Hummingbird Gardening in Clay Soil - notes
description
Transcript of Hummingbird Gardening in Clay Soil - notes
1/7/2013
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© Project SOUND
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with South Bay Native Plants Project SOUND - 2009
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A Hummingbird
Garden in Clay Soils
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
May 2 & 5, 2009
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American bird artist, John James Audubon, called hummingbirds "glittering garments of the rainbow."
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Like humans, hummingbirds require water for
refreshment, bathing and drinking as part of their
habitat.
In nature, hummingbirds like to take a bath
on a cupped leaf or a shallow pool, or take a “rainbath”.
In the garden, the best water for hummingbirds is moving water.
Misters emit a fine mist of water when attached to a garden hose. Placing a mister so that the mist falls against the foliage of a tree or plant will create a situation where hummingbirds have multiple opportunities to use the feature
Another good source of hummingbird water is a dripper – simply a hose with a tight valve that allows a very slow, rhythmic drip into a reservoir of water. These are often attached to bird baths. Hummingbirds may drink from either the drip or the reservoir and will occasionally bathe in the reservoir
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Flowers that depend on the hummingbird for
pollination do all they can to please and attract
Hummingbirds.
Their blossoms project into the open where the birds won’t get caught in the foliage.
Their trumpet shapes accommodate their long bills, and discourage other insects.
Since Hummingbirds have no ability to smell, the flowers do not need to be scented.
Flowers often red or orange to attract hummingbirds visually - their inquisitive nature quickly leads them to investigate any possible new source of food
They tend to have very high sugar content to their nectar – higher than for bee- or butterfly-pollinated plants
male Rufous Hummingbird on Oregon Grape©Donald Jedlovec
Humming-bird pollinated plants and their pollinators evolved together – “co-evolution”
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What is a clay soil?
Soil: a combination of sand, silt, clay, minerals and organic matter that also contains some air and water.
Clay soils are sometimes referred to as heavy soils and sandy soils are called light.
To be classified as clay soil, it should be made up of about 50% clay particles, the finest particles found in soil.
http://www.your-healthy-gardens.com/soil.html
http://www.soilsensor.com/soiltypes.aspx
© Project SOUND
Most gardeners know if they have clay soil
If your soil sticks to shoes and garden tools like glue, forms big clods that aren't easy to separate, and crusts over and cracks in dry weather, you have clay.
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Tests for clay soil: Feel Tests
Rub a sample of soil between your fingers.
Sandy soil is rough and gritty and breaks up easily.
Clay soil is sticky and feels like plastic.
Silt is in between - much smaller particles than sand and it feels slippery when wet.
Squeeze a sample of moist soil
A heavy clay soil will form a solid lump that is difficult to crumble when it's squeezed together. You can form a ‘rope’ or ‘ribbon’
It's hard to get sandy soil to form a lump and it crumbles easily.
First, take a handful of
moist soil and feel it.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/soil-texture-and-structure.htm
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm
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Tests for clay soil: sedimentation test
Fill a quart jar 2/3 full with water
Add dry soil (break up clods) until water is within 1” of top of jar.
Put the lid on the jar and shake it energetically until everything is swirling around. Then set it aside and let it settle, and mark layers until the water clears.
The layers indicate just how much sand, silt and clay make up your soil.
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The sedimentation
process Sand Layer: settles in 1-2 minutes
Allow suspended soil to settle for about a minute.
Mark the side of the jar at the top of the layer that has settled out.
Silt Layer: settles in 1 hour Set jar aside, being careful not to mix
the sand layer; wait ~ an hour. Mark the top of the Silt Layer on the
side of the jar.
Clay layer: settles in ~24 hours Set jar aside, being careful not to shake
or mix the layers that have settled out. After 24 hours, or when the water is
clear (more or less), mark the jar at the top of the clay layer.
Most of the organic matter will be floating on the top of the water
The percentage of each layer tells you what kind of soil you have.
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Clay soils Very common in certain areas of S.
CA, particularly around urban areas where fill soils have been used to establish grade in subdivisions and developments.
Clay soils are typically comprised of approximately 0 - 45% sand, 0 - 45% silt and 50 - 100% clay by volume.
