Transcript
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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 – 2013 (our 9th year)

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© Project SOUND

Attractive Annuals our most attractive annual

wildflowers & how to use them

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

October 8, 2013

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My Gardening Philosophy – circa 2013

1. Knowledge is power

2. It’s better to understand how something works rather than to just follow rules

3. It’s easier to work with the physical conditions in a garden (soil characteristics, light, etc.) than to try to change them dramatically

4. California native plants from the local area are often the best suited for local gardens

5. Look to Mother Nature and Native Californians for gardening advice

6. Make a garden plan – even tho’ it may change over time

7. Choose plants based on their suitability for your needs and garden conditions

8. Save ‘Heritage’ trees and large shrubs – unless there’s a good reason to remove them

9. Choose plants for their habitat value

10. Choose plants for their usefulness (food; dyes; etc.)

© Project SOUND

http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/

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What are

‘Annual plants’? Complete their entire life cycle in a year or less (one growing season)

Only the dormant seed bridges the gap between one generation and the next.

Because they only grow a short time, most have an economical form: short, herbaceous, just enough leaves, etc.

Some plants can behave as an annual or a perennial depending on local climatic and geographic growing conditions [examples: pepper plants; CA Poppies].

© Project SOUND

In the garden, annuals are

particularly useful for providing

seasonal color – and food

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/87191-product.html#.UV4KJ1Pn9D8

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It all starts with Pollination and Fertilization

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Schematic representation of Arabidopsis seed development and stages of the life cycle used

for GeneChip analysis.

Le B H et al. PNAS 2010;107:8063-8070

©2010 by National Academy of Sciences

Seed development: a complex process

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Notice the last step of

seed development

Loss of water: up to 90-95% of water is lost

Important for: Putting embryo into (and

keeping it in) suspended animation

Keeping the seed protected – hard, protective coat

That’s why important to let plants dry out after they set seeds

© Project SOUND

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The mighty seed: a time capsule into the

future

Seed coat (testa) – protection

Embryo

Provisions: Food (cotyledon)

Hormones

Other stored chemicals (enzymes & other)

© Project SOUND

Everything the seed needs in order to be ready for germination

http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/hort604/lecturesupplmex07/anatomymorphology.htm

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Germination: rapid

re-animation

Uptake of water: imbibation

Turning on metabolism

Activating enzymes needed to break down food stores

All this involves many plant hormones; may also involve outside signals (light; temp.)

© Project SOUND

http://images.tutorvista.com/content/feed/tvcs/germination-process-voandzeia.jpeg

http://www.seedbiology.de/images/hormgerm1web.gif

http://5e.plantphys.net/images/ch11/we1104a_s.jpg

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The annual lifestyle is a good adaptation

to our mediterranean climate

Plants are dormant during long dry period – they are in ‘suspended animation’ in the seed

The plants can weather particularly dry years – wait for more favorable rainfall conditions

Plants grow during the season of abundant soil moisture; fast growth, timed to rainfall

Set seed as the soil dries out

© Project SOUND

http://prairierosesgarden.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html

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Timing is everything…

© Project SOUND http://occnps.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/front.jpg

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© Project SOUND

The schedule of local Annual plants

Seed germination – Fall/Winter (after the first seasonal rains); some require spring warmth; generally quick (1-4 weeks)

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

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

Seed production – Late Spring-Summer

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

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But how can I use annual wildflowers in

my garden?

© Project SOUND

http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/blog/2011/05/09/plant-of-the-month-lupine/

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Annuals are often used to add a ‘spot of

color’

© Project SOUND

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/companion-plants-annual-flowers-43553.html

http://garden-designs.org/2011/07/04/perennial-garden-design/

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Dark background that’s gloomy (or boring)

in spring – need something to liven it up

© Project SOUND

http://gardensofpetersonville.blogspot.com/2012/06/little-heat.html

A little bit of yellow might add

some cheerful ‘sunshine’

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Tidy-tips and Goldfields are old standbys

© Project SOUND

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The genus Coreopsis: the Tickseeds

Scientific name is derived from the Greek word koris, meaning Bedbug.

Flowers: usually yellow, toothed tips.

Primarily native to North America.

Many cultivars are available for gardens; used world-wide as ‘yellow daisies’.

Coreopsis species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species

© Project SOUND

Family: Asteraceae

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The Asteraceae: the sunflowers

The flowers, also called florets, are nearly always clustered into heads, with each subtended by a whorl or whorls of modified leaves called bracts (the involucre).

