This lecture was given in August, 2009 as part of the California native plant gardening series ‘Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden’

1. Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND

2. Gardening on Sand
August 1st & 4th 2009
© Project SOUND

3. Our mission: to make this garden more water-wise
http://chiotsrun.com/2009/04/28/the-balance-of-nature-growing-soil/ © Project SOUND

4. What is a sandy 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
http://www.soilsensor.com/soiltypes.aspx
light.
 Sandy soils contain high
proportions (60% or more)
of larger (sand) particles.
Many ‘sandy soils’ are
actually sandy loams –
wonderful garden soils
© Project SOUND
http://www.your-healthy-gardens.com/soil.html

5. Tests for sandy 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.
© Project SOUND

6. The sedimentation  Sand Layer: settles in 1-2 minutes
process  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
The percentage of top of the clay layer.
each layer tells you
what kind of soil you  Most of the organic matter will be
have.
floating on the top of the water
© Project SOUND

7. Sandy Soils
 Sandy soils are found throughout
Southern California, but are very
common near the mountain
foothills, along rivers and
streams, in desert areas and
certain coastal areas.
 Sandy soils are typically
comprised of approximately 80 -
100% sand, 0 - 10% silt and 0 -
10% clay by volume.
 Sandy soils are light and typically
very free draining, usually
holding water very poorly due to
very low organic content.
 You may want to concentrate on
plants that thrive in sandy soils
© Project SOUND

8.  Are also common in Southern
Loam Soils 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.
 A wide range of plants grow
well in loamy soils
1:1:1 soils
© Project SOUND

9. Challenges of local sandy soils
 Poor moisture retention: Because it retains
moisture poorly, plants in sandy soil suffer from
drying out quickly
 Heat stress: Sandy soil does not moderate heat
as well as other soils. It heats up quickly during
the day and cools rapidly at night, stressing
plants and making it difficult for tender seedlings
to thrive.
 Infertility: Sandy soil usually does not contain
much organic matter, and what is there breaks
down more quickly than it does in other types of
http://www.self-sufficient-home.com/166-
sandy-garden-soil.html soil, especially in warm climates. Soluble nutrients
quickly leach out with rain and irrigation.
Fortunately, native plants  pH: coastal and desert sands may be alkali
from sandy soil regions (pH > 8.0)
are well adapted to all of
these conditions
 Rooting: Takes a while for roots to gain enough
‘purchase’ to support larger plants
© Project SOUND

10. Benefits of sandy soils
 Easier to plant in
 Harder to overwater; less
susceptible to ‘El Nino
disasters’
 Roots grow easily in loose
soils
 Some native plants are
specifically adapted to
sandy or rocky soils – these
will thrive in your sandy soil!
© Project SOUND

11. Keys to succeeding with sandy soils
1. Plant with the rains
2. Use the Water Zone system to group
plants
3. Choose appropriate plants
4. Start out with small plants
5. Mulch – with appropriate mulch
6. Water correctly; monitor
7. If fertilizing, low dose & more often
© Project SOUND

12. 1. Plant with the rains in sandy soils
 Why plant with the rains?
 Saves water – soils are naturally moist
during the critical first few months
 Vulnerable plants get the best water
possible
 Vulnerable plants are not exposed to
temperature extremes
 Soils are well-saturated – promotes
deep/wide root growth
 Coincides with native plant’s normal
growth cycle; plants are primed to
grow at this time
© Project SOUND

13. 2. Group your plants according to Water Zones
© Project SOUND

14. Gardens in Mediterranean climates
(including S. CA) have three Water Zones
 Zone 1 – no supplemental water; soils are
dry in summer/fall. May or may not be
planted.
 Zone 2 – occasional summer water; soil is
allowed to dry out between waterings
 Zone 3 – regular water; soil is usually moist
to soggy, even in summer.
© Project SOUND

15. The secret of a water-wise garden is to prioritize water
needs and group plants with similar requirements
Regular water
Pretty dry
drought-
tolerant
plants
‘Water-wise’ ; occasional summer water
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00101.asp
© Project SOUND

16. Your Water Zone plan directs many other
decisions in your garden plan
 Choice of plants
 Soil amending (if any)
 Use/type of mulch
 Frequency of watering
 Type of ‘irrigation
system’
© Project SOUND

