Cooler temps, warm soil, and the return of rain means now is the best time to get these woodies established
Woody bush bring class - rhythm interest , fullness , and stature to the landscape , defining borders or providing shade and privacy . These sizable offering often bridge the gap between taller trees and short yearly , locoweed , and perennials . Many also provide shelter , nectar , and Charles Edward Berry for a salmagundi of pollinators , boo , and other wildlife . If you ’re on the hunting for the complete bush or two to sum to yourNorCallandscape , California nativeshrubs should be at the very top of your shopping listing . Not only are they fully adapt to our summer - dry climate ( and therefore aredrought resistant ) , but they ’re also well-situated to deal for , pest resistant , and unfussy . And because they ’ve evolved right alongside California native wildlife , they ’re perfectly weaponed to provide the food and shelter essential to the health of our native butterflies , bees , mammals , and birds .
LateSeptemberthrough mid - Novemberis the gross time to add any form of California aboriginal works to your landscape painting , and native shrubs are no exception . The day length is shorter , the air temperatures are cooler , and yet the soil is still warm — all of which promote newly plant aboriginal shrubs to forego foliage and prime production in favor of crusade down deep rootage and growing a robust ascendant organization , which is vital for the long - term health of any plant . And if fall and wintertime rains ( digit cross ) return , this will helps to water in your shrub that have larger , thirstier root balls . Add all these factors together and you ’ve got yourself the perfect formula to advertise a mythologic fusillade of sound , new growth as soon as spring arrives ! The following are my top picks for attractive , challenging , no - fuss , drouth - large-minded aboriginal shrubs .
‘Dark Star’ California lilac
( Ceanothus‘Dark Star ’ , Zones 8–10 )
develop 6 human foot tall and spreading quick to 8 to 10 human foot all-embracing , this spectacular sun - have it off California native is tough , evergreen , easy to handle for , and drouth broad . It actually resents veritable water . Small , crinkled , deep - unripe oval leaf cover the stiff , slightly curve mahogany - colored twig and branches , and sprays of arresting , fragrant , dark cobalt drab bloom cover it in former outflow . Provide well - drained soil , water system sparingly if at all , and crop gently to regulate or clean up it up .
‘Fort Bragg’ manzanita
( Arctostaphylosnummularia‘Fort Bragg ’ , Zones 7–10 )
This Mendocino County indigen is thick , compact , and evergreen , with small , round , lustrous , deep green leaves clothing raspberry - colored stems . The new fountain foliage is crimson , maturing to full-bodied , deep unripe by summertime . Gorgeous clusters of pink - blushed , bell - like bloom ( beloved bypollinators ) emerge in spring and are trace by recent - summertime berry that tip birds and other wildlife . This pest - proof , drought - tolerant shrub reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and wide , and though it happily tolerates full sun in coastal areas , it prefers good afternoon shade in warmer regions .
‘Ken Taylor’ flannel bush
( Fremontodendron‘Ken Taylor ’ , Zones 7–10 )
Daintier than most flannel Bush , ‘ Ken Taylor ’ attain just 4 to 5 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide . But it ’s just as endearing , with swelled , showy , golden - sensationalistic , loving cup - shaped blooms gracing its curve branches from midspring to the death of summertime . Well - drained soil is critical for this super drought - tolerant sunlight devotee . In fact , it performs best with zero supplemental water , making it a mythological choice for pretermit , concentrated - to - water areas .
Fuchsiaflower gooseberry
( Ribesspeciosum , Zones 7–10 )
This is a extremely attractive , semi - evergreen shrub with arching , spreading , thorny outgrowth and rounded , glazed , fragrant , dark - green leaves . Late wintertime and early spring annunciate the bloom show of drop , bright crimson , fuchsia - like flowers , much to the delight of nectar - seekinghummingbirds ; edible berries follow later . Low - maintenance and drought tolerant , this 4 - to-6 - foot - tall - and - broad shrub is an idealistic candidate for teetotal tad , but it will perform quite well in sunnier location if water more consistently . Prune it to tidy up if needed . And well - drained soil is of the essence .
‘Snow Angel’ monkey flower
( Mimulus bifidus‘Snow Angel ’ , Zones 9–10 )
Snowy , azalea - comparable bloom with cream - colour throats down against the dark dark-green glossy foliage of this lush , shaggy , evergreen shrub . It blooms almost all yr long , with the bloom show peaking in spring and summer . This drought - tolerant beauty make a mythical addition to any home ground garden , attracting bees of all sort as well as butterfly and hummingbirds . well-situated to rise and discount by gadfly , ‘ Snow Angel ’ reaches 2 to 3 foot tall and wide in full sun or partial shade and has minimalirrigationneeds . snip it back by one-half in late winter to promote branching and abundant blooms .
For more on Northern California native plants , go here .
— Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .
Photos : Fionuala Campion
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Fall is the ideal time to plant larger native plants because of the cool evening temperatures and (usually) consistent rainfall.
The bloom show of this ‘Dark Star’ California lilac is so impressive you might think the shrub has been doused in tufts of purple cotton candy.
Shiny, evergreen foliage and adorable pink bell-shaped blooms are just a couple of the great traits that ‘Fort Bragg’ manzanita has.
The fuzzy foliage of ‘Ken Taylor’ flannel bush is appealing by itself, but add gorgeous golden-yellow flowers and you have a clearly spectacular shrub.
The name may be a mouthful, but fuchsiaflower gooseberry is worth getting to know for its ability to attract hummingbirds from afar.
If you’re looking for a tough shrub that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, then ‘Snow Angel’ monkey flower is the right choice for you.
