Gillett

Plant Palette

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Mission: To encourage and actively

participate in the conservation and restoration of

Orange County and California wildlands, through

education and habitat restoration programs featuring

native plants and biodiversity as a centralizing theme.

Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth.

Biodiversity measures the health of biological

systems (historical species present vs. historical species extinct).

What does non-native mean?

When non-native plants spread and

become established in wild areas

they out-compete native plants.

Diseases or weather conditions

which kept the plants in check in

their homeland are absent here.

These weeds deprive our wild

animals of food and shelter, since

native animals cannot make much

use of them.

What does native mean? “Natives” were here prior to European

contact.

California's native plants & animals

evolved here over a very long period,

and form a complex network of

relationships.

They are adapted to our climate and

geography.

Why Grow Native Plants?

Promote Biodiversity • In California, there are over 6,000 native plant species,

more than in the central and northeastern US and Canada combined.

• More than 1500 of these plant species are endemic to (found only in) California, and most of these endemic species are found in Southern California.

• Southern California is one of the 25 global biodiversity “hotspots.” Hotspots are where the largest number of different species can be found, especially those species found nowhere else.

• More than 60 percent of the Earth's total species live in hotspots, which cover only 1.44 percent of its surface.

• Orange County is “a hotspot within a hotspot”, with more native plant species per square mile than Yosemite National Park.

• Orange County has over 1200 species of native vascular plants.

• As the human population grows, many of Orange County’s open spaces are vanishing, and with it the native plants.

• By growing native plants in our gardens, we are restoring some of the natural biodiversity of our area.

• Many species are dependent on the habitat provided by native vegetation and taken in aggregate, home plantings can enhance the wildlife populations of an area.

Why Grow Native Plants?

Reduce the use of water • Native plants are adapted to the unique climatic conditions of their growing area and once established they require

little or no supplemental irrigation. • When we grow plants found in our resident plant community, we use far less water than traditional garden

landscapes. • Using drought tolerant natives in our California gardens conserves a scarce natural resource and saves money on

water costs.

Why Grow Native Plants?

Reduce the use of pesticides

• Many native plants are not

severely effected by insect pests and diseases that afflict traditional ornamentals.

• Often, natives have adapted defense mechanisms to pests common in their habitats or have a high tolerance for pest damage.

• Eliminating pesticide use in the garden promotes biodiversity, reduces our exposure to toxic substances and saves money.

Why Grow Native Plants?

Enjoy a low

maintenance garden

• Natives require less work at

garden chores such as mowing, pruning, fertilizing and dividing.

• California native plants are adapted to a wide variety of growing conditions and fine native plant choices exist for virtually any garden environment.

Why Grow Native Plants?

Provide Habitat! • The biodiversity promoted by a native

plant garden will reward the owner with satisfying experiences of discovery and observation, not only of the plants themselves, but a host of other species... birds, insects, mammals, etc.

• A good native plant garden complements the indigenous habitat and by growing plants found in our resident plant community, we bring in all sorts of nearby creatures dependent on that habitat.

• In a small but significant way, we as native plant gardeners begin to help secure a connection with the natural world that is infinitely more satisfying than mowing the lawn.

Knowing your Area

• What is your purpose for the garden?

• What soils make up the area you want to plant?

• What habitat is near your location?

• What/How much water is available to the location?

• What Butterflies do you want to attract?

Water Management

• Be true to your area, If an arid region use plants that are adapted to the water restrictions of your area.

• Be true to your space, if your overhang causes moist damp soils, rethink using Deerweed or Woolly Blue Curls, and consider False Indigo or Scarlet Monkey Flower

Soils Defining the Plant Community

• Sandy- Coastal Sage Scrub-some grasses, Coastal Strand, Riparian, Coastal Bluffs, Woodlands, Chaparral

• Clay(Heavy) Grasslands, Chaparral, Riparian, Woodlands, some CSS

Habitat/Communities Near You

• Be true to the surrounding habitat

• Plant California Natives, Actual Plants found in your area to augment existing or damaged habitat

• How would what you plant improve or degrade the habitat near you?