17. This yard has some natural Water Zones
Zone 3 – regularly
watered
© Project SOUND

18. Amending sandy 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 most local sandy soils
© Project SOUND

19. Selective amendment for special areas
 Raised beds for
vegetable gardens
 Planters & pots
 Selective amendment
of Zone 3 beds
http://my.kitchengardeners.org/profile/PeterGleason
http://www.floridata.com/tracks/transplantedgardener/composting.cfm
© Project SOUND

20. 3. Choose plants that thrive in sandy soils
© Project SOUND

21. Areas with plants adapted to sandy soils
 Local areas:
 Coastal strand/sandy
bluffs
 Coastal Prairie/shrubland
 Southern coast (San
Diego Co.) & Baja
 Northern coast
 Particularly good for
groundcover plants
 Plants will need a little
extra water
 S. CA deserts
© Project SOUND

22. Beach Bluffs Restoration Project
© Project SOUND

23. Strand/Bluff plants: Zone 1 with some dry-season fog;
many are OK with Zones 1 to 2 in sandy soils
http://www.tijuanaestuary.com/beaches.asp
 Dune Buckwheat
 Deervetch
 CA poppy
 as well as some low-lying plants found mostly quite
near the shore:
 Red Sand Verbena
 Silver Beach Burr
 Pacific Cinquefoil
 others listed for ‘seaside conditions’
© Project SOUND

24. Coastal Marsh plants are Zone 2 to 3 plants
unique to our low-lying coastal area
http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/pdf/planning/SPLG.pdf
 Many unique plants that can tolerate sandy soils, salt spray &
saltwater, flooding
 Characteristics: short, spreading; mostly herbaceous perennials;
can be used alone or as mixed groundcovers
© Project SOUND

25. 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
© Project SOUND

26. This yard has some natural Zone 3 areas
Could capture more water from the roof
Zone 3 – regularly
watered
© Project SOUND

27. Salty Susan/ Fleshy Jaumea – Jaumea carnosa
http://www.coloradolagoon.org/focl/gallery.html © Project SOUND

28. Salty Susan/ Marsh Jaumea – Jaumea carnosa
 Coastal region from British
Columbia to N. Baja
 Always found in marshy or
moist places:
 Margins of coastal salt
marshes and tidal flats
where there is protection
from wave action
 Coastal strand
 Bases of sea cliffs
 Named after Jean Henri
Jaume Saint-Hilaire (1772-
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1464,1465
1845), a French botanist &
artist who was interested in
practical uses of native
plants
© Project SOUND

29. Salty Susan is one of several local native
coastal groundcovers
 Size:
 low – generally < 1 ft tall
 spreading to 3-5+ ft wide
 Growth form:
 Low, herbaceous perennial
groundcover
 Foliage:
 Fleshy, succulent
 gray-green or blue-green color
 Leaves narrow – somewhat like
some iceplants
 Roots:
Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences  Spreads via rhizomes
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3592688234_cc697124da.jpg?v=0
© Project SOUND

30. The flowers are a surprise!
 Blooms: spring/summer; usually
May-Sept in W. L.A. County
 Flowers:
 Typical for Sunflower family –
many flowers in heads
 Both ray & disk flowers are
bright yellow
 Plants are dioecious –
separate male & female plants
 Great nectar & pollen source –
attracts many insects
 Seeds:
 Small – Sunflower-like – on
female plants
 Eaten by birds
© Project SOUND
http://www.westernwildflower.com/plant%20index.htm

31. Salty Susan grows on  Soils:
 Texture: sandy to clay
marsh edges
 pH: any local including alkali
(pH > 8.0)
 Fine with salty soils, seaside
conditions; roots exclude salt
 Light: full sun
 Water:
 Winter: needs goo winter
water – takes some flooding
 Summer: likes a moist soil
best – Water Zones 2 to 3
 Would be fine with sprinkler
overflow, or water from a
neighbor’s yard
 Fertilizer: none needed; likes
© 2008 R.C. Brody
poor soils, but light fertilizer
won’t kill it
© Project SOUND

