© Project SOUND
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County Project SOUND – 2014 (our 10th year)
© Project SOUND
‘Hummingbird Heaven’: creating an elegant water-wise
garden for hummingbirds
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
August 2 & 5, 2014
© Project SOUND
California is a migratory route or year round residence for at least six members of the hummingbird family, more than any other state in the U.S.
© Project SOUND
Anna’s Hummingbird
Feeds on a variety of flowers as well as insects and spiders - eats more arthropods than most hummingbirds.
Particularly likes Salvia species, (Sage), particularly Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea).
Likes to get a drink on hot days.
They especially like bird baths that drip so they can hover and sip water as it runs over the edge.
They will also perch on the edge and drink as other
birds do but they only sit still for a minute
http://www.laspilitas.com/California_birds
/Hummingbirds/Anna's_Hummingbird/An
na's_Hummingbird.htm
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/167/_/An
nas_Hummingbird.aspx
Known for its red head. These feathers are only visible at a certain angle. This allows the male Anna's Hummingbird to hide when he needs to and show off when it suits him.
© Project SOUND
Allen’s Hummingbird
Common in brushy woods, gardens & meadows of coastal California
Male highly aggressive and territorial. Hot-tempered despite its diminutive stature, a male Allen's Hummingbird will chase other males from its territory, as well as any other hummingbird species
Eats mainly nectar (occasionally eating spiders and insects it finds in flowers). The spiders and insects provide a source of protein.
Need nectar sources with high amounts of sugar to support their incredibly high metabolisms.
Must visit approximately one thousand flowers per day and needs to consume more than twice its own weight in nectar each day.
Has very general nesting requirements - will nest in trees, shrubs, or herbs. Nests are very small and tightly woven cups.
http://hummingbirds.arizona.edu/Web%20pictures/Allen's%20male_salal_Melton.png
http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/allens_hummingbird_map.htm
© Project SOUND
Most hummingbird garden plans look
something like this
© Project SOUND
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/landowners_guide/habitat_mgmt/backyard/Special_Gardens.htm
Tohono Chul Park –
Tucson AZ
© Project SOUND http://www.gogobot.com/tohono-chul-park-tucson-attraction
http://arizonaforboomers.com/
‘This garden is planted with salvia, desert honeysuckle, desert willow and many other hummingbird-friendly plants.
Hummingbirds are drawn to sweet, flute-shaped flowers, which are perfect for the birds’ long, narrow beaks.
You’re sure to see a “hummer” flitting from flower to flower.’
© Project SOUND
Tohono Chul –Hummingbird Garden
http://sabinocanyonblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/whats-blooming-at-tohono-chul.html
Even the restaurant attracts
hummingbirds at Tohono Chul Park
© Project SOUND
http://www.soaznonprofits.org/tucsons-worst-best-kept-secret/
Site Map – front yard
© Project SOUND
garage
house
40.5’
40
’
Site Map – front yard
© Project SOUND
garage
house
10 ft 8 ft 15 ft
6 ft 4
Physical characteristics & constraints
Sandy loam soil – well-drained but dries quickly
Front yard – N-facing; back is S-facing and somewhat hot
Water Zones:
Front yard 2 to 2-3;
Back yard 1-2 to 2
© Project SOUND
http://www.estately.com/listings/info/2062-w-234th-street
Hummingbird needs in a nutshell
food—75% nectar, 25% protein from small insects and spiders and some pollen
water—they love to zip through moving water, such as a birdbath fountain, mist sprayer, or garden sprinkler
cover—from predators and for nesting (as well as nesting materials), and
perches—they spend 60–80% of each day perching, surveying their territory and dozing.
© Project SOUND
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/
Anna's_Hummingbird_-_male_flying.jpg
What expert California hummingbird
gardeners have learned
Hummingbirds prefer a mixed diet of nectar from multiple sources.
Hummingbirds need a source of nectar throughout the season (choose plants with different bloom seasons).
A yard needs between 400 and 1000 flowers to support one bird.
© Project SOUND
Fortunately, most neighborhoods
have at least some gardens with
nectar plants
What expert California hummingbird
gardeners have learned
Attractive blooming plants should lean towards reds & purples
In addition to native plants, hummingbirds use common garden plants such as Fuchsia, Salvia, Nicotiana, Agastache, Bee Balm, Columbine, Scarlet Gilia , Hyssop, Pride of Madiera and Red Hot Poker.
