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© 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

Accent on Annuals: some of

our more unusual annual

wildflowers

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

January 4 & 7, 2014

What do you think of when you picture a

wildflower garden?

© Project SOUND

http://gardenersbasement.com/planting-a-wild-flower-garden/

Many of us have a hard time envisioning

wildflowers in our gardens

© Project SOUND

http://www.theodorepayne.org/history/seedspmix2a.jpg

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It’s time for the California native gardening

tradition to take the next step…

© Project SOUND

http://mostbeautifulgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/simple-

sofisticated-backyard-garden.jpg

http://acharlottegarden.blogspot.com/2011/08/california-native-plant-garden-at-san.html

… become more

sophisticated

2014: Bringing Nature Home - Lessons

from Gardening Traditions Worldwide

© Project SOUND

Bringing Nature Home: Mother Nature +

the art of gardening (gardening ‘secrets’)

© Project SOUND

The ‘essence’ of Japanese gardening is

to capture the ‘spirit’ of the natural world

in which we live - and bring it home

© Project SOUND

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Wildflower gardens should reflect (but not

necessarily recreate) their natural context

© Project SOUND http://gardenersbasement.com/planting-a-wild-flower-garden/

http://www.moprairie.org/placemarks/coyne-prairie-dade-county/

http://www.laspilitas.com/easy/easywildflower.htm

First we need to develop a deep understanding of the natural landscape

Then we must determine the ‘essence’ of what makes our California landscape unique

Only then can we apply traditional principles for ‘bringing nature home’

© Project SOUND

http://sequoiariverlands.wordpress.com/category/native-plants/

http://www.plantscomprehensive.com/category/tags/san-diego-native-landscaping?page=3

Beautiful, authentic

gardens begin with nature

We’ve focused on local prairie/pool plants

used in local gardens

Camissonia species (Suncups)

Clarkia purpurea (Purple Clarkia)

Collinsia heterophylla (Chinese Houses)

Gilia tricolor (Birds-eye Gilia)

Lasthenia californica (Goldfields)

Layia platyglossa (Tidytips)

Lupines (Lupinus bicolor; L. succulentis)

Annual Salvias

© Project SOUND http://www.speciesphoto.com/images/sjwa/2004_03_09/DSCN0009.html

Today we’ll venture further afield in

search of annual wildflowers for the

home garden © Project SOUND

Turkish rugging – Chorizanthe stacticoides

©2009 Thomas Stoughton

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Foothills/mountains of the Coast Ranges from Monterey County southward into San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties.

Another series of populations on Santa Catalina Island and along the coast (L.A. Co.) and immediately adjacent foothills in Orange and San Diego counties

In LA. County: Catalina Isl.; Malibu Lake; ‘Inglewood Hills’; Santa Monica, San Gabriel, Santa Susanna & Verdugo Mtns

Highly variable

© Project SOUND

Turkish rugging – Chorizanthe stacticoides

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=19357

Sandy to gravelly or rocky places, coastal scrub, mixed grassland, chaparral, pine-oak woodlands, 1000-4000 ft elevation

© Project SOUND

Size depends on conditions

Size: 1 ft tall

1-5 ft wide (spreads with water)

Growth form: Herbaceous annual wildflower

Form typical for annuals in buckwheat family:

Erect or spreading

Foliage: Mostly in basal rosette

Spatulate leaves; often hairy

Leaves dry up at time of flowering; nice colors

Infusion of entire plant used as lotion for pimples

©2009 Robert Steers

©2003 Michael Charters

Flowers: pinks

Blooms: depends on rains; April-July

Flowers: Pink (medium to bright), lavender

Many small flowers in loose or dense clusters – flat spray

Involucres (series of bracts beneath flowers) & petals colored

Combination of colored leaves, bracts, flowers gives multicolored effect – ‘Turkish rugging’

©2009 Thomas Stoughton

©2009 Neal Kramer

http://www.smmflowers.org/bloom/species/Chorizanthe_staticoides.htm http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Polygonaceae/Chorizanthe%20staticoides.

htm

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well-drained best

pH: any local

Light: full sun to light shade

Water: Winter: soils need to be

moist through growth season

Summer: taper off once flower buds begin to form

Fertilizer: none needed - likes poor soils; low dose if fine

Other: no mulch or gravel mulch for best reseeding

©2005 Aaron Schusteff

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CA Wildflower gardening basics

