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© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County Project SOUND – 2013 (our 9th year)

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© Project SOUND

Planning for Pollinators: how to

turn your garden into a pollinator

haven

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

June 1 & 4, 2013

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© Project SOUND

Review: sex and the single flower

Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. It’s necessary for seed and fruit production in most higher plants.

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© Project SOUND

Sometimes physical

agents transfer the

pollen

http://www.annerondepierre.com/wisdomarchive8.htm

Only about 20% of plants are wind pollinated

And <1% are water pollinated

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© Project SOUND

Living creatures (pollinators) usually carry the pollen

from flower to flower

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Colony Collapse Disorder – our wake-up call

© Project SOUND

http://bee-rapture.blogspot.com/2009/04/found-cause-of-colony-

collapse-disorder.html

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© Project SOUND

Why worry about living pollinators?

They play a key role in the normal functioning of our local ecosystems > 200,000 plant species worldwide

depend on pollination Imagine life without these plants

They are required for production of many of our food, medicinal and other crops ~80% of the world’s crop plants

depend on pollination – 150 crops in the U.S. alone

A combined annual $20+ billion industry in the U.S

Without them, our gardens would not sustain themselves; many flowering plants would eventually become extinct.

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© Project SOUND

Many pollinators at risk:

Non-native pollinators are vulnerable to environmental factors - limited genetic variability [Example: Honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder]

Native pollinators are at risk due to habitat loss, climate change and use of pesticides

Crop production world-wide is decreasing due to decreasing numbers of pollinators

So we all should be worried

The time to take action is NOW, in our schools, home gardens, places of work and anywhere else that we can promote the well-being of pollinators

Honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder

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National Pollinator Week

U.S. Senate designated the 3rd week in June as “National Pollinator Week” . The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture signs the proclamation every year.

Now an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles.

“Pollinating animals are vital to our delicate ecosystem, supporting terrestrial wildlife, providing healthy watershed, and more.

Pollinator Week is a week to get the importance of pollinators’ message out to as many people as possible. “

© Project SOUND

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Even before colony collapse disorder,

some people were concerned…

Depending on a single source – for anything – should make us nervous

Better to ‘diversify the portfolio’

© Project SOUND

http://therealnewsjournal.com/?tag=colony-collapse-disorder

http://urbangardencasual.com/2009/04/28/possible-cure-

for-honey-bee-colony-collapse-disorder-discovered/

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

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Why worry about other pollinators? Can’t

the bees do the pollination work?

Flies and bees are the two most important insect pollinator groups.

Depending on the region, the time of the day, the flowering phenology and weather conditions, flies may be the main or exclusive pollinators, or share pollination services with bees and other pollinator groups.

Native pollinators play an important role – not just in the wild, but in gardens and agricultural fields

© Project SOUND

It turns out that pollination is

a lot more complex than

early agricultural studies led

us to believe

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© Project SOUND

Who are the living (biotic) pollinators?

Bees – of all sizes Butterflies Moths Flies & other fly-like insects

Beetles Hummingbirds Ants

Bats Even small reptiles & mammals

Most common

Least common

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Mother Nature plays it safe with regards to

pollination

Most insect pollinated flowers receive visits from several different types of insects: bees, flies, beetles, bugs, etc.

In a study of 2200 CA plant species:

71% of the out-crossing species were visited by two potential pollinators

49% were visited by three or more potential pollinators

Redundancy in pollination systems is probably the rule, rather than the exception.

© Project SOUND

By hedging her odds

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We too should hedge our bets and support

many different types of pollinators…

© Project SOUND

…but how, particularly given our small urban gardens?

http://non-secateur.blogspot.com/2011/05/southern-

californias-best-garden-blog.html

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Planning for pollinators: knowledge and

making good choices

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

Knowledge is power: what we each can do to

promote our native pollinators

Plant the plants they need for food – at all stages of their lives.

Provide places where they can reproduce and provide for their young

Protect them by practicing Integrated Pest Management – limited/no use of pesticides

Teach others – by word and example – about the value of native pollinators

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Many butterfly larva require specific food

sources – more on that next month

© Project SOUND

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Fortunately, many generalist pollinators

are less picky than we once thought

© Project SOUND

http://mommyculture.com/?p=678

There are just five basic principles for planting to

support a wide range of pollinators

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What makes a good pollinator landscape?

