Prudent pruning 2010

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© Project SOUND Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND - 2010

description

This lecture was given in November, 2010 as part of the California native plant gardening series ‘Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden’

Transcript of Prudent pruning 2010

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Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND - 2010

© Project SOUND

Prudent Pruning

Plants of the S. CA

Chaparral

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

November 6 & 9, 2010

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The chaparral tells an interesting story, if you how to read it

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http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2789/

What is the chaparral plant community?

Chaparral is California’s most extensive plant community.

It is also the state’s most characteristic wilderness

It dominates foothills and mountain slopes from the Rouge River Valley in southern Oregon to the San Pedro Martir in Baja California.

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Chaparral Area in California by County (acres)*

San Diego 1,003,441 Los Angeles 553,789 Riverside 499,160 Santa Barbara 440,645 San Luis Obispo 417,718 Monterey 369,345 Ventura 326,447 San Bernardino 276,010 San Benito 246,623 Santa Clara 188,427 Orange 111,550 Marin 37,566 San Mateo 36,152 Santa Cruz 32,328 *From Fried, J.S., C.L. Bosinger, and D. Beardsley. 2004. Chaparal in Southern and Central Coastal California in the Mid-1990's: Area, Ownership, Condition, and Change. USFS Resource Bulletin PNW-RB-240

http://www.californiachaparral.com/awheresthechaparral.html

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Santa Monica Mtns - mostly higher elevations

http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/biomes/ChaparalStaMonicaA.jpg

Lower elevations - San Gabriels

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/habitats/atstejnegerihabitatla508.jpg

Malibu State Park

http://www.californiachaparral.com/awheresthechaparral.html

Cleveland National Forest

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Chaparral looks somewhat like Coastal Sage Scrub….

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How does chaparral differ from coastal sage scrub?

1. Often (not always) slightly higher elevation (500-4500 ft) & further from coast

2. Hotter summers; winter lows

3. More rainfall: 20-40” per yr – some may even fall in mid-late summer (summer monsoons)

4. Soil often rocky

1. Often lower elevation & nearer/on the coast

2. Cooler summers: fog – more temperate in general

3. Less rainfall: 15-20”

4. Soil usually loam/clay

Chaparral Coastal Sage

Scrub

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How do chaparral/coastal sage scrub differ?

5. More tall shrubs (> 6 ft); sclerophyllous (hard-leaved)

6. Shrubs tend to grow together into a dense thicket

5. More small shrubs (< 6 ft); soft-leaved (‘soft chaparral’)

6. Shrubs tend to be separated with space between – can walk though it

Coastal Sage Scrub Chaparral

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Why Sclerophyllous

leaves?

Small, Sclerophyllous leaves are advantageous in a semi-arid climate because they reduce evaporation thorough a variety of traits including:

waxy coatings

thicker cell layers

recessed stomata, the pores in leaves permitting evaporation and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Xyloccocus bicolor

Rhamnus ilicifolia

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How do chaparral/coastal sage scrub differ?

7. Fewer understory plants – too dark under the large shrubs

8. Fewer summer-dormant plants

7. More complex understory: perennials, grasses

8. Many summer-dormant plants

Coastal Sage Scrub Chaparral

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/coastal-sage-scrub

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2789/

© Project SOUND http://groups.ucanr.org/SAFE/Fire_in_Southern_California_Ecosystems/ http://www.soenyun.com/Blog/tag/exotics/

http://interwork.sdsu.edu/fire/resources/san-diego-habitats.htm

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Walking through chaparral requires a path

http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/

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The topography has an effect on vegetation

The aspect of a hillside makes a great difference in the composition of the chaparral.

North facing slopes are a lot moister

Toyon, Manzanita, Scrub oak, Pitcher sage, Kekiella , and Poison oak.

The south facing slopes are arid:

Dominated by Chamise, Black sage, Woolly blue curls and Bush poppy, (Dendromecon rigida).

Remember: aspect also is important

in CSS – both are plant communities

sensitive to topography (both have

‘sun’ and ‘part-shade’ plants)

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How do chaparral/coastal sage scrub differ?