32. Salty Susan is a true
native groundcover
 A replacement for Ice Plant on
sandy soils, banks
 In naturally wet areas of the
garden
 Low spots that get very moist
http://www.land8lounge.com/profile/JeremySison
in winter
 Under birdbath; near ponds
 Edges of irrigated areas
 As an unusual pot/planter plant
 As an excellent addition to a
coastal habitat garden
© Project SOUND
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2845181216_985fa34707.jpg?v=0

33. Grow Salty Susan with other local natives
associates for a mixed goundcover
 Grasses:
 Saltgrass – Distichlis spicata
 Thingrass – Agrostis pallens
 Carex (sedge) species
 Perennial creepers:
 Stachys (Woodmints)
 Achillea (Yarrow)
 Artemisias
 Fragaria (strawberry)
 And others (see Sandy Soils
list)
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/marshjaumea.html
© Project SOUND

34. Local native plants from Coastal Prairie/scrublands
are naturals for Zone 1 to 2
Zone 3 – regularly
watered
© Project SOUND

35. Use the Preserve & gardens as sources
of inspiration
© Project SOUND

36. Many local native grasses thrive on sandy soils…
Thin grass – Agrostis pallens
© Project SOUND

37. ….and don’t forget our annual wildflowers
Fiddlenecks Coastal Tidytips
Blue Dicks
Redmaids
Goldfields
Miniature Lupine
© Project SOUND

38. Hairy (Coastal) Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula
© 2005 Doreen L. Smith
Grindelia hirsutula var. hirsutula © Project SOUND

39. Hairy (Coastal) Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula
© 2008 Jorg Fleige
Grindelia hirsutula var. maritima
http://www.coestatepark.com/grindelia_hirsutula.htm © Project SOUND

40. Hairy (Coastal) Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula
 Var. hisutula – coastal, including
western L.A. Co., coast near Santa
Monica Mtns.
var. hirsutula  Var. maritima – north & central CA
coast
 Both:
 Coastal areas; sea bluffs and
slopes
 Sandy soils
var. maritima
http://www.coestatepark.com/grindelia_hirsutula.htm
© Project SOUND
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1255,1260,1264

41. Hairy Gumplant - an herbaceous perennial
 Size:
 1-3 ft tall (v. maritima 1-2 ft)
 1-3 ft wide
 Growth form:
 Herbaceous perennial; dies
back in fall
 Many slender stems from
woody rootstock
 May be upright or more leaning
(maritima)
 Foliage:
 Blue-green, tinged with red,
purple or yellow
 More refined-looking than
other Grindelia species
© 2000 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org
© Project SOUND

42. Flowers are pure gold
 Blooms: spring-summer – usually
June-Aug in S. Bay
 Flowers:
 Typical sunflower heads with
well-developed ray flowers
(maritima has more ray flowers)
 Bright golden yellow
 Profuse bloomer – even with
little summer water
 Pollinator magnets!!
© 2008 Jorg Fleige
 Seeds:
 Small, but edible
 Birds love them!
 Vegetative reproduction: not a
real spreader
© Project SOUND
https://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/d%20-%20g/grindelia_hirsutula.htm

43. Grindelias are useful
plants as well
 Native American kids
chewed the ‘gum’ – latex
probably protects young
flower buds from predation
 Tea from flowers/leaves
used for coughs – don’t
over-use
 Tincture (in alcohol) for
skin itches, poison oak
 Flowers for green or yellow
natural dyes
http://www.westernwildflower.com/plant%20index.htm
http://www.backyardnature.net/sierras/wildflow.htm
© Project SOUND

44. Hairy Gumplant – a natural
for the perennial bed
 At back of mixed flowers
beds
 Along walls, fences
 Fine on slopes
 Easy, adaptable & hardy
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/grindella-hirsutula http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/2009/06/mmmmm-food.html
© Project SOUND

45. Coastal Groundcover Gum Plant
- Grindelia stricta venulosa
 A.K.A Grindelia arenicola, G.a.
pachyphylla, G.s. procumbens
 Coastal bluff plant from the
bay area.
 Low growing - < 1 ft.; spreads
nicely as a ground cover
 Mix with Baccharis Pigeon
Point and Penstemon
Margarita BOP on coastal
slopes
 Likes some summer water –
Zone 2 to 2-3; good near
Zone 3 areas
© Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/grindelia-stricta-venulosa