Clay soils are not typically free draining, and water tends to take a long time to infiltrate.
When wet, such soils tend to allow virtually all water to run-off.
Clay soils tend to be heavy and difficult to work when dry.
50% clay particles
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Loam Soils Are also common in
Southern California, particularly in the valleys and flat areas (flood plains) surrounding rivers and streams.
Loam soils are typically comprised of approximately 25 - 50% sand, 30 - 50% silt and 10 - 30% clay by volume.
Loam soils are somewhat heavier than sandy soils
Tend to be fairly free draining, again, due to typically low organic content. 1:1:1 soils
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Gardening in clay soils is different
The old CA garden philosophy: amend the heck out of it The new CA Garden philosophy: what plants will do well in my
clay soil? How do I manage my asset (clay soil)?
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The benefits of clay soils are real…
They retain soil moisture well – you won’t have to water as often
They usually retain nutrients better than sandy soils
Many trees & shrubs (particularly CA natives) grow well in clay soils
Trees often develop better root system – less likely to topple over
© Project SOUND
The keys to succeeding with clay soils (in
my experience) are:
Leaving the soil alone as much as possible
Timing: When to plant When to water
Plant Choice: Plants adapted to clay soils Exact choice depends on
drainage qualities of your soil
Mulch/ground-covers
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Benefits of CA native plants in clay soils
No need to ‘turn the soil’ each year – associated with problems of compaction
If you plant soils native to your area, they are adapted to your local soil – whatever the soil may be
No need for expensive (and backbreaking) adding of amendments & fertilizers
Most native plants (esp. trees and shrubs) have strong roots; penetrate most clays just fine
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Amending clay soils: yes or no?
The best way to amend is with composted organic material
Good/necessary choice for: Vegetable gardens Non-native plants
Problems (for native plants) May change soil pH
Increases nutrient levels – may be too high for many natives
Not needed – many natives are fine with many clay soils
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A better choice: add a little topography
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Contouring for water management and
conservation Small elevation changes (1-3
ft.) in a landscape can work wonders:
Provide a greater range of Water Zones: high areas will be drier – low areas wetter
Allow local native plants to be grown in clay soils – provide better drainage
Allow good use of seasonal rainfall – channel rainwater into depressions (water gardens) or swales
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Shady, slightly wetter areas
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*Hillside Gooseberry – Ribes californicum var. hesperium
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribescalifornicum.jpg
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*Hillside Gooseberry – Ribes californicum var. hesperium
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4450,4451,4458,4460
Hills of the Transverse Ranges – Ventura to Orange Co. Locally: Santa Monica Mtns
San Gabriels
Mostly in canyons, shaded areas that get a little extra moisture
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-pictures-from-3-mile-hike-on.html
© Project SOUND
Moderate sized shrub
that can be trained
Size: 3-6+ ft tall 4-6+ ft wide
Growth form: Woody shrub Drought-deciduous; also often
winter deciduous Arched/mounded form
Foliage: Leaves typical for
currants/gooseberries Bright to dark green; shiny Bark: red-brown Dense enough to provide cover
for birds Note prickles – be sure you
locate in the right place!
Roots: bind soils well
http://picasaweb.google.com/Julia.Green.67/SmithRiverFloraFauna#5071202037998081666
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/3406541076/
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Flowers are fantastic
Blooms: Early spring - usually Jan-
Mar. in our area
All Ribes provide good early flowers: pretty color & nectar source
Flowers: Almost fuschia-like
Pink/purple & white
Small, but in clusters – & lots of them
Great hummingbird magnet – they guard them!
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_r/ribcal.html
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/hummingbird.html © Project SOUND
The real treats (for humans & others) are the berries
Humans, birds & others will vie for them!
