Native plants are only one element of a good native garden. Banish all leafblowers and machinary to make your garden hospitable to birds and other critters.
native gardens
Native Plant Garden Tour
Everyone is talking about this year’s heavy rains, and the promise they bring of spectacular wildflower displays throughout the state. I will be taking some wildflower trips – hopefully starting this weekend […]
Parks & Gardens Featuring CA Native Plants
Nothing like a rainy day to get me to check and correct info on this website! I spent the day converting an old pdf file of “Where to See Native […]
New native gardens are popping up
During my walks around the city of South Pasadena, I frequently come across new low water-use, native plant landscapes that I have not seen before. Surprised, I ask myself, “When […]
Oaks grow fast – pretty fast, that is
I am sitting at my desk working on a presentation for a class called “What Should I Plant?” to be given on October 16th at the Theodore Payne Foundation. It […]
Prisk Native Garden
Prisk Elementary School in Long Beach is fortunate to have the most amazing native garden. The garden was started in 1996 by teacher, Candy Jennings, and three dedicated volunteers. The […]
Is the rebate worth it?
My city, South Pasadena, and many others are offering rebates for converting lawns to reduced water-use landscapes. The current rebate program is scheduled to end on June 30, 2015. Clearly, […]
Life stages of a native plant garden
Gardens, like people, have life stages. In the beginning, they grow vigorously, even rampantly. Maybe the first year or two seems a bit slow for a new native plant garden. […]
Top 20
People new to using California native plants are often overwhelmed by the many new and unfamiliar plants. Some of us “experts” further confuse these newcomers by using botanical names. Today […]
Why garden with natives?
Early explorers and settlers were awed by the variety and profusion of wildflowers throughout what would become the state of California. Hillsides in spring were painted gold, red, yellow, blue […]