© Project SOUND

http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-iii/angiosperm-families/family-asteraceae.php

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Asteraceae – two forms of flowers

A disk flower, in its most complete form, has five petals fused into a tube, with a tube of five fused anthers inside the petal tube

A ray flower (a "petal" of a daisy) is similar, except that some of the fused petals extend on one side into a flat strap-like ligule.

Flower heads may have only ray flowers or disk flowers, or both.

© Project SOUND

http://www.anbg.gov.au/PLANTFAM/AUST1F.HTM

©2006 Larry Blakely

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Asteraceae – reproduction & seeds

© Project SOUND

http://www.anbg.gov.au/PLANTFAM/AUST1F.HTM

Flowers may be ‘complete’, unisexual or sterile, lacking either or both "male" and "female" sexual parts. Each functionally "female" flower, whether ray or disk, has a single inferior ovary with a single ovule.

If the ovule is fertilized, it will develop into a single seed in a special dry fruit called an achene.

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© Project SOUND

Bigelow coreopsis – Coreopsis bigelovii

©2005 Brent Miller

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© Project SOUND

Bigelow coreopsis – Coreopsis bigelovii

©2006 Larry Blakely

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1008,1009

Transverse Ranges (Santa Monica Mtns), Tehachapi Mountain Area, s Sierra Nevada Foothills, Mojave Desert, n Sonoran Desert

Open woodlands, grasslands, deserts, dry gravelly hillsides to about 5000', creosote bush scrub, joshua tree woodland, chaparral, pinyon-juniper woodland

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© Project SOUND

Bigelow Coreopsis: mostly flowers

Size: 12-18 inches tall

12-18 inches wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Foliage: Leaves mostly in basal rosette

Leaves often divided into linear lobes – likely more substantial in garden

Color: varies with water/light availability

Leaves used extensively as raw/cooked vegetable by CA native desert tribes

©2006 James M. Andre

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are glorious

Blooms: In spring: usually Feb-Mar

to May in our area

Flowers: In typical ‘sunflower heads’ –

usually one per stalk

Both ray & disk flowers yellow – disk often a little darker gold

Broad liguled ray flowers

Attract a wide range of insect pollinators

Seeds: dry achenes typical of sunflowers; wind distributed; edible (mostly by birds)

©2006 Larry Blakely

http://www.hazmac.biz/050221/050221CoreopsisBigelovii.html

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© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any – coarse in wilds

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade

Water: Winter/spring: to establish

Summer: taper off after flowering ceases

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: Gravel mulch or none if you

want them to re-seed

Easy from seed – no pre-treatment

©2006 Larry Blakely http://xasauantoday.com/category/diablo-range/

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© Project SOUND

Uses for Coreopsis

In a desert garden or rock garden with other desert annuals, grasses, shrubs

As an attractive container plant

And much more ©2010 Thomas Stoughton

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

With desert plants

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3335/4606895484_8a18c3a140_z.jpg

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© Project SOUND

* Common Madia – Madia elegans

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

Summer bloomer

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© Project SOUND http://www.resimsite.com/img144.htm

We’ve often hyped the ‘blue & gold’ color scheme

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© Project SOUND

Mother Nature’s CA wildflower gardens abound with complementary color schemes

Blue/purple with yellow/gold schemes are the most common

Probably because our flowers evolved along with their insect pollinators – many of whom ‘see’ yellows & blues

http://www.humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/feral_flowers_cult

ured_eyes/

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© Project SOUND

Phacelias provide a wide range of purples & blues

Parry’s Phacelia – Phacelia parryi

Tansey-leaf Phacelia – Phacelia tanecetifolia Caterpillar Phacelia – Phacelia cicutaria

Sticky Phacelia – Phacelia viscida

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© Project SOUND

* California Bluebell – Phacelia minor

©2003 Guy Bruyea

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S. CA from Santa Monica Mts. to edge of desert

Dry disturbed places like burns and road-sides below 5000', coastal sage scrub, chaparral

AKA: Wild Canterbury Bells; Whitlavia

© Project SOUND

* California Bluebell – Phacelia minor

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4587,4659

©2009 Robert Steers

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© Project SOUND

CA Bluebell: surprisingly large leaves

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

Low, dense clump of blue-green, scalloped leaves with branched flower stalks above

