Caring for the native plants

Steve Kawaratani

“Teachers are never fully appreciated by parents until it rains all

day Saturday.”

-- ANONYMOUS

“Raindrops keep falling on my head.”

-- B. J. THOMAS

As a reminder, rain is a drop of water falling from the sky. Its

early appearance is a good thing in Laguna, unless one is involved in

the early stages of construction of a house or digging around in a

watercourse.

For the many native plants that cover our hillsides, rain is the

crucial element, also affecting the quality of our lives in town and

beyond. Native plants are a better choice for many gardens. They are

well suited to the climate, soils and other growing conditions of

Laguna. Since they evolved in our mainly dry climate, they generally

require less water and care than other plants. If a home is on a

hillside or near open space, natives help a garden blend with the

natural surroundings.

More than 7,000 native species have been identified in California,

many may be found at Laguna Gardens and Tree of Life Nursery.

Selected natives and their horticultural varieties have proven

successful in slope plantings, local parks and our home gardens.

Natives require coarse, well-drained soil and restricted summer

water. Mulching around the plant base protects the roots and

infrequent deep watering helps to develop a strong root system.

Watering should be limited largely to the winter and spring months,

to complement natural rainfall and growing cycles.

Overhead watering from sprinklers during the summer should be

avoided as it can cause unseasonable growth and increases the

susceptibility of the plant to disease, root rot and fungus. Although

the best time to plant is from November to March, we are blessed in

Laguna, with temperatures mild enough to allow planting year round.

A few of the most attractive native choices include the

Arctostaphylos species and cultivars, commonly called Manzanita. They

range from ground covers to large shrubs and small trees. Many

feature sculptural trunks, showy pink to white flowers and medium

green leaves.

Another native is Ceanothus, known as the California Lilac. With

an arching habit, they may be found as dense ground covers to tall

shrubs. They all feature large clusters of bright blue flowers, hence

the name, Lilac.

Baccharis pilularis, or dwarf Coyote Bush, is one of the most

rugged full-proof ground covers. It is both fire resistant and deer

resistant.

Fast growing, it is dense and bright green.

The staccato beat of the rain made me sleepy, but I mused about

California native plants until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. The last

thing I remember was holding Catharine close, while the raindrops

fell above our head. See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. He is married to local writer,

Catharine Cooper, and has three cats. He can be reached at (949)

497-2438, or e-mail to [email protected].