9. Successional community – tends to progress to Oak Woodland or Pine Forest

10. Fire plays a key role in ‘setting the successional clock’

9. Can remain as stable CSS climax community for a long time

10. Fire plays a key role in clearing out underbrush; lesser role in the setting ‘successional clock’

Chaparral Coastal Sage Scrub

http://www.desertmuseum.org/desert/habitats/chap/chapgallery.php?print=y

http://palosverdessource.com/tag/rancho-palos-verdes/

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Evidence that fire has played a key role in

Chaparral

Even-age ‘stands’ of vegetation – suggests recruitment/sprouting only after fire

Long-lived seeds that require fire/smoke to germinate

Rapid regeneration from specialized re-sprouting organs – ‘burls’/lignotubers

Presence of fire-follower species – endemic to post-fire years/regions http://www.desertmuseum.org/desert/habitats/chap/chapgallery.php?print=y

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52509763@N00/310103199/

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Chaparral is a transitional community – at least historically

The Chaparral is usually a successional plant community that gradually moves to oak and pine forest, if the soil depth supports it

Over time, just the presence of the Chaparral can change the actual characteristics of a site:

change the pH one unit effectively ‘double’ the precipitation produce a litter layer (mulch layer of

leaves) in which the pines and oaks can germinate.

These changes only occur if the chaparral doesn't burn for decades or maybe centuries - no one really knows the time line.

http://room42.wikispaces.com/Savanna+Climate

http://picasaweb.google.com/guidesharon/Spring#5274932832288037602

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Does chaparral ever reach climax any

more in S. CA?

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Recovery after fire

Takes 3-4 years

Depends on species – first 2 years recovery by either re-sprouting or seed

Soil moisture is important – higher elevation and N-facing slopes in lower elevations do best

Ultimately, smaller species are crowded out

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

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/chaparral

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Characteristics of chaparral plants

Mainly woody shrubs

Chaparral communities in California occur from sea level to high mountains. Each elevation has its own mix of species

Plants like manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) Ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) and chamise (Adenostema fasciculatum) are common themes in southern California chaparral.

All chaparral plants in California are adapted to wet winters and dry summers, and they like well-drained soils.

http://interwork.sdsu.edu/fire/resources/Chaparral.htm

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Chaparral plants are also good food

Young plants and succulent foliage are always a temptation – and easier to access

Ceanothus leaves are browsed by deer year-round

Rabbits, deer and other herbivores can browse heavily in fall/ winter

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F7xecrsLEk2wFiIEETx41A

Deer eating Ceanothus

Brush Rabbit http://www.bentler.us/eastern-washington/plants/shrubs/rabbit-brush.aspx

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Common large Chaparral shrubs: S. CA

Several species of scrub oaks - Quercus berberidifolia most common and widespread.

Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Various Ceanothus species

Various manzanita (Arctostaphylos) species

Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina)

Sugar bush (Rhus ovata)

Holly-leafed cherry (Prunus ilicifolia)

Spiny redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia)

Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides).

Redshanks (Adenostema sparsifolia) Silk-tassel bush (Garrya spp.)

Chaparral comes from the

Spanish and means "having

scrub oaks".

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Chaparral shrubs are lovely

Evergreen foliage

Most have abundant springtime or summer blooms.

Berries add color in the late summer and fall when the rest of the region is drab.

Any given patch of chaparral will contain several of the common large shrub species but one or two will be predominant.

And then there are the showy smaller plants that grow in sunny patches….

http://dunncreekfarm.blogspot.com/2010/04/organic-farming-from-hell.html

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http://jimmundy.name/garden_album/slides/Ceanothus_looking_toward_front_door.html

Chaparral plants say ‘buy me, buy me!’

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And that’s how pruning figures into the story

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Buckbrush – Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus

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Buckbrush – Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus

Western U.S. from OR to N. Baja

In CA, common in foothills except in deserts & Central Valley

Common on dry, rocky slopes, fans & ridges, to 6000', in foothill chaparral, pinyon-juniper and yellow pine woodland

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6586,6589,6594,6595

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/botany/herbarium/projects/ceanothus/CeCu/index.html

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You’ve likely seen it

in the wild…

Just another large shrub most of the year

Covered with snow-like blossoms in spring – some say reminiscent of a cherry or apple tree

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ceacun/all.html

http://www.tulipsinthewoods.com/wild-plants/buckbrush-ceanothus-cuneatus/

N. CA Chaparral

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/2409689371/

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Buckbrush has many characteristics of ceanothus

Size: 4-8 ft tall

4-8 ft wide

Growth form: Fast-growing woody shrub

Form usually erect, multi-stemmed – rarely prostrate

May assume shrub or more tree-like form - may be variable because it hybridizes with similar species.