46. California/Big Gum Plant
Grindelia camporum var. bracteosa
© Project SOUND

47. Include Gumplants in your garden
because of..
 Attractive flowers Mar-Oct
 Balsamic aroma
 Tolerates any soil – well-
drained is best
 Drought tolerance; but can
take some extra water
 Easy to grow
 Highly attractive for
 Bees
 Butterflies
 Other insects (beetles; other
unusual insects)
 Birds (seeds)
© Project SOUND

48. Managing Gum Plants is easy
 Requires little water
while blooming – Zone 1-2
to 2
 Cut back in fall to shape –
can tolerate heavy
pruning
 Some species are self-
incompatible – so plant
more than one plant for
seed production
 Other than that, require
little care
https://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/d%20-%20g/grindelia_hirsutula.htm
© Project SOUND

49. Watering in sandy soils is different
1. Know your soil’s drainage
properties (the perc test)
2. Use appropriate mulch (organic
or inorganic) to:
1. Decrease water loss
2. Minimize soil heating
3. Water for longer periods & less
often
1. Use droplet type sprinklers, drip,
trickle, soaker hose
2. Aim for 45 min-1 hr per session
(to 1 inch water)
3. Encourage deep rooting
4. Monitor your soil moisture,
particularly in hot, windy weather
© Project SOUND

50. How fast is the drainage in your sandy
soil? – conduct a ‘perc test’
 Soil texture/Drainage
Soil type Approximate time
to drain
Hard-pan or days
sodic soils
Clay 3-12 hours
Loam 20-60 minutes
 dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft
Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes
 fill with water and let drain
Sand can't fill the
 fill hole again, measure hole, drains
time for water to drain too fast
© Project SOUND

51. Some areas are naturals for Zone 1
Hot, dry & difficult to water
There are a wide range of local, S. coast & desert perennials/shrubs
© Project SOUND

52. Desert Mallow – Sphaeralcea ambigua
© Project SOUND

53. Desert Mallow – Sphaeralcea ambigua
 Southwestern U.S.
including CA, Nevada,
Utah, Arizona to
Mexico
 Dry, rocky slopes,
canyon walls & sandy
wash edges
 Creosote bush scrub,
pinyon-juniper
woodland, both
deserts (Mojave &
Sonoran)
http://www.swsbm.com/Maps/Sphaeralcea_ambigua.gif
© Project SOUND

54. Desert Mallow is really an attractive sub-shrub
 Size:
 to 3 ft tall (to 5 ft. with water)
 to 3 ft wide
 Growth form:
 Sub-shrub – partly woody
 Mounded to slightly sprawling
form – many thin, wand-like
branches
 Short-lived – but will reseed
 Foliage:
 Gray-green; velvety soft
 Leaf shape is typical mallow.
 Many people are allergic to the
Desert Mallow; often called
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36764294@N00/13295740
"Hierba Muy Mala" in Spanish
Foliage is good Desert Tortoise food
© Project SOUND

55. Flowers remind one of
Hollyhocks
 Blooms:
 Spring is usual bloom season
(Mar-May), following rains
 May bloom off and on
throughout year in garden
 Flowers:
 Showy mallow blooms along
the stems
 Color- usually ‘apricot’
(another name is Apricot
Mallow), but differs with
variety
 Nectar & pollen attract
butterflies, hummingbirds,
any other insects
© Project SOUND
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/430082786_0b30a88eee.jpg?v=0

56. Flowers of many colors….
http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/reds/red05.html
var. rosacea
vars ambigua & monticola
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Sphaeralcea_ambigua_11.jpg © Project SOUND

57. Desert Mallow is easy…  Soils:
 Texture: sandy or rocky –
needs good drainage
 pH: any local, including alkali
 Light: full sun
 Water:
 Winter: plant in winter; be
sure it gets adequate winter
water
 Summer: Zone 2-3 for first
year; Zone 1-2 to 2
thereafter. Blooms more
with water.
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils;
use inorganic mulch
 Other: Cut back to 6” every
year or so – wear protection!
© Project SOUND
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphaeralcea_ambigua_10.jpg

58. Desert Mallow is
versatile in the garden
 Lovely addition to mixed beds –
place appropriate for size
 Excellent for water-wise garden,
particularly in sandy/rocky soils;
most drought-tolerant
Sphaeralcea
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/sphaeralcea-ambigua
 Good for desert-themed gardens
 Good choice for containers
 Great on dry slopes, hot gardens;
not for very foggy areas
 Protect roots from gophers
(cage) if present
http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/wildaboututah/090407xeri-garden.htm
© Project SOUND

