© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND - 2009

© Project SOUND

Sunshine & Sunflowers

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

December 5 & 8, 2009

© Project SOUND Painter Shirley Novak

© Project SOUND

Can I do this with CA native plants?

http://www.shirleynovak.com/garden.htm

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Rediscovering the riches

in our own backyard….

Many of our native plants were brought to England in the 1800’s

Our native California wildflowers are some of the staples of the famed English “cottage gardens”

It’s time we learn to appreciate our unique and wonderful annual wildflowers

Hardy Drought tolerant Beautiful Inexpensive – re-seed

http://www.lowryjames.com/cgi-bin/lowry/306.html

1840 print – Jane Webb Loudon London

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California natives include both annual & perennial ‘wildflowers’

http://www.grahamowengallery.com/photography/Flowers/3-21-09-California-Wildflowers.jpg

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Which is useful for the home gardener…who needs

to consider all 12 months of the year

http://www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org/fivethemedsectionsof%20gardenmanhattanbeachtobotanicalgarden.htm

© Project SOUND

Annual Wildflowers in the garden

ADVANTAGES:

Easy, fast Brilliant colors; spring-

summer Relatively low maintenance Seeds are cheap

DISADVANTAGES:

May require re-planting every year

‘the golden-brown season’ – may not be appropriate for situations that require a ‘neat’ look

© Project SOUND

Perennial Wildflower in the garden

ADVANTAGES:

Includes some early bloomers Do not have to be planted every

year. The familiarity that comes from

seeing the same plants in the same garden year after year allows gardeners to coordintate and fine tune color and texture sequences as different perennials come and go each season.

Mature perennial flowers are often quite drought-tolerant

DISADVANTAGES:

Takes time to mature. Propagating plants may be difficult

– or more costly if you buy the plants

You have to do the yearly management – pruning, etc.

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The ‘mixed garden’ includes both annual

& perennial species (wildflowers, grasses)

© Project SOUND

Combining annual wildflowers & perennial

species Are they compatible?

Water requirements Light requirements Mulch Nutrients

How will the area look throughout the year?

Should I include: Annuals? Herbaceous perennials? Bulbs & corms? Native grasses? Even sub-shrubs? – can plant

annuals between them to give some extra color http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TQT9JERLUqI/SdUZpwc_b9I/AAAAAAAAABw/AlJGRCRJid4/s1600-h/nassellannuals.jpg

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Combining annual wildflowers & perennial species – an example

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Challenges & opportunities

Needs to look good year-round (front yard)

Back (near wall) gets extra water from neighbor’s sprinklers

Nice and sunny – good place for native annuals & perennials

Want some native grasses to carry grass them from other areas in front yard

© Project SOUND

How I chose to meet the challenges – a

mix and match strategy

Plant Zone 2-3 herbaceous perennials along wall

Include native grasses & bulbs amongst the perennials

Have a separate area for annual wildflowers – but make it look neat with a crushed rock mulch

In summer, perennials will cover a part of the annual area, making it look less bare

© Project SOUND Painter Shirley Novak

© Project SOUND

* Yellow Mariposa Lily – Calochortus luteus

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gzcSLF2cdRs/Rlzm51UugaI/AAAAAAAACY4/N7Y59SxvPdY/DSC_3049.JPG http://www.ohara-art.com/Patrick/index.php?id=23

© Project SOUND

* Yellow Mariposa Lily – Calochortus luteus

Foothills of Central & N. CA Coast, & western Sierras – CA endemic – s. to Ventura, Kern Co.

Heavy soils in grasslands, coastal prairie, open areas in oak savanna, mixed oak woodland and mixed-evergreen forest.

In the Lily family (Lilliaceae) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon

_id=242101477

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8349,8461,8487

© Project SOUND

Yellow Mariposa is a typical Calochortus

Size: ~ 1 ft tall

~ 1 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous perennial from a

bulb

Dies back to the bulb in summer dry period – emerges with the rains

Foliage: Grass-like; blends right in

with native grasses

Roots: relatively short (15 inches or so max.); bulb can be eaten raw or cooked/baked

http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2005/250505/log.html

© Project SOUND

Flowers are showy –

get your camera!