Bark gray

Foliage: Small, simple leaves with waxy coat

Color: green to gray-green

Roots: deep, much-branched taproot

http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/shrubs.html#Cea_cun

http://www.tulipsinthewoods.com/wild-plants/buckbrush-ceanothus-cuneatus/

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Flowers: showy white

Ceanothus

Blooms: Mar.-May or even later at

higher elevations

Depends on the climate patterns/ rain & temperature

Flowers: Usually pure white, but may be

a pale blue

Flowers quite large for Ceanothus – note the interesting shape - regular with 5 alternating petals and sepals and 5 stamens growing opposite

of petals

Insect pollinated

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Fruits & seeds are

typical for Ceanothus

Fruits are sticky, rounded 3-lobed capsules with “horns” near the top

Seeds are dispersed when the capsule explodes and propels them some distance.

Seeds remain dormant until a fire promotes germination

http://www.hazmac.biz/060410/060410CeanothusCuneatus.html

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Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well-drained

preferred

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade –

common for chaparral shrubs

Water: Winter: needs good deep

winter rains

Summer: none to occasional (Zone 1-2 probably best)

Fertilizer: use an organic mulch

Other: resents being moved; plant out when small

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ceanothus-cuneatus

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http://natureshutterbug.com/wordpress/2010/02/17/a-different-kind-of-snowy-white-with-many-insects/

Buckbrush Ceanothus makes a good large shrub

Wonderful for erosion control and naturalizing on slopes

Good shrub for large-scale plantings

Good for dry, rocky hot sites – not for near the coast

Wonderful habitat plant: Bees love nectar Larval host plant for White-

streaked saturnia moth (Saturnia albofasciata)

Seeds eaten by bushtits, mockingbirds, quail and finches

Cover for many wildlife species including California quail, black-tailed jackrabbit, brush rabbit, and mourning dove

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Human uses of Buckbrush (and other

Ceanothus species

Tea from leaves and flowers

Dyes: green from the flowers; red from the root.

Stands were burned & coppiced to produce young, straight shoots for basketry material

All parts of plant can be used to make a mild, fragrant body soap or shampoo

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_c/ceacun.html

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Pruning lessons from Ceanothus Usually doesn’t need much – has a

nice natural shape – if treated correctly in the first few years

For plant health, remove dead/crossing branches – will likely have a few of these each year even in a mature plant.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1120298861053871638LibNcZ

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Chaparral shrubs

are very efficient

If a branch is no longer receiving adequate sunlight, the plant can self-prune that branch - that is, allow it to die.

The understory of the chaparral is a tangle of dead branches.

If you don’t want that look, prune out the dead branches

http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Ceanothus_cuneatus_cuneatus.htm

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Pruning lessons from Ceanothus

If you want to shape plants, start in the first year – after the first few years, the deer can’t get to the leaves to ‘prune’ them

Light tip pruning in the first few years promotes fuller foliage

Best not to cut out any wood thicker than a pencil – no self-respecting deer would eat anything larger (and tougher) than that

Use selective pruning to remove entire branches that are unwanted

http://www.tulipsinthewoods.com/wild-plants/buckbrush-ceanothus-cuneatus/

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ceacun/all.html

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Do light pruning right after flowering (summer pruning): flowers occur only on previous year’s wood - so if you remove that in fall – no flowers

http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Ceanothus_cuneatus_cuneatus.htm

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Pruning lessons from Ceanothus

Can’t really limit size by pruning – will only shorten life

Choose an appropriate sized plant for the space – you and the plant will be happier

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/buckbrush.html http://www.stylelist.com/?sem=1&ncid=bannadusstyl00000026

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Chaparral Mallow – Malacothamnus fasciculatus

http://blass.com.au/definitions/malacothamnus

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Chaparral Mallow – Malacothamnus fasciculatus

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5042,5073,5079

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/Malacothamnus_fasciculatus.html

Many areas of CA that have foothills – N. CA to N. Baja

Common shrub throughout chaparral and coastal sage scrub on dry slopes and fans to about 2500‘

Often seen on disturbed ground and along roadsides; fire-follower.

http://teacher-us.com/young/prsnl_ed/field_photos.htm

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Chaparral Mallow: feature

depend on the setting

Size: 3-12 ft tall

4-12 ft wide; spreading

Growth form: Woody shrub

Stems are wand-like

Fast to moderate growth

May form a dense shrub or be more tree-like – depends on water, ‘pruning’, ?genetics