Obtain seeds from a reputable CA native plant source

Plant seeds when winter rains begin

For best growth & reseeding, plant in bare ground or (better) use an inorganic (gravel) mulch

Keep plants well-watered during growing season – don’t hesitate to supplement

Taper off water when flowering starts to wane

Let plants reseed naturally or collect and store seed

© Project SOUND

http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/polygonaceae/choriz

anthe/chorizanthe-staticoides/

© Project SOUND

Turkish delight

Massed – on slopes or where can be viewed from above

In a rock garden or dry stone wall

In containers

Combined with summer-dry grasses

As spring groundcover around local native shrubs ©2011 Chris Winchell

http://www.smmtc.org/plantofthemonth/plant_of_the_month_201306_Turkish_Rugging.php http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Polygonaceae/Chorizanthe%20staticoides.htm

© Project SOUND

* Desert Candle – Caulanthus inflatus

©2003 Mark Bratton

Common, Mojave desert; Antelope Valley; also in S. Sierra foothills, foothills of Transverse Ranges

Open, sandy plains and rocky slopes between 2000' and 5000‘ in Creosote Bush Scrub, Valley Grassland, Joshua Tree Woodland

© Project SOUND

* Desert Candle – Caulanthus inflatus

Jo-Ann Ordano © California Academy of Sciences. ©2010 Neal Kramer

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2240,2371,2388

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© Project SOUND

Desert candle: an unusual ‘Mustard’

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Robust, upright habit

Stem is swollen and hollow

Young upper stems can be cooked and eaten

Foliage: Large, coarse leaves, often

with toothed margins

Leaves clasp the stem

Jo-

Ann Ordano © California Academy

of Sciences.

©2010 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

Flowers: weird & wonderful

Blooms: in spring after rains; in the wilds, Mar-May, in garden probably Mar-Apr.

Flowers: Flowers are small, very narrow

tubes & white

Flower bracts are white tipped with maroon-purple

Flowers on short stalks around the inflated stem – typical for Brassicaceae

Overall appearance: a lit ‘candle’ – hence common name

Seeds: in long ‘pod’ that splits when dry, dropping seeds

Charles Webber © California Academ

y of Sciences

©2011 Aaron Schusteff

Caulanthus from seed

Known to have low germination rates

Usually means some pre-treatment factor is needed

Look to Mother Nature: How long are seeds in ground

in nature?

What factors are they exposed to? Heat? Cold? Multiple rains? Fire/smoke?

More on this next month – ‘Botany for Gardeners’

© Project SOUND http://www.hazmac.biz/030421/030421CaulanthusInflatus.html © Project SOUND

Desert foothills Soils: Texture: best with well-drained

– sandy, rocky – no heavy clays

pH: any local incl. alkali

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: needs good soil

moisture Nov/Dec until Feb.

Summer: taper off after flowering commences

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: need to plant in Nov/Dec., even if you have to water. More on winter watering in our March talk – ‘Climate Change ‘

©2009 Shawn DeCew

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© Project SOUND

Garden candles

In a desert-themed garden

In a dry rock garden, with other spring annuals

In a dry meadow planting, with cool season grasses, S. CA wildflowers

As an unusual pot plant – often the unusual ones are the most fun

©2005 Dieter Wilken ©2008 John Game

These are unusual wildflowers, but how

can I use them effectively in my garden?

© Project SOUND ©2009 Shawn DeCew

Let’s see what gardens from another,

similar climate can suggest

© Project SOUND

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/south-africa

South Africa: much

in common with us

Mediterranean climate

Topography shaped by plate tectonics

High mountains

© Project SOUND http://www.southafrica-travel.net/Medaia/Geomap.gif

http://www.selftours.co.za/maps.htm

http://www.calflora.net/southafrica/rainfall.html

w. L.A. Co.

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Many well-known gardens in South Africa

As here, botanic gardens are often associated with universities or large cities

But some the most famous – and oldest/youngest – are unique

Combine aspects of botanic gardens with nature preserves – they are literally ‘gardens within preserves’ – much like Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

© Project SOUND North-West University Botanical Garden © Project SOUND http://www.friendsreunited.com/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-garden-cape-town/Memory/1c37c8a0-cb83-4625-8888-a127008a6e31

South Africa: Biodiversity ‘hotspot’

South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, after Indonesia and Brazil.

Occupies only about 2% of the world's land area, but is home to nearly: 10% of the world's plants; 7% of the reptiles, birds and mammals and 15% of known coastal marine species.