Blooms: in spring, usually Apr-May but may be as late as June in our area – rain/ temperature dictated

Flowers: Typical Mariposa shape –

typically 3 petals

Lovely golden yellow with red & orange blotches & markings

Usually 3-4 flowers/plant

Attract hummingbirds, butterflies, a host of insects

Seeds: flat, tan seeds

Vegetative reproduction: produces bulblets

© Project SOUND

One of the more garden-

friendly Mariposas Soils:

Texture: any local from heavy clays to sandy loam

pH: any local

Light: Full sun

Loves spring/summer heat – fine in hot areas of garden

Water: Winter/spring: needs adequate

water – if needed, supplement

Summer: must have summer dry period

Fertilizer: likes poor soils, but can use ½ strength during growth period

Other: fine with light mulch – gravel/coarse sand is best

Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Calochortus can be started from bulbils or seeds

Takes time – 3-5 years from seed

You can propagate a lot of plants for little $$ - if you’re patient

Suggest planting in pots of tubs that can be left intact in a cool, dry place in dormant season

Check size of bulbs in 2-3 years; if large enough, then plant out

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2210924817_34d8e3015d.jpg

http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2006/050706/log.html

© Project SOUND

Mariposas in the garden

Charming pot plants – hide the pot in a cool place in summer

In summer-dry gardens; will reseed if happy

In rock gardens

In those hard-to-water places; good with penstemons

http://www.srgc.org.uk/wisley/2008/170108/Calochortus%20luteus%20leaves.jpg http://users.actrix.co.nz/hokpines/callut.jpg

© Project SOUND

‘Golden Orb’ cultivar A naturally occurring cultivar

Has been grown by Dutch bulb producers for a long time

Selected for: Golden yellow color

Larger flowers

Taller flowering stalks

Long bloom time

Survival in gardens

Widely available – native plant and bulb suppliers

http://www.bloomingbulb.com/p-48512-calochortus-golden-orb.aspx

© Project SOUND

A few more yellow bulbs to consider

Golden Stars - Bloomeria crocea Yellow-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium californicum

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Dealing with those pesky critters….

Bulbs are FOOD

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/SERG/restorationproj/woodlandgrassland/penc

an/penasquitos_final.htm

http://kenfuller.exactpages.com/garden_snail1.JPG

http://www.appistry.com/blog/2008/06

/you-cant-draw-a-box-around-a-cloud/

© Project SOUND

If not yellow, then white….

Calochortus albus

Calochortus superbus Calochortus clavatus

Calochortus

catalinae

© Project SOUND

Have you noticed that many early spring

bloomers have yellow flowers?

CA Encelia – Encelia californica

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Why use yellow & white flowers?

Contrasts with darker foliage, dark walls, etc.

Tidy-tips – Layia platyglassa

© Project SOUND

Tidy-tip flowers stand out because they have

both color (hue & light-dark contrast

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The colors of yellow…

Yellow is between green (cooler) and orange (warmer) on the color wheel)

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4775075/yellow-main_Full.jpg

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/images/uploads/9.1

8color.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/1201/3

63/images/RCWjava4x4.jpg

© Project SOUND

Families with

yellow flowers

Lilliaceae (Lily family)

Brassicacaea (Mustard Family)

Papaveraceae (Poppy family)

Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/1201/3

63/images/RCWjava4x4.jpg

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Strand Wallflower - Erysimum insulare ssp. suffrutescens

© Project SOUND

Western Wallflower – Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum

http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html

© Project SOUND

Western Wallflower looks somewhat like our local

Dune Wallflower Size:

1-2 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Short-lived (2-3 year) perennial

in our area

Upright growth habit

Dies back to ground in dry season

Foliage: Leaves sparse, almost linear

Blue-green

Roots: soil-binding

http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=22411

© Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic

Blooms: spring – Mar-May in western L.A. County

Flowers: Bright golden yellow;

quite showy

Typical shape for Brassicaceae (Mustard); parts of 4

Open ‘up the stem’

Attracts bees, hummingbirds & other pollinators

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/westernwallflower.html

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/wallfl3.htm

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any, including clays

pH: any local; dislikes acidic soils

Light: Part-shade (afternoon shade)

best in most gardens

Water: Winter: needs good

winter/spring rains

Summer: dry (Zone 1 or 1-2); needs summer dormancy

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: let plant re-seed before cutting back in fall

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/westernwallflower.html

© Project SOUND

Strand Wallflower is an attractive

addition to the garden

Flowers are fragrant

nectar attracts butterflies and native bees

Excellent for:

Natural gardens

“Cottage gardens”

Rock gardens

Soil stabilization (sand)

