Salvia apiana White Sage – while not native to Big Sur, it is native to SoCal, and so beneficial, I had to plant it. Thrives on neglect and hot summers, which this location provides. Also, only watered the first year, and gets over 6’ tall and 6’ wide.Salvia spathacea, the California hummingbird sage, or pitcher sage is native to Big Sur. Warning, it thrives on neglect and takes over spreading underground and popping up in unexpected places. The hummingbirds, bees, and others all love it. So it earns a place.Vitis californica, or California Wild Grape, is a species of wild grape that grows throughout central and northern CaliforniaAcer macrophyllum, the bigleaf maple. I have 3 that self-planted after the Wild Fire of 1996. I watered them that first year, and some the second, but they have been on their own since. I love watching them grow and get bigger and bigger. Like sugar maples, they can be tapped for syrup.Quercus lobata or Valley Oak. The Oak Foundation says these are found below 2,000’. I have them all over the property. Like the Big Leaf Maple, this one self-planted after the Wild Fire of 1996 and like the maples, I watered this its first year and a bit the second and then left it alone. Watering it would shorten it’s life span. It will eventually shade my entire garden area. It is already over 40’ tall.
10 thoughts on “Photo Sunday, 5/2/21 My garden natives”
Reminds me of a Horticulture project at MPC. Beautiful, BSK (A+).
Loading...
“The Hope of Spring” … Thank you for sharing your photos, & for your sustained efforts to keep us all informed about the Big Sur Coast … from a grateful Reader & Friend in San Diego …
Loading...
Thanks for the garden tour. Beautiful.
Loading...
Great pix! Vegetation, like all other organisms, grows where conditions meet its requirements. Changing the conditions can sometimes cause problems. In some situations, one can water deeply in the summer and get away with it, but too much water can cause native plants to grow too fast (increasing water demand and increasing fuel loading, and the soil microbiome can shift in favor of pathogens. During the rain season, while temperatures are cooler, one can supplement normal precipitation with gay abandon. There’s more to it than that, of course . . .
Loading...
Thanks, W. I have found that many non-natives can adapt if given the means. In other words, slowly lessen its watering needs over the first few years. I have hybrid irises (a gift) that I haven’t watered in years and it stays manageable rather than growing profusely. I have a rose I am lucky to remember to water every month and the rosemary and lavender next to it on the downhill side who are out of control on just that bit. It is a balance. I water my fruit trees every week.
Loading...
What fruit trees do you have growing??
Loading...
I loved this post of yours.. with pictures! I am going to see if I can find those two kinds of salvia – especially the kind the hummingbirds like. Where I lived in Carmel Valley, they’d come by the kitchen door entry to the small water fountain that burbled water and hover and drink. I’d watch and time would stop. When, I moved, closer to the ocean, to a house where there were few flowers, there were no hummingbirds and few bees or land birds.. But I let an area go unweeded and untended and pow there were weeds with beautiful blossoms, wild clover, wild flowers, and I had birds and bees … and hummingbirds- all so busy. It was enchanting. One could lose oneself watching. Then I planted petunias in pots on the terrace and have been thrilled to have the hummingbirds hover by me while I have a coffee. If they like this salvia, my golly, I’ll see if I can plant some for them!!
Loading...
What fruit trees do you grow??
Loading...
Thank you Kate
Loading...
Right now I have apricot, Indian peach, D’Anjou pear. Also native grapes and Thompson Seedless. I’ve lost quite a few over the years to a blight or something — prior apricots and cherries among them. I have a new spot where I can plant more next winter. I go to the Tree Man in Paso for my fruit trees.
Reminds me of a Horticulture project at MPC. Beautiful, BSK (A+).
“The Hope of Spring” … Thank you for sharing your photos, & for your sustained efforts to keep us all informed about the Big Sur Coast … from a grateful Reader & Friend in San Diego …
Thanks for the garden tour. Beautiful.
Great pix! Vegetation, like all other organisms, grows where conditions meet its requirements. Changing the conditions can sometimes cause problems. In some situations, one can water deeply in the summer and get away with it, but too much water can cause native plants to grow too fast (increasing water demand and increasing fuel loading, and the soil microbiome can shift in favor of pathogens. During the rain season, while temperatures are cooler, one can supplement normal precipitation with gay abandon. There’s more to it than that, of course . . .
Thanks, W. I have found that many non-natives can adapt if given the means. In other words, slowly lessen its watering needs over the first few years. I have hybrid irises (a gift) that I haven’t watered in years and it stays manageable rather than growing profusely. I have a rose I am lucky to remember to water every month and the rosemary and lavender next to it on the downhill side who are out of control on just that bit. It is a balance. I water my fruit trees every week.
What fruit trees do you have growing??
I loved this post of yours.. with pictures! I am going to see if I can find those two kinds of salvia – especially the kind the hummingbirds like. Where I lived in Carmel Valley, they’d come by the kitchen door entry to the small water fountain that burbled water and hover and drink. I’d watch and time would stop. When, I moved, closer to the ocean, to a house where there were few flowers, there were no hummingbirds and few bees or land birds.. But I let an area go unweeded and untended and pow there were weeds with beautiful blossoms, wild clover, wild flowers, and I had birds and bees … and hummingbirds- all so busy. It was enchanting. One could lose oneself watching. Then I planted petunias in pots on the terrace and have been thrilled to have the hummingbirds hover by me while I have a coffee. If they like this salvia, my golly, I’ll see if I can plant some for them!!
What fruit trees do you grow??
Thank you Kate
Right now I have apricot, Indian peach, D’Anjou pear. Also native grapes and Thompson Seedless. I’ve lost quite a few over the years to a blight or something — prior apricots and cherries among them. I have a new spot where I can plant more next winter. I go to the Tree Man in Paso for my fruit trees.