9 biomes (unique vegetation landscapes), 3 of which have been declared global biodiversity hotspots.

© Project SOUND

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

Biomes of South Africa

© Project SOUND

Nama karoo Fynbos

savannah

http://www.ekapa.ioisa.org.za/biomes/intro.htm#2

Grassland

Succulent karoo

Thicket

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South Africa’s National Botanic Gardens

9 National Botanical Gardens

Now managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

The focus is:

Growing and conserving South Africa’s indigenous plants

Conserving natural vegetation and associated biodiversity within their boundaries

Promoting and raising environmental awareness in South Africa and abroad.

© Project SOUND http://justcallmegertie.wordpress.com/tag/hantam-national-botanical-garden/

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Africa-Pretoria-

National_Botanical_Gardens03.jpg

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

One of the world’s great botanic gardens.

Location: against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.

Established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the rich and diverse flora of southern Africa

Was the first botanic garden in the world to be devoted to a country's indigenous flora.

© Project SOUND

http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/wc2010/city_guide/kirstenbosch.html

http://ecoaffect.org/2012/07/25/4-out-of-8-worlds-most-amazing-botanical-gardens-are-

apga-members/

© Project SOUND

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch displays a wide variety of the unique plant life of the Cape Flora (the fynbos), as well as plants from all the diverse regions of southern Africa.

© Project SOUND

http://annabengan.blogspot.com/2012/07/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-garden.html

Kirstenbosch is part of a nature reserve. The 36 hectare garden is part of

a 528 hectare (1300 acre) estate that contains protected mountainside

supporting natural forest and fynbos along with a variety of animals and

birds. The Kirstenbosch Estate borders the Table Mountain National Park.

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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

© Project SOUND

http://toptravellists.net/table-mountain-and-kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens-cape-town-south-africa.html

30-60 inches of rain – more like N. CA coast

Kirstenbosch lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region. In 2004, the

Cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO

World Heritage Site

Lessons from the Kirstenbosch

© Project SOUND

http://www.cape-town-tourism.za.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01300735.jpg

1) Importance of accenting unique native species

2. Using colorful flowers to best advantage

© Project SOUND

http://www.neverstoptraveling.com/south-africa-the-other-side-of-the-table-mountain

The ‘essence’ of sophisticated gardening

is to capture the ‘spirit’ of the natural

world in which we live - and bring it home

© Project SOUND

1/4/2014

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First we need to develop a deep understanding of the natural landscape

Then we must determine the ‘essence’ of what makes our California landscape unique

Only then can we apply traditional principles for ‘bringing nature home’

© Project SOUND

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/california-poppies-

lupines-rich-reid.jpg

Bringing Nature Home Desert Candle in the Mojave Desert

© Project SOUND http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=Print;f=8971047454;t=9991132727

Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch

© Project SOUND

1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family

http://www.123rf.com/photo_16347008_kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens-in-cape-town-

south-africa.html

http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/kirstenbosch-national-

botanical-gardens/

Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch

© Project SOUND

2. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths, drifts, instead of mixing many colors together

http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens/http://www.neverstoptraveling.com/south-africa-the-other-side-of-the-table-mountain

http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-

bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=Print;f=8971047454;t=9991132727

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Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch

© Project SOUND

3. Plant densely: important both for aesthetics and for plant reproduction

http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch

http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-gardens/

© Project SOUND

http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/blue_crowding_orange_at_kirstenbosch_flickr_pic_of_the_

day

http://blog.thomascook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/South-Africa-

Kirstenbosch-Botanical-Gardens.jpg

http://www.activetravels.com/blog/userfiles/image/IMG_6737(2).jpg

Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch

4. Carefully plan color contrasts

http://tejonranch.com/wp-content/uploads/flower5.jpg

Douglas’ Meadowfoam – Limnanthes douglasii

http://www.em.ca/garden/ann_limnanthes_douglasii.html

© Project SOUND

* White Meadowfoam – Limnanthes alba

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

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© Project SOUND

* White Meadowfoam – Limnanthes alba

©2012 Jean Pawek

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-

bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4945,4948,4949

http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall01%20projects/sbee.htm

Vernal pools of Central Valley; also foothills of N/Central Sierras

Usually in seasonally moist, grassy places: Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest, wetland-riparian.