Penstamons are especially attractive because of their high nectar content.
© Project SOUND
Plant characteristics: ‘Hummingbird Heaven’
Must attract hummingbirds
Bloom season through year (combination of plants)
Some evergreen background plants – at least in front yard
Use vertical space wisely
Shade tree for backyard
Bright colored flowers: reds, oranges, purples
© Project SOUND
http://www.estately.com/listings/info/2062-w-234th-street
What expert California hummingbird
gardeners have learned
Hummingbirds need safe places to perch & hide – dense trees and shrubs of any kind, including many CA native species
Hummingbirds prefer the native species for nesting.
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
For the front yard, need to consider scale
Front yard – need small ‘tree’ and some
low evergreen shrubs as backdrop
Common evergreen choices – Water Zone 2 to 2-3
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos)
CA lilac (Ceanothus)
CA Coffeeberry
Hollyleaf redberry
Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis)
Lemonadeberry
Pacific wax myrtle – Myrica
Prunus ilicifolia
Pines/junipers
© Project SOUND
Seasonally deciduous Ribes
Sambucus
Large (tree-like) Ceanothus
Ceanothus arboreus
Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’
Ceanothus ‘Trewethin Blue’
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Snow Flurry’
© Project SOUND http://www.goldrushnursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/130/index.htm http://www.contracosta.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=24340&return=l12
Tree-like manzanitas
Arctostaphylos glauca (and cultivars
A. ‘Lester Rowntree’
A. densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’
A. bakeri 'Louis Edmunds‘
© Project SOUND
A. bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’
http://www.californianativeplants.com/index.php/catalog/item/arctostaphylos-bakeri-louis-
edmunds
A. densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/arctostaphylos-for-pacific-northwest-gardens/
Which ‘tree’: Manzanita or Ceanothus?
Arctostaphylos (Manzanita)
Water Zone: 2
Winter-spring bloom
Small white-pink flowers
Wide range of sizes
More open habit
Long-lived once established
Excellent hummingbird plant
Ceanothus (CA lilac)
Water Zone: 2
Spring bloom
Showy blue-purple flowers
Wide range of sizes
More dense
Shorter life in garden setting
Good hummingbird plant
© Project SOUND
Arctostaphylos ‘Lester Rowntree’
© Project SOUND
http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/pruning03-levin.php
Conclusion: perhaps a little out of
scale - too large and heavy-looking
for site
© Project SOUND
* Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora
© 2006 Steve Matson
© Project SOUND
Vine Hill Manzanita is a winner..
Size: 4-8 ft tall (cultivars somewhat
outside this range)
4-6+ ft wide
Growth form: Woody shrub; actual form
depends on local conditions
Cultivars range from tree-form to low groundcover
Moderate growth rate
Bark an attractive red-brown
Foliage: Evergreen
Leaves leathery, elliptic, upright, medium green
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/images/Photos/arcdenhm_trunk.JPG
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/419662011_8048513537.jpg?v=0
© Project SOUND
An adaptable Manzanita Soils: Texture: quite adaptable –
more so than other Manzanitas – takes clay soils
pH: any local; slightly acidic is best
Light:
Full sun to part-shade
Water: Winter: tolerates seasonal
flooding
Summer: likes to be fairly dry – Zone 1-2 to 2 once established
Fertilizer: likes poor soils; fine with organic mulch
© Project SOUND
Vine Hill manzanita
Train as an attractive tree
Use as a large accent shrub
Shear as a formal hedge – or leave it more informal
Some cultivars even make nice evergreen groundcovers
‘Howard McMinn’ cultivar
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/arcdenhm.htm
http://www.nativeson.com/images/plants/arctostaphylossunset.jpg
© Project SOUND
‘Sentinel’ cultivar
8-10 ft tall & ft wide; upright habit
Very ‘garden-tolerant’
One of the easiest Manzanitas to grow
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-densiflora-sentinel-manzanita
© Project SOUND
‘Howard McMinn’ cultivar
5-8+ ft tall & wide
Readily available
Very tolerant of garden conditions; long-lived (50+ years)
Often trained as a small tree
‘White Lanterns’ is more dense
http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Arcto_HowardMcMinn.htm
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/images/Photos/arcdenhm_lsp_shrub.JPG
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/arctostaphylos-for-pacific-northwest-gardens/
Aesthetic and other considerations when
choosing a manzanita
Open or dense growth pattern
Growth speed
Foliage color
Flower color
Size/color of fruits
‘Garden hardiness’ – length of time used in gardens
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Vine Hill manzanita - too dense?