Perfect for old-fashioned gardens

© Project SOUND

http://vtgcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/pages/Selby%20Gardens/Selby-03-BC7-wallflower.JPG

Wallflowers make a cheerful addition to mixed beds

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Mixed beds require planning

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What every seed needs to germinate

Water

Warm enough temperatures

+/- light

May be special factors for some plants

http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2004/270104/Frit%20moment

%20of%20germination.jpg

Many California native wildflowers are very easy to grow

– require no pre-treatment

© Project SOUND

CA Goldfields – Lasthenia californica ssp. californica

© 2009 Barry Breckling

© Project SOUND

CA Goldfields – Lasthenia californica ssp. californica

Grows in the U.S. Southwest from S. OR to Mexico – including our area

Common in many Plant Communities below 4500 feet elevation

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Lasthenia+californica

http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Astera6.html#lascal

© Project SOUND

Looks similar to an old friend…Lasthena glabrata

© Project SOUND http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antelope_vally_spring.jpg

In Antelope Valley

© Project SOUND

California Goldfields is a nice little spring annual

Size: < 1 ft tall (may be slightly

taller in garden)

12-18 inches wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual wildflower

Upright; slender, dainty

Foliage: Narrow, medium-green leaves

May be slightly hairy & succulent in garden

Roots: < 1 ft – fine in pots

© 2009 Barry Breckling

http://yosemiteexplorer.com/albums/d/2186-9/060324-08-hite-lasthenia-californica.jpg

© Project SOUND

Flowers are true ‘gold’

Blooms: In spring – anytime from Jan.

to Apr. in western L.A. Co.

Tied to both timing of the rains as well as temperature

Flowers: Smallish: ~ ½ inch heads

Typical sunflower heads

Insect pollinated

Both ray & disk flowers bright to golden yellow

Just dazzling when massed – all tend to bloom at once

Seeds: small sunflower seeds – great treat for the birds

© 2009 Barry Breckling

http://www.gardeningwithnatives.com/articles/wildflower_top_10.html

© Project SOUND

Typical of most wildflowers – will grow in many soils

Soils: Texture: any local – sand to clay

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade –

versatile like Tidy-tips

Water: Winter/spring: needs good soil

moisture – may need to supplement rains, particularly when seedlings small

Summer: taper off after blooming ceases – absolutely needed for seed production

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils, but ½ strength won’t kill them

G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://www.fossilflowers.org/imgs/jlr326/na/Asteraceae_Lasthenia_californica_31520.html

© Project SOUND

The lifecycle of Annual plants in the

South Bay Seed germination – Fall/Winter

(after the first seasonal rains); some require spring warmth; generally quick (1-4 weeks)

Plant growth – Winter (some) Spring, Summer (some) – rapid in warm days of Spring

Flowering – Spring/Summer (a very few in early fall)

Seed production – Late Spring-Summer

Death – Spring (some), Summer (most), Fall (a few)

© Project SOUND

Seeds of ‘sunflowers’

are easy to grow

Plant at the right time – in winter, just before a major rain cycle

Just lightly rake in the seeds – need light to germinate

Be sure the young seedlings get adequate water

Taper off water after flowering

Let plants reseed – and/or collect dry seeds, dry a week or two, store in cool, dry place (paper bags, envelopes or glass jars)

http://www.ransomseedlab.com/aboutus/asteraceae/examples_lasthenia_californica.htm

http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos/bendcollections/images/Lasthenia%20californica_JPG.jpg

© Project SOUND

Goldfields – lovely at

any scale

Wonderful as a pot plant on porches, balconies, etc. – spot of bright color

Massed as they grow in nature – will take a while to get good coverage

Mix with other annuals and native bunchgrasses – this was a component of native prairies here

Consider it in the vegetable garden – attracts native pollinators

Great little annuals for edging walks

http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html

http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/flowers/index.php?action=show_item&id=65&search=

© Project SOUND

Other spring-blooming yellow sunflowers

Annuals Chaenactis (Pincushion) species

All of the Lasthenia species

Layia platyglossa (Tidy-tips)

* Malacothrix glabrata (Desert Dandylion)

Perennials/Shrubs Coreopsis gigantea & * Coreopsis

maritima

Encelia californica (CA Encelia)

© Project SOUND

Yellow all season long – with sunflowers

Great ‘season stretchers’ – bloom spring & fall

Annuals Annual sunflower –

Helianthus annuus

* Garaea canescens – Hairy Desert Sunflower

Perennials/shrubs Constancea (Eriophyllum)

nevinii - Catalina Silverlace

Grindelia species (Gumplants)