59. Considerations when choosing
Globemallows (Sphaeralceas)
& other Mallows
 Choose when in bloom;
wide variety of flower
color, leaf characteristics
http://www.calisolearning.com/wildflowers2005.htm
 Hybridization can be an
issue; deadhead if you
don’t want seedlings
 Use of local species/
varieties when
appropriate
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphaeralcea-ambigua-20080327.JPG
© Project SOUND

60. Cultivar ‘Louis Hamilton’
 Beautiful rose
‘Louis Hamilton’
colored blooms.
 Great in dry garden
http://www.calflora.net/losangelesarboretum/whatsbloomingmar07E.html
or on slope.
 Stops traffic when in
full bloom.
© Project SOUND

61. http://www.shadyway.com/Newsletters/Bits%20and%20Briefs%20March%202002.htm
 Other perennials for sandy/rocky soils:
 Penstemons
 Asclepias (Milkweeds)
 Eriogonum (Buckwheats)
 Erysimum (Wallflowers)
 And many, many more
© Project SOUND

62. Perhaps some local native shrubs might be nice…
© Project SOUND

63. San Clemente Island Bush Mallow - Malacothamnus
clementinus
© Project SOUND

64. Succeeding with San Clemente Mallow
 Light: full sun to part-shade
 Soils: any
 Water: little needed once
established; don’t over-water
 Nutrients: little needed –
pioneer species
 The shrub is a vigorous
resprouter, sending runners
up to 3 meters from a parent
shrub
 Cut back when starts to look
raggedy
© Project SOUND

65. Chaparral Mallow – Malacothamnus fasciculatus
http://www.coepark.org/wildflowers/purple/malacothamnus-fasciculatus.html
© Project SOUND

66. Chaparral Mallow – Malacothamnus fasciculatus
 Coastal ranges and
desert mtn. ranges
from N. CA to Baja
 Common shrub
throughout chaparral
and coastal sage scrub
 Dry slopes and fans to
about 2500‘; also on
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5042,5073,5079
disturbed ground
 AKA ‘Mendocino
Mallow’
© Project SOUND

67. Chaparral Mallow
in the wild
 Large shrub of the
foothills
 Locally on Catalina
Isl, Griffith Park,
Santa Monica
Mountains
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/bushmallow.html
© Project SOUND

68. Chaparral Mallow is a mounding large shrub
 Size:
 4-12 ft tall depending on site
 Usually 4-6 ft wide;
spreading to 12 ft on optimal
sites
 Growth form:
 Mounded woody shrub
 Quick to moderate growth
 Long, wand-like branches
 Somewhat drought-deciduous
 Foliage:
 Blue-green to gray-green;
fuzzy hairs
 Typical mallow leaves
 Roots: spreads via rhizomes
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2716215190_fbc8ca7d8e.jpg?v=0 © Project SOUND
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/chap049.html

69. Flowers a lovely lavender-pink
 Blooms:
 Long and variable bloom season; mostly
in warm weather
 Usually May-Aug in S. Bay; can be
longer with summer water
 Flowers:
 Typical mallow flowers
 Color: pale pink, lavender
 Very showy
Attracts wide range of insects,
http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/category/california-native-plants/page/2/

hummingbirds; excellent habitat plant
 Note: foliage is larval food for West
Coast Lady,Western checkered
skipper, Large White Skipper and Gray
Hairstreak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malacothamnus
 Seeds: eaten by birds; also good cover
© Project SOUND

70. Plant Requirements  Soils:
 Texture: any from sandy to
clay
 pH: any local; not really alkali
 Light:
 Full sun to part shade; fine
with some afternoon shade
 Water:
 Winter: needs good water
 Summer: none to little once
established (Zone 1-2 to 2)
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
 Other: can be lightly sheared to
shape; but will attain large size
http://www.calflora.net/losangelesarboretum/whatsbloomingnov07C.html
© Project SOUND

