fragrance is very sweet – will perfume whole yard. Blossoms can be used for a natural soap, and wood is very hard. Cultivars: ‘Goose Creek’ - long-lasting double flowers; ‘Marjorie Schmidt’ – arching, to 12 ft. Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs, particularly scented shrubs. Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Nectar attracts bees, butterflies & hummingbirds. The white flowers attract night-flying moths. Shrub provides cover and seeds for many small birds like finches & juncos. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun is best for good flowering; will do ok in light shade Soil Any including clays; also tolerates low & high pH better than many shrubs Water Moderate to regular water keeps it looking good; but pretty drought tolerant Fertilizer Moderate fertilizer or nutrient mulch if you have nutrient poor soil Other Management: Prune occasionally if desired (every 4-5 years). Rejuvenate by cutting 1/3 of the stems to the ground each year right after flowering. Rabbits & deer will eat. Easy plant to grow. Propagation: from seed: cold-moist 1 month by cuttings: semi-softwood (summer); hardwood (fall) Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 24, 46 2/28/17 * CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

* Pink-flowering Currant - Ribes sanguineum (RIE (or REE)-bees san-GWIN-ee-um)

Family: Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry Family) Native to: N. to central CA coast; Commonly growing in the shade of large oaks, along seasonal creeks and on north and east slopes. Growth characteristics: erect woody shrubs mature height: 5-10+ ft. mature width: 4-10 ft. Drought-deciduous woody shrubs with erect, open growth habit. Not spiny or thorny or very invasive. Blooms/fruits: Bloom Dec-Mar; Showy sprays of bright pink (R. sanguineum) flowers on drooping flower stalks. Flowers are scented. Fruits are purple, hairy/ sticky and edible. Uses in the garden: Excellent for a spot of showy early color in shaded areas of garden. Does well under trees (including oaks and eucalyptus) or in woodland garden. Great along north-facing walls. Great for scented garden or for bird and insect habitat. Can be used as an informal hedge or espaliered along a wall. Good plant for narrow spaces. Nice touch in a woodland garden. Sensible substitute for: Non-native berries, including non-native gooseberries Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provide nectar for hummingbirds plus cover and berries for other birds (Robins, Finches, Juncos, Towhees, Jays). Great early nectar sources for bees, butterflies. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun along coast; part shade elsewhere Soil Any texture & local pH; well-drained soils are best Water Regular water to establish plants; reduced summer water after that (although can

take modest summer water or complete drought – will lose it’s leaves but survive) Fertilizer Low needs; none if an organic mulch used Other Management: Requires little care. Annual pruning can promote a more desirable form and a better bloom. All Ribes are susceptible to fungal diseases so be sure that there is good air circulation. Let soil dry out between waterings and don’t use overhead watering, if possible. Propagation: from seed: yes; fesh seed in fall best by cuttings: yes; dormant 1-year hard wood best Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 19, 24, 46 3/28/17 * CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

Chaparral Currant – Ribes malvaceum (RYE (or REE)-bees mal-VAY-see-um)

Family: Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry Family) Native to: Foothills of coastal ranges, Sierra Nevadas, Transverse Ranges to Baja; Chaparral, oak woodland, foothills, canyons. Growth characteristics: Woody shrub mature height: 6-8 ft. mature width: 6-8 ft. Upright, bushy shrub. More dense than most local Ribes species. Spiny with intricate, hairy leaves. Moderate growth rate. Loses leaves in drought. Blooms/fruits: Blooms Nov. to Mar. (depends on weather). Pink flowers (pale to bright) in drooping clusters. Very showy. Cultivars include: ‘Ortega Ruby’ (bright pink), ‘Montara Rose’ (darker flowers), ‘Christy Ridge’ (lighter flowers), ‘Barrie Coate’ (bright pink) and ‘Dancing Tassels’ (longer flowers). Fruit is a purple-black berry, in spring. Uses in the garden: Excellent for back beds and north-facing walls. Does well in the dry shade under oaks and other native trees/large shrubs (will be summer dormant). Can be espaliered. Place where you can enjoy flowers (& their visitors) in winter/early spring. Edible fruits make great jellies. Sensible substitute for: Non-native berry-fruits; other moderate-sized woody shrubs. Attracts: Attracts many beneficial insects to the flowers and fruits. Butterflies and hummingbirds particularly like nectar. Quail, Thrushes, Robins, Finches, Towhees, Thrashers and Jays love the berries. Also provides cover/nesting sites for birds, small animals. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to part shade Soil Any local Water Quite drought tolerant once established. Can take summer drought, but will lose

leaves. Give very infrequent (monthly) deep summer water, mulch to keep green. Fertilizer None needed Other May benefit from an organic mulch Management: Prune out dead wood and to shape when dormant (early fall). Can be shaped by tip-pruning/ pinching. Can be pruned to as much as ½ of size. To renew an old plant, cut back severely (to 6 inches). Propagation: from seed: cold stratified, in winter by cuttings: semi-softwood in late spring Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 20, 24, 28 3/1/17

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