Ssp. : Limnanthes alba ssp. alba; ? Ssp. gracilis; ? Ssp. parishii; Limnanthes alba ssp. versicolor

‘Limnanthes’ means ‘marsh flower’

© Project SOUND

White Meadowfoam: dainty spring forbe

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Erect or reclining habit; most erect when massed

Stems slender; one or more from base

Foliage: Medium green; sparse

Leaves finely dissected

Roots: Shallow roots; easy to transplant

©2013 Debra L. Cook

© Project SOUND

White flowers

Blooms: Blooms as soils dry out;

usually Feb-April in S. CA

Flowers: Pure white with pale yellow

centers; may become pale pink with age

5 petals have radiating veins

Light sweet scent

Attracts insect pollinators; not self-fertile (pollen released before female parts are receptive) so need multiple plants

Seeds: grown and pressed to produce ‘Meadowfoam oil’

©2011 Hattie Brown © Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: poorly draining soils in

nature; clays and others in garden

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: moist soils; supplement

as needed

Summer: taper off water as plants bloom

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: no mulch / gravel mulch for best reseeding; will tolerate a thin layer of organic mulch

©2012 Jean Pawek

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The usefulness of white: contrast

© Project SOUND

http://blog.thomascook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/South-Africa-

Kirstenbosch-Botanical-Gardens.jpg

http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/7/97/911/97911516_limnanthes_alba.jpg

http://www.plumjam.com/wildflowers/5-2013-Jenkinson/

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8573032478_997b8c082b_z.jpg © Project SOUND

White wildflowers: contrast Attractive pot plant; use a colored pot

for maximum effect

Massed – ‘sea of white’

Rain garden; dry swale

Edging pathways

With brightly colored wildflowers

In vegetable garden – attracts insect pollinators & other beneficials; use also as ‘green manure’

©2012 Jean Pawek

Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/PublishingImages/lg/cons_profile_liflgr_plant.jpg

Good companions

Douglas’ meadowfoam (yellow)

Baby blue-eyes (blue)

Any of the Goldfields (yellow)

Ranunculus californicus (yellow)

Zeltnera/Centaureum (pink)

Linanthus spp. (pink)

© Project SOUND

http://blog.anniesannuals.com/

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8573032478_997b8c082b_z.jpg © Project SOUND

Monterey Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaurium)

muehlenbergii

©2009 Ron Wolf

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Western North America from British Columbia to CA, NV

In CA: N. and Central coast; foothills of N. CA

Moist areas in many communities: Sagebrush Scrub, Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Northern Juniper Woodland

Previous names: Centaurium muehlenbergii ; Centaurium curvistamineum; Centaurium floribundum

© Project SOUND

Monterey Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaurium)

muehlenbergii

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4374,4375,4380

http://www.wildflowersearch.com/search?oldstate=gloc%

3Az%3Bbloom%3AIgnore%3Bname%3AZeltnera+muehl

enbergii

The Gentian family: Gentianaceae

Mostly herbaceous; some shrubs

Distribution – almost world-wide, though some species have very narrow distribution

Flowers: Bisexual; usually insect

pollinated

Commonly bell-shaped, in parts of 4 or 5

Fruit: often capsule Uses:

Garden flowers – many quite lovely

Medicinal and flavoring plants

© Project SOUND

http://www.infoescola.com/plantas/familia-gentianaceae/

The ‘Centauries’: not 1 but 4 genera

The new genus Zeltnera comprises 25 species mainly confined to California, Mexico, and Texas.

Gyrandra is a small genus with three species restricted to some areas of Mexico and Central America

Schenkia comprises five species: Asia, Eurasia, north Africa, and a rare/endangered Hawaiian endemic.

The genus Centaurium s.s. consists of ca. 20 species of primarily Mediterranean distribution.

© Project SOUND

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

© Project SOUND

Monterey Centaury Size:

1-3 ft tall (usually < 2)

1-3 ft wide (usually 1-2)

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Slender, erect stems – usually branching

Stems medium green, smooth

Foliage: Medium to pale green

Leaves simple, opposite on stem and rather sparse

Leaf shape: ovate

Infusion of plants used for constipation by native peoples

©2004 Carol W. Witham

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© Project SOUND

Garden-pretty flowers

Blooms: in spring; usually Apr-May in S. CA gardens

Flowers: Bright pink (usual) to

medium pink with white (yellow) centers

Funnel-shaped; 5-petals

Flowers in loose clusters, mostly above the foliage

Very attractive;

