uring the crazy temperature highs and lows of late, I have often thought about one of the rules of gardening with California native plants: "install in the fall."

This dictum has never made more sense to me than now, in light of the sad deaths of some of my recently planted natives who valiantly but unsuccessfully struggled to survive during the harsh blasts of heat.

It is the simple concept of working in concert with nature that is conveyed in the theory of installing in the fall.  Sadly, it continues to elude many Southern California gardeners.  Because many of us hail from the East Coast or other wetter-in-the-spring climes, we hold onto the notion that spring is the time to kick the gardening into high gear.

After living here for seven years now, the idea that water is scarce and temps are high from spring until late fall is finally sinking in and making me alter the way I deal with my garden.

The life and growth cycle of California native plants follows the weather patterns here, and thus functions symbiotically.  They've had to adapt over the years, in order to survive in the wild.

We see an example it with the wildflowers, the way they bloom profusely in the early spring (after a nice long drink in the winter) and die back as the heat increases in the summer.  Their seeds scatter with the wind and the flying creatures, facilitating a grand show next year.

Other natives are not unlike wildflowers.  Although they stay green throughout the year, they don't do a lot of growing during the heavy heat.  They just like to be left alone — no water, no fertilizer (that goes for all natives — no fertilizer, ever) no TLC — just like the way they would live in the wild.  Fremontedendron is an example of a gorgeous Cal native that has to be installed in the fall because that is the only time it can handle irrigation.  For, it will simply die if watered in the summer.  A gardener who is not aware of this important fact will cry out that natives are so difficult to grow.

And that is precisely why it is so important to learn about the plants we purchase for our gardens.  By researching their cultural needs (what kind of soil it grows in, how much water it should get, what climate it grows in, how much sun or shade should it receive — to learn more, check out: http://www.laspilitas.com/advanced/advroots.htm), we can help them live a long happy life and, in the process, avoid a lot of stress ourselves.

The good news for people intent on putting plants in the garden this time of year, is that there are myriad species of natives who absolutely love the bright shade of the north side of a house, under an arbor, etc.  and will probably be more amenable to being planted during the heat.

These shady characters have the benefit of a cooler microclimate in which they are protected from the harsher elements just beyond the canopy.

One thing to note is that planting under and oak is not recommended at this of year, as their roots cannot handle supplemental watering.  In order to survive, established oaks must not be watered except during our rainy season, when Mother Nature does your work for you.  So thoughtful!

If you would like to establish an understory of an oak, please do it gingerly in the late fall (not disturbing the soil too much), when the tree is accustomed to receiving water.

That said, here is but a small sampling (which is to be continued in my next column) of bright-shade-loving natives (all perennial unless otherwise noted) that allow the eager gardener to scratch that itch, even during the warmer seasons:

Salvia spathacea, Hummingbird Sage — 1-2 feet high and 3-4 feet wide; large, fruity fragrant lime-green-colored leaves; 2-3 foot tall spikes of dark pink or red large whorled flowers in Spring and Fall; likes rich soil; can handle periodic dryness.

Heuchera maxima, Island Alum Root — 1-2 foot tall and 3-4 foot wide; roundish lobed veined leaves; delicate flower spikes with many small pinkish or white blossoms; great ground cover; can take regular water or dryish conditions.

Satureja douglasii, Yerba Buena — 6 inches high and 3 feet wide by slender, rooting stems; small, roundish-edged minty-smelling leaves; diminutive white or pale purple blossoms; can take wet soils.

Carpenteria californica, Bush Anemone — evergreen shrub slow growing to about 6 feet tall and wide; older bark becomes decorative as it gets lighter and begins to peel; long, thick and narrow leaves are dark green on top and pale beneath; scented white flowers with a yellow center bloom in late Spring and Summer; takes minimal water.

More shady characters next time...

Source:
Sunset Western Garden Book, 2001

Carmen Wolf is an LA transplant.  Her love of California Native Plants rooted during home gardening trial and error, hiking in Griffith Park, countless hours of research, volunteering at Descanso Gardens and Theodore Payne Foundation and taking classes at UCLA and Mt.  SAC.  She can be reached for professional plant consultations at: pampertheplanet@earthlink.net.