beautiful butterflies 2014

© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County Project SOUND – 2014 (our 10th year)

© Project SOUND

More Beautiful Butterflies:

food and habitat for our prettiest

pollinators

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

July 5 & 8, 2014

The garden at 112

Willow St.

“Designing Your New CA Garden’ series – Mother Nature’s Backyard blog - http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/07/designing-your-new-california-garden-1.html).

© Project SOUND

July, 2013 – Aug/Sept, 2014

Needed an example that was typical of a small S. CA yard

http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/07/designing-your-new-california-garden-1.html
















The garden at 112 Willow St.

© Project SOUND

The garden at

112 Willow St.

6 functional areas :

Quiet/meditation

Maintenance

Vegetable Garden

Native Grass Lawn

Shady Seating

Butterfly Garden

© Project SOUND

Recently been working on hardscape

© Project SOUND

But our task today is to design the

Butterfly Garden

© Project SOUND

Mowed native lawn

Butterfly Garden

Apple tree

Seating area

Porch/patio with roof

The photo that inspired our gardeners

© Project SOUND

http://anythingispossibletravel.com/almost-heaven/

What do we like about it? Relaxed, natural appearance

Small size

Native plants

Butterflies & other pollinators visit

Some color – but natural – not like Disneyland

Sunny

Easy access

Could have seating that allowed enjoying it

© Project SOUND

Clearly someone really likes

being in this garden; ‘Life-friendly’

for humans and others

How does our Butterfly Garden stack up?

© Project SOUND

Relaxed, natural appearance

Small size

Native plants



Sunny

Easy access

Seating that allows enjoying it

Life-friendly We’ll need to carefully choose

our plants to maximize

Butterfly Garden

Soil: clay loam

Drainage: good (slight slope; drier on top)

Full sun

Water Zone: 2 (tentative)

Watered with soaker hose

Other: Afternoon breeze

Nice views behind (to south)

5 ft wood fence behind

Visible from house, porch, ‘shady seating area’, ‘lawn’

Near ‘vegetable garden’

Mulched (if appropriate)

© Project SOUND

UCR Botanic garden – Butterfly Garden

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

https://www.facebook.com/UCRBGfriends


Attributes of the Butterfly Garden

Fits overall theme for garden: ‘food for all’

Plants Provide food for butterfly adults, larva or both

Suitable for clay-loam soil

Tolerate full sun

Tolerate modest slope

Water Zone 2 or less

Purple/blue and yellow flowers (if possible)

Something in bloom early spring through fall

Hardscape Soaker hose irrigation

Chipped bark mulch (if appropriate for plants)

Bird bath; drinking saucers for butterflies

© Project SOUND

Butterfly habitat garden: dimensions

© Project SOUND

46’

23’

8’

6’

Butterfly habitat garden: reality check

© Project SOUND

8’ 6’ 4’

3’

Conclusion: butterfly garden is not

wide enough – will look bad

Revised garden plan increases its size

© Project SOUND

8’

8’ 46’

23’

Reality check: still not much space

© Project SOUND

8’ 6’

4’ 2’

Plants will be closely spaced – the

Coastal Sage Scrub look

Space in the ‘Butterfly Garden’ - limited

(1) 8 ft diameter (large shrub)

(6) 6 ft diameter (Salvia size)

(6-7) 4 ft diameter (Buckwheat size)

(5-10+) 3 ft or less (perennial/fill)

Annual wildflowers

Grass lawn – for skippers

We like the formal look of the

borders in the UCR Garden;

plants soften the edges

© Project SOUND

Add a border between garden and grass

© Project SOUND

B

8’ 6’

2’ 4’

Border material (stone; man-made) will be

semi-formal and same warm gray as rest of

path materials

© Project SOUND

Here’s what it looks like from the porch

© Project SOUND

Let’s add the largest plant first

Qualities of the small tree/large shrub

8-9 ft wide, maximum

Not too tall (8-10 ft) unless narrow

Evergreen

Somewhat neat appearance

Attract the most butterflies (or different from those attracted by smaller plants)

Added points for: Attractive flowers

Flowering time

Fruits

Scents

© Project SOUND

Cercocarpus montanus

Best butterfly choices for tree/large shrub

Lavatera assurgentiflora

Populus spp.

Prunus spp. Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia

Quercus spp. Quercus

berberidifolia/dumosa

Rhamnus spp.

Ribes spp.

*Aesculus californica

Alnus species

*Amorpha californica

*Arbutus menziesii

Arctostaphylos (large forms)

Atriplex lentiformis ssp. breweri

Baccharis salicifolia

*Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus

Cercocarpus spp.