Hairy Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula

© Project SOUND Annual Sunflower – Helianthus annuus

© Project SOUND

* Hairy Desert Sunflower – Geraea canescens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraea_canescens

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* Hairy Desert Sunflower – Geraea canescens

Southwestern U.S. deserts from CA to UT and south to Mexico

In CA, in both the Mojave & Sonoran deserts

Elevations from sea level to 4,265 feet (1,300 m)

In sandy desert soil, usually in the company of creosote brush

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Geraea+canescens

© Project SOUND

© 2008 Christopher L. Christie

© 2006 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

© Project SOUND

Charming annual whose growth reflects it’s desert origin

Size: 1-3 ft tall; depends on water

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Slender, branching habit

Foliage: Light green/red stems

(usually)

Foliage fuzzy/hairy

Relatively few leaves – but more with spring water

Roots: taproot

© 2004 James M. Andre

© Project SOUND

Flowers are everything you’d

want from a sunflower

Blooms: Two seasons (with some summer

water) - Feb–May, Oct–Nov Relatively long bloom period (like

annual sunflower) – flowers open over a month or more

Flowers: Medium-sized heads – to 2”

diameter

Both ray & disk flowers golden-yellow – disk flowers slightly darker

Attract many types of insect pollinators

Seeds: excellent bird food

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraea_canescens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraea_canescens

© Project SOUND

Desert Sunflowers - easy to

grow in well-drained soils Soils:

Texture: sandy best

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Winter/spring: needs good

winter moisture; let dry out some in late spring

Summer: can water occasionally (Zone 2) to promote fall bloom, then let it dry out again

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: best when grown using a gravel/crushed rock or coarse sand mulch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraea_canescens

© Project SOUND

What’s the deal about gravel/crushed rock mulches?

You may have notices that many annual wildflowers like to grow in decomposed granite

Why? Similar to natural conditions for

some wildflowers Well-drained Warms up well Easy for small seedlings to grow

through; and protects them Seeds can avoid predation

Other advantages Looks neater than bare ground Looks quite natural

An inorganic mulch ~ 1 inch deep or less

works well – you will have to weed

© Project SOUND

Use Desert Sunflower like a

smaller annual sunflower

An appropriate size for large pots and planters

Great addition to desert & rock gardens

Fine in out-of-the-way places, where it will reseed itself

Great habitat plant

http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/feb/papr/desunflower.html

Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy o

f Sciences

© Project SOUND

Color with confidence –

complementary colors

Across from one another on color wheel

Most contrast in hue (color)

http://research.calacademy.org/redirect?url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/botany/wildflow/color.asp

http://jilldenton.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/color-wheel.jpg

© Project SOUND

Color with confidence –

Analogous Colors

Next to one another on the color wheel

Look like the naturally go together

http://research.calacademy.org/redirect?url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/botany/wildflow/color.asp

http://jilldenton.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/color-wheel.jpg

© Project SOUND http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TQT9JERLUqI/SdUikf9K5II/AAAAAAAAACw/gWUPCQa1oJo/s1600-h/templeview.jpg

© Project SOUND

* Common Madia – Madia elegans

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

© Project SOUND

* Common Madia – Madia elegans

© 2007 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

* Common Madia – Madia elegans

West Coast species – WA to Baja

Locally in Santa Monica & San Gabriel mtns.

Dry, open, usually grassy places, in shrublands, woodlands, forests often along roadsides

Either coarse or clay soils

ssp. elegans ssp. densifolia

ssp. vernalis

ssp. wheeleri

© Project SOUND

Common Madia is a typical annual sunflower

Size: 1-3 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Erect

Foliage: Leaves mostly below the

flowers, linear

Hairy to bristly

Aromatic – unusual – like tropical fruits

Rabbits & ground squirrels will eat foliage

© 2009 Aaron Schusteff

© Project SOUND

One of our showiest

sunflowers

Blooms: in summer usually Jul-Sept.

Flowers: Typical sunflower heads; about an inch

in diameter

Ray flowers often clefted – sometimes markedly so

Ray flowers often blotched with maroon – super showy

Flowers close at mid-day

Make nice cut flowers

Seeds: Small, tufted sunflower seeds

Aromatic seeds were parched and ground for pinole, flavoring

Many birds also like these seeds

© 2009 Barry Breckling

http://www.backyardnature.net/n/09/090712mb.jpg

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any well-drained

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade

Water: Winter: moist soils during

growth period

Summer: taper off water at end of flowering

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils – but can’t hurt them

Other: save some seeds for next year – or birds may eat them all!