© Project SOUND
*Baker’s manzanita – Arctostaphylos bakeri
Narrow endemic – small area of Sonoma County
Rare/endangered in wild
Chaparral and woodlands, in open areas – generally on serpentine soils
First described by Alice Eastwood in 1934
Much debate on taxonomy
AKA Arctostaphylos stanfordiana bakeri
© Project SOUND
*Baker’s manzanita – Arctostaphylos bakeri
©1995 David Graber
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3457
© Project SOUND
Small tree size
Size: 6-10 (usually 6-8) ft tall
6-8 ft wide
Growth form: Large shrub/small tree
Upright & open – often used for shape
Nice branch structure – and dark (purple/brown) bark
Foliage: Medium green
Leaves simple, oval, held mostly upright – may be rough or fuzzy
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Arctostaphylos_bakeri#me
diaviewer/File:Arctostaphylos_bakeri_ssp._bakeri_-
_University_of_California_Botanical_Garden_-_DSC09037.JPG
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctostaphylos-bakeri/
© Project SOUND
Manzanita flowers
Blooms: early spring – usually Feb-Mar in S. CA, but may be even earlier
Flowers: Small, urn-shaped flowers
In dangling clusters
Pink (light to medium)
Attract hummingbirds and long-tongued butterflies, bees
Fruits: Dryish red-brown drupe
Can be used to make ‘cider’, jelly, syrup, ‘mush’
Fruit-eating birds will take up the slack
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: well-drained
pH: slightly acidic
Light: Full sun to light shade
Water: Winter: needs plenty –
supplement as needed
Summer: needs some; Water Zone 2
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Thin organic mulch/leaf litter
Other: Prune up when young if desired;
remove dead branches
©1995 David Graber
Arctostaphylos bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’
Natural variant from N. Coast introduced into gardens in 1962
Lg shrub/small tree - to 10 feet tall and will spread 6 – 8 feet.
Open habit; nice branch structure
Small light gray-green leaves.
Adapts to many climates; full sun to part-shade & tolerates more water than most manzanitas, but is drought tolerant
Excellent for a screen or as a focal point in almost any garden.
AKA Arctostaphylos stanfordiana bakeri 'Louis Edmonds'
© Project SOUND
http://plantplanet.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/005-arctostaphylos-bakeri-louis-edmunds-louis-
edmunds-manzanita/
Why choose Manzanita cultivars?
Because they have better size, shape, color, etc.
Because they often are better adapted to garden conditions (and therefore more likely to thrive in your garden)
Garden tolerance - cultivars are often more tolerant of: A little extra water
Soils that are not perfectly drained
Heat and cold
Salinity and higher pH
© Project SOUND
Which Manzanita to choose?
‘Howard McMinn’
Adaptable
Good track record in gardens
Available
Rather dense foliage
‘Louis Edmonds
Adaptable
Good track record in gardens
Available
More open foliage
© Project SOUND
Tohono Chul – open shade with flowers
© Project SOUND
http://davidandlindab.blogspot.com/2011/04/tohono-chul-park.html
Island Alumroot – Heuchera maxima
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Growth requirements – Island Alumroot
Sun: Full sun on the coast, part shade anywhere
Soils: Any well-drained – sandy is best Any pH except very acidic
Nutrients: organic supplements, mulches are useful
Water: regular water to establish two to four times a month (especially in
summer and at inland locations) to keep plants looking green and lengthen bloom.