*Chilopsis linearis

*Frangula californica

© Project SOUND



Populus spp.




Rhamnus spp.

Ribes spp.

Salix spp.


Alnus species


*Arbutus menziesii





Cercocarpus spp.

*Chilopsis linearis


© Project SOUND

What’s the CA state butterfly?

© Project SOUND

California Dogface - Zerene eurydice

State insect since 1972. California was the first state to choose a state insect.

Its endemic range is limited CA from San Diego County north to Sonoma County.

The ‘dogface’ name comes from a wing pattern resembling a dog’s face (some think it looks like a poodle) which is found on the male of the species.

Its wings are an iridescent bluish-black, orange and sulfur-yellow in color. The female has a small black dot on each of its yellow forewings.

Rare/local – primarily in foothill chaparral, woodlands

© Project SOUND

http://butterflyfarms.org/california-dogface/

female

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_dogface_butterfly

California Dogface - Zerene eurydice

Larvae feed on Amorpha californica, CA false indigo.

Adults feed on flower nectar – particularly fond of purple flowers.

In the California chaparral and woodlands habitats of the Santa Ana Mountains, the adult California Dogface butterflies can be seen nectaring at thistles: natives (Cirsium occidentale) and introduced invasive species.

They are hard to get close to and hard to photograph because they fly very fast.

© Project SOUND

http://socalbutterflies.com/pieridae_html/calif_dog.htm

© Project SOUND

California false indigo – Amorpha californica

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/amorpha-californica

Coastal ranges from N. CA to AZ, Baja

Santa Monica Mtns, San Gabriel mountains, Griffith Park

Dry slopes in Yellow Pine Forest, Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak Woodland; stream banks

© Project SOUND

California false indigo – Amorpha californica var. californica

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,3713,3714,3715

©2011 Aaron Arthur http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/amorpha-californica

© Project SOUND

False indigo: large shrubby pea

Size: (varies w/ light) 5-8 ft tall

5-8 ft wide

Growth form: Woody shrub; semi-deciduous

Rather irregular shape

Foliage: Medium green

Leaves compound, large (1 ft) with simple leaflets

Plant noticeably hairy

Pleasant scent: guava, pineapple, lavender maybe a little pine

Larval food plant for CA State butterfly, the California Dogface (Zerene eurydice).

©2011 Aaron Arthur

©2010 Dee E. Warenycia

© Project SOUND

Flowers unique

Blooms: in spring; usually April-June

Flowers: On dramatic, wand-like stalks

Purple-magenta fused sepals give the color

Anthers extend well beyond the sepals

Flower type typical for Amorpha

Seeds: in one-seeded pod; plant fresh seed or pre-chill 3 weeks prior to planting

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/amorpha-californica http://www.smmflowers.org/mobile/species/Amorpha_cal

ifornica_californica.htm

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: most

pH: any local [6.0-8.0]

Light: Needs some shade; light shade

to quite shady

Water: Winter: needs good winter rains

Summer: best with some summer water – Zone 2 probably optimal for appearance

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: either difficult or easy – needs the right spot. Easy to prune or shape

©2004 Aaron Schusteff

© Project SOUND

False indigo: shade

Good choice in high or dappled shade under trees; woodsy appearance

To provide Dogface habitat

Back of bed shrub – north-facing

Large containers

In a scented garden http://mamba.bio.uci.edu/~pjbryant/biodiv/plants/Fabaceae/Amorpha%20cali

fornica.htm

http://www.smmflowers.org/mobile/species/Amorpha_californica_californica.htm

http://www.smmflowers.org/mobile/species/Amorpha_californica_californica.htm

The only possible

place is in the quiet/

meditation area

© Project SOUND

©2009 Thomas Stoughton



Populus spp.




Rhamnus spp.

Ribes spp.

Salix spp.


Alnus species


*Arbutus menziesii





Cercocarpus spp.

*Chilopsis linearis


© Project SOUND

Can we eliminate any based on appearance?

© Project SOUND

Ceanothus cuneatus Cercocarpus montanus

Frangula californica

Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia

Rhamnus ilicifolia

Comparison of four possibilities

Plant Size Requirements Blooms Butterflies/etc.