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Check list for your garden 1. Determine Soil Type

1. Sandy soils = Coastal Sage Scrub plant community 2. Clay soils = Native Grassland plant community 3. etc

2. Determine sun exposure 1. Shade, part shade, sunny, part sunny, etc

3. Measure your area 4. Create site layout

1. try to be accurate with scale, i.e.. 1 inch= 1foot 5. Research plants

1. Size 1. Height and Spread

2. Texture 3. Soil preferences 4. Water requirements 5. Plant Communities 6. Prices and availability

6. Create icons to represent each plant, even if only circles with plant initials 1. be accurate with size of circle to reflect spread of plant on layout 2. Can be drawn onto layout, or use separate pieces to move around as you like

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Back to Natives Restoration, a 501(c)3

backtonatives.org

Trees

Ceanothus spinosus

Greenbark Ceanothus

Sambucas mexicana Elderberry

Shrubs

Artemisia californica California Sage Brush

Eriogonum fasciculatum Buckwheat

Nolina parryi Beargrass

Salvia apiana White Sage

Salvia leucophylla Purple Sage

Trichostema lanatum Woolley Blue Curls

Sub-Shrubs & Perennials

Achillea millefolium Yarrow

Asclepias californica

California Milkweed

Asclepias eriocarpa

Indian

Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

Narrowleaf Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Showy Milkweed

Epilobium canum

California Fuschia

Eriophyllum confertiflorum G

olde

n Y

arro

w

Heuchera maxima Jill of the Rocks

Lotus scoparius

Deerweed

Mimulus aurantiacus MonkeyFlower

Monardella villosa Coyote Mint

Penstemon spectabilis

Showy Penstamon

Salvia spathacea

Hummingbird Sage

Sisyrinchium bellum

Blue Eyed Grass

Grasses

Aristida purpurea Purple Three Awn

Carex praegracilis Field Sedge

2.5 ft. height,

perennial with

rhizomes, stems

triangular, leaves flat

to channeled,

excellent for wet

areas in all but high

elevations in Calif.,

rhizomes will spread,

will grow in sandy

soils, good forage for

livestock

Carex praegracilis Field Sedge

Leaning Pine Arboretum

Horticulture and Crop Science

Department

California Polytechnic State University

San Luis Obispo, Ca 93407

805.756.2888

teltzrot@calpoly.edu

Carex praegracilis Field Sedge

Juncus patens

Spreading Rush

Juncus mexicanus Mexican Rush

Melica imperfecta Coast Range Melic

• Native to dry hillsides, chaparral and open woodlands of the coast ranges.

• This native perennial grass grows 1 - 2 ft. tall in flower. The narrow flower panicles provide a delicate effect, starting out cream and aging to beige. Grows best in part shade and responds to some irrigation.

• Goes dormant if allowed to go summer dry once established, turning green with the winter rains.

• Useful for lightly shaded meadow plantings and stabilizing slopes. Deer resistant.

Nassella cernua Nodding Needle Grass

• Growth habit: Upright bunch grassSize:2' - 3' h x 2' -3' w

• Semi-deciduous • Flowering Season:

Spring • Growth Rate: Fast • Seeds purplish • Hardiness: To 25 F • Sun to part • Soil Moisture: Semi-

dry • Type: Sandy, Rocky

below 4100' • Description: A

Southern California native bunchgrass that is both showy (purple seed heads) and tough (deep roots) Recommended for dry, hot areas and steep slopes.

Ground Cover

Aster chilensis California Aster

CaliforniaBeach Wild Strawberry

Fragaria chiloensis

Satureja chandleri

Yerba Buena / San Miguel Savory

Vines

Calystegia macrostegia

Wild Morning Glory

Virgin’s Bower

Clematis spp.

Vitis girdiana California Wild Grape

Native Plant Websites

• www.CNPS.org California Native Plant Society • www.CalFlora.org Native Plant descriptions, ranges and

photos • www.treeoflifenursery.com California native plant

nursery • www.laspilitas.com California native plant nursery • www.SerCal.org Society for Ecological Restoration of

California • www.OCWild.org Orange County Wild Places website for

natural interpretive areas and volunteer venues

•www.BacktoNatives.org Back to Natives Restoration