Foliage: Gray-green (more green with

water) rounded leaves

Softly hairy; pretty

http://blass.com.au/definitions/malacothamnus

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Flowers like a picture…

Blooms: Off & on from April

through fall

Heaviest bloom usually in spring

Flowers: Moderate size; ~ 1” across

Typical mallow shape

Color: pink (very light to medium)

Super attractive – lots of blooms along the wand-like stems

Vegetative reproduction: suckers from roots

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Malacothamnus_fasciculatus_2.jpg

http://bugguide.net/node/view/295204/bgimage

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Typical chaparral plant Soils: Texture: just about any, but

likes well-drained best

pH: any but very alkali (> 8.0)

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: New plant: treat as Zone 2

Established: needs little to no supplemental (Zone 1 or 1-2); Will lose leaves in drought

Over-watering will make it spread faster – and may kill the plant

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

© 2005 Janell Hillman

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Chaparral Mallow:

pretty & informal

Lovely as an informal hedge

Super choice for a wildlife garden:

Nectar for: Hummingbirds, West Coast Lady, Western checkered skipper, and Large White Skipper

Larval food plant: Gray Hairstreak

Cover and nesting sites

Would work well in a chaparral or Edwardian-themed garden

Large foundation plant

Slopes & hillsides

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mechanoid_dolly/4590614319/

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malacothamnus_fasciculatus_1.jpg

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‘Casitas’ cultivar

Upright habit

To 6-8’ tall and wide

Attractive gray-green foliage

Selected for garden use

Available – TPF & others

http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Malacothamnus_fasciculatus_'Casitas'

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Watering lessons from Chaparral Mallow (that impact pruning/management)

Growth rate often dependent on water – faster with more water

Often growth rate is inversely correlated with plant longevity: ‘live hard & die young’

Most mallows (and other spreading shrubs) are opportunists: they spread as much as water allows

Even if you limit summer water, most will still spread – for example in wet winters. This is part of the plant’s survival mechanism – growing new shoots in areas where competition for light/water are less

© 2009 Neal Kramer

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Pruning lessons from Chaparral Mallow

(and other suckering shrubs)

Watering practices impact pruning

Some plants will always look informal – these are not plants that take to formal pruning, so choose accordingly.

Work with – not against – the plant’s natural tendencies

This plant will not ‘stay in place’ forever – needs to spread out

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* Creeping Sage – Salvia sonomensis

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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* Creeping Sage – Salvia sonomensis

Foothills of the Sierras and coastal mountains of central & N. CA – also in the mountains of San Diego Co. into Baja

Chaparral, oak woodland, yellow-pine forest

Northern areas: dry, rocky slopes below 6500 ft.

San Diego Co: in the understory, with part-sun

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Salvia+sonomensis

Remember: dry, rocky slopes in N. CA are not like our dry, rocky slopes

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Creeping Sage is a groundcover: true to

its heritage as a ‘Mint’

Size: 1-2 ft tall

4-10+ ft wide

Growth form: Low to mat-like semi-woody

groundcover

Spreads with time – branches just keep growing outward

Foliage: Grayish-green, elliptical

leaves, woolly underneath and puckered above

Attractive and aromatic

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/salvia/msg0502361430447.html

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php

?id_plant=saso

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Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: likes a well-drained soil – sandy or rocky best but clay is fine if not over-watered

pH: any local

Light: Best in light shade (dappled

shade under taller trees or shrubs) or morning sun.

Water: Winter: likes good winter

water; supplement in spring in dry years

Summer: Zone 1-2 best after the first year; can wash off leaves

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© 2004 Christopher L. Christie

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Creeping Sage

creeps & drapes

Wonderful groundcover on a shadier slope

Groundcover under trees and shrubs

Cascading over a low wall

http://www.redding.com/photos/galleries/2008/apr/26/right-home/5302/

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=33

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=33

http://seedbyte.blogspot.com/2009_12_11_archive.html

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Compact growth form

Probably a natural hybrid with Salvia mellifera

Requires well-drained soil – judicious summer water

Tends to be short-lived

Available at Theodore Payne Foundation.

Cultivar ‘Dara’s Choice’

http://ohric.ucdavis.edu/photos/ornament8.htm

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Cultivar ‘John

Farmar-Bowers’

White flowers

Takes clay soils well

Needs some afternoon shade

Blend with blue-flowered Salvias

Great groundcover under Manzanitas

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/salvia-sonomensis-farmar-bower

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Cultivar ‘Mrs.