Cercocarpus montanus

6-12 ft tall 4-5 ft. wide Tree-like

Sun/well-drained Water Zone 1-2, 2

Insig /Sp Hairstreaks Bees

Frangula californica

6-12 ft t/ w smaller cultivars Shrub-like

FS/PS Any soil Water 1-2 to 2-3

Insig /Sp Colored fruits

Pale Swallowtail Painted Lady Gray Hairstreak Bees Fruit-eating birds

Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia

10-25 ft t 10-20 ft w Shrub-like

FS/PS Any soil Water 1-2 to 2-3

White/Su Colored fruits

Swallowtails Bees Humans

Rhamnus ilicifolia

12 ft tall 5-6 ft w Shrub-like

FS/PS/ FSH Any soil Water 1-2 to 2

Insig /Sp Colored fruits

Pale Swallowtail Painted Lady Gray Hairstreak Bees /birds

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Tentative choice – more next month

© 2005 James M. Andre

© Project SOUND

Add the large srub

Space in the ‘Butterfly Garden’ -

(1) 8 ft diameter (large shrub)

(6) 6 ft diameter (Salvia size)

(6-7) 4 ft diameter (Buckwheat size)

(5-10+) 3 ft or less (perennial/fill)

Grass lawn – for skippers

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

We’ve got room for six 5-6 ft. shrubs

We’ll have to choose the very best native

butterfly plants

Eriogonum (Buckwheats)

Salvia (Sages)

Asclepias (Milkweeds)

Sunflower family

Herbs/vegetables (non-native)

Annual wildflowers

Grasses

© Project SOUND

Choices for 5-6 ft butterfly shrubs (n=6)

Eriogonum species Eriogonum giganteum

Eriogonum fasciculatum

Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Dana Point’

Mediterranean herbs Lavender

Rosemary (bush type)

Salvia species Salvia leucophylla

Salvia mellifera

Salvia clevelandii

Salvia clevelandii x S. leucophylla ‘Allen Chickering’

© Project SOUND

Let’s look at the Salvias first

© Project SOUND

Salvia leucophylla

Salvia clevelandii

Salvia clevelandii ‘Winifred Gilman’

Salvia ‘Allen Chickering’

Comparing the Salvia choices

Name Shape Flowers Other

Butterfly habitat

Salvia leucophylla 4’ tall 5-6’ wide; spreading

Light purple ; earlier Nice scent Gray-green foliage

Excellent adult

Salvia clevelandii 5’ x 5’; rounded Blue-purple; summer Nice scent Green foliage

Excellent adult

Salvia clevelandii ‘Winifred Gilman’

5’ x 5’; rounded

Intense blue-purple; Su Lovely scent Green foliage ? short-lived

Excellent adult

Salvia ‘Allen Chickering’

4-5’ x 4-6’; spreading

Medium lavender; Sp/Su Nice scent - different Gray-green foliage

Excellent adult

© Project SOUND

Comparing the others: buckwheats/herbs

© Project SOUND



http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-rosemary/

Rosemary

http://www.addorganicgardening.com/lavender-flower-benefits/

Lavender

What’s the deal about native buckwheats

(Eriogonum spp)?

Almost all are good nectar/pollen sources for pollinators

Bloom late when other food sources aren’t available.

Eriogonum are used as food plants by larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Some feed only on native buckwheats:

Apodemia mormo (Mormon metalmark) - feeds exclusively on Eriogonum

Apodemia mormo langei (Lange's metalmark) - only known from Eriogonum nudum ssp. auriculatum

Chionodes dammersi (moth) - feeds exclusively on Eriogonum

Chionodes luteogeminatus (moth) - only known from Eriogonum niveum

Euphilotes enoptes smithi (Smith's blue butterfly) - only known from Eriogonum latifolium and Eriogonum parvifolium

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

California Buckwheat - Eriogonum fasciculatum

© Project SOUND

var. fasciculatum: Dry slopes and canyons near the coast, coastal sage scrub – primarily Central CA coast

var. foliolosum: Sandy to gravelly flats, slopes & canyons , mixed grassland and chaparral communities, oak and conifer woodlands

http://www.cnps.org/cnps/nativeplants/gallery/ingram/index.php

var. fasciculatum

var. foliolosum

© Project SOUND

Characteristics of California Buckwheat

Size: similar to Dune Buckwheat

2-5 ft tall

3-5 ft wide

Growth form:

low mounded semi-evergreen shrub

Many-branched ; dense

Neat appearance

http://www.newportbay.org/plants/index.html

Foliage:

Leaves alternate, but densely clustered at nodes, evergreen, narrow lanceolate (nearly needle-like when dry)

Somewhat similar to Rosemary in appearance

http://www.birdmom.net/wildflowerspink.html

© Project SOUND

CA Buckwheat: showy for months

Great for summer color: May-Nov. possible

As an alternative to the non-native Rosemary

In perennial beds

On parking strips & bordering paths and driveways

For erosion control

Larval foodsource for Mormon

Metalmark, Bramble Hairstreak,

Common Hairstreak, Avalon

Hairstreak

© Project SOUND

CA Buckwheat cultivars make good

groundcovers

‘Dana Point’ - brighter green leaf, more mounding than species. Gets to be really large (6+ ft)

'Bruce Dickinson' – good for

groundcover; stays close to the ground, spreads nicely, and holds good form throughout the year.

