Native Gardens

California Native Plants, Landscape Design, Native Gardens

Park-Like Garden Setting

By No Comments

This California native plant garden located in Menlo Park, California, and designed by L. A. Peluso Designs, has turned into a peaceful, park-like setting and features many favorites, such as Sunset Manzanita, Deer Grass, Salvia clevelandii, and Stickey Monkey.

Flagstone Path Meanders Through California Native Plant Garden, Menlo Park, CA
Flagstone Path Meanders Through California Native Plant Garden, Menlo Park, CA
California Native Plant Garden, Menlo Park CA
California Native Plant Garden, Menlo Park CA
Closeup of California Native Plant Muhlenbergia rigens Commonly Known as Deer Grass
Closeup of California Native Plant Muhlenbergia rigens, commonly known as Deer Grass
California Natives Salvia, Deer Grass, Salvia clevelandii, Mimulus aurantiacus, Sunset Manzanita, Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' Surround Bird Bath
California Natives Salvia, Deer Grass, Salvia clevelandii, Mimulus aurantiacus, Sunset Manzanita, Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ surround bird bath
Sunset Manzanita and Deer Grass, Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' Standard Tree Form
Sunset Manzanita, Deer Grass, Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ Standard Tree Form
Blooms, California Native Plants, Fall Color, Low Water Plants, Native Gardens, Pollinators

California Native Garden Plants – Fall Color

By 2 Comments

Tired of planting the “same-o, same-o flowers” for fall color? Mums are wonderful, it’s true, but how about a less thirsty change of pace? Try these California Native plants needing less water:

Helianthus annuus (Delta Sunflower or Common Sunflower)

Helianthus annuus (Delta Sunflower or Common Sunflower)

St. Catherine's Lace or Saint Catherine's Lace

Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine’s Lace) in the spring with a happy bee! And, below in the fall, a close-up of this buckwheat’s back side and rusty fall color. It turns pinkish in-between! I’ll have to remember to add that photo next year.

St. Catherine's Lace or Saint Catherine's Lace

Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine's Lace) fall color

Lollipop Flower

Helenium puberulum (Autumn Lollipop or Lollipop)* *Warning – Poisonous if ingested*

Bees flock to any of the above bloomers. Here is one now:

What are your favorite fall-blooming natives (California or otherwise)?

Garden Maintenance, Native Gardens, Naturalistic Gardens

Maintaining Native Gardens – Keeping Your Native Garden Enjoyable for All

By 2 Comments

butterfly-17057_1280 monarch

High expectations ~ instantly set while being bombarded by hundreds of picture-perfect garden images on media sites, when browsing through brilliant garden magazine photo shoots, and while watching gardens pop up in the blink of an eye on garden DIY shows. The realities, of course, are different. Gardens don’t have to be highly manicured or flawless to be successful and gratifying! Benjamin Vogt, owner of Monarch Gardens, explores ways to change our perspectives on maintaining naturalistic native gardens. Check out his article (in which I’m proud to be featured!) on Houzz.com here.