Beard’

Fast-growing

Low – looks quite a bit like the straight species

Old cultivar – stable and well-suited for gardens

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-

california/plants/salvia-sonomensis-mrs-beard

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Pruning lessons from Creeping Sage (and

other half-woody groundcovers, Salvias)

Start early – good shape begins in the first year

Cut back all varieties of S. sonomensis yearly, after flowering, to control woody growth at the base and keep the plant vigorous.

Be sure to not cut into the old, woody growth – you will kill the plant

http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Salvia-sonomensis/

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Properly pruned Black Sage

Leave 3-4 pairs of new leaves/shoots

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*Redberry Buckbrush – Rhamnus crocea

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

http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/RhamnusCrocea/RhamnusCroceaPage.htm

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Characteristics of Redberry Buckbrush

Size:

3-6+ ft tall; can be to 15 ft.

4-6 ft wide; can be to 10 ft.

Growth form: Medium to large woody shrub

Many stiff branches (dense)

Coastal forms tend to be shorter, more sprawling

Slow-growing, esp. at first

Foliage: Evergreen

Simple, shiny dark-green leaves

Some thorns at branch tips

© 2007 Neal Kramer

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/redb3.htm

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Redberry – a great habitat plant

Birds: Perching & nesting Insects Berries at time of fall

migration (Jays, Robins, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, Cedar Waxwings)

Hummingbirds & insects: nectar

Butterflies: larval food for Pale Swallowtail

Note: plant preparations also used as laxative; sold commercially under the name of Cascara Sagrada

http://www.hazmac.biz/030714/030714RhamnusCroceaPoster.html

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Garden uses for

Redberry Buckbrush

As an accent plant

As an evergreen shrub – blends in except when fruiting.

Great for low-water areas including parkways, roadsides, fencelines and banks and slopes

Great under oaks and other Zone 1 to 2 native trees & shrubs

Excellent habitat choice for hedges, hedgerows, screens, and barriers; can be pruned to shape

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/online_album/0882.htm

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Pruning lessons from Spiny Redberry (and

other Rhamnus/Frangula spp.)

Form depends on light: dense & shrub-like in full sun – more open in shadier locations

Can be hedge-sheared – requires early shaping & regular shearing (tip pruning)

http://caornamentalnativeplants.org/redberry.jpg

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Rhamnus can be coppiced to rejuvenate Sometimes you’ve got to ‘be the fire’

http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2009/04/tree-work-2-chaparral-shape-up.html

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Coppicing: severe regenerative pruning

Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management in which tree stems are cut down to a low level. In subsequent growth years, many new shoots will emerge and after a number of years the cycle begins again and the coppiced tree, or stool, is ready to be harvested again

http://www.answers.com/topic/coppicing?cat=technology

http://www.primitiveways.com/coppicing.html

© Project SOUND

Matilija Poppy – Romneya coulteri

http://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/garden/plantofmonth/0510.html

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Matilija Poppy – Romneya coulteri

Endemic to S. CA from Santa Barbara Co. to Baja – locally on Catalina Isl. and in Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mtns.

Uncommon in dry washes & canyons below 4000 ft in chaparral

© 2006 Ricky Grubb

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220011716

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5547,5597,5598

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‘The Queen of California Flowers’

Loved by naturalists and gardeners alike

Called the “Queen of California Flowers,” (Mary Elizabeth Parsons, The Wild Flowers of California, 1897)

Does have an exotic & tropical look to it – artists love it!

Decreasing in the wilds due to habitat loss

http://cartas.typepad.com/main/2010/05/matilija-poppy-romneya-coulteri-mythical-beauty.html

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Romneya coulteri is one big perennial!

Size:

3-8 ft tall

8+ ft wide, spreading

Growth form: Clumping/spreading shrub-

like perennial or sub-shrub

Stems mostly upright

Fast-growing and vigorous

Foliage: Yellow-green to gray-green

Very succulent – tropical look

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_r/romcou.html

© Project SOUND

Flowers are unbelievable!