Foliage: Most leaves in basal rosette

Leaves large – to 4-5 inches

Leaves toothed, crinkly, oval or rounded blades borne on long petioles (leaf stem)

Stiff glandular trichomes (hairs) – cause skin rash in some

©2004 Larry Blakely

©2009 Thomas Stoughton

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are velvety

purple-blue

Blooms: in spring; usually Mar-May in S. Bay

Flowers: Fantastic rich blue-purple;

generally no white on petals

Relatively large – to 1 ½ inches

Petals fused into a bell-shaped corolla (petal) tube; fairly broad for Phacelia – may have a narrower ‘neck’

Really beautiful

Seeds: many small, hard seeds

©2010 Thomas Stoughton

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© Project SOUND

Delicate-looking – but tough in fact

Soils: Texture: likes a coarse, well-

drained soil – can take others

pH: any local

Light: Full sun

Water: Winter/spring: keep moist

while developing

Summer: dry after flowering

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: gravel mulch – like in the photograph

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

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© Project SOUND

CA Bluebell: color & more

Wonderful massed – alone or with contrasting yellow or white flowers

As an attractive pot plant

On dry slopes or water-wise gardens – let it naturalize

©2010 Thomas Stoughton

http://blog.anniesannuals.com/tag/phacelia-minor/

http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/PhaceliaMinor/PhaceliaMinorStand.jpg

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Choose native annuals for double duty as

‘pollinator plants’

All other things being equal

1. Choose plants for their habitat value

2. Choose plants for their usefulness (food; dyes; etc.)

© Project SOUND

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Boraginaceae/Phacelia%20minor.htm

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© Project SOUND

Why are Phacelias such good pollinator plants?

Many flowers per plant; long bloom period Make it worthwhile for the

pollinators to visit

Open flower structure (some): Nectar accessible to many

types of pollinators

Abundant nectar production Evolved with insect pollinator

species

Note: many have markings to attract pollinators to the nectar (‘nectar lines’)

©2003 Kristin Szabo

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The tale of two Phacelias

© Project SOUND

http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/phacelia/minor_with_spots.html

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

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© Project SOUND

Parry’s Phacelia – Phacelia parryi

Waterleaf family (like Baby Blue-eyes)

Named for Charles C. Parry (1832-1890) – botanist with the Pacific Railway Survey

Grows in S. CA south to Baja CA

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4587,4673

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are lovely…

Blooms Apr-June in South Bay

Flowers bell-shaped, with very open, spreading petals, borne on erect stems

Color: rich purple-blue with five pure-white spots, white anthers

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/phacpar4.htm

http://www.gardengates.info/Phac.%20par.close.jpg

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Some CA Bluebell plants appear to have

characteristics of both Phacelias

Phacelia minor Uniform color – no white spots

or streaks

Long cylindric corolla tube

Phacelia parryi White spots

Very short/no corolla tube

Often more blue than purple

‘unusual’ P. minor Occur w/in 10 mi. of P. parryi

populations

Always within P. minor populations

White spots/streaks

Shorter tube © Project SOUND http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/phacelia/minor_with_spots.html

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Conclusion? Introgression with P. parryi; i.e., some specimens are hybrids with P. parryi, whereas other specimens are "pure" P. minor.

It is also possible that this simply represents intrinsic variation within P. minor.

rDNA evidence : either hybridization or a recent divergence between P. parryi and P. minor

Take home message:

Evolution is still occurring

Role of humans in plant evolution

Responsibility of gardeners

© Project SOUND

http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/phacelia/minor_with_spots.html

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© Project SOUND

* Desert Bluebells – Phacelia campanularia

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© Project SOUND

* Desert Bluebells – Phacelia campanularia

Mojave Desert & N. and W. Sonoran Desert of California

Open dry, sandy or gravelly places below 4000 ft.

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4587,4601

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© Project SOUND

Desert Bluebells – an annual desert wildflower

Size: 1-2 ft tall

1-2+ ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Mounded to somewhat sprawling shape - attractive

Stems often red-purple in color

Foliage: Rounded, coarsely-toothed

leaves – somewhat like Heuchera

Whole plant hairy/sticky – may cause mild skin allergies, so wear gloves to handle

http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/1886/phacelia-campanularia-desertbells/

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are a bright,

pure blue

Blooms: in spring - usually Feb-Apr. in our area, but may be later

Flowers: Small-medium size (to 1 inch)