‘Theodore Payne' – low groundcover (1 ft high; 1-3 ft spread)

'Warriner Lytle' - A sprawling low growing California buckwheat; can grow to 2 feet tall but is often more prostrate, hugging the ground like a mat

‘Dana Point’

‘Warriner Lytle’

Name Shape Flowers Other

Butterfly habitat


2-3 ft tall 3-5 ft wide

Pink – very pretty Summer Showy rust-color seeds in fall

Adults (many) Larva: Morman Metalmark,

Bramble Hairstreak, Common

Hairstreak, Avalon Hairstreak Bees Pollinators


2-3 ft tall 5-6+ ft wide

Pink – very pretty summer Showy rust-color seeds in fall

Adults (many) Larva (see above) Bees Pollinators

Rosemary

< 2 ft tall spreading

White Spring/summer Fragrant cooking herb

Bees Hummingbirds

Lavender

1-3 ft tall 1-4+ ft wide Size depends on cultivar

Lavender flowers Summer Lovely fragrance

Adults Bees Hummingbirds

© Project SOUND

Thyme

Adults

© Project SOUND

We’ve got room for six 5-6 ft. shrubs

Salvias: S. leucophylla (2); S. clevelandii (3)

Eriogonum fasciculatum (?1)

Lavender

Thyme

Considering foliage color

Green

Rhamnus/Frangula

Salvia clevelandii

Ergiogonum fasciculatum

Thyme

Silver/white/gray

Salvia leucophylla

? Lavender (choose appropriate)

? Eriogonum cinereum (Ashyleaf buckwheat)

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Ashy-leaf Buckwheat – Eriogonum cinereum

Plants in the Sunflower family are also

good nectar and pollen sources

© Project SOUND

Early, mid- and late-season bloomers

We can’t have a Butterfly Garden without sunflowers

Width Early/Spring Summer Fall

5-6 ft Grindelia camporum Hazardia/Isocoma

4-5 ft Encelia californica *Perityle incana

Grindelia hirsutula *Perityle incana Solidago spp *Viguiera parishii

Ericameria ericoides *Ericameria nauseosa Solidago spp *Viguiera parishii

< 3 ft filler

Lasthenia spp Layia platyglossa

Achillea millefolium Cirsium occidentale Helianthus annuus Heterotheca grandiflora Malacothrix saxatilis Pseudognaphalium canescens *Symphyotrichum chilense

Achillea millefolium Pluchea odorata *Symphyotrichum chilense

© Project SOUND

Extra points for locally native species (in green) and adult/larval (bold)

© Project SOUND

California/Big Gum Plant Grindelia camporum var. bracteosa

Include in your garden because of..

Attractive flowers Mar-Oct

Balsamic aroma

Tolerates any soil – well-drained is best

Drought tolerance

Easy to grow

Highly attractive for

Bees Butterflies Other insects (beetles; other

unusual insects) Birds (seeds)

CA Gum Plant: big

Erect herbaceous perennial to 4 ft tall by 5+ ft wide

Grows in clay or sandy soil:

Dry stream banks, washes

Rocky fields & plains

Sandy or alkali bottomlands

Along road sides

Grows where it gets full sun

Is stress deciduous – loses leaves during dry periods

© Project SOUND

Do we have room for Big gum plant?



Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

Who can resist a sunflower?

© Project SOUND

CA Bush Sunflower – Encelia californica

CA Encelia is a great habitat plant – and it

blooms early! Flower petals (ray flowers)

Insects Beetles Butterfly larva: Monarch;

Metalmarks;

Ground squirrels

Nectar/pollen Bees Butterflies

Seeds Birds (eat seeds)

Goldfinches Sparrows

Small mammals (mice)

Spiders (eat insects) Green lynx spider

© Project SOUND

* San Diego Sunflower – Viguiera laciniata

http://image57.webshots.com/157/1/52/8/2588152080044943617JdrPNe_fs.jpg

© Project SOUND

*Viguiera parishii – a desert species

Full sun

Very well-drained soils

Low water (Zone 1-2)

http://www.delange.org/Viguiera/Viguiera.htm

http://www.delange.org/Viguiera/Viguiera.htm

http://www.azhikinggallery.com/galleryintro.asp?galleryid=spurcrossranch_042107

© Project SOUND

*Parish’s goldeneye – Viguiera (Bahiopsis) parishii

Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of CA, NV, AZ, northwestern Mexico

Dry mesas, washes & rocky slopes to 3500 ft.