Are fairly drought tolerant in shady sites – just look a little raggedy with summer drought
Maintenance: Mulch Remove dead foliage Divide every 3-5 years – when flowering
decreases
http://www.gardenbuddies.com/forum/messages/4314/6145.html
© Project SOUND
Remember, Manzanitas are slow-growing
And our Heucheras will need some shade
© Project SOUND
We’ll need a temporary groundcover
© Project SOUND
That’s better
© Project SOUND
The end result will be lovely and neat
© Project SOUND
Fortunately, we have the ‘Ceanothus list’
© Project SOUND
Groundcover ceanothus
* * Ceanothus “Joyce Coulter’
* * Ceanothus ‘Centennial’
** Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Blue Jeans’
** Ceanothus maritimus ‘Frosty Dawn’
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens ‘Ken Taylor’
** Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens ‘Louis Edmunds’
Likely others if we asked a Theodore Payne Foundation or Tree of Life Nursery
© Project SOUND
Groundcover ceanothus: several choices
© Project SOUND
Ceanothus “Joyce Coulter’
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ceanothus-joyce-coulter
Ceanothus ‘Centennial’
http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3260/centennial-hybrid-wild-lilac/
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis
‘Yankee Point’ – trimmed low
http://www.landscapestandards.com/index.php?title=Lawn_Alternatives
Managing our low-growing ceanothus
Many groundcover species flower only once a year, in spring.
Everything that has flowered should be pruned immediately afterwards to keep the growth compact
All spring-flowering species should absolutely not be pruned in the autumn or winter or few flowers will be evident the following spring.
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Those tropical shrubs have gotta go…
Carex ‘lawn’
© Project SOUND
* Rose Meadowsweet – Spiraea splendens
©2011 Kelsey Byers
© Project SOUND
Rose Meadowsweet:
a garden favorite
In woodland garden with others that like a little moisture
As a groundcover under trees
In large containers – accent
In a butterfly garden Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/spi_spl.html Photo credit: cascade hiker / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
You’ve probably noticed ….
… that this month’s garden is very
different from the garden we
designed last month
Tohono Chul (and other famous gardens)
use an ancient design trick: repetition
© Project SOUND
http://www.gogobot.com/tohono-chul-park-tucson-attraction http://sabinocanyonblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/whats-blooming-at-tohono-chul.html
Definition: Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image
When applied to garden plants often referred to as ‘mass plantings’
Repetition
© Project SOUND
http://www.botanicaatlanta.com/Formal%20Italian%20Garden.jpg
Used: where ever design plays a role, from photography & painting to design of all types including garden design
Why done: To unify the total effect:
provide sense of consistency
To create rhythm – sense of movement as your eye follows the pattern
Often occurs in nature – part of why we find it pleasing
Too much repetition can be boring
Massed plantings
Advantages Look glorious when in bloom –
one of the showiest ways to garden - repetition
Fewer plant species to choose
More focused maintenance
Disadvantages More difficult to get year-
round color/flowers
May be hard to get enough plants of a given species
Risk of die-off on a massive scale
Less ecological in many cases
© Project SOUND
http://plantlust.com/plants/zauschneria-californica/images/28093/
http://gardendesigninc.com/gardendesignblog/?cat=23
What expert California hummingbird
gardeners have learned
Repetition works : use clusters of colorful blooms – easier for hummingbirds to spot the flowers
Contrast is also needed:
Layering blooms:
Tallest plants in back or in the center if it is accessible around the circumference of the garden. An example: Phlox
Middle size plants in the middle. An example: Bee Balm
Small plants in the front. An example: Salvia Sage
Color contrasts:
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
* Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop – Agastache urticifolia
© 2004, Ben Legler
© Project SOUND
Giant Hyssop is
easy to grow
Soils: Texture: just about any well-
drained soil
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade
Will attract more pollinators in sunny spot
Water: Winter: needs water; winter
flooding is fine
Summer: likes a bit of summer water Zone 2 or 2-3 – good under a birdbath
Fertilizer: not picky – fine with organic mulch
Other: spread slowly via rhizomes
© Project SOUND
Giant Hyssop adds a pastel
element to the summer garden
In mixed perennial beds – even mixed with non-natives
In areas with overspray from lawns, near fountains
In the vegetable garden or home orchard – fine with morning sun
Nice addition to a woodland garden – plant in sunny patches
Great bee plant – produces a light, minty-flavored honey
One of the best additions to the butterfly garden
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:qxNbk1BRhPMJ:forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/salvia/msg021927179459.html+Agastache+urticifolia+propag
ation&cd=29&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Horticultural Agastache increase our options
© Project SOUND
Agastache cana ‘Sinning’
Agastache cana Agastache rupestris ‘Sunset’
Agastache urticifolia
© Project SOUND
Hybrid Agastache adds both repetition & contrast
Verbena bonariensis is a staple of
hummingbird gardens
© Project SOUND
http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/a-particular-planting/hudas-05-27/
Comes from South America
The Verbenas: family Verbenaceae
~ 75 genera and 3,000 species
Includes herbs, shrubs, and trees
Mostly from tropical and warm temperate regions.