Consider the possibilities: Jellies
Juices
Sorbets
Wine
Etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ken-ichi/2336897514/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/repetti/175661922/
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Hillside Gooseberry does well in many clay
soils… Soils:
Texture: just about any; sandy to well-drained clays
pH: any local
Light: Does best with afternoon shade
or dappled shade
Water: Young plants: regular water
Winter: takes some flooding
Summer: likes moist soil (Zone 2-3 or 3);
will lose leaves otherwise
No overhead water in warm periods – fungal disease
Fertilizer: organic mulch; keep away from trunk
http://www.calflora.net/favoritephotos/images/hillsidegooseberry7.jpg
© Project SOUND
Garden uses for native Gooseberries and Currants
As an attractive pot plant – large pot or planter
As a background shrub, particularly in a habitat garden
For a hedge or screen
In a woodland garden
Under trees – be sure they have the same water requirements
As an accent plant – can be pruned for a formal look
Espaliered along a wall or fence
In an edible garden http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomtruth/3254808068/
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Other Ribes for clay soils
Golden Currant – R. aureum
White-flowered Currant – R. indecorum
Chaparral Currant - R. malvaceum
Fuschia-flowered Gooseberry - R. speciosum © Project SOUND
The keys to succeeding with clay soils (in
my experience) are:
Leaving the soil alone as much as possible
Timing: When to plant When to water
Plant Choice: Plants adapted to clay soils Exact choice depends on
drainage qualities of your soil
Mulch/ground-covers
© Project SOUND
Soil texture/Drainage
Soil type Approximate time
to drain
Hard-pan or sodic soils
days
Clay 3-12 hours
Loam 20-60 minutes
Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes
Sand can't fill the hole, drains too fast
dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft
fill with water and let drain
fill hole again, measure
time for water to drain
How good is the drainage in your clay
soil? – conduct a ‘perc test’
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Loam soil that doesn’t drain?
‘Claypans’ & ‘Plowpans’
What are they?
Impermeable layers within the soil – usually high in clays
Cause water to drain very slowly – ‘vernal pools’
What causes them?
Natural causes: due to natural sedimentation in areas once covered by water
Compaction/plowing: leaves an area that is permenantly compacted
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/lectsupl/Soil/soil.html
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Provide adequate drainage before
planting in soils with claypan.
Create a sump by augering one or more holes, each 1 to 4 inches in diameter, through impermeable soil or hardpan. Auger down at least 3 feet or deeper if necessary to penetrate to more permeable soil. Fill the holes with pea gravel or sandy loam soil before planting.
Dig planting hole down through the claypan or compacted layer
Or just plant natives that can take the extra moisture
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/sitepreparation.html
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-plant-trees-shrubs-and-vines.htm/printable © Project SOUND
Bugle (Rigid) Hedgenettle (Wood Mint) – Stachys rigida (ajugoides)
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
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Bugle (Rigid) Hedgenettle (Wood Mint) – Stachys rigida (ajugoides)
West coast from WA to Baja – local var. (rigida) more coastal
Grows in moist places:
Damp bottomlands
Along creeks and streams – riparian areas
Near marshes
Other moist low ground, including roadside ditches
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Stachys+ajugoides+var.+rigida
var. rigida
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The Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Includes many herbs used in cooking & perfumery; Rosemary, French Lavender, Thyme, Majoram, Sage, and the garden mints
Are usually aromatic, but not necessarily minty
Loved by hummingbirds!
The stems are square with opposite leaves, with each pair of leaves at right angles to the ones above and below it.
The flowers are in whorls
The corolla of the individual flower is usually 2-lipped, with 2 lobes forming the upper lip and 3 lobes the lower lip.
The hedgenettle genus Stachys is a mint – only superficially resembles “nettles” - so “Wood Mint” is really a better name
Many members of Lamiaceae make attractive garden additions, particularly the showy sages and mints.