71. Chaparral Mallow
makes a good screen
 Great for large blooming hedge
or screen; best semi-formal to
informal
 As a large foundation plant or
http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/CSUSBplants.htm over walls/fences
 At backs of large beds
 Great on dry hillsides, along
roadways, other neglected
plances
 Great with natural companions:
Baccharis pilularis, Eriogonum
fasciculatum, Heteromeles
arbutifolia, Diplicus aurantiacus,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malacothamnus_fasciculatus_1.jpg
Salvia apiana and Yucca whipplei.
© Project SOUND

72. Cultivar ‘Casitas’
 An upright habit - 6-8’ tall
and wide.
 Soft gray-green foliage and
whitish pink/lavender
flowers in profusion in the
summer.
 Ever-green
 Selected for garden use
http://www.malooffoundation.org/GardenRoot/Garden_Plant_Slideshow/Pic_Plant_A_F_7-02-
05_046.html
http://www.theodorepayne.org/gallery/pages/M/malacothamnus_fasciculatus_ca
sitas.htm
© Project SOUND

73. Jones' (Slender) Bush Mallow -
Malacothamnus jonesii
© Project SOUND

74. Can we use a narrow living screen to
break the yard up a little?
© Project SOUND

75. * Southern Flannelbush – Fremontodendron mexicanum
http://www.magicoflife.org/flower_photos/Freemontodendron_mexicanum.html
© Project SOUND

76. * Southern Flannelbush – Fremontodendron mexicanum
 Current range: Sand
Diego Co & Baja
 Former range: to Los
Angeles Co
 Locally present in dry
canyons
 Chaparral, southern
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7705,7708,7712
oak woodland, around
1500‘
 Always within ~ 15 mi. of
the ocean
© Project SOUND

77. Southern Flannelbush: a large shrub
 Size:
 6-20 ft tall – usually 15-20
ft. at maturity
 10-15+ ft wide
 Growth form:
 Stout woody shrub
 Upright to sprawly; can be
shaped, espaliered but will
attain large size
 Fast-growing
 Branches have dark gray bark
 Foliage:
 Gray-green; very hairy
(irritating to skin)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=FRME2
 Roots: resent moving
© Project SOUND

78. * CA Flannelbush – Fremontodendron californicum ssp.
californicum
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=38718 © Project SOUND

79. * CA Flannelbush – Fremontodendron californicum ssp.
californicum
 Widespread: western
CA from AZ to Baja
 Locally in San Gabriel
Mtns
 Dry, mostly granitic
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7705,7708,7709
slopes, rocky ridges
to 6000-7000'
 In chaparral, oak and
yellow pine woodland,
pinyon-juniper
woodland
© Project SOUND
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

80. Flowers are well-
known favorites
 F. californicum has more
showy flowers
 Blooms: in spring - usually
Apr/May in our area, but
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=38718 varies with temperature, rains.
 Flowers:
 Large and showy
 Golden-yellow with orange
 Just cover the plant
 Seeds:
 Abundant seeds in hairy
cabpules
© Project SOUND

81.  Soils:
Plant Requirements  Texture: must be very well-
drained – prone to root-rots
 pH: any local
 Light:
 Full sun to light shade (F.
mexicanum takes more shade)
 Water:
 Winter: needs good winter rains
 Summer: no or very little (only
in sandy soils); Zone 1 or 1-2
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
 Other: once established it will do
well in sandy soils with proper
watering; F. mexicanum X F.
californica hybrids are best
adapted for garden life
http://coolexotics.com/plant-558.html#
© Project SOUND

82. ‘California Glory’
 Size: to 20 ft tall
& wide
 Large, lemon-
yellow flowers of
F. californicum
 Fast-growing;
early flowering
 Longest history of
garden use
© Project SOUND
http://montereybaynsy.com/F/fremontodendron_california_glory1.jpg

83. ‘Pacific Sunset’
 Typical large size
 Does a little better
in clays
 Very showy
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/fremontodendron-pacific-sunset
© Project SOUND

84. ‘San Gabriel’
 Probably the largest
cultivar
 Very showy, large
flowers
http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Fremont_SanGabriel.htm
© Project SOUND

85. Fremontia californium var.decumbens X F.
californicum ‘Ken Taylor’
 Smaller size (8 ft
x 8 ft)
 Shape: more
sprawling – like a
tall groundcover
 A bit more garden
tolerant
 Fewer flowers –
but still showy
© Project SOUND
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_f/frekentay.html http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gcg6zKY-sww/SNUsfzN-3xI/AAAAAAAAC0o/9qJU6Qi6p4U/DSC01849.JPG