Heads/spikes/clusters of small flowers, many of which have an aromatic smell
Well-known examples” Teak -Tectona grandis (wood)
Verbena/Vervain
Lantana
Lippia or Frog Fruit
Chase Tree (Vitex)
© Project SOUND
http://delawarewildflowers.org/images/verbena_hastata.jpg
http://www.easttennesseewildflowers.com/gallery/var/albums/Texas09/Copy_of_Lantana_TX1.jp
g?m=1348906529
Verbenas as often massed in gardens
© Project SOUND http://powellgardens.blogspot.com/2010/10/reflections-of-grand-growing-season.html
Is there a native verbena we could use?
© Project SOUND
*Southwest mock verbena – Glandularia gooddingii
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GLGO
Eastern Mojave desert foothills; ne Sonoran Desert to UT, AZ, NM to n. Mexico
Sandy soils, washes, rocky slopes, 1200–2000 m. (4000-6500 ft.)
© Project SOUND
*Southwest mock verbena – Glandularia gooddingii
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?GLGO
http://www.delange.org/Verbena/Verbena.htm
© Project SOUND
Glandularia gooddingii – verbena-like for certain
Size: 1-2 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Growth form: Herbaceous/part-woody perennial
Mounded, groundcover-like habit
Moderate growth rate; lives 3-5 years (replace when needed)
Near evergreen with a little summer water
Foliage: Pale/medium green
Variable leaves – somewhat chrysanthemum-like
© Project SOUND
Flower-garden flowers
Blooms: in spring – usually Apr-June
Flowering season depends on moisture
Flowers: Violet or pale pink-purple
In dense clusters at tops of stalks
Very attractive – and also attract hummingbirds and butterflies
Seeds: Plant untreated seeds in winter
Needs light to germinate
Best seeded in place
Will reseed if happy
http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/1163/glandularia-gooddingii-southwestern-mock-vervain/
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: well-drained a must
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade; good heat
tolerance
Water: Winter: needs adequate;
supplement if needed
Summer: best with occasional summer water – Water Zone 2 to keep green, blooming
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: No/inorganic mulch for reseeding
Light pruning (deadheading) after flowering
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GLGO
© Project SOUND
Groundcover/fill
Groundcover under trees
Along walkways, patios
As an attractive pot plant
In mixed planter beds
In habitat, desert or rock gardens
©2010 James M. Andre
http://www.amwua.org/pictures/gc-v-gooddingii-1.jpg
http://www.landscape-resources.com/portfolio/groundcoversx/pages/Verbena%20gooddingii-
1.htm
© Project SOUND
Add the Mock verbena & replace a shrub…
Ribes
© Project SOUND
And our front yard looks pretty good
Front (Water Zone 2 to 2-3) – N = 7 species
Winter-spring Spring-summer Summer-fall
Trees
Arctostaphylos bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’
Large shrubs Ribes (malvaceum; sanguineum)
Smaller
shrubs Spiraea splendens
Groundcover Heuchera cv
Ceanothus cv
Glandularia gooddingii
Heuchera cv
Glandularia gooddingii
Other Agastache rupestris ‘Sunset’
Agastache rupestris ‘Sunset’
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Now it’s time to tackle the backyard
Here’s the site map for backyard
© Project SOUND
porch
house
Vegetable/Annuals
36 ft
38
ft
N
© Project SOUND
*Desert-willow – Chilopsis linearis
http://www.pssc.ttu.edu/techhort/PLANTID/desert/dsrtwllw.htm
© Project SOUND
Desert Willow is a small, deciduous tree or large shrub
Size: 15-30 ft tall
15-25 ft wide
Growth form: Naturally grows with several
trunks – can be trained to single
Open structure; graceful looking
Branches droop as they age
Old bark has fissures
Foliage: Bright green glossy leaves
Winter-deciduous (Nov-spring)
Fast growing – to 3 ft/year
http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=21922
We do have room for the Desert Willow
© Project SOUND
porch
house
Vegetable/Annuals
N
6’ 4’
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any well-drained;
can’t take very wet soils
pH: any local
Light: Full sun best
Light shade ok
Water: Regular water first 2 years;
no flooding
Zone 2; deep water when soil is dry
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: can tolerate extreme heat
http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Chilopsis_linearis.html
© Project SOUND
Flowers are like orchids
Blooms: Long bloom period
usually Apr-Aug/Sept. in S. CA
Flowers: Like an orchid or Catalpa
Extremely showy – tropical- or Mediterranean-looking
Light fragrance – somewhat like violets
Nectar attracts hummingbirds & bees
Seeds: In long, thin pods
Tan pods remain on tree through winter
http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=21931
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/1788381_t5i7e/1/91507869_yreg7#91507869_yreg7
© Project SOUND
Common cultivars
If you're looking for a specific flower color, shop now while the trees are in still in bloom.
