How to Landscape With California Natives

Natives in a spectacular setting.

Many gardeners choose California natives as garden selections. California is large and diverse. Gardeners from all regions of the country want to plant these natives in their own gardens. Like any native plant, California natives are adapted to specific conditions. Southern California natives are drought tolerant. They have evolved with special features which allow them to survive arid and often harsh conditions. These specific features can spell trouble for gardeners. Summer water can kill a native plant. With some research and some restraint, most gardeners can successfully add California natives to their botanical palette.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hoe
• Long-handled spade
• Garden gloves
• 1 gallon size California native plants
• Assorted California wildflower seeds

Instructions

1. Mark areas where you would like to use California Native plants; use plastic landscape flags to identify each area. Choose areas which will receive good drainage for Southern California selections. If possible, choose a south-facing slope for these sun-loving plants. Select areas in filtered shade for woodland natives.

2. Limit and direct irrigation. Turn automatic sprinklers away from chosen areas. Avoid planting in areas where irrigation water drains.

3. 

   Some plants prefer shade.

   Group sun-loving or drought-tolerant plants together. Group shade-loving plants and those that need a lot of moisture together. Prepare each planting area: amend the garden soils with loam or even sand if needed to improve drainage. Rake cultivated area smooth with a rake.

4. 

   Wildflowers bloom just about anywhere.

   Scatter wildflower seeds on raked area. Follow package instructions to ensure proper distribution of seeds. Water seeded area and keep moist until seeds sprout or rains wet the soil.

5. Tap containers of native plants to loosen them. Dig holes which are slightly larger than the root ball of the plants. Gently place the plants into the holes. Water to fill up the area between the plant and the wall of the hole. Wait for the water to be absorbed. Fill in the hole completely with the displaced soil.

6. 

Tips & Warnings

• Find a reliable source for advice about which plants to select for your area.

• Sow seeds and plant in autumn in mild winter areas; rains will help plants establish themselves before the arid hot summer months. Treat tender natives like annuals in cold winter zones; enjoy the flowers for one season and replace.

• Drought tolerant natives often go dormant in summer. Leave them alone. When the rains return, so will the plants.

References

• Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants
• "Landscape Plants for the Western Region"; Perry; 1992

Resources

• Plant Finder: Sunset Garden Website Plantfinder