Bell-shaped – typical for Phacelia

Bright, intense true blue – iridescent – difficult to photograph

Seeds: In dry capsules

Relatively easy – no pre-treatment; just plant in place in fall/winter – germinate in spring

Serial sow for longer bloom season

Will reseed – but not extensively – usually must re-seed

http://www.hortmag.com/article/desertbluebells/

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

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© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: any well-drained; sandy & gravelly soils great

pH: any local

Light: Full sun (best) to light shade

Water: Winter/spring: need plenty of

water during active growth

Summer: occasional deep water extends blooming; taper off as flowering ends

Fertilizer: fine in poor soils, OK with light fertilizer (like any of our annual wildflowers)

Other: seeds need bare soil/light gravel mulch to germinate; require dim light as germination cue.

http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Phacelia_campanularia_var._campanulari

a&printable=yes&printable=yes

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© Project SOUND

Annual ‘Pollenator Plants’

can be tucked in anywhere

Spilling out of pots & planters

Along garden paths – often short

Massed for spring color – pair with Tidy-tips or CA Poppy for a real zing!

Between native shrubs & sub-shrubs

Mixed with native desert grasses

In a rock or gravel garden

Fine in hot places

http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2008/06/friday-night-botanical-garden.html

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© Project SOUND

Sticky Phacelia – Phacelia viscida

Good for shady spots

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© Project SOUND

Growing Phacelia is easy

Soil: any well-drained soil

pH: any local

Light: most like full sun to part-shade

Water: average needs; can take irrigation during dry spells

Plant fall/winter - be sure that seeds are lightly covered (germinate in darkness or dim light)

http://home.pi.net/~vries796/plantslides/phac_par.htm

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Other advantages of annual wildflowers:

their small size & adaptability

© Project SOUND

http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/blog/2011/05/09/plant-of-the-month-lupine/

http://queerbychoice.livejournal.com/643809.html?t

hread=4226785

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© Project SOUND

Even the smallest garden has a place for

wildflowers

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/502812583_c943310b50.jpg

http://www.penick.net/digging/index.php?s=wildflower+center

Annual wildflowers are the ultimate

‘tuck-in plants’

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© Project SOUND

* Mojave Pincushion – Chaenactis xantiana

©2009 Stephen Dowlan

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Desert mountains and foothills: s. Sierra Nevada, South Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, Great Basin Floristic Province, w Mojave Desert

Slopes in Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub, between 1400 and 7000 feet

Open, deep, loose sandy (rarely gravelly) soils,

© Project SOUND

* Mojave Pincushion – Chaenactis xantiana

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,890,912

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© Project SOUND

Mojave Pincushion: a petit sunflower

Size: 1 – 1 ½ ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Foliage: Leaves mostly in basal rosette

Leaves slightly fleshy; deeply lobed into very narrow segments

Color blue-green due waxy scales

Foliage often dies back before or with flowering in wild

©2009 Stephen Dowlan

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are pale

Blooms: in spring usually Mar-June in western L.A. County

Flowers: Flowers in dense, compact

heads that look somewhat like a pincushion

Color: white to pale pink – hence another common name ‘flesh-color pincushion’

Cute

Seeds: Dry; rather showy

Wind dispersed

©2011 Neal Kramer

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Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well-drained best

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter/spring: adequate for

development

Summer: none after blooming

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: gravel mulch

©2012 Jean Pawek

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Garden Pincushions

In mixed ‘color bowls’ - as a contrast plant with other, more colorful native blooms

In a desert garden

Tucked into narrow, dry places in the garden

©2010 James M. Andre

http://166.78.84.170/taxa/57925-Chaenactis-xantiana

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© Project SOUND

Yellow Pincushion (Chaenactis

glabriuscula) – local version

Size: 1-2 ft tall; < 1 ft wide

Blooms:

Spring: usually Mar-May for 2-4 wks

Composite flower: Larger flowers to outside

Smaller inside

Looks like a pincushion

Color: bright to golden yellow

Usually several head per stem

In wilds are often massed – ‘carpet of gold’

Excellent butterfly plant

http://www.callutheran.edu/wf/images/des/des-658.jpg

http://www.nps.gov/archive/pinn/images/flowers/large/yellowpincushion.jpg

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© Project SOUND

‘Sunflowers’ are easy

to grow from seed

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

Just lightly rake in the seeds – need light to germinate

Be sure the young seedlings get adequate water

Taper off water after flowering

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

http://www.ransomseedlab.com/aboutus/asteraceae/examples_lastheni

a_californica.htm

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

lifornica_JPG.jpg

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© Project SOUND

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

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

Why? Similar to natural conditions for

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

through; and protects them Seeds can avoid predation

Other advantages Looks neater than bare ground Looks quite natural

An inorganic mulch ~ 1 inch deep or less

works well – you will have to weed

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Another advantage of CA native annuals

is that they ‘naturalize’