Named cultivars are propagated vegetatively and are consistent in their flower characteristics.
Look for a tree with good vigor and a profusion of blooms in the color you like.
‘Lucretia Hamilton’
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/procee
dings1999/v4-436.html
‘Burgandy’
‘Warren Jones’
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vsny/2530579994/
© Project SOUND
The Desert willow is perfect for the backyard
© Project SOUND
Coyote Mint – Monardella villosa
http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2010/08/august-bloom-day/
© Project SOUND
Coyote Mint
Soils:
Texture: any well-drained
Light: full sun to part shade
Water:
Winter: don’t let it get too wet
Summer: best with slightly damp to slightly dry sandy soil; don’t over-water – will make it leggy and decrease it’s lifespan
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: Pinch tips to promote fuller growth
Shear back to about 1/3 of it’s volume in fall/winter
If the plant loses its leaves
to drought during the hot
months, it will leaf out
again with rain and cooler
weather.
So far, so good: all plants are hummingbird magnets
© Project SOUND
porch
house
Vegetable/Annuals
N
6’ 4’
Medium or large shrubs needed to block the view
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
We envision something like this
© Project SOUND
* Baja Fairyduster – Calliandra californica
© Project SOUND
Baja fairyduster has a Baja look…
Size:
4-8 ft tall; may be more
4-5 ft wide; sprawls
Growth form:
Evergreen woody shrub (may lose leaves when stressed)
Many crossing branches – airy look; sprawls
Foliage: Bright green
Many small leaflets; lacy/ferny look
Unique and pretty; doesn’t look like a drought-tolerant plant
Larval food for Marine Blue
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/calcal.htm
We’ve got plenty of room along the back fence
© Project SOUND
porch
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Vegetable/Annuals
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6’ 4’
What expert California hummingbird
gardeners have learned
Narrow gardens are better. It’s easier for hummingbirds to access the garden from either side.
Curving flower beds work also. These allow approach from all sides. Because hummingbirds are territorial, it’s better if they can zip down into the garden quickly before the competitor gets a chance to take over.
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Something smaller and shrubby in front
© Project SOUND
*Rose/Blue Sage – Salvia pachyphylla
©2008 Curtis Croulet
S High Sierras, Tehachapi Mountain Area, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Desert Mountains
Dry slopes, pinyon/juniper to yellow-pine forest, 5,000 to 10,000 ft (1,500 to 3,000 m) usually in decomposed granite
© Project SOUND
*Rose/Blue Sage – Salvia pachyphylla
©2008 Curtis Croulet
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4745,4865,4883
http://prairiebreak.blogspot.com/2013/09/santa-rosa-mountain-or-bust.html
© Project SOUND
Rose sage: one of our prettiest Salvias
Size: 2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Growth form: Mounded sub-shrub
Very dense branch pattern
Fairly fast growth
Foliage: Pale green to gray-green –
depends on light, water
Leaves spoon-shaped
Aromatic on touch – like a sweet White Sage scent
©2008 Curtis Croulet
© Project SOUND
Flowers are fantastic
Blooms: summer/fall – usually May-Aug/Sept. at our elevation
Flowers: Violet-blue flowers
surrounded by bright magenta bracts ; lovely
Plants literally covered with blooming stalks – makes other Salvias jealous!
Attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
©2006 Steven Thorsted
©2011 Steven Thorsted
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well-drained a must
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade (under
high canopy)
Tolerates heat
Water: Winter: needs adequate
Summer: none to occasional (better) in well-drained soils – Water Zone 1-2.
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils. Light organic or inorganic mulch
Other: prune in fall as with other native Salvias
©2011 Steven Thorsted
© Project SOUND
Queen of the garden
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/salvia-pachyphylla
http://acantholimon.blogspot.com/2014/03/plant-select-super-xerics.html
Salvia pachyphylla
‘Blue Flame’
Lush flowers are offset by mid-green foliage. Expect to fall in love with it
Does well in dry, gravelly gardens as a groundcover, border or pathway edging, native Southwestern gardens
36 inches tall and 24 inches wide
Flowers summer to fall attracting butterflies, honeybees. Hummingbirds
Available from High County Gardens (order on-line)
© Project SOUND
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-
plants/salvia/salvia-pachyphylla-blue-flame
Salvia pachyphylla ‘Mulberry Flambe’
‘Dark, mulberry-purple bracts and blue flowers held over pure silver, evergreen foliage.’
High Country Gardens
© Project SOUND
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-plants/salvia/salvia-
pachyphylla-mulberry-flambe
Two similar appearing
alternatives
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (English Lavender) Blooms: mid- to late summer
Full sun; well-drained soils
Occasional/medium (Water Zone 2 to 2-3)
Prune back to 8” every 2-3 years
Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ & ‘Santa Barbara dwarf’ - (Mexican Sage) Blooms: year-round (or almost so); great
hummingbird plant
Full sun/ well-drained soils
Occasional water (Water Zone 2)
Prune like native Salvias
© Project SOUND
English Lavender ‘Hidcote’
http://www.americanmeadows.com/perennials/lav
ender/lavender-hidcote
Salvia Leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’
Masses of purple from late spring to fall
© Project SOUND
porch
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Vegetable/Annuals
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Now we need some contrast
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Scarlet Bugler – Penstemon centranthifolius
http://www.researchlearningcenter.org/bloom/species/Penstemon_centranthifolius.htm
© Project SOUND
Flowers are showy
Blooms: mid- to late spring - usually Apr-June in our area, but may be later.
Flowers: Bright red to red-orange
(less common) – glow in the sun
Narrow, tubular shape – hummingbird flower
Along tall, rather narrow flowering stalks – somewhat like large Heuchera
Long-lasting & showy
http://homepage.mac.com/cjbowdish/ManzanaTrailandFigueroaMtMay2008/
© Project SOUND
Penstemons shine
in dry areas
Dry hillsides; lovely massed
With local native grasses
Paired with Salvias, other penstemons
Under oaks or other water-wise trees & shrubs
http://xasauantoday.com/2009/05/04/spring-at-the-indians/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amarguy/2388294009/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/12205793@N04/5116623276/
Penstemon ‘Garnet’ (syn. ‘Andenken an
Friedrich Hahn’)
A fast grower as well as reliable bloomer, ‘Garnet’ can reach 3’ high and 2’ across. The slender ruby-colored stems bear narrow, toothed green leaves and garnet-colored flowers from June to October; individual blossoms have a white throat marked with thin, red lines. The outermost flowering stems, heavy with blossom, often arch away from the center of the plant making it an elegant selection for containers. One of the hardiest hybrids, it persists longer than most in a favorable site
© Project SOUND
We need a fall-blooming orange flower
© Project SOUND
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Vegetable/Annuals
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California Fuschia – Epilobium canum
CA Fuschia – Epilobium canum
Formerly Zauschneria californica
Western U.S. from Wyoming to Baja
In southern CA
Away from immediate coast in drier areas of Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Southern Oak Woodlands
Dry areas, rocky slopes & cliffs
Also in mountain pine forests
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5410,5414
Very showy flowers
Trumpet-shaped, orange-red flowers with extended anther, stamens
Flowers on short stems from vertical stems
Hummingbird pollinated
Flowers also attract butterflies
Horticultural requirements for CA Fuschia
Soils: Texture: sand to clay – very tolerant pH: any, including alkali Nutrients: low needs
Sun: Full sun to part shade Ok under open trees
Water: Little to moderate water once
established Tolerates seasonal flooding
Pruning: Cut back in late winter – can cut
back to ground Can pinch back terminal buds for
fuller appearance
Multiplies by seeds and spreading roots
Isolation breeds
variability
Island variant (top) Foliage more gray-green
Blooms fall/winter (Sept.-Jan.)