86. F. californicum ssp. decumbens
 Quite low-growing;
< 2 ft tall
 Flowers more
orange, less showy
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fremontodendron_californicum_ssp_decumbens_1.jpg
© Project SOUND

87. Managing Fremontias
 Light prune in summer
to encourage blooming
 Can prune and shape
in Fall/winter
http://www.calown.com/nativegarden_plants.html
 Remember to wear
long sleeves, gloves &
eye protection
 Remember: will grow
to ultimate size – so
place accordingly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarleys/3612540169/
© Project SOUND

88. Garden uses for
Fremontias
 As a large accent shrub
 Trained as a small tree – looks
nice all year
 Espaliered along a wall or
fence
 Hard-to-water places
 For erosion control on slopes
 Wonderful paired with
Ceanothus
 Inner bark powder used to
treat wounds, sore throats
 Remember: it gets big
http://coolexotics.com/plant-558.html#
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?strLetter=F&plant_id=655&page=
© Project SOUND

89. The front yard needs a makeover as
well…
Evergreen plants from the Northern CA coast are good
choices for sandy front yards
© Project SOUND

90. Chaparral Whitethorn – Ceanothus leucodermis
© 2004 Michelle Cloud-Hughes
© Project SOUND

91. Chaparral Whitethorn – Ceanothus leucodermis
 Foothills of the Coastal
Ranges and Sierra
Nevadas from Mexico
the N. CA
 an important
component of many
chaparral, coastal sage,
and oak (Quercus
spp.) woodlands of
southern California.
 Generally found on dry,
rocky or sandy slopes
below 5,500 to 6,000
feet
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6586,6589,6624 © Project SOUND
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/botany/herbarium/projects/ceanothus/CeLeu/maps.html

92. The genus Ceanothus
 ~50–60 species of shrubs (most
common) or small trees
 In buckthorn family Rhamnaceae.
 Mostly in North America, the center
of its distribution in California (some
species in the eastern United
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/Ceanothus_leucodermis.html States/Canada, and others extending
as far south as Guatemala).
 The majority of species are evergreen
 Ceanothus species are easily
identified by their unique leaf-vein
structure. Leaves have three very
prominent parallel veins extending
from the leaf base to the outer
margins of the leaf tips and the leaves
are ovate in shape.
 The roots of most species have red
inner root bark
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Ceanothus_leucodermis.htm
© Project SOUND

93. Genus Ceanothus
 The flowers are tiny, in
large, dense clusters that
are reported to be
intensely fragant (said to
resemble the odor of
http://www.smmtc.org/plant_of_the_month_200603_Ceanothus.htm "boiling honey in an
enclosed area”.
 The seeds can lie dormant
for hundreds of years, and
Ceanothus species are
typically dependent on
forest fires to trigger
germination of its seeds
http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/CeanothusLeuc/CeanothusLeucPage.htm © Project SOUND

94. Chaparral
Whitethorn – really?
© 2003 BonTerra Consulting
© Project SOUND

95. Chaparal Whitethorn –
large & shrubby
 Size:
 6-12 ft tall
 6-10 ft wide
© 2004 Michelle Cloud-Hughes  Growth form:
 Dense, mounded shrub
 Stiffly erect, evergreen
 Twigs white, thorn-tipped
 Foliage:
 Leaves gray-green, attractive &
neat-looking
 Highly flammable
 Roots:
 To 21+ ft deep
© 2005 Steven Perkins  Sprouts from stem after a fire
© Project SOUND
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/chaparralwhitethorn.html

96. A cloud of blooms in
spring
 Blooms: in spring, Apr-June
 Flowers:
 Many tiny flowers, in
clusters typical for
Ceanothus
 Color: usually very light blue
or white
 Showy, sweet scent
 Attract numerous pollinators
 Fruits: usual small, sticky fruits
of genus – birds like them & the
seeds
 Dense foliage provides good
cover and nesting sites for birds
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/chaparralwhitethorn.html
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Ceanothus_leucodermis.htm © Project SOUND
http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/CeanothusLeuc/CeanothusLeucPage.htm