© Project SOUND

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Advantages to letting plants naturalize

Saves money – sometimes can just start with a few plants – or a packet of seed

Saves effort – let Mother Nature do the work

Looks ‘natural’

Helps to tie the garden together – a theme that runs through the garden

© Project SOUND

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Combine informal annuals with more

formal non-natives for a fresh look

http://wreathfactoryonline.com/2012/08/19/from-cheryls-garden-riverside-international-friendship-

gardens/

Native annuals brighten

up a knot garden – the

basic structure can be

designed with non-native

perennial herbs

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© Project SOUND

*Desert Dandelion – Malacothrix glabrata

©2003 Barry Breckling

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San Joaquin Valley, Outer South Coast Ranges, Western Transverse Ranges, East of Sierra Nevada, Desert - to Oregon, Idaho, Utah; Mexico

Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Shadscale Scrub: 0-6562 ft

On coarse, sandy, gravely or rocky soils in open areas or among shrubs

© Project SOUND

*Desert Dandelion – Malacothrix glabrata

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences ©2008 Steve Matson

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© Project SOUND

A Dandelion taken to a whole new level

Size: < 18 inches tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Foliage: Leaves primarily in basal

rosette

Leaves somewhat fleshy

Deeply divided – segments almost thread-like – very unusual for genus

Color: medium to gray-green

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

©1998 Larry Blakely

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Flowers: small zinnias

Blooms: spring – usually Mar-June depending on rains

Flowers: In large (to 2 inch) dandelion-

like heads

Many blunt-tipped, strap-like ray flowers – somewhat like zinnia

Color: yellow, often darker towards center; young head may have dark orange center

Seeds: Like super dandelion – quite

pretty w/ long silky pappus

http://www.answers.com/topic/dudleya

©2008 Neal Kramer

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Need rain – but tough Soils:

Texture: any

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter/spring: need good winter

rains (or irrigation)

Summer: dry

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

©1988 Gary A. Monroe

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Versatile Desert Dandelion

As habitat: birds, pollinators, tortoises

As an alternative to tidy-tips in hot, dry gardens

In un-watered, out of the way places

To ‘soften’ more formal plantings

©2009 Ron Wolf

©2008 Neal Kramer

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Malacothrix_glabrata

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Adaptations common

in desert annuals

Seeds only germinate in wet years – will be more regular in our area

Quick growth

Small size; ‘play well together’

Often spare, narrow/dissected leaves – or fleshy to hold water

Leaves in basal rosette – no resources wasted on leafy stems

Flowers often on stems above foliage – to increase chances of pollination

© Project SOUND

http://www.worldbotanical.com/chaenactis.htm

http://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/family/asteraceae/m

alacothrix_glabrata.htm

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Something tall and colorful while the

shrubs fill in

© Project SOUND http://www.jeckels.com/photoDetail?PhotoId=2148&ReferringCategoryId=281

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When it comes to filler plants, the Clarkias

are garden favorites throughout the world

© Project SOUND

http://gardenpuzzle.com/projects/show/49848

http://norahwilsonwrites.com/wordpress/?tag=alice-gaines

http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/s

howimage/1758/

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And many are California native annuals

© Project SOUND

http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2009/07/filoli.html

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Clarkias – Evening Primrose family

Genus named after William Clark

41 annual species

72 species and sub-species native to CA

Include garden varieties sold by seed companies

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Clarkias have long been used in gardens

The Clarkias have been used in gardens since 1840, when seeds were sent back to England for cultivation

Most garden forms were derived from Elegant Clarkia, Clarkia amoena, and Ruby Chalice Clarkia Clarka rubicunda

Nurseries sometimes carry something they call "Godetia", which will usually be a Clarkia.