Peninsula variant (bottom) Foliage more bright green
Blooms in summer/fall (Aug.-Oct.)
http://nnvesj.org/Y04/Ed13/NativeGarden2.htm
Epilobium canum ‘Uvas Canyon’
Upright habit to ~ 20”
Moderate to regular water
Very grey fuzzy foliage
Hot red-orange flowers that flower for many weeks in early fall
© Project SOUND
http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2011/11/california-fuchsias-red-hot-hotties-in.html
Epilobium septentrionalis
'Select Mattole'
Selected from a rock outcrop along the Mattole River in Humboldt County
Dense, silvery leaves offset tubular scarlet late summer blooms.
Best with sun/part-shade and occasional to regular water.
Beautiful amid grasses or along a wall where it can spill down.
© Project SOUND
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=901
Epilobium canum ‘Western Hills’
Zauschneria ‘Western Hills’ makes an upright, shrubby plant, to 70cm, clothed in small grey-green leaves. The orange-red trumpet, produced in a long succession, are held well above the foliage on twiggy stems. I’ve planted it in the dry garden next to the dusky pink flowered Origanum ‘Santa Cruz’.
© Project SOUND
http://lambley.com.au/garden-notes/californian-plants-for-an-australian-dry-garden
We finally have a plan for the backyard
© Project SOUND
porch
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Vegetable/Annuals
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6’ 4’
Back yard (Water Zone 1-2 to 2) – 7+ species
Winter-spring Spring-summer Summer-fall
Trees Chilopsis linearis
Large shrubs Calliandra californica
Smaller
shrubs Salvia leucantha
Penstemon centranthifolius;
Salvia pachyphylla
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ Salvia leucantha
Salvia leucantha
Groundcover Monardella villosa
Other Wildflowers
Epilobium
canum
© Project SOUND
© Project SOUND
Other annuals & biennials that are
particularly attractive to hummingbirds
Circium occidentale
Clarkia unguiculata
Collinsia heterophylla
Lupinus species
Oenothera elata
Annual Salvias
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_whatsnew/whatsnewmay07.html
The main back yard hummingbird haven
© Project SOUND
Provides good habitat & design Uses vertical space to provide interest and habitat
Uses repetition in shrubs and smaller plants
Uses contrast: size; foliage color; flower color
Provides interest and hummingbird food year-round
© Project SOUND
The hummingbird habitat: not just pretty
red flowers…
A hummingbird-friendly garden requires five key elements to provide good hummingbird habitat
Nectar-producing flowers
Insects
Water
Perching places
Nest sites
http://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/pics/alhumas.jpg
© Project SOUND
Gardening for hummingbird habitat
Place plants in several locations. This will allow more hummingbirds and minimize territorial fighting
Fill as much of your yard as possible with flowering plants, vines, shrubs, and trees. If you do not have a garden, even a window box or hanging basket can attract hummingbirds!
Plant clusters of the same species together.
Plant flowers with different blooming times to provide nectar throughout the seasons.
Minimize or avoid using herbicides or pesticides on or near those plants where butterflies and hummingbirds are feeding.
© Project SOUND
More tips: Gardening for Hummingbird habitat
Create both sun and shade area in your hummingbird garden. Your hummingbird flowers will need sun to grow and your hummingbirds will need the shade to perch in between feedings.
Be sure to position your hummingbird garden where you can see it and get the most enjoyment out of it.
Hummers spend nearly 80 percent of their time resting, so you also will want to provide plenty of places to perch. They'll sit on twigs, leaf stems, fences, etc..
Mature trees and shrubs with a thick canopy are important nesting and escape features. Shrubs, bushes and perennials not only provide food but can also provide perching and nesting sites and, in some cases, escape features the bird will use.
Trees and shrubs don’t necessarily need to be huge to provide good hummingbird habitat
© Project SOUND
http://sabinocanyonblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/whats-blooming-at-tohono-chul.html
Tohono Chul Garden