Areas that get a little bit of extra water

© Project SOUND

*Parish’s goldeneye – Viguiera parishii

http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Bahiopsis+parishii

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=82217

©2010 Lee Dittmann

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/viguiera-deltoidea-parishii

© Project SOUND

Parish’s goldeneye – rather Encelia-like

Size: 2-4 ft tall

2-4 ft wide

Growth form: Half-woody (sub-shrub)

Overall shape mounded; many branches

Fast-growing

Foliage: Gray green; stiff hairs

Triangular shape; fairly small (typical of desert shrubs)

Spicy sunflower fragrance

May be winter deciduous

Larval food for California Patch (Chlosyne californica)


© Project SOUND

Sunflower heads with yellow disk flowers

Blooms: After rains from Feb-June

After summer monsoon (or water) from Sept-Oct

Flowers: In typical sunflower heads – 2

inches across

Disk flowers (center) are primarily yellow

Pretty as only sunflowers can be

Seeds: Small and hairy; birds love them


© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well drained- sand to clay

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to very light shade

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: is drought tolerant (Water Zone 1-2 or 2) but best if given some water in August (monsoon)


Other: Cut back hard (to 6-8 inches; like

CA Encelia) in winter dormant period

Inorganic or light organic mulch

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bahiopsis_parishii_3.jpg

//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Bahiopsis_parishii_3.jpg

© Project SOUND

Gardening with Parish’s goldeneye

As an attractive pot plant

Sunny slopes, rock gardens, desert-themed gardens

For habitat value (attracts many pollinators), fragrance and pretty flowers in mixed beds

Good on banks for erosion control

©2010 Neal Kramer http://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/family/asteraceae/viguiera_parishii.htm

© Project SOUND

We’ve still got room for 4-5 ft. shrubs

Encelia californica; Viguiera parishii



Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

Plenty of green foliage color…

Green

Rhamnus/Frangula

Salvia clevelandii

Ergiogonum fasciculatum

Thyme

Encelia californica

Viguiera parishii

Silver/white/gray

Salvia leucophylla

? Lavender (choose appropriate)

Eriogonum cinerium (Ashyleaf buckwheat)

© Project SOUND

Nevin’s Wooly Sunflower/Catalina Silverlace

Constancea (Eriophyllum) nevinii

© Project SOUND

* Guadalupe Island Rock Daisy – Perityle incana

© Project SOUND

* Guadalupe Island Rock Daisy – Perityle incana

Endemic to Guadalupe Island, Baja CA

Southernmost extent of California Floristic Province; similar to the Channel Islands of California

At least 35 species endemic to island; practically denuded by feral goats.

http://www.sdsharkdiving.com/images/GuadRte.jpg http://www.people.carleton.edu/~mcass/Pangea/GIsland.JPG

© Project SOUND

The genus Perityle – the Rock Daisies

In Asteraceae (Sunflower family); native to western North America.

Commonly known as Rock daisies

Highly variable genus, including small herbs to spreading shrubs

Most have yellow or white ‘daisy’ flower heads.

The fruit is generally a flat seed with thickened margins which may or may not have a pappus or scales.

Perityle emoryi – annual

Other Perityles (Ca shrubby) from Desert Mountains (chiefly the White, Inyo Mountains)

Perityle emoryi

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/rockdaisy.html

© Project SOUND

Somewhat similar to

Catalina Silverlace

Size:

2-3 ft tall

3-5+ ft wide

Growth form: Half-woody (sub-shrub); woody

base

Mounded to irregular shape

Moderate growth rate

Foliage: Silvery green (less white than

Catalina Silverlace); hairy

Leaves incised; open appearance – very attractive

Frost tender

Catalina Silverlace

© Project SOUND

Flowers provide a life-friendly treat

Blooms: spring into summer; April to July, intermittently

Flowers: Small; in ‘heads’ somewhat like

Mule Fat (minimal/no ray flowers)

Inflorescence above the foliage – very attractive

Lovely gold-yellow color

Attract many insects: pollinators, butterflies

Seeds: Eaten by song birds

© Project SOUND

Drought tolerant Soils:

Texture: best in sandy/rocky, but does fine in clay

pH: any local

Light: Full sun coast; some afternoon

shade in hot inland gardens

Water: Winter: adequate; supplement if

needed

Summer: occasional water – likes ‘summer monsoon’ in Aug. (will bloom after ‘rain’)