5 elements according to the latest evidence

S (size) - The larger the area covered by flowers/plants the better

A (abundance) - The greater the number of flowers the better

L (length) - It’s important that something is flowering from early spring through fall

U (useful attributes) –The plants must provide quality pollen and/or nectar

D (diversity) - Diversity of plants to attract both generalists and specialists

© Project SOUND

SALUD! – To your health!

http://picturesforcoloring.com/2012/05/bee-coloring-pages-for-honey-lovers/

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Using these elements in our gardens…

© Project SOUND

Really not so difficult

once we understand

the principles http://non-secateur.blogspot.com/2011/05/southern-californias-best-garden-blog.html

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© Project SOUND

Why are some plants pollinator magnets?

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Characteristics of ‘pollinator magnet’ plants

Lots of little flowers

Flowers have simple, open architecture – ‘accessible to all’

Flower color often white, pink or yellow

Often – but not always – long bloom season (or several)

May be sweetly scented (but not necessarily noticeable to us)

© Project SOUND

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Lots of little flowers: many popular choices

Apiaceae (Carrot family)

Asteraceae – (Sunflower family) Baccharis Grindelia

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family) Phacelia

Lamiaceae (Mint family) Salvia (Sage) and others

Polygonaceae (Backwheat family) Eriogonum – Buckwheats

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family) Ceanothus, Rhamnus

Rosaceae (Rose family)

© Project SOUND

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Most people envision pollinator gardens

as looking something like this

© Project SOUND

Salvia species

Buckwheats

CA Fuschia

Penstemons

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© Project SOUND

California Buckwheat - Eriogonum fasciculatum

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© Project SOUND

California Buckwheat: sprawling sub-shrub

Size: 2-5 ft tall

3-5 ft wide

Growth form: Low mounded sub-shrub

Semi-evergreen shrub

Many-branched

Foliage: Leave alternate, but densely

clustered at nodes

Evergreen, narrow lanceolate (sometimes nearly needle-like)

Roots: Net-like; hold soils well

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

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© Project SOUND

CA Buckwheat cultivars make good, life-

friendly groundcovers

‘Dana Point’ - brighter green leaf, more mounding than species

'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’

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© Project SOUND

CA Buckwheat: showy for months

Great for summer color: May-Nov. possible

As an alternative to the non-native Rosemary; far better pollinator habitat plant

In perennial beds

On parking strips & bordering paths and driveways

For erosion control

Larval foodsource for Morman

Metalmark, Bramble Hairstreak,

Common Hairstreak, Avalon Hairstreak

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Native plants: what’s their secret?

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

Native plants attract pollinators by

providing quality nectar and/or pollen

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What about non-native species? Herbs are

often your best bet Mint family

Basil

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Catnip

Lavender

Mints

Monarda/Monardella

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Apiaceae (Carrot family) Parsley

Dill

Borage

Chives

© Project SOUND

http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2010/05/bees-arrive-at-long-creek-herb-farm.html

Many can be combined with natives;

most attractive to bees

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Non-native flowering plants for pollinators

– you may have to search to find them!

Non-native flowers: look for

Old-fashioned – open-pollinated / ‘heirloom’ varieties

Search on ‘butterflies’ for plants that may have broader appeal to pollinators

When buying bedding plants, look for plants with pollinator insects flying around them at the nursery

© Project SOUND

Some ‘modern’ flowering

plants are specifically bred to

NOT be attractive to bees

and other pollinators

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© Project SOUND

Buckwheats, Salivas (Sages) and other local sub-

shrubs are great pollinator plants…

But they do need sun and space

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Achieving adequate floral coverage in each

season: it takes some thought if space is limited

Flower patches: at least 3 ft x 3 ft per species – the bigger the better A few well-chosen plant species

might be better than many

Most bang for buck: shrubs vs. annual wildflowers (depends on situation)

Likely will need to use vertical space Some shrubs and trees are quite

adaptable to small/narrow spaces

Lots of ‘flowering area’ with a small footprint

One yard can’t do it all - “it takes a neighborhood”

© Project SOUND

http://www.northwestbotanicals.com/portfolio_chcraftsman.htm

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You can make any yard more pollinator

friendly – no matter how small or shady

© Project SOUND http://www.northwestbotanicals.com/portfolio_chcraftsman.htm

http://bammorgan.blogspot.com/2008/04/payne-foundation-garden-tour.html

You just have to garden ‘smart’

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How can I possibly supply lots of little

flowers year-round?