Seeds: Many small seeds in dry

capsules; re-seeds nicely

©2008 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any – rocky to clay

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade

Water: Winter: needs good soil

moisture

Summer: OK with some summer irrigation; withhold after flowering ceases

Fertilizer: none needed; some fertilizer will be tolerated fine

Other: no deep organic mulches if you want it to re-seed.

http://dennismarelli.net/2009-06-22_1%20Gentian%20cropped.jpg

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Centauries Natural prairie with Ranunculus californicus,

Asclepias fascicularis, Sisyrinchium bellum and N. CA grasses

Mass for clouds of magenta color along pathways, near fences & walls

Under shrubs, including roses

Charming pot plants – either alone or in combination

©2013 Margo Bors

http://www.santacruzmountainsecology.com/wp-content/uploads/Centaurium-muehlenbergii-

Monterey-Centaury.jpg

http://www.scmta-trails.org/050605-wilder/050605-wilder-0031.jpg

If your garden is a bit drier in summer

© Project SOUND

1/4/2014

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© Project SOUND

Charming Centaury – Zeltnera venusta

© Project SOUND

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4374,4375,4382l

Widespread in foothills and coastal areas Locally on Catalina Island Santa Monica Mtns San Gabriel & Desert

mountains (foothills) ?other locally

Relatively common on dry slopes and flats to about 3000 ft. elevation in: Coastal sage scrub Chaparral Grasslands Foothill woodlands and

pine forests

Charming Centaury – Zeltnera venusta

© Project SOUND

Charming Centaury provides a surprising spot of color among the drying grasses of summer

http://bfs.claremont.edu/biota/plants/centaurium.html

© Project SOUND

Charming Centaury looks like an old-

fashioned garden flower

Size:

6” to 2 ft tall

1 ft wide

Growth form: annual wildflower

Erect

Simple, open branching stem

Foliage: Gray-green to blue-green; fresh

looking

Leaves simple, narrow to oblong

1/4/2014

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic

Blooms: Late spring/summer

usually May-July in our area

Flowers: Color: range from bright

magenta to white

Five rose/magenta petals white at the base with a yellow throat; may or may not have dark magenta spots

Anthers twist spirally after their pollen has been harvested

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/socal/cancha4.htm

© Project SOUND

Charming Centaury does well in a water-

wise garden

Soils: Texture: any; well-drained

slightly preferred

pH: any local

Light: full sun to light shade

Water: Young plants: need good

spring soil moisture

Summer: Zone 2 or 2-3 until flowering; then Zone 1

Fertilizer: none needed

© Project SOUND

Charming Centaury

in the garden

Use it, as in nature, in a natural prairie with Lupines, Poppies, Goldenrods and native grasses Note: interbreeds with other

native Centauries – don’t plant if these grow naturally near your garden

Mass for clouds of magenta color in early summer

Try it along pathways, near fences & walls

As always, native annuals make great pot plants – either alone or in combination

© Project SOUND

Native Californians valued Charming

Centaury as a medicine plant

Tea from leaves or flowers used for:

Reducing fevers Pneumonia Viral illnesses

http://www.csuchico.edu/bccer/Ecosystem/FloraFauna/pics/Flora/Centaurium_ve

nustum.jpg

1/4/2014

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© Project SOUND

A burning question: to sow in pots or

directly into the ground

Charming Centaury seeds: Many small seeds in dry, papery capsule Easy to collect – just tap capsules to shake

seeds into envelope or box

Advantages of starting annuals in pots: Protection from bird predation May be able to start earlier – give added

warmth Less seed waste; easier to control seedling

rates, especially for smaller seeds Easier to control soil water for delicate

seedlings

Disadvantages: Potential to disturb roots with

transplanting More work: have to transplant

http://www.hazmac.biz/050829/050829CentauriumVenustum.html

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/502812779_aa75744cda.jpg

Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch

© Project SOUND

1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family

2. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths or drifts, instead of mixing many colors together

3. Plant densely

4. Carefully plan color contrasts

Four lessons on color from the Kirstenbosch

© Project SOUND

1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family

2. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths, instead of mixing many colors together

3. Plant densely

4. Carefully plan color contrasts

© Project SOUND

* Large-flower Linanthus – Leptosiphon (Linanthus)

grandiflorus

1/4/2014

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N. and Central CA coast – Santa Barbara Co north