© 2004 Norman Jensen

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Clarkias: two types (for garden design purposes)

Robust & bushy types Wand-like types

© Project SOUND

Elegant Clarkia – Clarkia unguiculata

Purple Clarkia – Clarkia purpurea

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Clarkia’s: dramatic

when massed

Make bold, colorful statement – sometimes for months at a time

Allow you to appreciate the differences between the different species

Planting several may allow you to extend the flowering season into summer – some tend to bloom later than others

© Project SOUND http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/wildflower_watch_wk13.htm

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Confusion over Clarkias

Many Clarkia were mistaken for other genera such as Godetia

Even within the same species there is much variability

Interbreeding between sub-species

Some populations are isolated – tend to diverge from others even within a species

In the 1950s, the genus Clarkia became the object of intensive genetic and taxonomic studies at UCLA

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

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* Godetia/Farewell-to-spring – Clarkia amoena

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/images/garden_weekly/amoena_cu1_wk12_big.jpg

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* Godetia – Clarkia amoena

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

bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5343

CA and OR coast north of San Francisco Bay

Generally open, drying places, < 1500 ft.

Found in coastal scrub, prairies and dry open coastal slopes & bluffs

A staple of cottage gardens world-wide since the 1800’s

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

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Godeta is a robust type of Clarkia – like

Elegant Clarkia

Size: 1-3 ft tall

1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Upright, branched form

Foliage: Leaves simple

Typically blue-green to gray-green – may be tinged with red or magenta

© 2002 George Jackson

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Flowers: like C. purpurea

on steroids Blooms:

Spring/summer: usually Apr-June in our area but may be later into summer with water – 2-4 months

Flowers: Glorious two-toned colors: usually

featuring magenta, but may be more purple or more pink

Incredibly showy – like Elegant Clarkia but larger and often more bright

Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds

Seeds: many small seeds in capsules – will reseed on bare ground or gravel/crushed rock mulch; edible

http://www.americanmeadows.com/godetia-seeds?___store=default

© 2002 George Jackson http://www.rampantscotland.com/colour/supplement070818.htm

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Using robust-type

Clarkias

Lovely in containers – with bulbs and other annuals

Massed on slopes with grasses

In mid-beds for cottage garden

To fill in spaces that need a little color – short- or long-term

© Project SOUND

http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/clarkias.php

http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2011/08/larner-seeds-demonstration-garden.html http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

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Ruby Chalice Clarkia – Clarkia rubicunda

©2011 Margo Bors

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Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area

Grassy slopes and openings in Northern Coastal Scrub, Mixed Evergreen Forest and Chaparral, 0-1600 ft. elevation

© Project SOUND

Ruby Chalice Clarkia – Clarkia rubicunda

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5392

©2008 Neal Kramer

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Ruby Chalice Clarkia: open & slender

Size: 2-4 ft tall

1-3 ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower

Foliage: Similar to Purple Clarkia

Slender, upright stems

Often many-branched

Long, slender leaves

Foliage gray-green – may be red- or purple-tinged

©2011 Margo Bors

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Flowers are pink-purple

Blooms: In summer – one of the later

ones (to fall in N. CA

Usually May-July in S. CA; long season with summer water

Flowers: Abundant flowers per plant

Open and cup-like shape; magenta to pink

Petals darker at base – very noticeable in side view

Wild types often similar to Clarkia amoena

Seeds: Many small seeds in typical

Clarkia capsule; edible

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clarkia_rubicunda_subsp._blasdalei.jpg

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

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© Project SOUND

Ruby Chalice –

drought tolerant Soils:

Texture: quite adaptable

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade – good

transition area plant

Water: Winter/spring: supplement if

needed

Summer: occasional water may extend bloom season well into summer – more drought-tolerant than C. amoena

Fertilizer: likes poor soils but wouldn’t mind some fertilizer

Other: gravel mulch

©2008 Neal Kramer

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Ruby Chalice – good

for informal look

In a life-friendly habitat garden; all Clarkias attract insect pollinators, hummingbirds and seed-eating birds

Massed for a cottage garden effect

Mixed in a meadow or prairie planting

Lovely as a color spot in containers

Good filler, bulb cover http://www.gardeningwithnatives.com/articles/wildflower_top

_10.html

http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/wild-in-the-city/#

©2008 Neal Kramer

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Cultivar ‘Shamini’

Likely a hybrid with C. amoena or other Clarkia/Godetia

Very brightly colored & large (2-3 inch) flowers – almost unbelievable

Late-blooming – through summer

Available from Annie Annuals

© Project SOUND http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniesannuals/4439354572/

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Extending the annual show into summer

Include some later-blooming species in your garden Clarkias – esp. C. rubicunda, C.