Think outside the (horizontal) box – use your vertical space

Shade trees

Vines & climbers

Espalier

All other things being equal, choose the plant with greater pollinator habitat value

© Project SOUND

http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/

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Let’s see how Mother Nature’s Garden

became a ‘pollinator haven’

© Project SOUND

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Map of site – rough draft

© Project SOUND

Wall with large condo building behind as view

‘Ugly

wall’

– 1

2 f

t. t

all

cin

derb

lock -

no

rth

-facin

g

back porch

paths

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Two walls to hide – potential for habitat?

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

hedgerow

espalie

r

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Several good habitat choices: trees &

large shrubs

*Arctostaphylos spp – Manzanitas

Baccharis salicifolia – Mulefat

* Ceanothus spp.

Cercocarpus spp. – Mountain Mahoganies

*Chilopsis linearis – Desert Willow

Comarostaphylis diversifolia – Summer Holly

Sambucus nigra – Blue Elderberry

© Project SOUND

Desert Willow

Blue Elderberry Note: bold species are included in garden

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Several additional habitat choices: trees

and large shrubs

* Frangula/Rhamnus californica – Coffeeberry

Heteromeles arbutifolia – Toyon

Prunus spp. – native Cherries

* Ptelea crenulata – Hoptree

© Project SOUND

Wanted one species that could be used both for hedgerow

and espalier – to demonstrate the adaptability of some large

native shrubs.

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Toyon/California Christmas Berry – Heteromeles arbutifolia

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Toyon/California Christmas Berry –

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Occurs from SW Oregon to Baja CA

Occurs in several plant communities

Chaparral – throughout CA Coastal Sage Scrub Oak woodlands Coastal prairie

Var. macrocarpa found only on Catalina and San Clemente Islands

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6677,6731,6732

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Toyon is a joy of color year-round

Evergreen large shrub/ small tree w/ stiff foliage

Usually 6-10 ft tall, can be 20-30 ft. in right location

4-10 ft wide (to 25 ft)

Spring – new growth is light green

Plant takes anything from full sun to very shady

Quite drought-tolerant

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Toyon is a mass of blooms in summer

Blooms June-July

Showy flowers in dense bunches

Flowers small – look like little white rose blossoms (Rose family)

Bee-pollinated – so good plant for native bees

Good nectar plant for butterflies

Even quite young plants (several years old) will bloom)

Fall/winter – red berries

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Traditional uses for

Toyon

Background/specimen plant

Large shrub – anywhere that you would consider Pyracantha or Holly

Grows well with Coastal Live Oak & other dry trees

Shady parts of the garden

Slopes – good for erosion control

In a habitat garden featuring local native species

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But what if we don’t have room for a

large, free-standing shrub?

Toyon is very adaptable

Prune up: makes a very acceptable (and life-friendly) shade tree

Use in a hedge or hedgerow; can hedge-prune or leave more natural

Bonsai in a pot

Even espalier it along a wall

© Project SOUND

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Size of area and abundance: what

matters is the shear number of flowers

© Project SOUND

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mechanoid_dolly/5895279617/

Hibiscus hedge – several 100 flowers Toyon hedge – many 1000’s of flowers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/just_jane/938744081/

If you were a pollinator (other than a hummingbird) which

would you visit?

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When choosing a shade tree or other

large shrub, maximize habitat value

Nesting places/cover

Perching/sunning places

Flowers for nectar/ pollen

Fruits

Foliage useful as larval food source

© Project SOUND

The majority of our pollinators flew from April to Oct. last year.

We’ll want to supply food throughout this period.