Other: Cut back to 4-6 inches above wood after peak bloom for best shape

http://www.sdnhm.org/research/guadalupe/p-perityle.html

© Project SOUND

Many ways to use

As a shrub in mixed beds with Salvias, Eriogonum, Encelia

Nice against a dark wall or shrubs

Good habitat plant

Useful as groundcover, fill

Even works in a container

http://plantexplorer.longwoodgardens.org/weboi/oecgi2.exe/INET_ECM_DispPl?NAME

NUM=15062&DETAIL=1

http://www.nativegardeningla.com/shrubs/perityle.html

© Project SOUND

Consider foliage/flower contrast

?? Where to place the Perityle incana




Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

We need some more fall bloomers

© Project SOUND

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2010/09/treks-on-santa-rosa-plateau-august.html

We’ve got several choices among the Sunflowers

Width Early/Spring Summer Fall

5-6 ft Grindelia camporum Hazardia/Isocoma

4-5 ft Encelia californica *Perityle incana

*Perityle incana Solidago spp *Viguiera parishii

Ericameria ericoides *Ericameria nauseosa Solidago spp

< 3 ft filler

Lasthenia spp Layia platyglossa

Achillea millefolium Cirsium occidentale Grindelia hirsutula Helianthus annuus Heterotheca grandiflora Malacothrix saxatilis Pseudognaphalium canescens *Symphyotrichum chilense

Achillea millefolium Pluchea odorata *Symphyotrichum chilense

© Project SOUND Extra points for locally native species (in green) and adult/larval (bold)

© Project SOUND

* Rubber Rabbitbush – Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa

(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)

© 2003 Michael Charters

© Project SOUND

Occurs in deserts & shrublands in much of the west

In CA, in foothills from 3,000-8,000 ft

Favors sunny, open sites including disturbed areas in chaparral, desert foothills

Has been cultivated since 1886

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysothamnus_nauseosus

http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Yellow%20Enlarged%20Photo

%20Pages/chrysothamnus%20nauseosus.htm

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Chrysothamnus+nauseosus

* Rubber Rabbitbush – Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa

(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Rubber_rabbitbrush_01.jpg

© Project SOUND

Rabbitbush is a bush Sunflower

Size: 2-5 ft tall (usual); some

populations up to 10 ft tall

2-4 ft wide

Growth form: Most commonly a mounded sub-

shrub

Many long branches from a woody base

Foliage: Narrow, aromatic leaves

May be medium green or more blue-green

Overall has a feathery appearance

Roots: deep taproot with laterals

© 2005 Christopher L. Christie

© Project SOUND

Blooms: early fall - usually Aug-Sept. in western L.A. Co.

Flowers: Small & golden yellow

In dense clusters – either flat or more pyramidal

Extremely showy

Attract tons of weird & wonderful insects

Seeds: Fluffy appendages like

Goldenbush/Mock Heather

Wind disbursed

Must germinate that fall – do not persist in seed bank

© 2003 Michael Charters

http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Yellow%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/chrysothamnus%20nauseosus.htm

Flowers are like Goldenbush

© Project SOUND

Easy to grow, reliable Soils: Texture: just about any

pH: just about any, incl. alkali

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: needs good winter/

spring rains; supplement in dry years

Summer: looks best with occasional water – Zones 1-2 or 2 are fine.

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils. But light fertilizer probably wouldn’t hurt it.

Other: prune back heavily after flowering – late fall

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Rabbitbush

In a habitat garden – a real winner

For fall color

As a tough plant for commercial plantings, parking strips, etc.

As an informal hedge

Good choice for erosion control

As a smaller substitute for the Goldenbushes

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/chrysothamnus-nauseosus

http://bugguide.net/node/view/40653/bgimage

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Arctostaphylos

© Project SOUND

We’re out of room for shrubs

Ericameria nauseosa; Perityle incana




Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

Need some ‘fillers’ that increase habitat value

Adult food (nectar)

Sunflowers Cirsium occidentale

Grindelia hirsutula

Helianthus annuus

Heterotheca grandiflora

Malacothrix saxatilis

Solidago species

*Symphyotrichum chilense

Buckwheats Several annual species

Larval food

Sunflowers Cirsium occidentale (Painted Lady)

Pseudognaphalium canescens (Ladies)

Mallows *Sphaeralcea ambigua

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

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

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/430082786_0b30a88eee.jpg?v=0

© Project SOUND

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

Good choice for containers

Great on dry slopes, hot gardens; not for very foggy areas

Larval food for Checkered Skipper, Common Hairstreak

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/sphaeralcea-ambigua

http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/wildaboututah/090407xeri-garden.htm

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Sphaeralcea_ambigua_10.jpg

© Project SOUND

Cultivar ‘Louis Hamilton’

Nice habitat plant –

and accent color

for spring/summer

http://www.calflora.net/losangelesarboretum/whatsbloomingmar07E.html

© Project SOUND

Can we fit in any more?