Full extend of distribution unclear – many populations extirpated

AKA ‘Mountain Phlox’ – nursery trade

© Project SOUND

* Large-flower Linanthus – Leptosiphon (Linanthus)

grandiflorus

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Linanthus grandiflorus

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

http://www.bayesianinvestor.com/pix/2010/hikes2010may.html © Project SOUND

Large-flowers, small plant

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual wildflower

Mounded form along coast; may be more upright in garden

Stems hairy, branched above

Usually forms dense colonies

Foliage: Leaves unusual; narrowly divided

Leaves in whorls around stem; at intervals

Foliage is quite sparse

©2003 Michael Charters

© Project SOUND

Flowers: phlox lovely

Blooms: in late spring, usually Apr-July in western L.A. county

Flowers: Pink and white; often central are is

white, pink outer

Five fused petals; open funnel-form

Sweetly scented – attract native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Seeds: easy to grow

©2009 Barry Breckling

©2013 John Doyen © Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: well-drained best; sandy in nature

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade; dappled

sun fine

Water: Winter: needs moist soils –

supplement if needed

Summer: keep plants blooming with occasional summer water – Water Zone 2

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils but will tolerate weak fertilizer

Other: gravel mulch or none is best; thin organic mulch OK

©2009 Barry Breckling

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© Project SOUND

Using Linanthus

Excellent container plant – alone or with other annuals

In part-shade under trees; naturalizes well

With N. coastal grasses for a northern prairie

Must have for: scented garden; pollinator garden

Vegetable garden; under fruit trees

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

http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2009/10/linanthus-grandiflorus/

The gardens of Cordoba, Spain

© Project SOUND

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/spain/map_of_spain.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Bridge,_C%C3%B3rdoba,_Espana.jpg

The climate of Corboda: hot and dry

© Project SOUND

Gardens reflect the climate – and Moorish and Roman

gardening traditions

http://www.inlandandalucia.com/CordobaInfo.aspx

Cordoba is well known for its patio gardens

© Project SOUND

http://www.spainisculture.com/export/sites/cultura/multimedia/galerias/monumentos/palacio_vian

a_cordoba_t1400131.jpg_1306973099.jpg

http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/1467585-bigthumbnail.jpg

http://www.rosstours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/RP-Cordoba-courtyard-1_final.jpg

http://www.piccavey.com/cordoba-patios-palacio-viana/

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Cordoba’s spring garden contest…

© Project SOUND http://lincolnbrody.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/a-weekend-in-

cordoba/

… over the top color

4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens

1. Use containers to provide seasonal color

© Project SOUND

http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/the-crosses-of-may-come-to-cordoba.php http://zeitgeistinapetiole.wordpress.com/category/plants/

4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens

2. Limit the color palette

© Project SOUND

http://nature.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/1448746/

http://www.rosstours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/RP-Cordoba-courtyard-1_final.jpg

4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens

3. Use hardscape to provide additional color, contrast

© Project SOUND

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/greathomesanddestinations/patios-as-a-competitive-sport-it-

must-be-cordoba.html?_r=0

http://lincolnbrody.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/a-weekend-in-

cordoba/

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4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens

4. Choose colors that support your aim: hot, exciting brights or cool, soothing pastels

© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

* Red Ribbons – Clarkia concinna

Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

* Red Ribbons – Clarkia concinna

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5358

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLCO

Endemic to California - low-elevation mountains/foothills of the N. CA

Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Douglas-Fir Forest, CSS – sea level to 4000 ft or so

Three sub-species: ssp. automixa; ssp. concinna; ssp. raichei

© Project SOUND

Red Ribbons: Clarkia characteristics

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Upright habit

Slender appearance

Foliage: Medium green; sometimes

red-tinged

Leaves more rounded than other clarkia

©2009 Terry Dye

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© Project SOUND

Flowers: very showy

Blooms: Spring or early summer; April to

June or July (like elegant Clarkia)

Flowers: Magenta or pink

Petals are deeply lobed – quite unusual for a Clarkia

Sepals are thin, dark – like ‘red ribbons’

Super pretty and unique; and dependable like all Clarkias

Seeds: Many small seeds in capsule

Harvest flowering stems, invert in paper bag and let dry

©2012 Jason Matthias

Mills

©2008 Ron Wolf © Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: just about any;

well-drained best

pH: any local

Light: Best in part-shade: dappled

sun, high shade under trees, morning sun.