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Mother Nature’s mixed hedgerow (to cover the

short ugly wall)

Size: 6 ft wide – 30+ ft long

Large shrubs – all provide good, multispecies habitat value

Big-berry Manzanita (winter)

Lemonadeberry (early spring)

Chaparral Whitethorn Ceanothus (spring)

CA Coffeeberry (later spring)

Toyon (summer)

Understory/filler – Yarrow (summer)

Pollen/nectar: winter to summer

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Toyon espalier: transforming the ugly wall

at Mother Nature’s Backyard

Young Toyon branches are very flexible – simplicity itself to espalier

Start shaping the first year

Choose design – ‘informal fan’

Select branches appropriate for design

Remove unwanted branches (those growing in wrong direction; crowded branches)

Tie branches to support lines with soft ties (cut from old stockings)

Continue to remove ‘inappropriate’ branches

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Some non-native edibles attract pollinators

© Project SOUND

Fruit trees/canes Apples – ‘Anna Apple’ espalier in

Mother Nature’s Backyard

Stone Fruits

Citrus

Nut trees

Berries

Vegetables Onions & Shallots

Melon family: Cucumbers, Melons, Pumpkins, Squash, Watermelons

The range of pollinators visiting

food crops can be surprising!

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© Project SOUND

California Hoptree – Ptelea crenulata

©2009 Barry Breckling

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Lower elevations of N. CA

Banks of the Sacramento River; foothills of the Sierra Nevada & Cascade mountain ranges

Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest between 0 and 2000 feet

Often grows in part-shade

Ptelea - small genus with only 15 species of trees or shrubs native to North America and Mexico.

© Project SOUND

California Hoptree – Ptelea crenulata

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptelea_crenulata

http://byrdiebotany.livejournal.com/199457.html

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© Project SOUND

Hoptree: shrubby

Size: 8-15 ft tall

10-15 ft wide

Growth form: Large shrub to small tree

Winter deciduous

Variable growth form – can be shaped to tree, espalier

Foliage: Medium green, shiny leaves

Citrus-like scent (same family)

Contact dermatitis in some people; wear gloves when handling

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

©2011 Neal Kramer

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ptelea-crenulata

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© Project SOUND

Flowers: pure citrus

Blooms: in spring – usually April-June in S. California

Flowers: Many white flowers in

clusters; showy like Elderberry

Similar in form to orange or lemon flowers

Sweet scent attracts tons of native pollinators – and the birds that eat them

Seedpods: Unique; papery wings

©2009 Barry Breckling

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

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© Project SOUND

Likes its water!

Soils: Texture: most

pH: any local

Light: Best in part-shade in our

climate; fine for north-facing exposures

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: likes regular water – Water Zone 2-3 or 3

Fertilizer: light fertilizer OK; leaf mulch appreciated.

©2005 Brian L. Anacker

©2011 Neal Kramer

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© Project SOUND

Hoptree = habitat

Most often planted for its habitat value – excellent value!

Makes a nice lawn tree; OK in even full sun if gets regular water

Background shrub; winter deciduous

©2011 Zoya Akulova

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ptelea_trifoliata_MN_2007.JPG

http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Ptelea-crenulata/

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California Coffeeberry is another pollinator

magnet shrub – in large or small size

© Project SOUND

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1850

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© Project SOUND

CA Coffeeberry – Frangula (Rhamnus) californica

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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© Project SOUND

Coffeeberry: another versatile, dense evergreen shrub

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Size:

6-12 ft tall (usually 8-10)

8-10 ft wide

Growth form: Evergreen shrub/small tree

Mounded form; ultimately at least as wide as tall

Bark red, becoming gray

Moderate growth rate; long lived (several 100 yrs)

Foliage: Attractive, medium green

Leaves simple, attractive; smaller & thicker w/ less water

Deer love it!; Pale Swallowtail larva

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© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: well-drained; sandy or rocky best

pH: any local (5.0-8.0)

Light: full sun to part-shade

Water: very flexible Winter: needs good winter

moisture

Summer: Best with occasional summer

water: Zone 2 to 2/3; don’t over-water in clays

Very drought tolerant once established

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: very undemanding (if you so desire)

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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© Project SOUND

With Coffeeberry, the

berries are the show…

Blooms: late spring; usually Apr-June in western L.A. Co.

Flowers: Small and not very noticeable

Hummingbirds and insect pollinators adore them (in MNBY)

Fruits: Small – ¼ inch

begin green, ripen to orange/red and finally black in August – October

Eaten by many: Quail, Mockingbirds, Thrushes, Robins, Finches, Towhees, Thrashers and Jays, etc., even humans!

