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Native Plant Gardening Tip
Work with Nature

Arctostaphylos refugioensis
Refugio manzanita (Communities)
Start the new year with a resolution to garden with nature rather than fighting it. Here in Southern California that means foregoing an emerald green lawn and leafy, water-sucking shrubs and trees. Instead, re-introduce old friends to your yard.

Much of our region was once covered with coastal sage scrub that included black sage (Salvia mellifera), white sage (S. apiana), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), needlegrass, (Nassella species), sugar bush (Rhus ovata), lemonade berry (R. integrifolia), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). A garden incorporating these and other Southern California natives is well-adapted to our mediterranean climate and lean soils. Local birds and bees will appreciate the change, and you can save money and do your part to help the environment, while relaxing and enjoying your garden.
 
January Hues

Arctostaphylos 'Lester Rowntree'
Lester Rowntree manzanita (Cultivar Garden)
This is the month of the manzanitas (Arctostaphylos). Beginning in winter and continuing through the spring manzanitas of different species and varieties display their pretty urn-shaped flowers throughout the Garden. Lester Rowntree manzanita, shown on the right, is a large, broad shrub with gray-green leaves, and pink stems and flowers. If you have heavy garden soil consider growing this plant.

Another dependable garden manzanita, Howard McMinn, is smaller and more upright than Lester Rowntree. Its profusion of white flowers, in early spring, contrast nicely with green foliage and cinnamon-colored bark.

Walk the Garden to see the great variety of manzanitas ranging from tidy groundcovers to large multi-stemmed trees.

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