Water: Winter: adequate for young

seedlings

Summer: taper off when flowering wanes

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: gravel mulch promotes re-seeding

©2008 Doreen L. Smith

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

© Project SOUND

Brighten up your shade

For a brilliant show under trees

Mid-bed for shady mixed beds

Color bowls on shady porches

Hanging baskets

Seeds are edible – parch

Attracts hummingbirds!

©2006 Matt Below

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College ©2000 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org

4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens

1. Use containers to provide seasonal color

2. Limit the color palette © Project SOUND

http://heynatives.blogspot.com/2010/01/waiting-for-wildflowers.html

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html

http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html

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4 Lessons in color from Cordoba gardens

3. Use hardscape to provide additional color, contrast

4. Choose colors that support your aim: hot brights or cool, refeshing pastels

© Project SOUND

http://montanawildlifegardener.blogspot.com/2012/

07/some-other-things-flowering-in-garden.html

http://www.piccavey.com/cordoba-patios-palacio-viana/

© Project SOUND

* Mountain Collomia/Large-flowered Phlox Collomia grandiflora

©2005 Victoria Marshall

Western N. America, including foothills and Mtns of CA (west of Sierras)

Locally: San Gabriel & Liebre mtns

Known in nursery trade as ‘Large-flowered Phlox’; AKA ‘Grand Collomia’

© Project SOUND

* Mountain Collomia/Large-flowered Phlox Collomia grandiflora

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5654,5662,5664

©2013 Jean Pawek © Project SOUND

Mountain Collomia: simple herbaceous plant

Size: 1-3 ft tall

1 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Upright habit; robust stem may be branched at top

Stem usually hairy & may be red

Foliage: Leaves medium green; lance-shaped

or linear

Simple, alternate

Infusion of leaves/stalks taken for constipation and to "clean out your system.".

Roots: long taproot

©2006 Steven Thorsted

©2009 Gary A. Monroe

http://www.yosemitehikes.com/wildflowers/large-flowered-collomia/gallerly-leaf.htm

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© Project SOUND

Flowers: wonderful!

Blooms: in late spring – usually April to May or even June

Flowers: Shades of salmon orange

Flowers trumpet-shaped with 5 petals

Flowers in dense to loose cluster at top of stem

Distinctive blue pollen

Seeds: Fruit a dry capsule with

sticky seeds

Re-seeds well - Invasive in

Middle East, Mediterranean

©2006 Steven Thorsted

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: most

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade

[some shade is better in many gardens]

Water: Winter: needs moist soil

Summer: let plants dry out to promote flowering and seed production

Fertilizer: none needed. Fine with poor soils, but will grow bigger with a little fertilizer

Other: no mulch or gravel mulch

© Project SOUND

Large-flower phlox

Excellent addition to mixed flower bed – nice color

In a ‘meadow’ with local mountain grasses, annuals

As an attractive container plant; a lovely soft combination with white-flowered annuals

©2012 Steven Perry

© Clayton J. Antieau © 2008, G. D. Carr

We’ve come to the end of our ‘accent on

annuals’

© Project SOUND

©2009 Barry Breckling

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.a

sp?prodid=249

http://www.scmta-trails.org/050605-wilder/050605-wilder-0031.jpg

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We’ve ‘visited’ some interesting gardens

© Project SOUND

http://www.pinterest.com/jlviles/porches-patios/ http://www.jasonelk.com/2013/01/its-a-beautiful-day-at-harold-porter-botanical-

garden-in-bettys-bay/

Lessons from some great mediterranean

climate gardens

1. Limit the palette – a single species or color family

2. Choose colors that support your aim: hot brights or cool pastels

3. Mass color for maximal effect - plant in swaths or clumps, instead of mixing many colors together

4. Plant densely – in pots of in the ground

5. Carefully plan color contrasts – including contrasts with hardscape

6. Use containers to provide seasonal color

7. Use hardscape to provide additional color, contrast

© Project SOUND

What do you think of when you picture a

wildflower garden?

© Project SOUND http://gardenersbasement.com/planting-a-wild-flower-garden/

http://tejonranch.com/wp-content/uploads/flower5.jpg

http://californianativegardendesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/sowing-california-native-

wildflowers.html

It’s not too late to plant some annual

wildflowers

© Project SOUND

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The annual wildflowers are a bit slow this year

© Project SOUND

Come next month for ‘Botany for

Gardeners’

© Project SOUND