© Project SOUND

Madias provide nice

summer color, fragrance

As a showy, larger addition to the summer flower garden

As a food plant – for yourself or birds

In the fragrance garden – be sure to plant where you’ll enjoy it

© 2004 George W. Hartwell

http://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/M/Madia_elegans.htm

© Project SOUND

Don’t just limit

sunflowers to the

flower garden….

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1222/813282834_54780bbcc1.jpg

http://greenbrae3.exblog.jp/m2009-08-01/

http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Madia&Species=elegans

© Project SOUND

Innate seed dormancy – ways seeds are

prevented from sprouting ‘too soon’

Immature embryo – needs ‘after-ripening period’ to develop fully [example: seeds that sprout better the second year]

Biochemical trigger – needed to trigger production/release of enzymes [Ex: cold; heat; chemicals in smoke]

Germination inhibitors in seed coat – must be leached from seed coat before germination will occur [Ex: require removal of fleshy fruit surrounding seeds; period in damp soils]

Seed coat provides physical barrier (usually to water) – seed coat must breached for germination to occur [Ex: ‘scarification’; seeds that pass through digestive tract; seeds that need a ‘hot water treatment like lupines]

© Project SOUND

http://www.johngamblepaintings.com/John%20Gamble%20Biography%20Page.htm

© Project SOUND

Fire & wildflowers – what’s the story?

Heat?

Smoke – or specific constituents of smoke (smoke is a complex mixture of 1000/s of chemicals)?

Increased availability of sun, water, nutrients?

We still have lots to learn

about this subject

© Project SOUND

Whispering Bells – Emmenanthe penduliflora var. penduliflora

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Emmenanthe_penduliflora

© Project SOUND

Whispering Bells – Emmenanthe penduliflora var. penduliflora

Southwestern U.S. south to Baja; locally on Channel Islands, Santa Monica Mtns.

Most common in dry, rocky or sandy, recently burned areas.

A common plant of the chaparral ecosystem, which is prone to wildfire.

Emmenanthe is a monotypic genus - contains only one species, Emmenanthe penduliflora

© Project SOUND

Tons the first year, few the next, none the

3rd year

http://www.coestatepark.com/emmenanthe_penduliflora.htm

http://www.delange.org/WhisperingBells/WhisperingBells.htm

© Project SOUND

Whispering bells is quite different

© 2008 Robert Patrie

http://www.coestatepark

.com/emmenanthe_pen

duliflora.htm

http://www.delange.org/W

hisperingBells/Whispering

Bells.htm

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Usually many-branched

Foliage: Begins as a basal rosette

Clasping leaves are sticky/glandular

Has a mildly medicinal scent – not bad

© Project SOUND

Flowers are unique

Blooms: In spring - usually Apr-Jun

in S. CA

Flowers: Lemon-yellow (usual) to

bright yellow

Very small

Shaped like little bells – very quaint & old-fashioned looking

Seeds: Flat, brown with honeycomb

pattern surface

Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Emmenanthe_penduliflora

© Project SOUND

Why ‘Whispering’?

Flowers droop along the stalk as they age

As the flowers dry, they become papery

When the dried flowers rub together in the wind they make a soft whispering sound – hence the common name

© 2008 Robert Patrie © 2003 Lynn Watson

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: rocky or sandy soils

best

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade

Water: Winter: need good

winter/spring water

Summer: taper to Zone 1

Fertilizer: ?? Does increased nitrogen post-fire increase germination rates?

Other: use of charate or other ‘smoke’ treatment

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Emmenanthe_penduliflora

© Project SOUND

Whispers in the garden

Would make a unique container plant – pair with lupines?

In a rock garden

For erosion control on slopes

??? Use your creativity

http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=Emmenanthe%20penduliflora

© Project SOUND

http://www.fotolog.com/treebeard/49651134

Red, orange, and yellow flowers owe their brilliant hues to a group of pigments

called carotenoids. Similar pigments are responsible for some fall leaf colors.

© Project SOUND

* Western Poppy – Papaver californicum

© 2005 Christopher L. Christie

© Project SOUND

* Western Poppy – Papaver californicum

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5547,5590,5592

Coastal foothills of California – locally in foothills of Santa Monica & San Gabriel mtns.