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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© Project SOUND

Coffeeberry can be used in so many ways…

For erosion control on slopes; great combined with other CSS or chaparral plants

As an accent plant

For backs of mixed beds

Under oaks; great for sun/shade transition zones

Particularly suited for hedging: Formal or informal

hedges, screens

As a partner in hedgerows

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

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© Project SOUND

Plenty of cultivars: most of them low-growing compared to the species

‘Eve Case’

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-

california/plants/rhamnus-californica-eve-case

‘Mound San Bruno’ http://www.smgrowers.com/products/pla

nts/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1850

‘Leatherleaf’

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=0521

‘Salt Point’

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_r/rhacalsalpoi.html http://www.agikehoe.com/mcgregor-garden.html

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Coffeeberry cultivars: habitat

at ¼ the size

‘Little Sur’ Very compact; 3-4 or 5 ft.

Best nearest the coast; some shade inland

Makes good hedges; pot plant

‘Seaview Improved’ 2-3 ft tall; 3-6 ft wide

Takes quite a bit of shade to part shade; sun on coast

Good groundcover or small shrub

© Project SOUND

http://www.horticopia.net/media.details.php?mediaID=OTg4MTI2ZWMxZThiZDk2

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Length of bloom coverage: our goal - flowers

from early spring through fall

© Project SOUND

Pictures can provide

a helpful reality check

– take plenty!

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© Project SOUND

Winter-Spring transition

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Conclusions: winter-spring

Good (better in future)

2 ‘early/mid’ Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ – tree

‘Yankee Point’ – groundcover

Two ‘early’ Manzanita Arctostaphylos densiflora

'Howard McMinn‘ – shrub

Arctostaphylos glauca – large shrub

CA Encelia (1) – shrub

Miniature Lupine – annual

Consider adding

At least 1 more CA Encelia - ?? Where

More Miniature Lupine – around the pruned shrubs to cover bare spots

?? Wall Flower - Erysimum insulare Early bloomer

Yellow color - ? Early spring is becoming yellow-blue color scheme; spring summer is pink-purple

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

Transition from Spring to Summer

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© Project SOUND

Transition from summer into fall

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Conclusions for summer-fall

Good – better in future

Still blooming Yarrow (Achillea millefolia)

Buckwheats (E. cinereum; E. fasciculatum)

Coming into season – fall-blooming sunflowers Coastal Aster

CA Goldenrod (Solidago californica)

Sweet Scent – Pluchea odorata

Consider adding

???? Any ideas

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

The Sunflower family

(Asteraceae) provides

important food in fall

Bloom in late summer/ fall

Long bloom season

Nectar and pollen available to many types of pollinators (even ants, beetles)

Lots of small flowers

Goldenbushes – Hazardia & Isocoma

Baccharis species

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Another possible ‘pollinator place’ is the

rain garden – yes, really!

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

Salt Marsh Baccharis – Baccharis douglasii

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Lower elevations from OR to Baja

Moist places: Coastal salt marsh, coastal salt scrub, moist places near streams to 2500‘

In Coastal Sage Scrub, Northern Coastal Scrub, Redwood Forest, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

© Project SOUND

Salt Marsh Baccharis – Baccharis douglasii

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,781,783

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© Project SOUND

Characteristics of Marsh Baccharis

Size: 4-6 ft tall

6-8+ ft wide, spreading

Growth form: Sub-shrub with part-woody

stalks; evergreen with water

Numerous stalks from rhizomes; generally upright

Foliage: Simple leaves – quite like

Mulefat but not serrated

Leaves sticky, resinous

©2008 Keir Morse

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© Project SOUND

Flowers like Mulefat

Blooms: blooms off and on in warm weather – like Mulefat – usually June to fall.