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Rigid Woodmint is a good example of a shady
wetland perennial plant
Modest size: 1-3 ft high and wide
Does well in part shade; full shade in hot areas – would do well under trees
Requires moist soil most/all of the year to succeed – regular water in the garden
Blooms in summer – nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; also seed-eaters
Spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) – good groundcover in damp areas of the garden – cut back yearly to keep in check
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rigidhedgenettle.html
© Project SOUND
Specimens from further north are more
colorful
Colors range from magenta to pale pink
Unclear what proper taxonomy is – much current debate
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Faculty/Carr/ofp/sta_rig.htm
George W. Hartwell
© Project SOUND
Rigid Woodmint can be a useful addition
to the shade garden
Small irrigated perennial borders – size is modest, so good scale for small area
Bog or seep gardens with Rushes, Spikerush, Mimulus guttatus, Ranunculus californicus, Verbena lasiostachys
Groundcover for damp, shady areas
Near ponds
Great in well-watered planters, pots
© Project SOUND
Other local Woodmints also make great
groundcovers in clay soils
Stachys albens Stachys bullata
Just trim back,
even drastically,
in Fall to keep
plants in check
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And don’t forget Hummingbird Sage….
Salvia spathecea © Project SOUND
Planting in clay soils: follow a few simple
rules & you’ll succeed
Never work clay soils when they are soggy wet or bone dry; ditto for walking on wet clays
Plant after the first fall rains (best) or wet the ground thoroughly
Let ground dry out (1-2 weeks depending on drainage)
Dig a hole that’s not too big (or deep)
1 ft wider than tree/shrub (6” on each side) Same depth as plant – rough up soil in bottom
of hole
Consider digging hole with a spading fork rather than a shovel – or rough up the sides of the hole
© Project SOUND
Planting in clay soils: follow a few simple
rules & you’ll succeed
Don’t amend (or put gravel in) planting hole – encourages root rot
Backfill with soil from the hole; break up any clods/clumps
Firm down the soil around the roots
If you create a moat around the plant, remove it in wet weather
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm
© Project SOUND
Native plants with wide water tolerances
often do well in clay soil gardens
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* Rose (Chaparral) Snapdragon – Sairocarpus
multiflorus (Antirrhinum multiflorum)
© 2002 Lynn Watson © Project SOUND
* Rose Snapdragon – Sairocarpus multiflorus
(Antirrhinum multiflorum)
Foothills below 4000 ft. elevation
Generally on dry slopes, disturbed areas or burns
Usually in chaparral
Soil may be rocky
Other names: Multiflowered Snapdragon; Sticky Snapdragon;
Withered Snapdragon http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7177,7178,7187
© Project SOUND
Rose Snapdragon
is a fire-follower
Common reasons why a plant is a fire-follower:
Seeds need either heat and/or smoke exposure to germinate
Plants need full sun
Plant need decreased competition for water/nutrients
Soil nutrient levels are increased; plants that need a little extra nutrients may be fire-followers
© 2006 Aaron Schusteff
© Project SOUND
Rose Snapdragon:
a sub-shrub
Size: 2-4 ft tall
2-4 ft wide
Growth form: Perennial/sub-shrub
Bushy or mounded form
Foliage: Lance-shaped, blue-green
leaves; larger below
Semi-drought deciduous; retained with a little summer water
http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/flowers/index.php?action=show_item&id=175&search=
Ó by Dave Hildebrand
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Flowers: delightful! Blooms:
Spring into summer; usually Apr-June in our area
Blooms over several weeks
Flowers: Snapdragon-type
Color: ranges form hot pink/magenta to pale pink, even lavender
Flowers arrange snapdragon-like along upright stems – very showy
Fragrant; loved by hummingbirds
Seeds: small; surface sow – let dry out a bit between watering
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=60
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rosesnapdragon.html © Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: tolerates wide range from sandy to clay
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part shade
Full sun fine in most gardens, but flower color may be better with a little shade
Water: Winter: needs good water
Summer: wide range of tolerance – Zone 1-2 to 2-3; good for transitional zones
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Management: cut back to 12” in fall/winter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antirrhinummultiflorum.jpg
© Project SOUND
Pink Snapdragon –
made for the garden
In mixed perennial beds; good water tolerance
In native grasslands; or mixed with wildflowers
Good choice on sunny hills and slopes
Wonderful habitat plant; hummingbirds and others
As an attractive pot plant
Good showy choice to use as ‘cover’ while slower-growing shrubs are maturing
© 2006 Aaron Schusteff http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/316812126/
© Project SOUND
Habitat : not just for nature preserves any more
Our yards are a critical source of habitat for birds, insects, other wildlife
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Drummond_2009/index.html
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* Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora
© 2006 Steve Matson
© Project SOUND
* Vine Hill Manzanita – Arctostaphylos densiflora
Endemic to Outer North Coast Ranges (Vine Hill, near Forestville, Sonoma Co.)
