Fall is Time to Plant CA Native Plants

deer grass from SB Botanic Garden

Two weekends ago, we took a ride up to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for their fall native plant sale. 

Native plants can stand up to drought, but now is the time to plant those plants. If the rains really do come, it will give your native plants a jump on survival. For us, it is also about maintaining the stability of our hillside. 

I've been planting, planting, planting.

Calliandra from seeds

Even some of the seedlings I started this spring are going into the ground.

The Botanic garden also had a  cross-over art event, a fiber arts installation organized by Yarn Blaster Babes. 

Check out our Earth Minute videos of the installation How Do Trees Dream? and a school project that displayed How Tall is a Redwood Tree?

This creative installation reminds us all to play. Explore trees, plants, and flowers. Don't just look, interact. A new viewpoint may open up some other aspect of your life. The solution to that work challenge might be found while playing in the garden. Gardens don't have to be big; make a mini-garden.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden plant sale continues through the end of the month. What more can I say? GO. 

CA Native Plants Standing Up to Drought

mallow

The drought continues to be a challenge for all of Southern California, but I was heartened this morning by the survival skills of some of my native plants. 

It is October 1, but these plants are looking well.

Video - Take a look at the variety of adaptations in their leaves.

San Nicolas Island buckwheat

Many of the Channel Island species, especially those from the southern islands, are thriving. The San Nicolas Island buckwheat (Eriogonum grande timorum) continues to bloom and to reseed itself, while the San Nicolas Island chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatom 'Nicolas') is a rich green.

Now is the time to plant California native plants so they can establish themselves over the winter. In October, numerous native plant growers are offering special sales:

Theodore Paine Foundation
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Now's the time. Plant those natives!