Flowers: Dioecious – separate male/

female plants

Flowering heads like Mule-fat, though mostly clustered at tops of stems

Very important nectar source – summer to fall

Seeds: Tiny, air-borne seeds with

fluffy hairs

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© Project SOUND

Wetland plant – but

hardy once established

Soils: Texture: any – sand to clay

pH: any local, including alkali, salty

Light: Full sun to afternoon shade

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: very adaptable

Pondside/bog

Regular water (Zone 3)

Little summer water (with p.m. shade)

Fertilizer: not picky; likes leave mulch

Other: consider containing

Marsh Baccharis gets no water in

Heritage Creek Preserve - CSUDH

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© Project SOUND

Fabulous habitat plant

Good pond-poolside plant – will need to divide

Attracts very wide range of insects (like Mulefat) Butterflies – including

American Painted Lady, Buckeyes and Acmon Blue

Bees & flies

Many other weird & wonderful insects

Makes an attractive pot plant

Medicinal: Used as a disinfectant for

wounds and sores

Infusion or dried powered foliage

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/baccharis-douglasii

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Limit insecticide use – or use none at all

Pesticides can kill more than the target pest – some kill pollinators for several days after the pesticide is applied.

Pesticides can also kill natural predators, which can lead to even worse pest problems. Instead:

Encourage native predators with a diverse garden habitat

Expect and accept a little bit of pest activity

Try removing individual pests by hand if possible (wearing garden gloves)

If you must use a pesticide, choose one that is the least toxic to non-pest species

© Project SOUND

Using fewer pesticides is more

life-friendly for all species

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© Project SOUND

Saltmarsh Fleabane – Pluchea odorata

http://www.kenbowles.net/SDWildflowers/FamilyIndexes/AsteraceaeDisciform/AsteraceaeDisciformKey.htm

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Saltmarsh Fleabane – typical for genus

© 2003 BonTerra Consulting

Size:

2-4 ft. tall

2-3 ft. wide

Growth form: sub-shrub Woody base; ends of stems are

herbaceous

Upright growth habit

Annual in colder climates; perennial in ours

Dies back in winter

Foliage: Pretty color; like

Arrow-shaped leaves

Roots: fibrous; good soil-binding

http://www.kenbowles.net/SDWildflowers/FamilyIndexes/AsteraceaeDisciform/Aste

raceaeDisciformKey.htm

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Saltmarsh Fleabane does well in gardens…

Soils:

Texture: any local – does very well in fine-textured soils (clays)

pH: any local, including alkali, salty

Light:

Best in full sun with some water

Fine with partial shade; not too particular

Water:

Winter: likes it’s water; plant in moist areas of garden, rainswale, etc.

Summer: quite flexible; looks better with some to regular summer water (Zone 2/3 probably optimal; takes 3)

Fertilizer: fine with none; organic mulches work well (leaf mulch)

© 2003 BonTerra Consulting

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Versatile in the garden

Excellent choice for moist places in garden: Stream or pond banks/edges

Rain gardens/swales

Areas with sprinkler drift

Fine with other natives needing similar water requirements – remember, dies back in winter

Showy choice for fall habitat/ butterfly garden; great with yellow fall-flowering plants

Does great in pots; give it an occasional dose of fertilizer or top-dress each spring

http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=13929

http://www.sibleynaturecenter.org/daytrips/naturetrail0709/index.html

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Watch pollinators by the hour…seriously!

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Lack room and/or water? Try a ‘wetland in

a pot’ for a touch of wetland

Guilt-free – saves space & water

Can contain 1 plant or several – depending on size of container

Choose a pretty container; locate in at least part-sun

Requires some yearly maintenance – dividing plants

See May posting – Mother Nature’s Backyard blog for more

© Project SOUND

A ‘wetland in a pot’ serves several

functions when you include pollinator

plants like Marsh Baccharis

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Idea for small gardens: tuck small pollinator

plants into pots and around shrubs

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Western Yarrow – Achilla millefolia

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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Western Yarrow: the ultimate ‘tuck-in’ plant!

Slopes, hillsides

Mixtures

Good garden plant for fresh or dry floral arrangements

Foliage is pleasantly fragrant when crushed; medicinal

Can be mowed to form a highly competitive ground cover to control soil erosion.

Flowers!!!