Blooms: Early summer into fall in the

garden setting – in our area usually begins in June

Flowers: Huge (6-8”) saucer-like poppy

flowers – many per plant

Crinkled white petals & yellow stamens – sometimes called ‘fried egg plant’

Citrus-like scent

Seedpods: poppy-like

Vegetative reproduction:via rhizomes – up to 20 ft. from mother plant

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_r/romcou.html

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: rocky or sandy best

– can be difficult to establish in clays

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: New plants: water weekly in

hottest weather; taper to Zone 2

Established plants: Zone 1; perhaps 1-2 in very sandy soil

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: dislikes having its roots disturbed

© 2003 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org

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Give Matilija Poppy space

A star on hot dry hillsides and banks; excellent for erosion control

As an accent plant in large landscapes (schools; commercial settings)

In very wide beds; or as a single accent plant

In very large containers

http://www.gardenology.org/wiki/Romneya

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‘White Cloud’

cultivar

Theodore Payne first discovered it in a southern California nursery in 1940

Probably a hybrid between Romneya coulteri X R. trichocalyx

Very large, showy flowers

Slightly smaller size

http://www.californianativeplants.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=34:featur

ed-plants&id=54:romneya-coulteri-white-cloud-matilija-poppy&Itemid=56

© Project SOUND

Pruning lessons from Matilija Poppy (and other ground-

cover plants that are cut back to the ground in fall

Prune back hard in fall: In nature a fall frost will kill

stems to the ground

In your (western L.A. Co) garden you must do the same – cut back to small stubs (4”)

Hard to control/size issues They will attempt to reach their

maximum size – that’s what they’re programmed to do

Better to plant for the space, rather than try to control the size/spread

© Project SOUND

*Felt-leaf Yerba Santa – Eriodictyon crassifolium

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

*Felt-leaf Yerba Santa – Eriodictyon crassifolium

Coastal ranges of CA from central CA to Baja

Locally in Santa Monica Mtns, foothills of the San Gabriels & San Fernando Valley

Dry gravelly and rocky places below 6000' in chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodland

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4525,4530

http://www.swsbm.com/Maps/Eriodictyon_crassifolium.gif

© Project SOUND

The name ‘Felt-leaf’ says it all…very hairy

Size: 4-8+ ft tall

4-12 ft wide; spreading via rhizomes & seed

Growth form: Stiffly erect sub-shrub (part-woody)

Densely branched; evergreen; aromatic

Quick-growing – has to establish itself

Foliage: Thick, serrated leaves covered by

dense, felt-like hairs – very soft to the touch

Light gray-green color

© 2009 Deborah Leonard

© Project SOUND

Flowers are irresistible

Blooms: Late spring to early summer

Usually around May or June in the Madrona garden

Flowers: Lavender to light magenta –

lovely contrast to foliage

Funnel-shaped – but a fancy funnel (very Victorian looking)

In dense clusters at the end of rather short flowering stems – often not much above the foliage

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

http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Eriodictyon_crassifolium.htm

© Project SOUND

Easy to grow plant Soils: Texture: well-drained best,

but even clay is fine (esp. on a slope)

pH: any local

Light: full sun; only found in openings in the wild

Water: Winter: needs adequate winter

rains

Summer: very drought tolerant after first year (Zone 1-2; Zone 2 in a very dry year)

Fertilizer: none; organic mulch OK

BonTerra Consulting

© Project SOUND

Both S. CA Yerba Santas were used

extensively as medicinal plants

Fresh or dried leaves were boiled to make a bitter tea which was taken for coughs, bronchitis, colds, sore throat and asthma.

The tea was also taken for tuberculosis and rheumatism, and as a blood purifier.

Fresh leaves were pounded into a poultice that was applied to sores and abrasions.

A strong solution of boiled leaves was used as a hot compress to relieve muscular aches and rheumatism.

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

© Project SOUND

Yerba Santa spells

Chaparral

Great plant for erosion control on slopes; with some water is good for fire-retardant zone

Excellent addition to the butterfly garden – flowers attract Buckeye, Swallowtails, and Checkerspot butterflies

Foliage provides nice contrast with other evergreen shrubs

Evokes a ‘feel of the chaparral’ in the garden

In a mixed dry hedge or hedgerow – particularly for contrast

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/eriodictyon-crassifolium

With Malosma laurina & baccharis http://www.plantscomprehensive.com/regional-native-plants-particular-interest-eriodictyon-crassifolium-var-crassifolium-silver-felty-le

© Project SOUND

Pruning lessons from

Yerba Santa

Remove entire flowering branches after the plant flowers – often will break off anyway and are not attractive

© Project SOUND

Pruning lessons, cont.