97. Whitethorn thrives in sandy soils
 Soils:
 Texture: sandy or rocky; needs
well-drained soil
 pH: any local
 Light: full sun
 Water:
 Winter: regular winter rain; plant
needs ~ 15 inches of rain per year
 Summer: can be tricky; Zone 2
for first year, then Zone 1 or 1-2
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; low
nitrogen mulch (oak leaves, redwood
bark, pine or oak shreddings)
 Other: if happy, it will live many
© 2003 Christopher L. Christie years – if not, 2-4.
© Project SOUND

98. Garden uses for
Chaparral Whitethorn
 Good choice for large screen,
hedgerow
 Showy specimen plant – year-
© 2003 Christopher L. Christie round
 Excellent choice for habitat
 Great for slopes, hillsides,
erosion control on steep
slopes
 Anywhere else you’d like a
shrub Ceanothus
© Project SOUND
© 2005 Steven Perkins

99. ‘L.T. Blue’ hybrid may be easier in garden
setting
 L.T. stands for leucodermis X
thyrsiflorus
 8' tall, 4' wide.
 Gets most of its
characteristics from
Ceanothus leucodermis
 white bark
 medium blue flower,
 glossy rounded leaves
 extremely drought tolerant
and smells good.
 Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
parent contributes
uniformity and garden
tolerance.
© Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/ceanothus-l-t-blue

100. Torrey Pine – Pinus torreyana
© Project SOUND

101. Torrey Pine – Pinus torreyana
 Current distribution: two small
popuations - the coast at Del Mar in
San Diego County, and the E end of
Santa Rosa Island; rarest U.S. pine
 Former distribution: probably along
much of CA coast into OR
 The only southern California coastal
pine forest
 Forests merge with coastal sage
scrub, chaparral, dune scrub, and
coastal salt marsh
 Torrey pine has adapted to a harsh
http://www.nearctica.com/trees/conifer/pinekey/mtorrey.jpg environment of poor soils and little
moisture. The climate is maritime with
low winter rainfall and frequent fog
Torrey Pine has been cultivated in California since 1858-59
© Project SOUND

102. Torrey Pine – an opportunist
 Size:
 30-40 ft tall in nature; to 100+
ft. in garden setting
 15-20 ft wide
 Growth form:
 Shape depends on conditions
 Fast or slow growing depending
http://www.cuyamaca.edu/oh170/Thumbnail_Pages/Pinus_torreyana.asp
on water
 Long-lived (to 150 years in wild);
evergreen
 Excellent habitat plant
 Foliage:
 Long, gray-green needles – like
Canary Isl. Pine
 Fairly ‘open’ – not dense
 Roots: extensive & deep
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/Pinus_torreyana.html © Project SOUND
© 2003 BonTerra Consulting

103. Cones are large
 Blooms: Jan-Feb in S. CA
 Flowers:
 Fairly insignificant
 Male flowers produce wind-
blown pollen
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_G7DZHnRhMCE/Rngey4H4DpI/AAAAAAAAAS8/y0U1sqEetSg/IMGP2238.jpg
 Cones:
 On trees at least 12-15
years age
 Fairly large
 Slow release of seeds (over
years)
 Birds (jays) disperse seeds
in wild
http://www.cuyamaca.edu/oh170/Thumbnail_Pages/Pinus_torreyana.asp © Project SOUND

104. Torrey Pine is  Soils:
undemanding  Texture: sandy or rocky;
well-drained
 pH: any local except very
alkali
 Light:
 Full sun along coast
 Part-shade is ok, particularly
for young trees
 Water:
 Winter: needs good winter
rains
 Summer: quite adaptable;
Zone 1-2 to 2. In nature gets
fog drip, so best along coast
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
http://www.cuyamaca.edu/oh170/Thumbnail_Pages/Pinus_torreyana.asp
© Project SOUND

105. Torrey Pine is great
choice for sandy soils
 As an alternative to Canary
Island & Italian Stone Pines
http://www.geocities.com/billyimiller/images/PinusCanariensis.jpg
Canary Island Pine
Just remember, it’s large
Italian Stone Pine
© Project SOUND

106. If you live in a sandy soil area, get out and see what’s thriving
© Project SOUND

107. Remember: your sandy soil is an asset!
© Project SOUND