Malacothrix saxatilis; Sphaeralcea ambigua





Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

Smaller perennial ‘fillers’ for habitat value

Adult food (nectar)

Annual wildflowers Tidytips

Goldfields

Globe gilia

Cirsium occidentale (thistle)

Sub-shrubs/perennials Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

Asclepias spp (Milkweeds)

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens

Lobelia dunnii var. serrata

Garden herbs/vegetables Garlic Chives

Larval food

Annual wildflowers Lupinus succulentus (Painted Lady,

West Coast Lady, Common Sulfur)

Cirsium occidentale (Painted Lady)

Sub-shrubs/perennials Asclepias spp. (Monarch; Queen)

Garden herbs/vegetables Parsley (Anise Swallowtail)

Borage (Painted Lady)

© Project SOUND

Narrow-leaf Milkweed - Asclepias fascicularis

© Project SOUND

Island Buckwheat – Eriogonum grande

Channel Island endemic:

var. grande (Island Buckwheat)

Channel Islands; Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Catalina, San Clemente Islands

Bluffs and cliffs, coastal sage scrub and chaparral

var. rubescens (Red Buckwheat; San Miguel Island Buckwheat )

n Channel Islands; San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa islands

Cliffs and bluffs, coastal grassland and scrub communities

AKA: Eriogonum grande ssp. rubescens; Eriogonum grande var. dunklei; Eriogonum latifolium var. rubescens; Eriogonum rubescens

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-

bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5936,5994,6063,6

064

var. rubescens

var. grande

© Project SOUND

Special features of Red Buckwheat

Size:

1-2 ft tall

2-4 ft wide

Growth form: Low-growing, dense mounded form

Spreads slowly

Relatively short-lived – 3-5 years – but re-seeds

Foliage: Neat, spoon-shaped leaves in

rosettes; medium-large for buckwheat

Attractive bright to gray-green with wooly white backs

© Project SOUND

Red buckwheat: one of the showiest!

Blooms: Primarily in summer

Any time from May to Aug – depends a bit on moisture

Flowers: On stalks 2-3 ft tall

Color range from medium to dark pink; one of showiest CA natives

All the insects love it – good pollen and nectar source!!!

Seeds: Attracts seed-eating birds

Re-seeds well; naturalizes

Hybridizes with other buckwheats

Vegetative reproduction: mound slowly increases in size

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: best in well-drained soils; fine in dryish clay

pH: any local including alkali

Light: Full sun near coast

May appreciate afternoon shade in hot gardens

Water: Winter: needs normal amount

Summer: little needed – Water Zone 1-2 probably best; can kill with too much in clay


Other: thin organic mulch, if any

http://santacruz.nrs.ucsb.edu/natural-resources/endemic-vascular-

plants/red-buckwheat

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Red

Buckwheat

As an unusual accent plant

Super as a pot plant

Lovely massed; ground cover

Makes a pretty smaller border plant

For a ‘silver’ (moonlight) garden

In a habitat/pollinator garden

In narrow beds & planters

Pair with dudleyas, salvias, yarrow, Catalina Silverlace, larger buckwheats

© Project SOUND

Management of smaller perennial

Buckwheats

In general, need very little

care, as long as they are given proper soils and watering

Prune lightly in fall to stimulate next season’s growth, but avoid cutting deep into woody material

© Project SOUND

*Dunn’s Lobelia – Lobelia dunnii var. serrata

CA endemic; also in N. Baja

Found in Coastal and Transverse ranges; locally in Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains

Found in mossy seeps, cliffs and rocky stream banks

Moist canyons below 4500 ft, coastal sage scrub, chaparral http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Lobelia+dunnii+var.+serrata

© Project SOUND

Characteristics of Dunn’s (Blue) Lobelia

Size:

to 1 ft tall

2+ ft wide; spreading

Growth form: Herbaceous perennial

Winter dormant; usually dies back entirely

Stems semi-woody; reclining

Foliage: Light green

Small leaves

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/dunnslobelia.html

© Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic

Blooms: summer; usually July-Aug. in S. Bay; may last into Sept.