Good butterfly/pollinator plant – one of the best in Mother Nature’s Backyard

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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Cliff Aster – Malacothrix saxatilis

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Cliff Aster – Malacothrix saxatilis var. tenuifolia

Local distribution: common

in the Transverse Ranges (Santa Monica, San Gabriel, and San Bernardino mountains)

coastal areas in Los Angeles to San Diego counties

on Santa Catalina Island

Found in several habitats:

Coastal strand/coastal shrub Canyons, coastal-sage scrub Chaparral

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Malacothrix+saxatilis+var.+tenuifolia

var. tenuifolia

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Cliff Asters are

versatile locals

Herbaceous perennial

Size: 3-5 ft tall & wide

Open growth habit; sort of ‘unfurls’ as it blooms

Lacy leaves – mostly basal

Summer dormant with no water

Long bloom period:

Mar-Dec. in good years

Often many blooms; quite showy

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

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Wonderful with its

natural partners

Welcome spot of white against darker foliage in a mixed bed

On slopes, cliffs, hillsides

Natural partners (mostly Zone 1/2):

Salvia mellifera & leucophylla Diplacus aurantiacus Quercus agrifolia Native clovers Many spring-blooming annual

wildflowers

Charming plant – should be used more in local gardens

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Tuck-in plants: Annual wildflowers are

enjoyed by all in Mother Nature’s Backyard

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Providing homes for native pollinators

Native bees don’t build the wax or paper structures we associate with honey bees or wasps, but they do need places to nest, which vary depending on the species.

Wood-nesting bees are solitary, often making individual nests in beetle tunnels in standing dead trees.

Ground-nesting bees include solitary species that construct nest tunnels under the ground.

Cavity-nesting social species—bumble bees—make use of small spaces, such as abandoned rodent burrows, wherever they can find them.

Learn about how you

can construct or

promote native

pollinator homes in

your garden

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Island Buckwheat – Eriogonum grande

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Island Buckwheat – Eriogonum grande

Channel Island endemic:

var. grande (Island Buckwheat)

Channel Islands; Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Catalina, San Clemente Islands

Bluffs and cliffs, coastal sage scrub and chaparral

var. rubescens (Red Buckwheat; San Miguel Island Buckwheat )

n Channel Islands; San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa islands

Cliffs and bluffs, coastal grassland and scrub communities

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-

bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5936,5994,6063,6

064

var. rubescens

var. grande

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Special features of Red Buckwheat

Size:

1-2 ft tall

3-4 ft wide

Growth form: Low-growing mounded form

Spreads slowly

Foliage: Attractive bright to gray-green with

wooly white backs

Medium-large ‘Buckwheat leaves’

Flowers: On stalks 2-3 ft tall

Color range from light to dark pink

One of the showiest CA native buckwheats

http://www.soquelnursery.com/shrubs_correa_fuchsia.html

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Garden uses for Red

Buckwheat

Super as a pot plant

Lovely massed as a ground cover

Makes a pretty smaller border plant

For a ‘silver’ (moonlight) garden

In any sort of habitat garden

As an unusual accent plant

In narrow beds & planters

Nice with dudleyas, purple sage, yarrow, sedums

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Diversity of plants/flowers: food for adults

and juveniles of a range of pollinators

© Project SOUND

© Paul Mirocha 2004

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Moths are important pollinators in western U.S.

More prevalent in the Southwest than in other regions due to warm evenings, hot daytimes, favorable climate

Moths visit flowers in search of nutritious rewards, usually nectar, and transfer pollen as a consequence of their contact with floral structures.

Some night-blooming plant species, especially in desert grasslands and dune areas, appear to be specialized for moth pollination

However, most moth-pollinated plants employ alternative reproductive strategies. These include self-pollination, recruiting other (diurnal, or day-active) pollinators, or simply waiting for the next flowering season.

Moth pollination is a risky proposition, and moth-flower mutualisms are not very exclusive.

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Characteristics of flowers that attract large

dusk-to-dawn flying moths

Night-blooming

Large size – often > 1 inch

Light color – often white, but may be light yellow or pink

Tubular shape – those that attract the large moths

Sweetly scented – may be overpoweringly so

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Hooker's Evening Primrose – Oenothera elata

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Flowers are fantastic

Blooms: Long summer bloom season;

sequential blooms

Usually July/Aug to Sept/Oct western L.A. county

Flowers: Good sized; ~ 1 inch diameter

Lemon yellow; iridescent

Really showy against green leaves

Seeds: Bulky pods; split lengthwise

Many tiny seeds

Re-seeds very well, esp. in sandy soils. Usually not a problem to pull up unwanted plant in spring

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Garden uses for

Hooker’s primrose

As a summer perennial in the mixed bed – nice w/ purple accents.