Burns and disturbed places below 2500', chaparral and oak woodland

http://www.researchlearningcenter.org/bloom/species/Papaver_californicum.htm

© Project SOUND

Similar to the non-native ‘Iceland’ poppy

Size: 1-2 ft tall

~ 1 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual wildflower

Foliage: Leaves mostly basal, strongly

lobed

Medium green, glandular

May cause slight contact skin rash (typical for poppies)

Roots: taproot

© 2005 Christopher L. Christie

© Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic!

Blooms: In Spring - usually Apr-May

Flowers open up over several weeks

Flowers: Bright red-orange color

(usually) tho’ may be more pale orange

Relatively large size – 1+ inch diameter

Very showy – folks don’t believe this is a native

Seeds: Small, round and dark

In typical poppy capsule

© 2005 Christopher L. Christie

http://www.researchlearningcenter.org/bloom/species/Papaver_californicum.htm

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: must be well-drained; in nature, often sandy

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: moist soils

Summer: to Zone 1

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: Use charate (or water extract of

charate) to stimulate germination

Plant seed in place or transfer plants when very young (like CA Poppies – have tap root)

© 2006 Aaron Schusteff

© Project SOUND

Poppies are among

everyone’s favorite flowers

For borders – lovely massed

Along pathways

In cottage garden plantings

In pots & planters

Anywhere you’ve planted non-native poppies in the past

Beatrice F. Howitt © California Academy of Sciences

http://www.lasmmcnps.org/geoffburleigharchive/selection/144.jpg http://doubtfulmuse.blogspot.com/2008/06/garden-girl-and-pig-wallows.html

© Project SOUND

Wind Poppy - Stylomecon heterophylla

(Papaver heterophyllum)

Grassy areas and openings in chaparral

Grassy & brushy slopes below 4000 ft.

Rarely germinates in the wild except after a wildfire

© 2005 Christopher L. Christie

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5547,5600,5601

© Project SOUND

Wind Poppy – so

showy!!!

Scent of ‘Lily of the Valleys’

Another fire-follower that needs smoke treatment

J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Maybe worth the extra effort

Ways to ‘apply smoke’ to seeds

Burn native twigs on the area to be planted

Make charate (charcoal/ash) from native twigs – apply to planted area or medium

Apply ‘liquid smoke’, either as a seed pre-treatment or used to water planted seeds – easier method

http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html

© Project SOUND

You can make your own ‘liquid smoke’

with a grill or home smoker

Using a small grill, burn charcoal on half of the base of the grill (as normal) and on the upper grill surface place a pan of water on the other side and native vegetation (woody and leafy) on the side above the charcoal. Cover the grill. As the coals burn the native vegetation the smoke that is created will be infused in the water in the pan. Be careful not to allow the water to boil away. The water created in these ways can be cooled and used immediately or frozen until needed.

© Project SOUND

Use commercially available smoke

infused products

Liquid smoke – Natural products available from some

Australian & S. African sources;

You might also want to experiment with ‘liquid smoke’ product used in cooking

Smoke infused paper discs

Dry smoke infused material to add to planting medium: such as Regen 2000

© Project SOUND

CAPE "Super Smoke Plus" SEED

PRIMER

Cape Super Smoke Plus is an absorbent paper that is impregnated with fynbos-smoke-saturated water. The paper is then dried and sealed in a polythene packet.

A predetermined volume of water is added to the paper in a suitable container and the seeds are "smoke-primed" by soaking in the smoke-water solution for 24 hours.

A range of natural germination stimulators has been added to the smoke solution to overcome other forms of seed dormancy found in many species.

http://www.seedman.com/cape.htm

© Project SOUND

Be sure to get a product that is just ‘liquid

smoke’ ‘Lazy Kettle’ brand ; ‘Colgin’s brand;

‘Wright’s’ brand

A little bit goes a long way – 1 part liquid smoke to 10 parts water as a starting point

Try it – you’ll have to do some experimentation – let us know your results

© Project SOUND

It’s no coincidence that artists have CA native

wildflowers in their own gardens

http://jofleming.net/jf_media/poppies_from_my_garden_2.jpg

© Project SOUND

Sources of inspiration

are all around

Manhattan Beach Botanic Garden

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/11/25/pv.jpg

Palos Verdes

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site577/2009/0902/20090902_081440_rpvfirepole1_500.jpg

© Project SOUND