unguiculata

Globe Gilia – Gilia capitata

Annual Phacelias

Consider serial sowing: Plant seeds at two week

intervals from late winter until about April

Keep plants watered

© Project SOUND

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Clarkia purpuria ssp. quadrivulnera

Purple Clarkia; Farewell-to-Spring; Winecup Fairy Fan; Four-spot

Coastal and lower elevations of S. CA

Coastal strand and slopes

Intergrades with other subspecies of Clarkia purpurea

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Punchbowl Clarkia – Clarkia bottae/lewisii

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Onagraceae/Clarkia%20bottae.htm

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Punchbowl Clarkia – Clarkia bottae

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5356

http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/onagraceae/clarkia/clarkia-bottae/

Coastal foothills below about 3000' from Monterey Co. south, including Santa Monica Mtns.

Dry opening in many plant communities: Coastal Sage Scrub, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Southern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral

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Punchbowl Clarkia: wand-like & delicate

Size: 1 to 2 ft tall (usually; in wild)

1+ ft wide

Growth form: Annual wildflower (herbaceous)

Foliage:

Wand-like – similar to Purple Clarkia but smaller/shorter

Rather slender stems – not much branching – often red/purple

Leaves gray-green, long & narrow (linear)

Leaves generally sparse

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Onagraceae/Clarkia%20bottae.htm

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Flowers are adorable

Blooms: In spring – any time from Mar to

summer

Depends on rain patterns, temperature; a little summer water extends bloom season

Flowers: Pale magenta – usually with lighter

centers of petals

May have dark magenta ‘freckles’, but no blotches

Open and large – 1 inch +

Four long and four short stamens and a pistil with a four-part stigma that extends beyond the anthers. The outer anthers are lavender-colored and the inner are yellowish.

©2009 Lynn Watson

©2009 Lynn Watson

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Growing Clarkia from

seed

Fruit – an 8-ribbed pod that develops below the petals

Seed is small – 1,500,000/lb

Collect seed spring/summer when pods become brown

Keep seed cool and dry until planting

Sow seed in place in spring or fall (at the time of first rains)

Seeds germinate in 7-21 days when daytime temperatures are in the 70

© Project SOUND

©2009 Thomas Stoughton

http://www.hazmac.biz/090810/090810ClarkiaBottae.html

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Punchbowl Clarkia -

easy to please

Soils: Texture: any

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-shade; great in

intermediate zones, under tall trees

Water: Winter/spring: supplement as

needed

Summer: dry to regular water (Zones 1-2 to 2-3)

Fertilizer: none needed; likes poor soils but fine with fertilizer

Other: tolerates seaside conditions, alkaline soil, salt, and clay

©2010 Michael O'Brien

Beatrice F. Howitt © California Academy of Sciences

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Myths about gardening with Clarkia

the cultivation literature almost always stresses growing clarkias in poor soils lest lush leaves be grown at the expense of flowers.

the truth is that most clarkia prefer at least moderately fertile soils – tolerate fertilizer

sandy, well-drained soils are great, but most do well in clay

tolerate full sun to partial shade

like moist soil in spring; can water into early summer

May need to be staked

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

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Punchbowl Clarkia is a

perfect naturalizer

As an attractive pot plant

Tucked in those ‘tough to fill’ places

Combined with other Clarkias – make a nice contrast

In wildflower meadows/prairies

http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/onagraceae/clarkia/clarkia-bottae/

http://www.mijntuin.org/exchange/offers/2

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/wildflower_watch_wk13.htm

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Cultivar ‘Lilac Pixie’

Flowers over long season; look stunning en-masse.

Grows only 10-12" tall, annual

Ideal for beds and borders. Suitable as cut flowers.

Widely available from conventional (British) seed companies – and on e-bay

© Project SOUND

http://www.longacres.co.uk/plants/seeds/flower-seeds/clarkia-

lilac-pixie-suttons-109842.html

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

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Flower+Seeds/All+Flower+See

ds/Clarkia+Lilac+Pixie+Seeds_109842.htm

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So get out and look at annual wildflowers

in local gardens

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Go on the native plant garden tours

© Project SOUND

Theodore Payne Foundation –

local gardens tomorrow

(Sun/4/7)

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Note which wildflowers do well in sun,

shade and in between

http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2011/08/larner-seeds-demonstration-garden.html

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© Project SOUND

Celebrate wildflowers - come draw, paint and photograph April 13 & 14


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