Valuable addition to the habitat garden: Nectar: moths, butterflies,

hummingbirds, other pollinators (large bees)

Finches and other seed eaters love the seeds

In a dry garden

In the vegetable garden: Root - boiled and eaten like parsnip.

Young shoots - raw or cooked

Young pods – cooked vegetable

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California Primrose – Oenothera californica

© 2005 Brent Miller

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California Primrose – Oenothera californica

Coastal, Sierra, Transverse and desert mountain ranges of CA to Baja – locally in San Gabriels

In foothills (mostly)

Sandy or gravelly areas, dunes, desert scrub to pinyon/juniper or ponderosa-pine woodlands

Same genus as Hooker’s Evening Primrose

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Oenothera+californica

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Flowers are the reason to

plant native primroses

Blooms: In spring - usually Apr-May in

our area

Flowers open over long period – individual flowers short-lived

Flowers: White, becoming more pink

Fairly large (2 inch) and definitely showy

Sweet, slightly musky fragrance

Seeds: many tiny seeds in a capsule

Vegetative reproduction: sprouting from roots

© 2003 Lynn Watson

http://botany.si.edu/onagraceae/taxalist.cfm?genus=Oenothera

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Evening Primrose has a specific cast of pollinators who work at dusk or dawn

Hawkmoths (White-lined sphinx moth - Hyles )

Bees (specifically Lasioglossum, Centris, Xylocopa, Andrena)

Hawk moth/White-lined

Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)

Sweatbee

Lasioglossum oenotherae

Oil-collecting Bee

Centris species

Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa spp.

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Care and management: plant & ignore

Soils: Texture: sandy/rocky best pH: any local to 8.5 (alkali)

Light: Full sun – coastal

Part-shade/morning sun inland

Water: Winter: good winter rains

Summer: drought tolerant but takes anything from 2 to 3; best to let dry out in late summer/fall

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: cut back as needed in fall.

http://botany.si.edu/onagraceae/taxalist.cfm?genus=Oenothera

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Native primroses

in the garden

Best planted with native grasses, perennials, annual wildflowers

Excellent choice for water-wise parking strip

Lovely in pots on a sunny deck

Tucked in around other plants – a ‘filler plant’

Attract a wild assortment of insects

http://botany.si.edu/onagraceae/taxalist.cfm?genus=Oenothera

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In summary: you can turn your garden into a pollinator haven (and make a difference)

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Make your garden water-wise and Life-friendly

Plant the right plants to attract and nourish native pollinators

Provide places for pollinators to hide and raise their young

Provide a source of water – can be as simple as patch of moist earth or a saucer with stones

Use pesticides sparingly

Respect the pollinators and the services they provide

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‘The growing concern for pollinators is a sign

of progress, but it is vital that we continue to

maximize our collective effort.’

Do something to make your garden more pollinator-friendly

Celebrate National Pollinator Week – check for local events (Gardena Willows)

Learn more about a pollinator that interests you

Take photos of pollinators in your garden – they’re fascinating!

© Project SOUND

http://textileranger.com/2012/08/11/pollinator-quilt/

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Xerces Society

Nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat.

Information, books, programs for schools, home gardens, etc.

© Project SOUND http://www.xerces.org/bringbackthepollinators/

http://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1392

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Other resources on pollinators

UC Berkeley Urban Bee Gardens Site - http://nature.berkeley.edu/urbanbeegardens/

Pollinator Partnership - http://www.pollinator.org/pollination.htm

U.S. Fish & Wildlife – Pollinators Page http://www.fws.gov/pollinators/

USDA Insects & Pollinators page - http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals/pollinate/

© Project SOUND

http://resonatingbodies.wordpress.com/

resources/recommended-books-

downloadable-files-links/

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Past ‘Out of the Wilds’ talks – links on

Native Plants at CSUDH blog

Butterfly Garden talks – Most July talks

Moth Pollinators – July, 2010

Bee pollinators – July 2011

Fly pollinators – July 2012

Hummingbirds – May, 2009

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Take the message to your friends and

neighbors

Talk to others – including children – about pollinators

Encourage your neighbors to plants pollinator-friendly plants

Turn your neighborhood into ‘Pollinator Heaven’

© Project SOUND

http://eastcountymagazine.org/images/logo-guidelines.jpg