A common garden Manzanita – many cultivars of varying sizes
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Arctostaphylos+densiflora
© Project SOUND
Grows on unique shale outcrops
© 2001 David Graber
© 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
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Flowers: small but showy
Blooms: Late winter/early spring;
usually Feb.-Apr in W. L.A. Co.
Flowers: Small urn-shaped flowers
typical of Manzanitas
Shell-pink or white
Many flowers in dense, showy clusters – a real show-stopper
Hummingbirds love them
© 2006 Steve Matson
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/3356240703/
© Project SOUND
The berries are edible
Loved by fruit-eating birds like Cedar Waxwings, Mockingbirds, etc.
Can be used to make a drink or juice reminiscent of apple cider (manzanita is, after all, ‘little apple’)
Also makes a nice jelly or syrup
http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Arcto_HowardMcMinn.htm
© 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
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‘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 or 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.nativeson.com/images/plants/arctohoward.jpg
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/images/Photos/arcdenhm_lsp_shrub.JPG
© Project SOUND
‘Harmony’ cultivar
Low-growing – 2-3 ft tall & 6+ ft wide
Used for hedges & groundcovers
Easy to grow – does fine in heavy clay soils
http://www.theodorepayne.org/gallery/pages/A/arctostaphylos_Harmony.htm
© Project SOUND
Watering clay soils: it’s all about timing…
Soils should neither be too wet (root rot) nor too dry (prevents water from penetrating)
Winter rains can present a challenge; contouring
You have control of summer water; check your soil until you get to know just how often to water
Deep water – but shorter run times (20 min in clay on slopes)
The question of drip irrigation
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/07-035.htm
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http://www.sare.org/publications/bsbc/chap14.htm
Mulches & cover crops are essential
Cover crops help dry out soils – at depths
Mulches keep the surface from drying out too fast
Consider using native grasses & wildflowers as ‘cover crops’ © Project SOUND
Showy Penstemon – Penstemon spectabilis
© Project SOUND
Showy Penstemon – Penstemon spectabilis
Penstemons
270 species worldwide (largest of the Figwort genera), 150 species in western U.S.
Ancient genus – and long in the Americas
Have evolved to succeed in a wide range of conditions – very wet to very dry
Have a variety of types of pollinators
Penstemon spectabilis
Likely in dry areas of PV peninsula, definitely in Santa Monica Mountains and foothills near Los Angeles
© Project SOUND
Reading floral
clues
Bee pollinated flowers:
Shorter “bell”
More wide-open (particularly those pollinated by large bees)
Color: more often blue
Hummingbird pollinated flowers:
Longer, more tube-like flower; less bell-shaped
Color: more often red
https://www.csun.edu/biology/grad/faculty/wilsonpdfs/Wilsonetal2004.pdf
Bee pollinated Hummingbird pollinated
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banks of dry washes and creek beds coastal bluffs gravelly and sandy slopes, hillsides recently disturbed places below 6000' in coastal sage scrub, chaparral and oak
woodlands
http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/imgs/512x768/6212_3041/0635/0094.jpeg
© Project SOUND
Showy Penstemon
Size: 2-5 ft tall; 2-4 ft wide
Fast-growing each year from woody base; dies back in fall
Usually upright – but may sprawl
Coarsely serrate, smooth grayish green leaves that turn partially purple in cold weather, drought – dramatic looking
Usually long-lived (for a herbaceous perennial) – at least 12 years
© Project SOUND
Flowers definitely live up to their name
Blooms Apr-June – over a month or more
Flowering spikes rise above the foliage
Flowers lavender/purple tinged with pink
Flowers attract bees, masarid wasps (pollinators), butterflies and hummingbirds
Seeds eaten by seed-eating birds
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Gardening with Showy Penstemon
Soils: any well-drained soil from sandy/rocky to clay; any local pH
Sun: full sun to part-shade
Water: very drought tolerant; don’t over-water in summer. Summer water extends growth season but decreases lifespan
Pruning: Cut back to rosettes after seed has matured in summer
Reseeds: commonly on bare ground
Easy to grow in the right location © Project SOUND
Penstemons in your
garden
Location is everything: plant with other plants that like summer/fall dormancy
Ceanothus, Grindelia, Nassella, Yucca
Encelia, Eriogonum, Mimulus, Salvia