Prune back big time in summer/fall when gets raggedy (as much as every year – remember: you’re the deer and the fire)

Remove unwanted sprouts – but they will keep popping up

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/229114/

© Project SOUND

* Rubber Rabbitbush – Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa

(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)

© 2003 Michael Charters

© Project SOUND

Occurs in deserts & shrublands in much of the west

In CA, in foothills from 3,000-8,000 ft

Favors sunny, open sites including disturbed areas in chaparral, desert foothills

Has been cultivated since 1886

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

http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Yellow%20Enlarged%20Photo

%20Pages/chrysothamnus%20nauseosus.htm

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Chrysothamnus+nauseosus

* Rubber Rabbitbush – Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa

(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)

© Project SOUND

Rabbitbush is a bush Sunflower

Size: 2-5 ft tall (usual); some

populations up to 10 ft tall

2-4 ft wide

Growth form: Most commonly a mounded sub-

shrub

Many long branches from a woody base

Foliage: Narrow, aromatic leaves

May be medium green or more blue-green

Overall has a feathery appearance

Roots: deep taproot with laterals

© 2005 Christopher L. Christie

© Project SOUND

Blooms: early fall - usually Aug-Sept. in western L.A. Co.

Flowers: Small & golden yellow

In dense clusters – either flat or more pyramidal

Extremely showy

Attract tons of weird & wonderful insects

Seeds: Fluffy appendages like

Goldenbush/Mock Heather

Wind disbursed

Must germinate that fall – do not persist in seed bank

© 2003 Michael Charters

http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Yellow%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/chrysothamnus%20nauseosus.htm

Flowers are like Goldenbush

© Project SOUND

Southwestern weavers & native plant

dyers depend on Rabbitbush

http://lyn.bengaltech.com/old/public/lynimages/nativef.html

© Project SOUND

Easy to grow, reliable Soils: Texture: just about any

pH: just about any, incl. alkali

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: needs good winter/

spring rains; supplement in dry years

Summer: looks best with occasional water – Zones 1-2 or 2 are fine.

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils. But light fertilizer probably wouldn’t hurt it.

Other: prune back heavily after flowering – late fall

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Rabbitbush

In a habitat garden – a real winner

For fall color

As a tough plant for commercial plantings, parking strips, etc.

As an informal hedge

Good choice for erosion control

As a smaller substitute for the Goldenbushes

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/chrysothamnus-nauseosus

http://bugguide.net/node/view/40653/bgimage

© Project SOUND

http://blog.laurelbusch.com/2009/10/31/going-native-in-nevada-think-

about-it.aspx?ref=rss

A SW garden favorite

for many years

How do I keep it looking nice?

© Project SOUND

Pruning lessons from Rabbitbush

(and other bush sunflowers)

In the wild, Rabbitbush and other bush sunflowers are eaten down severely by rabbits & deer

So…you’ll need to act like a rabbit/deer and prune them back severely in late fall/winter (like Encelia)

© Project SOUND

So now we know what chaparral is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chaparral1.jpg

A semi-arid, shrub dominated association of sclerophyllous (“hard-leaved”), woody plants

Shaped by summer

drought, mild, wet winters, and naturally recurring fires every 30 to 150+ years.

© Project SOUND

We’ve learned how chaparral differs from CSS

1. Hotter summers 2. More rainfall: 20-40” per yr 3. Often higher elevation/further from

coast 4. More tall shrubs (> 6 ft);

sclerophyllous (hard-leaved) 5. Shrubs tend to grow together into a

dense thicket 6. Fewer understory plants – too dark 7. Fewer summer-dormant plants 8. Successional community – tends to

progress to Oak Woodland or Pine Forest

9. Fire plays a key role in ‘setting the successional clock’

1. Cooler summers: fog 2. Less rainfall: 15-20” 3. Often lower and nearer/on the

coast 4. More small shrubs (< 6 ft); soft-

leaved (‘soft chaparral’) 5. Shrubs tend to be separated with

space between 6. More understory plants: perennials,

grasses 7. Many summer-dormant plants 8. Can remain as stable CSS climax

community for a long time 9. Fire plays a key role in clearing out

underbrush; lesser role in the ‘successional clock’

Chaparral Coastal Sage

Scrub

© Project SOUND

We’ve learned that the forces that

shape chaparral plants provide

valuable lessons about proper

management http://www.flickr.com/photos/12978266@N00/3277102378

© Project SOUND

Now let’s enjoy the garden, plant sale & some native plant foods!