Blog Archives - Page 12 of 15 - Summer-Dry | Celebrate Plants in Summer-Dry Gardens

4 02, 2016

California pipevine

California pipevine

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:26:11-07:00Categories: Blog, groundcovers, vines|Tags: california native, nora harlow, ground covers, perennials, vine|

Aristolochia californica, California pipevine, with chrysalis of pipevine swallowtail butterfly California pipevine (Aristolochia californica) is one of the first plants to flower in my northern California garden, sending forth dozens, no hundreds, of tiny blossoms on leafless stems in mid-winter, after the manzanitas but before flashier plants such as native irises grab center stage. Their appearance, noticed only up close at first, signals the approaching end of winter and fuels my anticipation of full-on gardening weather. The flowers are, to say the least, unusual. They grow more like fruits than flowers, maturing, right before your eyes, from a

26 01, 2016

Blue oat grass

Blue oat grass

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:26:11-07:00Categories: Blog, grasses|Tags: grasses, nora harlow|

Blue oat grass with lavender Grown well, blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is big on drama, its narrow, blue-green leaves forming a perfectly rounded dome when not crowded by other plants and older leaves providing a subtle infusion of tawny gold. In early summer flowerheads arise on tall stalks two feet above the foliage, turning a matching golden color in late summer or fall. A clump-forming ornamental bunchgrass, up to two feet tall and three feet wide at maturity, blue oat grass likes full sun near the coast, but seems to prefer part shade or afternoon shade inland.

19 01, 2016

Arbutus

Arbutus

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:29-07:00Categories: Blog, trees, shrubs|Tags: california native, nora harlow, trees, shrubs|

Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King' with fruit. With evergreen, leathery, dark green leaves, showy clusters of tiny white spring flowers, small red berries in fall, and red-brown peeling bark, Arbutus menziesii is a signature tree of western North America. Native to coastal evergreen forests from southern British Columbia to California, the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and the eastern slopes of the Coast Ranges, this tree has long been considered too difficult for most cultivated landscapes. Commonly known as Pacific madrone, A. menziesii is available in small containers mostly from specialty nurseries and at native plant sales. For

16 01, 2016

Toyon

Toyon

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:29-07:00Categories: Blog, shrubs, California Native|Tags: california native, nora harlow, shrubs|

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) If you have space in your garden for a large shrub or small multi-trunked tree that will live for decades, is attractive year-round, and provides food and shelter for wildlife, you can hardly beat California's native toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) for its resilience, habitat value, and natural beauty. Toyon is native to much of California and survives drought, though occasional deep watering may be needed in the driest times and will bring fresh new growth with quick results. Toyon needs good drainage and thrives in full sun to part shade but tolerates full shade. Toyon

14 01, 2016

Armeria

Armeria

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:28-07:00Categories: Blog, perennials, California Native|Tags: california native, nora harlow, perennials|

California native plant garden with Armeria maritima edging a walkway Sea pink or sea thrift (Armeria maritima) was once more commonly found on "drought-tolerant" plant lists than it is today. Gardeners who were led to plant it no doubt discovered that it just doesn’t thrive without summer water or afternoon shade except right along the coast. Sea pink is nonetheless perfect for small gardens or small garden areas where a little summer water can be spared. Its densely hummocky cushions of evergreen grassy leaves are six inches tall and spread to about a foot wide. Pink or sometimes

5 01, 2016

California buckeye

California buckeye

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:28-07:00Categories: Blog, trees|Tags: california native, nora harlow, trees|

Aesculus californica, in winter, at East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Berkeley. California buckeye (Aesculus californica) puts on a bold and fascinating seasonal show. In late winter bright apple-green new leaves burst forth at branch ends and rapidly unfold, quite suddenly claiming the stage among the darker greens of evergreen oaks, bays, and pines. In spring to early summer showy spikelike clusters of lightly fragrant creamy white flowers are held gracefully upright above the leaves. The large polished-brown seeds peeking through leathery, pear-shaped pods are highly decorative on silvery gray branches in fall. Aesculus californica flowers

30 12, 2015

Achilleas

Achilleas

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:27-07:00Categories: Blog, perennials|Tags: california native, nora harlow, perennials|

Achillea 'Moonshine' Achillea millefolium is a variable perennial, with one kind or another found throughout temperate regions of North America, Europe, Asia. California has several native kinds of A. millefolium, but the most widely available and commonly planted achilleas, such as the canary yellow ‘Moonshine’ or golden yellow ‘Coronation Gold’, are named hybrids or selections of other species or of plants originating elsewhere. You may have to seek out the lovely long-lived white- to pink-flowered native achilleas at native plant sales or nurseries that specialize in California natives. Achillea millefolium 'Island Pink', a selected form from the Channel Islands