Excellent specimen plants – great flowers & foliage
In the back of a perennial garden or bed – it is tall
In large planters, rock gardens
In the butterfly or hummingbird garden
Make nice cut flowers, too http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2522746720_2c1c7ffab1.jpg
© Project SOUND
Other Penstemons for hummingbirds
P. eatonii
P. heterophyllus
P. newberryi
http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/faculty/sylvester/118_fotos2005/Flowers/Flowers-
Images/11.jpg
© Project SOUND
Summary: succeeding with clay soils
Minimize work in and walking on muddy clay soils to prevent compaction; provide walkways
Minimize the amount of ‘working’ clay soils; leave them intact as much as possible
Plant with the first fall/winter rains if possible
Only plant when ground is well-watered but dried out enough to not be muddy
Don’t make planting holes too large/deep – and don’t amend the soil in the holes
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© Project SOUND
Summary: succeeding with clay soils
Use a mulch and/or cover crop (native grasses; wildflowers); leave
Supplemental water only as needed; check soils at depth of 4”
Monitor your watering closely; timing is critical
© Project SOUND
Hummingbirds &
parking strips?
Good choices for clay soils include:
Grasses
Sedges
Some perennials
Many annual wildflowers – see list for key ones
http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/slides/Dahlquist_2009/index.html
© Project SOUND
Western Wallflower – Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html
© Project SOUND
Western Wallflower – Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum
Grows in the west – Texas to British Columbia
Found in much of CA
is a common member of many plant communities, generally away from the coast, below 8000'
Also called Sand dune Wallflower – but don’t let that discourage you!
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Erysimum+capitatum+var.+capitatum
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© Project SOUND
Grows in a variety
of conditions
Dry open areas in pine forests
Rocky or gravelly areas
Grasslands with clay soils
All are relatively dry in summer – allow plant to have summer dormancy period
© 2004 George W. Hartwell
© 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
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© Project SOUND
Western Wallflower
is good habitat
Excellent addition to a habitat garden – hummingbirds, bees and butterflies favor it
Pair it with blue-flowered annual wildflowers for an attractive contrast
Grow in dry spots along walls
As an attractive pot plant
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erysimum_capitatum_5708.JPG © Project SOUND
Western Wallflower
is good habitat
Excellent addition to a habitat garden – hummingbirds, bees and butterflies favor it
Pair it with blue-flowered annual wildflowers for an attractive contrast
Grow in dry spots along walls, parking strips, etc.
As an attractive pot plant
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/erysimum_capitatum.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erysimum_capitatum_5708.JPG
© 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
© 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.
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© Project SOUND
Gardening for Hummingbird habitat
http://www.nps.gov/noca/nie/articles/migratory_birds.htm
Consider using many different kinds of plants: annuals, perennials, trees and vines all can contribute – check out the extensive list!
Encourage your neighbors to make their
yards hummingbird friendly too. An entire corridor of habitat is much more valuable than scattered patches.
Think vertically when planning your
hummingbird garden. Use trellises, trees, garden sheds, or other structures to support climbing vines; add window boxes, wooden tubs, or ceramic pots to create a terraced effect and provide growing places for a variety of plants.
Prune your plants to prevent excessive woody
growth and instead favor production of flowers.
Learn about local hummingbird habits and which species are likely to occur near your home. Study the migration dates, nesting season, and seasonal presence. This knowledge will help you select plants that will bloom during the time that hummingbirds are likely to visit your yard.
© 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
Once hummingbirds discover your property, the same individuals are likely to return each year at about the same time – or simply stay year-round; they are remarkable creatures of habit. The number of hummingbirds that frequent your yard is closely linked to the abundance of food, water, nesting sites, and perches