Flowers: Lobelia-shaped

Bright blue to lavender-blue

1 inch size

On upright spike; open sequentially

Long-blooming – at least 1 month with some water

Seeds: many little seeds; self-sows if happy

Vegetative reproduction: can be divided


© Project SOUND

Dunn’s Lobelia needs moist conditions for

optimal bloom… Soils:

Texture: any; prefers soil heavy in organics (leaf mulch)

pH: 6.0-8.0

Light: Full sun only in coolest gardens

Best flowering (and flower color) in partial or filtered shade. Fine under trees

Water: Winter: tolerates winter flooding

Summer: like a moist soil; Zone 2-3 to 3, although quite drought tolerant

Fertilizer: use a leaf mulch

Other: quite problem-free © 1999 John Game

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Blue Lobelia

In the butterfly garden – nectar is irresistible for many butterflies

Nice addition to bog garden, pond edge - even in shallow water ; Lovely with Juncus, Mimulus, Goldenrods

Late season color for gardens, hanging baskets, patio pots, window boxes, planters

Shady-moist ground cover; fine textured


© Project SOUND

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lobelia-dunnii-serrata

We’ll have to put the

Dunn’s Lobelia in the

moist shade under the

apple tree

© Project SOUND

Our shrubs & perennials are in place

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens; annuals






Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

Smaller ‘fillers’ that increase habitat value

Adult food (nectar)

Annual wildflowers Tidytips

Goldfields

Phacelia spp

Globe gilia

Sub-shrubs/perennials Achillea millefolium

Asclepias spp (Milkweeds)

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens

Lobelia dunnii var. serrata

Garden herbs/vegetables Garlic Chives

Larval food

Annual wildflowers Lupinus succulentus (Painted Lady,

West Coast Lady, Common Sulfur)

Cirsium occidentale (Painted Lady)

Sub-shrubs/perennials Asclepias spp. (Monarch; Queen)

Garden herbs/vegetables Parsley (Anise Swallowtail)

Borage (Painted Lady)

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

White Everlasting is great

for an ‘Evening Garden’

Most people include this species as a butterfly plant – larval food for American Lady

Excellent choice for an ‘Evening Garden’ – looks nice during the day but very striking in low-light situations

Makes an attractive pot plant; place where you can watch the butterflies

American Lady larva http://www.theodorepayne.org/plants/

plants_for_butterflies.htm

© Project SOUND

Cobwebby Thistle – Cirsium occidentale

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2006/01/cirsium_occidentale_var_occidentale.php

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for Cobwebby Thistle

As an attractive pot plant

In the annual wildflower garden, mixed beds

In the vegetable garden; stem may be eaten raw or cooked

Great addition to the wildlife garden: butterflies, bees, birds, hummingbirds, and more!

Remember: plant where the

spiny leaves won’t be a hazard

© Project SOUND

Whew! I think we’re almost there

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens; annuals






Eriogonum cinerium

Lavender

Thyme

Final nectar plant list: impressive

Spring Summer Fall

Trees/Large shrub

Amorpha californica Rhamnus illicifolia

Smaller shrub (4-6 ft)

Encelia californica Perityle incana Salvia leucophylla

Eriogonum cinereum Eriogonum fasciculatum Perityle incana Salvia clevelandii Viguiera parishii

Eriogonum cinereum Ericameria nauseosa Viguiera parishii

Other (fillers)

Annual wildflowers Garlic Chives Gilia capitata Sphaeralcia ambigua

Asclepias fascicularis Cirsium occidentalis Eriogonum grande rubescens Gilia capitata Lavender Lobelia dunnii var. serrata Malacothrix saxatilis Thyme

Sphaeralcia ambigua

© Project SOUND

We’ve provided larval food for ~ 20 species

Pale Swallowtail (Rhamnus illicifolia)

Anise Swallowtail (Parsley)

California Dogface (Amorpha californica)

Cabbage White (vegetable garden)

Common Checkered White (vegetable garden)

Gray Hairstreak (Amorpha spp.; Eriogonums ; Lupinus)

Marine Blue (Amorpha spp.; Eriogonum spp.; Lupinus)

Acmon Blue (Eriogonum spp.; Lupinus)

Mormon & Dusky Metalmarks (Encelia california; Eriogonum fasciculatum)

Painted & American Ladies (Cirsium occidentalis; Lupinus succulentus ; Pseudognaphalium spp.)

West Coast Lady (Lupinus succulentus; Borage)

Monarch & Queen (Asclepias spp.)

Skippers (grass) © Project SOUND

We’ve met our goals

Relaxed, natural appearance

Small size

Native plants



Sunny

Easy access

Seating that makes it easy to enjoy the plants/pollinators

A Life-friendly garden © Project SOUND

beautiful butterflies 2014

Self Improvement

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